Teaching science out-of-doors

Currently there are moves to increase learning out-of-doors and to represent the work of inspirational scientists in the secondary science curriculum. In 2009 the scientific processes and knowledge derived from Darwin's work, much of which was undertaken out-of-doors, will feature prominently in science education. His simple, hands-on, practical enquiries can be replicated in schools. Here his weed plot and worm cast experiments are described and their implications discussed

Professional Learning Portfolios for Argumentation in School Science

This paper reports on the use of portfolios in a continuing professional development programme to advance teachers’ skills in their pedagogy of argumentation. The programme adopted a cyclical process of expert input- teacher practice- sharing practice, in order for professional learning to include reflective analysis of growing accomplishment. Accomplishment was initially defined according to previous research and development on the teaching of argumentation, but was redefined during the programme as teachers shared practice and discussed their achievements. Portfolios were used to help teachers apply their learning, collate evidence of their accomplishment and share reflective analysis of practice with other colleagues on the programme. The paper includes extracts of two teachers’ portfolios; these provide evidence of each teacher’s developing accomplishment in the teaching of argumentation. Portfolios are idiosyncratic and are constructed according to an individual teacher’s motivations, interpretations and situations. Teachers need structure and guidance in creating purposeful portfolios that enhance reflective practice

Professional Learning Portfolios for Argumentation in School Science

This paper reports on the use of portfolios in a continuing professional development programme to advance teachers’ skills in their pedagogy of argumentation. The programme adopted a cyclical process of expert input- teacher practice- sharing practice, in order for professional learning to include reflective analysis of growing accomplishment. Accomplishment was initially defined according to previous research and development on the teaching of argumentation, but was redefined during the programme as teachers shared practice and discussed their achievements. Portfolios were used to help teachers apply their learning, collate evidence of their accomplishment and share reflective analysis of practice with other colleagues on the programme. The paper includes extracts of two teachers’ portfolios; these provide evidence of each teacher’s developing accomplishment in the teaching of argumentation. Portfolios are idiosyncratic and are constructed according to an individual teacher’s motivations, interpretations and situations. Teachers need structure and guidance in creating purposeful portfolios that enhance reflective practice

The first use of Fulton's K for assessing and comparing the conditions of inter-tidal fish populations

Fulton's K condition factor was applied, for the first time, to inter-tidal specimens of the shanny (Lipophrys pholis) and long-spined scorpion fish (Taurulus bubalis) from two English rocky shore and two Welsh rocky shore sites during summer 2010 and winter 2011. As both species contribute to the diet of commercial species such as cod (Gadus morhua) and near-threatened species such as the European otter (Lutra lutra), their condition may affect that of these predators. Fulton's K found that inter-tidal Welsh fish maintained a ‘good’ condition between seasons, whereas the inter-tidal English fish were in a poorer condition during winter. Although condition also changed amongst the sites on each coast, further studies are needed into fish morphologies, environmental parameters, prey availabilities and abundances, and fish specimen sex and maturities

The base salary for senators and members: 2014 update

Introduction: Senators and members receive an annual allowance by way of basic salary—$195,130 from 1 July 2014.1 This research paper explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance. Adjustments to the base salary since 1968 are provided in Table 1 and Graph 1 of the report. Information on the base salary of state and territory members of parliament is available in a companion Research paper, Parliamentary remuneration and entitlements. &nbsp

Supply Chain Management in the Prime Lamb Industry Tender Plus: A Success Story

Traditionally fresh food industries have lagged behind other consumer goods in their approach to marketing and integration, and generally, are resigned to being commodity traders. Retailers' worldwide have increased their dominance within the fresh food industry. Clairs (2001) argued that within 10 years, 5-10 retail chains would dominate global food retailing. In Australia the three big supermarket chains and their subsidiaries had 40% of the retail grocery market in 1970 yet by 1998-99 their share had moved to 80% (AFFA and ABARE 2000). In the UK, four retailers account for two thirds of all grocery sales (Fearne & Hughes 1999). The Australian prime lamb industry is rapidly growing, especially in the export arena and has companies rising to the challenge of the domination of market place by retail chains. This paper looks in depth at one such company, Tender Plus. It profiles the relationships within the supply chain, and the success factors, which has provided Tender Plus with the impetus to increase sales to Japan by 15% a year. The key factor is a paradigm shift from a price orientated domain, to that of a relationship orientated one. This is achieved through the commercial factors of quality and consistency of supply, and the people factors of trust, honesty, loyalty and open communication. A combination of these factors, and continuous learning, is cementing the future of Tender Plus, in a marketplace where the power of multi-national conglomerates is increasing.Agribusiness, Industrial Organization,

Dams and People: Geographic Impact Area Analysis

This report attempts to determine the efficacy of using geographic impact areas as analytical sub-groups for the assessment of the impact of multi-purpose reservoir projects on target communities. The impact areas utilized are: the take area; the below-the-dam area; the urban area; and, the adjacent area. Each area is described in detail and each is analyzed for differences in knowledge, previous experience, and perception of impact on community and family. Data for this study originated from structured and open-ended interviews in Johnson County, Kentucky. Information was collected during two field efforts, the first in February, 1974, the second in August of the same year. Frequency of response and content analysis are the chief analytical devices. Descriptions of the life styles of each region indicated significant differences exist between impact areas. In addition, findings concerning the key variables of knowledge, previous experience, and perception of impact support the efficacy of impact area analysis. Different impact areas represent different orientations to reservoir projects. These differences must be considered for a better understanding of the social impact of such reservoir projects

Federal election results 1901–2014

During the period 1901 to 2014, there have been 44 general elections for the House of Representatives and 42 Senate elections. This paper contains a brief commentary on each election along with statistical summary information and results in each state and territory for each election. Introduction This Research paper updates the Parliamentary Library’s Federal Election Results 1901–2010 paper published in 2011. It contains a summary of the federal elections—House of Representatives and Senate—held from 1901 to the latest half-Senate election in Western Australia in 2014. Brief comments on each election are provided in this paper, along with a series of statistical tables. Tables showing detailed state and territory results for each House of Representatives and Senate election contain: figures for the number of electors enrolled the number and percentage of votes received by party and seats won by party. Votes received by party are expressed as a percentage of formal votes, while formal and informal votes are expressed as a percentage of total votes. Total votes are expressed as a percentage of electors enrolled in contested divisions. Enrolled figures represent the total number of electors enrolled in each state, while enrolled division figures represent the number of electors enrolled in contested divisions only. Other individual state and territory tables summarise the results for that state and territory at every House of Representatives and Senate election. These show, by party, the percentage of formal votes and seats won. Further tables showing Senate compositions, two-party preferred votes, informal votes and turnout at each Senate and House of Representatives election in the period are also included