Finding the right words - a systematic approach to word selection for a special purpose science dictionary

First year undergraduate science students frequently report difficulties grappling with the technical and semi-technical vocabulary of academic science. Most first year science students undertake studies in several scientific disciplines (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics etc.), each with their own set of technical vocabulary. Yet the students not only deal with specific and obvious jargon, but must also tackle more indirect jargon where commonly used words may have a different and special meaning in the scientific context (e.g., control, contract) Inability to master scientific language represents ‘a major barrier to learning’ for a significant number of students (Wellington and Osborne 2001), or a ‘lexical bar’ to be overcome (Corson 1995). Such problems are exacerbated when the students come from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB), whether they be local or international students

Emsian Chitinozoa from the Buchan area of southeastern Australia

Emisian chitinozoans from two sections through the Taravale Formation, near Buchan, southeastern Australia are doucmented. The fauna bears little resemblance to those extracted from contemporaneous successions in other parts of the globe. Seven chitinozoan assemblages are recognised with local stratigraphic application. Possible reasons for the unique composition of the fauna include biased preservation, highly developed endemism in the Emsian and an unusual depositional environment. The last suggests a degree of facies dependency in chitinozoans. Fifteen new species: Angochitina chilikalla, A. kurnai, A. warrugang, Bursachitina (Bursachitina) ngarigo, B. (B.) talenti, B. (Amplichitina) bidawal, B. (A.) jaimathang, B. (A.) kurritgo, B. (A.) erasilis, Eisenackitina birubi, E. hebeta, E. subditiva, E. warnangatte, E.? vieta, and E. yaraan are desribed. Two new subgenera are erected, Bursachitina (Bursachitina) and B. (Amplichitina)

‘Workplace’ or Workforce: What Are We Preparing Students For?

This Position Paper explores some of the assumptions that underpin the dependence on physical WIL placements. The authors focus on the fundamental question of what exactly we are preparing students for – is it the workplace, or should we think more broadly about preparing students for the workforce? This raises other questions around the necessity of students undertaking placements in a physical workplace to learn what they need, as well as analysing what aspects of work trigger learning. Workplaces in many organisations are quite different to those of a decade ago, requiring different skills of their workers, and for some, there is no single physical workplace at all. Preparing students for this new paradigm requires us to rethink what kind of WIL experience will be most efficacious and potentially opens space for consideration of other options such as virtual WIL, project-based WIL, studio learning, and student designed start-ups. It is hoped that our thoughts and recommendations might challenge how academics and practitioners currently think about and deliver WIL, with a view to advancing new approaches to non-placement WIL

Lower Cambrian melanosclerites and foraminiferal linings from the Lontova Formation, St. Petersburg, Russia

This paper documents the first evidence for melanosclerites and foraminiferal test-linings from the Cambrian. While agglutinated foraminifera are known from the Precambrian–Cambrian transition, their tests are delicate and not commonly recovered from acid-digested samples. The material presented herein represents the organic test-linings, which preserve sufficient detail of the internal morphology of the foraminiferal test wall and gross morphology to allow identification to generic level. The occurrence of melanosclerites documented herein, extends their lower range from the Middle Ordovician to the Lower Cambrian and includes Semenola semen Schallreuter 1981, Melanosteus sp. Eisenack 1942 and Melanoclava sp. Eisenack 1942. Foraminiferal taxa include Psammosphaera Schulze 1875, Thurammina? Brady 1879, and a small tubular form (Bathysiphon?), which supplements the previously described records of Platysolenites spp., Spirosolenites spiralis Glaessner 1979 and Psammosphaera sp., which are known from their agglutinated tests rather than the test-lining. This also extends the first occurrence datum of Psammosphaera and Thurammina? to the Platysolenites partial range zone of the Lower Cambrian.9 page(s

Chitinozoa ze srodkowoordowickich formacji Golwyer i Nita w basenie Canning [Australia Zachodnia]

Chitinozoans from seven cores in the Middle Ordovician upper Goldwyer and Nita formations are documented, and three assemblages are delineated. Six out of twelve species found in the Canning Basin, in eastern Gondwana, are also found in Laurentia, confirming the close relationship between chitinozoans in the two palaeocontinents. The assemblages correlate with Zone 05 of Combaz & Peniguel, and the undefined zone immediately overlying the Cyathochitina jenkinsi Zone in the biozonation designed for Laurentia. The relationship between contemporaneous assemblages in Baltica, Avalonia and the northern Gondwana Domain is discussed with a small number of species in common with Baltica and Avalonia, and no definite links with northern Gondwana. Two new species Calpichitina windjana, and Belonechitina vibrissa are described.Omówiono Chitinozoa ze środkowoordowickich odcinków siedmiu rdzeni wiertniczych obejmujących strop formacji Goldwyer i formacji Nita z basenu Canning w Australii Zachodniej i zaliczono je do trzech zespołów. Stwierdzono ich użyteczność do wewnątrzbasenowej korealcji warstw darriwilianu (lanwirn). Sześć z dwunastu gatunków basenu Canning należącego do wschodniej Gondwany znanych jest także z Laurencji/Spitsbergenu (z wyłączeniem kosmopolitycznego gatunku B. micracantha), co potwierdza bliskie pokrewieństwa fauny chitinozoowej obu prakontynentów i wskazuje na możliwość zastosowania regionalnego podziału na biopoziomy z Laurencji również w odniesieniu do środkowego ordowiku Australii. Badania Chitinozoa z ordowiku Australii są wciąż nieliczne i ograniczone do basenów Canning i Georgina. Obok przedstawienia dokumentacji taksonomicznej odniesiono również obecne badania i nowoopisane zespoły do najobszerniejszego opracowania ordowickich Chitinozoa z basenu Canning z czterech wierceń obejmujących formacje Nambeet, Willara i Goldwyer (Combaz & Peniguel 1972). Opisane w niniejszej pracy zespoły można skorelować z tymi z poziomu 05 w basenie Canning (Combaz & Peninguel 1972). Największe podobieństwo wykazują opisane zespoły z górnej części formacji Goldwyer i formacji Nita do zespołów Chitinozoa z darriwilianu Kanady i mogą być korelowane z poziomem "niezdefiniowanym" bezpośrednio nadległym nad poziomem Cyathochitina jenkinsi w podziale stosowanym dla Laurencji, zaś w podziale przyjętym dla Gondwany, można je korelować z poziomem Laufeldochitina clavata lub Linochitina pissotensis. Spośród dwunastu gatunków opisanych z basenu Canning, dwa (Calpichitina windjana sp. n. =?Desmochijina complanata i Cyathochitina hunderumensis), a być może i trzeci (Belonechitina chydaea) znane są także z równowiekowych skał Baltiki i Avalonii, zaś jeden gatunek (Conochitina kryos) prawdopodobnie występuje również w Chinach. Nie stwierdzono wyraźnych powiązań z równowiekowymi zespołami północnej Gondwany. Wyniki paleobiogeograficznych badań autorów są zgodne z wynikami badań Achab et al. (1992) i wskazując, że zespoły środkowoordowickich Chitinozoa z Australii są najblizsze laurentyjskim, dobrze potwierdzają zależność rozmieszczenia gatunków Chitinozoa od szerokości geograficznej. Również związki pomiędzy równowiekowymi zespołami Baltiki, Avalonii i północnej Gondwany są zgodne z paleogeograficznymi rekonstrukcjami rozmieszczenia kontynentów w środkowym ordowiku (darriwilian), które umiejscawiają Laurencję i Australię w niskich szerokościach, Baltikę i Avalonię w średnich, a północną Gondwanę w pobliżu bieguna południowego. Opisano dwa nowe gatunki Calpichitina windjana i Belonechitina vibrissa

Foraminiferal linings and other organic walled microfossils from the Devonian of the Tamworth Belt, northern New South Wales, Australia

Early to Late Devonian (Emsian to late Famennian) organic walled microfossils were recovered from nineteen localities throughout the Tamworth Belt, northern New South Wales. The microfossil assemblages included poorly preserved chitinozoans and scolecodonts, spores and moderately well preserved foraminiferal linings. Fourteen species of foraminiferal linings from six genera are documented. At least three species of foramininferal linings (Inauris tubulata, Saccammina mea and Thurammina pustulosa) show potential for global correlation. Saccammina sp. cf. S. ampullacea and Thurammina mirrka may have application for correlation within Australia.21 page(s

The environmental response of Middle Ordovician large organic walled microfossils from the Goldwyer and Nita Formations, Canning Basin, Western Australia

16 page(s

Transformational Learning: Possibilities, Theories, Questions and Challenges

Developing “a culture of transformative learning” is the first of seven strategic priorities of Macquarie University (2013, p. 12). Through PACE and other education programs the university has set out to “develop and lead teaching models that promote enquiry driven learning, and prepare students for productive professional and civic lives” (p. 12). This vision of learning and teaching has implications for: the way the university views itself, relationships between academics and students, and relationships between the university and surrounding community. In this chapter we explore transformative learning in PACE and consider theoretical perspectives on transformative learning, pedagogical approaches, teaching practices, possibilities, challenges and questions.16 page(s

Inclusive practice in WIL

Work integrated learning (WIL) connects students with industry, business, government and community with the intention of creating authentic learning experiences that strengthen students’ capacity to develop work-ready skills. WIL has emerged as a key strategy for educational institutions in response to changes in tertiary education and the demand for graduates with work related capabilities. This HERDSA Guide highlights the uniqueness of WIL and the opportunities and challenges it affords. The Guide provides insights into curriculum design, performance-based assessment, academic standards, risk management, institutional leadership, building staff capacity and evaluation strategies for WIL. The Guide offers a range of existing, new and emergent perspectives about WIL in a global context and provides useful information for practitioners and institutional leaders