Different ways of knowing

This paper focuses on the concept and characteristic elements of motivational self systems, life-wide learning and the vital importance thereof for educators in regard to the facilitation of learners in becoming 'co-creators of knowledge'. In more recent times students have wanted a more active role in regard to knowledge creation in the undergraduate classroom (Mannix, 2008). In this paper, it is advocated that engaging with the knowledge, interests and life situations of learners contributes not only to a collaborative teaching/learning process, but also facilitates learners in the reconstruction of how they perceive knowledge and of their own identities (possible and ideal selves). Furthermore, it is viewed that the further and deeper students are willing to think and draw on their knowledge and own experiences (different learning spaces in which students reside), the more creative and metacognitive they can become. Educational goals of collaboration and empowerment of learners stand in contrast to teaching approaches placing more emphasis on behavioural control. These approaches place importance on the attainment only of specified learning outcomes. Focusing education reform effort on high academic standards does have its merits, but this approach often puts content, curriculum, and assessment, not students, at the centre

Supersymmetry Breaking with Periodic Potentials

We discuss supersymmetry breaking in some supersymmetric quantum mechanical models with periodic potentials. The sensitivity to the parameters appearing in the superpotential is more acute than in conventional nonperiodic models. We present some simple elliptic models to illustrate these points.Comment: 10 pp; Latex; 3 figures using eps

Renegotiation of Waste Disposal Services in Key West, Florida

Effective planning of a solid waste recycling program is a substantial challenge for the current waste management system in Key West, Florida. Solid waste management strategies have to be reorganized in light of the social and economic recycling, recovery, and reuse philosophical approaches which are dramatically changing consumer behaviors across the globe. The growing concern for environmental issues and the goal of local sustainable development have moved the management of solid waste to the forefront of the public agenda. This paper focuses on efforts to agree upon a city-wide initiative to increase waste diversion within the prevailing political, environmental, and economic climate in which waste disposal activities had dominated the market. It discusses how the traditional two-party solid waste hauling contract was altered by the addition of outside third-party interests forcing a multi-party negotiation processes

The art of clinical leadership in contemporary nursing

There is little doubt that leadership is a complex process and the quality of its application can have profound effects on organisations and workplaces. As a concept, leadership has been variously depicted, defined, and discussed in in the literature. In the new millennium clinical leadership has increasingly been a focus of attention in health care systems across the world, with various reports identifying enhanced clinical leadership as a solution to overcoming deficiencies in the quality of care delivered to consumers of health care services. In the complex world of health care this view is perhaps too simplistic. However, there is little doubt that clinical leadership effectiveness does have a role to play in the quality of health care delivery, regardless of the clinical setting. To this end, this study set out to explore the aesthetics of clinical leadership in contemporary nursing. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for the research, underpinned by the philosophical orientation and assumptions of critical social theory and the works of Habermas. Initially, an integrative review of the contemporary nursing literature was conducted to uncover empirical understandings of clinical leadership. Data were then collected from an online descriptive survey and conversation-style interviews with 12 registered nurses who worked in designated clinical leadership roles. The respondents to the survey were nurses from across the world, recruited via online social networks and e-learning platforms and the clinical leaders interviewed were from Australia. Quantitative data collected from the online survey were subject to descriptive analysis using SPSS software. The qualitative responses to the survey were initially subject of content analysis using aesthetic leadership dimensions. Data collected from the interviews were analysed thematically. The findings from these three data sources are presented as part of a series of six published papers in this thesis. The integrative review revealed, from a relatively small evidence base, attributes of clinical leadership have a clinical focus, a follower/team focus or a personal qualities focus; all attributes to needed to sustain supportive workplaces. The survey results indicated that the aesthetic leadership characteristics in clinical leaders most valued included being supportive and effective communication. Taking risks and challenging processes were least likely to be evident among clinical leaders. Analysis of the narrative data collected during the research revealed that advanced practice nurses in designated clinical leadership roles embodied aesthetic leadership, reflected in a strong moral compass that shapes their practice. The data also revealed that when clinical leaders enact aesthetic leadership they are critically self-reflective and embrace core nursing values and beliefs. Through this type of leadership they convey a visible, composed role model that has a positive effect on the nursing workplace. From subsequent synthesis of these findings, and using of the symphony orchestra as a metaphor, a model of artful clinical leadership emerged. This model offers a new and different way of conceptualising clinical leadership in contemporary nursing. Using the established notion of levels of expertise, in much the same way as has occurred clinical nursing practice, this model identifies the qualities and attributes to be an artful concertmaster in the contemporary clinical nursing world

Jews of the Outback: Jewish Settlement in Broken Hill

In the late nineteenth century, Jews from the Russian Empire immigrated to the new world in great numbers. A small but significant community was established in the silver rush town of Broken Hill. Broken Hill – a European city in the middle of the desert – suited the Jews who came there. Within five years of its discovery in 1883, Broken Hill was producing more silver, lead and zinc (and royalties for government) than any other mine in the world. The massive boomerang shaped ore body produced a fortune for Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP), caused the deaths of hundreds of miners, kick started the Australian union movement and produced a society that is as proud and cohesive today as it was in the beginning. The Jews who came to Broken Hill contributed substantially to the development of this society. In return, Broken Hill provided the Jews with something rare in history: a home that was free and safe. This thesis describes the Jewish community and their contribution to Broken Hill, which, at the turn of the century, was the third largest centre in New South Wales (after Sydney and Newcastle). The study surveys Jewish ethnic origins, the ‘waves’ of immigration, occupational profiles, the building of the Synagogue (which still stands and is now the home of the Broken Hill Historical Society), business successes, involvement in politics and wider society, and the eventual movement beyond Broken Hill to the capital cities. Finally ‘Jews of the Outback: Jewish Settlement in Broken Hill’ will attempt to characterise Jewish contribution to one of Australia’s most important colonial cities and the impact of Australia on Jewish traditional lifestyles

Cochrane Review summary: Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy

Tonsillitis (inflammation or enlargement of the tonsils) occurs mainly in children due to a variety of reasons including chronic illness due to recurrent infection and enlargement of the tonsils, with difficulties in swallowing and breathing, very large tonsils that obstruct breathing, and recurrent ear infections. Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils, two pads of lymphoid (glandular) tissue located on each side at the back of the throat. There are side effects to the tonsillectomy procedure such as pain and bleeding, and various postoperative treatments have been used to minimise these symptoms from occurring. The aim of this Cochrane Review was to assess the effects of oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays in improving recovery following tonsillectomy. The search for this review was updated in April 2011

Using the Delphi technique to develop standards for neonatal intensive care nursing education

The purpose of this study was to use the Delphi technique to determine the first draft of national standards for neonatal intensive care nursing (NICN) education. The Australian College of Neonatal Nurses (ACNN) endorsed the project, and assisted in the selection of members for a panel of 13 neonatal intensive care nursing and education experts from all states of Australia that conducted NICN education programs. These experts were consulted over a period of seven months using the Delphi technique. The researcher initially developed a set of questions to guide the expert panel