Cities concentrate risks and the adverse effects of dense populations, such as outdoor air pollut... more Cities concentrate risks and the adverse effects of dense populations, such as outdoor air pollution, chronic disease and the impact of extreme weather events. Governments and planning bodies struggle to heed and apply the abundance of unintegrated research that links aspects of the urban environment with urban residents' wellbeing. In order to promote human wellbeing in cities, a number of key features of the urban environment should be promoted. The medical science, urban ecology and urban design research already recognises the importance of some aspects, including providing walkable spaces, community space and greenspace. We argue that in practice, the provision of these three features is insufficient for human wellbeing. Emerging research demonstrates the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to wellbeing. This paper outlines the concept of wellbeing and provides a summary of the three established features of urban environments that enhance residents' lives: the provision of walkable, community and greenspace. We then outline the importance of two vital but often overlooked links in the discussion of how urban planning contributes to wellbeing: biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Until governments and policies recognise the importance of these two elements, urban design and management for wellbeing is at best simplistic. It is important for biodiversity and ecosystem function to be considered during the design decision process. Urban designers and ecologists should recognise that their work has the potential to contribute to human wellbeing by integrating biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in their research.
Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Inno... more Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Innovation in Accounting and Corporate Governance Education Conference. 31 January 2 February. Hobart, Tasmania. ISBN: 978-1-86295-375-8 ... UNDERSTANDING THE ...
Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Oct 8, 2012
Podcasting, the pushing of potentially mobile multimedia files to end users, is not a new tool in... more Podcasting, the pushing of potentially mobile multimedia files to end users, is not a new tool in relation to learning and teaching. There is a perceived association between recording lectures and podcasting, however many kinds of materials may be podcasted in higher education. In this paper, we discuss the use of podcast episodes -short audio files -recorded by a lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Business at The University of Sydney. Files are designed to reinforce lecture content and are produced by the lecturer and uploaded to the Faculty learning management system, Blackboard, for student subscription. We consider the impact on students based on survey data, particularly regarding the technology itself, any perceived learning benefits and the proportion of the participating student population. We further consider the impact on the lecturer, his experience using the learning technology and any perceived teaching benefits. This paper may be useful to academic staff or institutions interested in providing multimedia content for students.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2010
This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study on the use of podcasting in higher educat... more This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study on the use of podcasting in higher education. The study was conducted during 2007 and 2008 and involved students from 20 units of study. Research data was gathered by distributing an in-class survey to 4584 enrolled students, with 39% (1780) of students completing the survey. Qualitative data was gathered by conducting student focus groups, with a total of 158 students participating, and interviewing teaching staff on their podcasting experiences. The results identified three broad approaches to podcasting employed: reframed podcasts, or content reproduced in multiple media (e.g., textbook chapters summarised as podcast episodes); complementary podcasts that added extra information to enhance the student learning experience; and supplementary podcasts that re-design and broadcast content previously presented in class.
This paper presents the findings of a podcasting trial held in 2007-2008 within the Faculty of Ec... more This paper presents the findings of a podcasting trial held in 2007-2008 within the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Sydney, Australia. The trial investigates the value of using short-format podcasts to support assessment for postgraduate and undergraduate students. A multi-method approach is taken in investigating perceptions of the benefits of podcasting, incorporating surveys, focus groups and interviews. The results show that a majority of students believe they gained learning benefits from the podcasts and appreciated the flexibility of the medium to support their learning, and the lecturers felt the innovation helped diversify their pedagogical approach and support a diverse student population. Three primary conclusions are presented: (1) most students reject the mobile potential of podcasting in favour of their traditional study space at home;
Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Inno... more Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Innovation in Accounting and Corporate Governance Education Conference. 31 January 2 February. Hobart, Tasmania. ISBN: 978-1-86295-375-8 ... UNDERSTANDING THE ...
Proceedings of the Assessment in Science Teaching and Learning Symposium, 2006
Abstract: In-class assessable team-based learning aims to motivate students to do pre-class readi... more Abstract: In-class assessable team-based learning aims to motivate students to do pre-class reading and participate inclass via team quizzes. Pre-class preparation allows teachers to address learning gaps using individual quizzes, while team quizzes promote peer interaction and active learning. The pilot project replicated Michaelsen's approach with the aim of improving learning in diverse student cohorts with minimal impact on staff time. The aim of the research was to report the replication of this approach in the Australian context ...
One activity-rich way to utilize collaborative learning, team-based learning (TBL), can present s... more One activity-rich way to utilize collaborative learning, team-based learning (TBL), can present students and teachers with both opportunities and challenges. TBL requires students to prepare for each class, where they are then assessed for their ‘readiness’ to apply the concepts learned during their pre-class preparation. This study addresses two aspects of TBL in an aim to better support and facilitate
Cities concentrate risks and the adverse effects of dense populations, such as outdoor air pollut... more Cities concentrate risks and the adverse effects of dense populations, such as outdoor air pollution, chronic disease and the impact of extreme weather events. Governments and planning bodies struggle to heed and apply the abundance of unintegrated research that links aspects of the urban environment with urban residents' wellbeing. In order to promote human wellbeing in cities, a number of key features of the urban environment should be promoted. The medical science, urban ecology and urban design research already recognises the importance of some aspects, including providing walkable spaces, community space and greenspace. We argue that in practice, the provision of these three features is insufficient for human wellbeing. Emerging research demonstrates the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to wellbeing. This paper outlines the concept of wellbeing and provides a summary of the three established features of urban environments that enhance residents' lives: the provision of walkable, community and greenspace. We then outline the importance of two vital but often overlooked links in the discussion of how urban planning contributes to wellbeing: biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Until governments and policies recognise the importance of these two elements, urban design and management for wellbeing is at best simplistic. It is important for biodiversity and ecosystem function to be considered during the design decision process. Urban designers and ecologists should recognise that their work has the potential to contribute to human wellbeing by integrating biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in their research.
Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Inno... more Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Innovation in Accounting and Corporate Governance Education Conference. 31 January 2 February. Hobart, Tasmania. ISBN: 978-1-86295-375-8 ... UNDERSTANDING THE ...
Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Oct 8, 2012
Podcasting, the pushing of potentially mobile multimedia files to end users, is not a new tool in... more Podcasting, the pushing of potentially mobile multimedia files to end users, is not a new tool in relation to learning and teaching. There is a perceived association between recording lectures and podcasting, however many kinds of materials may be podcasted in higher education. In this paper, we discuss the use of podcast episodes -short audio files -recorded by a lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Business at The University of Sydney. Files are designed to reinforce lecture content and are produced by the lecturer and uploaded to the Faculty learning management system, Blackboard, for student subscription. We consider the impact on students based on survey data, particularly regarding the technology itself, any perceived learning benefits and the proportion of the participating student population. We further consider the impact on the lecturer, his experience using the learning technology and any perceived teaching benefits. This paper may be useful to academic staff or institutions interested in providing multimedia content for students.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2010
This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study on the use of podcasting in higher educat... more This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study on the use of podcasting in higher education. The study was conducted during 2007 and 2008 and involved students from 20 units of study. Research data was gathered by distributing an in-class survey to 4584 enrolled students, with 39% (1780) of students completing the survey. Qualitative data was gathered by conducting student focus groups, with a total of 158 students participating, and interviewing teaching staff on their podcasting experiences. The results identified three broad approaches to podcasting employed: reframed podcasts, or content reproduced in multiple media (e.g., textbook chapters summarised as podcast episodes); complementary podcasts that added extra information to enhance the student learning experience; and supplementary podcasts that re-design and broadcast content previously presented in class.
This paper presents the findings of a podcasting trial held in 2007-2008 within the Faculty of Ec... more This paper presents the findings of a podcasting trial held in 2007-2008 within the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Sydney, Australia. The trial investigates the value of using short-format podcasts to support assessment for postgraduate and undergraduate students. A multi-method approach is taken in investigating perceptions of the benefits of podcasting, incorporating surveys, focus groups and interviews. The results show that a majority of students believe they gained learning benefits from the podcasts and appreciated the flexibility of the medium to support their learning, and the lecturers felt the innovation helped diversify their pedagogical approach and support a diverse student population. Three primary conclusions are presented: (1) most students reject the mobile potential of podcasting in favour of their traditional study space at home;
Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Inno... more Meyers, NM, Smith, BN, Bingham, SA and Shimeld, SF (Eds.). (2007). Proceedings of the Second Innovation in Accounting and Corporate Governance Education Conference. 31 January 2 February. Hobart, Tasmania. ISBN: 978-1-86295-375-8 ... UNDERSTANDING THE ...
Proceedings of the Assessment in Science Teaching and Learning Symposium, 2006
Abstract: In-class assessable team-based learning aims to motivate students to do pre-class readi... more Abstract: In-class assessable team-based learning aims to motivate students to do pre-class reading and participate inclass via team quizzes. Pre-class preparation allows teachers to address learning gaps using individual quizzes, while team quizzes promote peer interaction and active learning. The pilot project replicated Michaelsen's approach with the aim of improving learning in diverse student cohorts with minimal impact on staff time. The aim of the research was to report the replication of this approach in the Australian context ...
One activity-rich way to utilize collaborative learning, team-based learning (TBL), can present s... more One activity-rich way to utilize collaborative learning, team-based learning (TBL), can present students and teachers with both opportunities and challenges. TBL requires students to prepare for each class, where they are then assessed for their ‘readiness’ to apply the concepts learned during their pre-class preparation. This study addresses two aspects of TBL in an aim to better support and facilitate
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