In the rapidly changing ‘knowledge economy’ where ‘innovation’ and ‘responsiveness’ are vital, tertiary education can be at a point transformation. Since the late 1990s the New Zealand government began to shift part of its tertiary education policy with an increasing focus on what is commonly called ‘foundation’ education. The shift was aimed at ensuring all New Zealanders are equipped for the knowledge economy and raising the skills of individuals. A variety of research and education programmes were launched, and existing foundation or bridging programmes strengthened through policy, research and educational endeavours. Bridging education programmes (a subset of foundation education) are designed to prepare non-traditional and under-prepared students for ongoing study at a higher level. This current research sought to identify the influence of a university bridging programme (Level 4) on students who progressed into further study at undergraduate level. The bridging programme commenced in 2003 providing a pathway for students into undergraduate health degrees. The key question for this thesis was: how does bridging education influence students? To determine the influence of the bridging programme, this research was based on a case-study of seven students who completed four or eight papers in the bridging programme. Participants were in ongoing study (for at least one year) in a Bachelor of Health Science (any major). The methodology was qualitative in design, drawing extensively on a case-study approach to research the influences of the bridging programme. The method of data collection utilised was individual semi-structured interviews with former bridging students to ascertain their perceptions, views and experiences of the influence of a bridging programme, both historically and currently. In examining this unique context, information on the influences of bridging education was explored and the importance of bridging education, from the participant’s perspective, understood more clearly. This thesis and the research within revealed that the influence of the bridging programme began at the participant’s time of enrolment and continued into their undergraduate study and their lives. The bridging programme influenced the way participant’s interacted with a range of factors including: the institution; their undergraduate programme; with educators and peers; and with family, friends and others in society. Equally, it is acknowledged that these factors influenced the participant’s, facilitating or impeding their ongoing learning. The participants also identified several challenges (financial and relational) related to the influence of tertiary study which they faced. The research revealed the programme influenced their ongoing success and continuation in undergraduate study. The programme provided an effective bridge into tertiary education (academically, emotionally and socially). Participant’s acknowledged the influence on their cognitive and meta-cognitive growth and development. The range of tertiary leaning skills and knowledge gained and/or enhanced was considerable. Close links between the academic skills taught in the bridging programme and required in undergraduate study were evident. Positive improvements in confidence, self-efficacy and motivation were also attributed to the influence of the programme. Holistic personal development occurred as the skills and knowledge gained and developed were transferred and extended from academia into other areas of the lives of former bridging students and thus further influenced their family, personal friends and society. The influence of the bridging programme has enabled new opportunities, ways of being and employment to become more than a dream, but a reality which the participants continue to move towards. Overall, it could be claimed that the influence of the bridging programme was holistic. A series of recommendations are provided for theory, policy and practice. The significance for social issues and action are discussed and avenues for further research outlined.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, page: 2513. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-126).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / CD has title: Appendix B, the song self. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-138).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 284-298).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ed.D)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Principal faculty advisor: Fred T. Hofstetter, School of Education. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Washington State University, December 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-144).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-186).

Orientador: Luiz Alberto Lorenzetto / Banca: Carmem Maria Aguiar / Banca: Adilson Nascimento de Jesus / Resumo: A motivação deste trabalho resultou da insatisfação da representação de corpo gestada na tradição dualista (corpo/mente), e do paradigma da ciência moderna onde o corpo é visto como máquina. Essa visão afetou a educação fisica que se pautou em um modelo esportivista, buscando a aptidão fisica. O termo alternativo é resultante do movimento da contracultura, ocorrido na década de 60, e refere-se a uma maneira de pensar e agir fora dos padrões da modernidade ocidental, contrapondo-se ao modelo hegemônico das práticas corporais baseadas no esforço, atividade e rendimento máximo. A cultura alternativa buscou no Oriente soluções para as conseqüências do processo civilizador, expressando a reconciliação corpo/mente, defendendo, ainda, outros arranjos sociais e relações entre homem/natureza. As Práticas Corporais Alternativas (PCAs) mostram a possibilidade de desenvolver trabalhos que enfatizem a sensibilidade, bem-estar e criatividade, possibilitando ao homem resgatar a sua corporeidade, atuando na resignificação do mesmo, como ser integral, acenando para uma visão de complementaridade entre o indivíduo e a natureza. Portanto, esta pesquisa teve a finalidade de analisar o entendimento que os professores de educação fisica dos ensinos fundamental e médio, e dos cursos de graduação em educação fisica têm a respeito das PCAs. Para isso, foram coletadas informações através de questionários enviados aos professores de educação fisica de instituições públicas e privadas das cidades de Rio Claro, Campinas e Piracicaba, englobando os três níveis de ensino. A amostra foi composta pelos questionários que retornaram, totalizando 52. A partir da análise dos dados, concluiu-se que os professores consideram necessário um trabalho com PCAs nos ensinos fundamental e médio, pois 80,8% deles concordam com a importância do trabalho com PCAs nesses níveis...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study was motivated by the dissatisfaction of the body representation emerged from the dualistic tradition (body/mind) and by the modem science paradigm in which body is seen as a machine. This vision has affected the physical education, which was based on a sporting model, searching for a physical fitness. The alternative term is resulting of counter culture movement, occurred during the 60's, and it refers to a way of thinking and acting out of the western modernity standards, opposing to the dominant model of the body practices based on effort, activity and maximum results. The alternative culture has looked for solutions from the Orient for the consequences of the civilization process, expressing the reconciliation body/mind and still defending other social arrangements and relationships between mankind/nature. The Alternative Body Practices (ABPs) have shown the possibility to develop works that emphasize sensibility, well-being and creativity, making possible to mankind to rescue his/her "corporeidade", seeking for a new meaning for him/herself a way to be entire, searching for a complementary vision between the individual and the nature. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to analyze the understanding that elementary, secondary and under-graduating physical education teachers has regarding to ABPs. For that, information were collected through questionnaires sent to physical education teachers of public and private institutions of Rio Claro, Campinas and Piracicaba cities, São Paulo state, Brazil, including those three teaching levels. Sampling was composed by the questionnaires which returned, totaling 52. From the data analysis, it was concluded that teachers consider necessary a work with ABPs in the elementary and secondary schools, because 80,8% of them agree that a work with ABPs is important in those teaching levels...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Despite an increasing recognition of the need for an integrative approach to sustainable development, there remains a tendency for this to be anthropocentric. Attempts to govern sustainability are invariably focused on the pre-eminence of the human perspective and social systems in the pursuit of human goals. This often means either excluding or attempting to control the external environment rather than understanding and responding to it. This thesis explores more holistic approaches to governance that are based upon the need for an improved understanding about the interconnections between social, economic and ecological systems. It examines current literature on governance for sustainable development and systems thinking as applied to it, with specific reference to Socio-Technical Systems (STS), social learning about systems’ interrelations and the nature of public goods. On the basis of this analysis, a systemic conception of governance for sustainability is developed and translated into a provisional framework that can aid participatory social learning relating to sustainable development. Three initial Socio-Technical Systems (STS) case studies are drawn upon to populate the empty framework (the European Critical Electricity Infrastructure (ECEI), the Finnish security system and the transition of energy systems towards a post carbon society); these are then analysed thematically to derive common governance for sustainability criteria. The final modified framework is then applied to an in depth, and on-going, case study of food systems’ security and sustainability and a final discussion considers how this governance framework (GAME) might contribute to future holistic decision making for more sustainable Socio-Technical Systems. The multi-method GAME supports the generation of future scenarios and core sustainability criteria by multiple stakeholders; reflecting needs, capabilities and limits that can maintain systems’ equilibrium. It also implies a more normative governance for sustainability and a commitment to improved evidence-based decision-making that reflects systems’ complexity and contributes to bridging the gaps between science, policy and society. The GAME is currently being extended to incorporate the user-friendly geospatial representations of impacts.