Prior to 1989, in New Zealand, very few women were represented in senior leadership positions in schools, especially co-educational secondary schools. Following the 1989 Education Act, commonly referred to as the 'Tomorrow's Schools' legislation, women began to be appointed in increasing numbers to school principalships. In New Zealand, as in other western democracies where New Right ideologies have impacted on educational policy, the role of the school principal has become more demanding and complex. If principals are to be supported in this role, it is considered important that the knowledge and experiences which influence their professional practice are better understood so that professional development programmes are targeted appropriately. This study builds on previous studies of women's experiences of leadership in education (Neville, 1988; Shakeshaft, 1989, 1995; Strachan, 1991, 1997; Court, 1992; Ozga & Walker, 1995; Hall, 1996; Coleman, 1996, 2000; Ah Nee-Benham & Cooper, 1998; Henderson-Kelly & Pamphilon, 2000; McCarthy, 2001; McLay & Brown, 2001) but has as its focus, the sources of influence on five women principals' practice. It has a complementary focus to McLay's and Brown's (2001) study of women headteachers in UK independent secondary schools. They investigated the women's formal training but also sought to find out what life experiences might have prepared them for the role of leading a school. Ah Nee-Benham's and Cooper's (1998) narratives of minority women in school leadership positions in the United States provided the inspiration for this study of five New Zealand principals. While the women in this study are not 'voices from the margins' as are the women in Ah Nee-Benham's and Cooper's study, through the use of narrative and other qualitative methods, their individual accounts capture the voice of experience which is too often missing from the educational leadership literature (Ah Nee-Benham & Cooper, 1998; Heck & Hallinger, 1999; Southworth, 2001). The women's stories add collectively to an emerging literature base which seeks to unravel how leaders actually think and work. This study specifically examines five women principals' personal theories and beliefs about leadership and investigates how their personal histories and career experiences have influenced their professional knowledge and practice. The research methods reflect a commitment to understanding the women's experiences from their perspectives and their stories are seen as providing a window into what they know. Methods such as concept mapping, open-ended unstructured interviews and annals (snake diagrams) help unpack their personal theories about leadership as well as assist understanding of the influence of their personal histories and professional experiences. The educational leadership literature provides a useful starting point to analyse the first part of the research question regarding the women's conceptions of leadership. The literature acknowledges various approaches to leadership, three of which may be called 'moral/critical', 'people-centred' and 'corporate managerial'. Respectively, they each have 'world-views' which emphasise 'ideals', 'people' and 'efficiency'. In this study, I aim to identify what 'world-views' underpin the women's conceptions of leadership but also how they have constructed these concepts. The different needs of each of their schools in association with the principals' own backgrounds and values systems have strongly influenced their varying conceptions of leadership. While on one level their beliefs are unique, on another, they reveal some common themes. The principals are people-focussed but this commitment is underpinned by deeply held ideals about the purpose of schools enriching lives. Efficient management systems are seen as important supporting concepts to assisting people and accomplishing ideals. In order to answer the second part of the research question regarding how the women's personal histories and professional experiences have influenced their professional knowledge and practice, this study drew on the findings of an Australian study which investigated the sources of influence on teacher knowledge in action (McMeniman, Cumming, Wilson, Stevenson & Sim, 2000). It provided the platform and focus for the current study of women principals. A key finding of this study is that the women's beliefs and practices have been influenced by both their personal histories and various career experiences which have assisted them to grow professionally. Central to their learning from these experiences, however, is the way in which the individual interprets or filters experience and actively constructs meaning. Principals' knowledge bases are socially constructed but mediated by their personal theories. Learning from experiences in the workplace has a critical influence especially if it is scaffolded by experts (Billett, 2001) or if there is a community of practice (Wenger, 1998, 2000) encouraging participation. When this learning is augmented by various research access points (McMeniman et al., 2000) such as critical dialogue with peers, in-service education and formal postgraduate studies, it potentially has a direct and daily influence on principals' practice. Although this study is limited to an analysis of five women principals, the commonalities in the sources of influence on their practice, lead one to suggest that the findings may have relevance for other principals, both male and female, and possibly other practitioners.

Many artist-teachers struggle to nurture and pursue their ambitions in their dual roles. The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of the professional practices of artist-teachers. While there is a substantial amount of research that provides models of artist-teachers, who teach at the post secondary levels, there are not many models for artist-teachers who teach primary and secondary age groups. Four artist-teachers, whose practices are currently contributing to the art world, as well as the educational world, were interviewed for a multiple case study. The roles represented in the study include painters, sculptors, a ceramist, a musician, a performance artist, art teachers, a music teacher, and a performance-art educator. This multiple case study provides four models of artist-teachers whose professional practices contribute to their identity and fulfillment in their dual roles. The study reveals the artist-teacher’s practice as an artist, practice as a teacher and relationship between the dual roles.

Control over nursing practice (CONP) is a participatory process through which nurses have input and engage in decision making about the context of practice and unit operations related to nursing practice. CONP has been associated with a number of positive outcomes related to nurse satisfaction, nurse status, effectiveness of patient care, and quality of patient outcomes. However, no comprehensive model has been created nor comprehensive analysis been conducted related to approaches for increasing CONP. This study tested a hypothesized model of antecedents to CONP developed from a review of the literature in nursing, psychology, and organizational management using a complexity theory perspective.The study used a nonexperimental, comparative design. The sample for data analysis consisted of 28 nurse managers and 583 staff nurses from 32 units in 10 hospitals. Existing instruments were used in a paper and pencil format to collect demographic and perceptual data on CONP and the hypothesized antecedent variables. Data were aggregated to provide an analysis of organizational and unit level contextual and variable effects related to CONP.Contextual regression indicated a greater influence of unit-level variables than organizational-level variables on nurses' perceptions of CONP. Regression analyses and revised model testing demonstrated that nurse manager supportiveness, implementation of a formal structure for CONP, and information flow consisting of open and accurate communication were positively related to CONP. Hierarchy of authority was negatively related to CONP. The relationship between CONP and job codification and autonomy varied based upon the measurement of the dependent variable. Manager's perception that participative decision making enhances organizational effectiveness; manager's perception that participative decision making does not reduce their power; nurses' experience, expertise, and educational preparation; and nurses' desire for control did not significantly relate to CONP as hypothesized.This study contributes to nursing research and clarifies strategies for improving the work environment for nurses by delineating antecedents to CONP in the acute care hospital setting. These data will be useful to nurses, nurse managers, and hospital administrators who want to improve patient safety, reduce patient mortality, increase nurse satisfaction, and increase nurse retention.

The most common sexually transmitted infection for both males and females is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers. Currently, an HPV vaccine is available; however, HPV vaccination rates for US adolescents are dismal. School nurses serve as the person connecting medical and school communities, and are a critical component in assisting families traverse the medical and educational systems. Thus, there is reason to assume school nurses can be key opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine. The purpose of this study was to: (1) explain how the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory explains school nurses' roles as opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine; (2) document current literature regarding healthcare providers' perspectives and practice regarding the HPV vaccine; and (3) evaluate school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of being an opinion leader and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine for youth. DOI states opinion leaders influence the rate of an innovation (e.g., the HPV vaccine). We argue school nurses are opinion leaders for the HPV vaccine because of their unique leadership position through their cross-disciplinary understanding of the educational and health systems. The systematic literature review included 28 studies of healthcare providers. The main barrier, vaccine cost, was identified in 12 reports. Additionally, females and older adolescents were more frequently vaccinated than males and younger adolescents. To examine school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine, the study included a sample of 413 school nurses. Structural equation modeling revealed knowledge influenced attitudes, attitudes affected perceptions and professional practices, and perceptions predicted professional practice. Furthermore, the perceptions variable was found to be a partial mediator in the model. Practitioners designing programs to engage school nurses in disseminating HPV vaccine education may benefit from questioning whether their programs might be emphasizing non-crucial elements for influencing vaccine dissemination practice (e.g., knowledge) and de-emphasizing influential elements such as attitudes and perceptions.

No description available.

Within ecotourism there is a built in assumption that tourists are the only ones who gain knowledge from an interpretive service. I sought to fill in that gap by looking at the ways the experiences of providing nature interpretation influenced interpreters’ professional practice. To accomplish this, semi-structured interviews involving 5 Ontario-based nature interpreters were conducted. Their narratives were analysed and coded using the method known as template analysis, the results of which were then used to make a comparative analysis. The results of this study indicate that there are two avenues through which nature interpreters learned from their experiences: through reflection initiated by emotions and through a realisation made from the experience. For the four participants who reported a change to their professional practice, that change came in the form of more inclusive practices being incorporated. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2014-06-20 15:06:09.83

Many artist-teachers struggle to nurture and pursue their ambitions in their dual roles. The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of the professional practices of artist-teachers. While there is a substantial amount of research that provides models of artist-teachers, who teach at the post secondary levels, there are not many models for artist-teachers who teach primary and secondary age groups. Four artist-teachers, whose practices are currently contributing to the art world, as well as the educational world, were interviewed for a multiple case study. The roles represented in the study include painters, sculptors, a ceramist, a musician, a performance artist, art teachers, a music teacher, and a performance-art educator. This multiple case study provides four models of artist-teachers whose professional practices contribute to their identity and fulfillment in their dual roles. The study reveals the artist-teacher’s practice as an artist, practice as a teacher and relationship between the dual roles.

A certain architectural &quot / ethos&quot / come into being as a result of the specific training which architects receive as producers of space, of their dual status as artists and professionals, of the conditions in which they live and the social status of their profession. This ethos is a product of the architects&#039 / collective habitus. The attitudes of architects regarding their position in the building industry, their role in society and their self-image (or its lack of) as artists determine the transformation within the architectural profession under the impact of the changes in society. This study investigates architects&#039 / professional practice by focusing only on those architects working independently and mostly having their on offices. Thirty-one architects were grouped by age, gender, the faculties from which they graduated and province of residence and work. The international influence on architectural discourse, the effects of architects&#039 / organisations and their professional ideology were introduced as additional variables for investigating the nature of their habitus. The interviews revealed that the architects&#039 / &quot / spontaneous professional ideology&quot / (SPI) is the main adhesive of their collective habitus and ethos, and it force architects to think in a specific way about space, the sovereignty of architecture, its art component, its legitamacy, architects&#039 / devotion to their profession, their feelings of superiority over clients and users as well as their overall code of conduct.

Seit 2005 untersuchen Fachbehörden in Dauerfeldversuchen unterschiedliche Bodenbearbeitungssysteme und Verfahren zum Schutz vor Wassererosion und Schadverdichtung. Sechs Fachbeiträge stellen die Wirkung auf Ertrag, Erosionsgefährdung, Infiltrationsverhalten sowie Humus- und Nährstoffgehalte dar. Dauerhaft konservierende Bodenbearbeitung ist die wirksamste Erosionsschutzmaßnahme und vermindert den Bodenabtrag durch Wassererosion um bis zu 90 Prozent. Sie führt auf sandigeren Böden und auf Lössböden in den oberen Bodenschichten zur Anreicherung von Humus, Kalium und Magnesium, in Sachsens Lössboden auch zur P-Anreicherung. Zwischen pfluglos und mit Pflug bestellten Fruchtarten gab es keine Ertragsunterschiede. Konservierende Bodenbearbeitung/Direktsaat führen gegenüber dem Pflug zum Anstieg der Bodendichte im unbearbeiteten Krumenboden und zur Abnahme der Luftkapazität. Auf Lössböden wird dies durch Wurmgänge und Wurzelröhren ausgeglichen. Lössböden können daher langfristig flach bearbeitet werden. Strukturschwache Sandböden müssen dagegen bodenzustandsabhängig intensiver und im Einzeljahr krumentief gelockert werden. Bandlaufwerke schützen Ackerflächen im Unterboden auch bei hoher Auflast von 14 t vorsorgend gegen Schadverdichtung. Schonend für das Bodengefüge wirkt eine Reifeninnendruckabsenkung in Kombination mit Vermeidung von Radlasten über 10 t.

Diss. Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2006.