The temporal and spatial variability in wind speed and direction was investigated in a study of the mesoscale wind fields in the Canberra region. The statistical description of the winds was based on twelve months of three-hourly data at seventeen sites obtained in a joint program carried out by the Division of Land Use Research, CSIRO, the National Capital Development Commission, and the Bureau of Meteorology. The statistical analysis proceeded in stages. The first two stages were concerned with the determination and examination of averages and measures of dipersion. Information on the temporal variability in regional wind, defined as the average of the winds at the seventeen collection sites, provided the first insight into the important determinants of winds in the region. The data were then categorized on the basis of the information thus obtained, and the averages over time for each site were analysed in each category. The variation between sites revealed the extent of the spatial variability in the region. For each category, for each site, there were perturbations around the average state, and in the last stage of the study, the analysis examined how the perturbations were related across sites using correlation coefficients. Generalized Procrustes Analysis was used, followed by the extensive use of cluster analysis. Linear modelling techniques were used at all stages of the study, not only for wind speed, but also for wind direction which is an angular variate and thus required different modelling procedures. The models related the variables of interest to terrain features such as position, elevation and surface roughness. These models allowed an informed judgement to be made on the likelihood of accurately estimating the winds at other locations in the region using interpolation techniques.

Middle schooling, although a contested phenomenon, has established its position on the huge landscape of secondary education. The philosophy of middle schooling claims that middle school has the best organisational structure for meeting the (educational, emotional, social and psychological) needs of adolescents1. This study is an attempt to see how successful schools of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are in implementing the middle schooling program with respect to the General Design for a Whole School Approach to School Improvement (Hill & Cr�vola, 1997), which is used as theoretical framework for the evaluation. The three schools selected through purposive sampling for this study are considered exemplary for their implementation of programming consistent with the essential elements of middle schooling. The literature has recognised that, during last two decades, policy makers, educators, innovative reformers, and private foundations have manifested enormous commitment and interest in favour of the middle schooling program. The findings of this study indicate that, with certain adaptations, each of the three sample schools are implementing the salient features and characteristics of effective middle schools identified in the General Design and discussed widely in the literature. Each sample school is making its best efforts to improve the teaching and learning environment better to meet the needs of adolescents and is implementing middle school philosophy in accordance with the design. It is unlikely that any school can achieve "perfection" in all of the areas identified in the selected design (Hill & Cr�vola, 1997), and the possibilities for improvement are always there. Certain significant issues related to students� security and connectedness are identified as requiring some attention by the school organisation. The main question of this study�how responsive middle school reforms are in the enrichment of the physical, social and emotional growth of adolescents�has largely been answered positively in this study. Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that the middle schooling program is not a wasted effort on the landscape of secondary education in Australia. The results of this study have certain implications for policy makers, educators and researchers. These include recognition of the need for teacher training programs to provide teacher training with a greater understanding of the teaching and learning needs of adolescents and the need for educators to make extra efforts in making the school environments safe, secure and inviting for adolescents. Longitudinal studies will be required to determine the long-term outcomes of the middle schooling program, as claimed by the proponents of the middle schooling movement.

This study examined the observed effects of horse-riding which took place as an extra-curricula activity within the school day. The three children in the case study were primary aged students from a Canberra primary school who have an intellectual disability requiring high support. The criteria for selection was on the basis of how long they had taken part in the horse-riding programme. The three children were either just about to start or had just started the programme and had no previous experience with horses or horse-riding. The aim of the study was to explore the effects that the horse-riding programme had on the children's behaviour, attitudes and the way they communicated when riding. The children's behaviour was observed in the different settings of the school and the stables environment. Certain individual behaviours were observed and recorded on a weekly basis for an eight week period. Audio-recordings of behaviour took place as well as interviews both before and after the eight week period, from teachers, riding instructors, helpers, and parents. Whilst the case study could not be said to be large enough to be representative of all children with intellectual disabilities attending this horse-riding programme, in general some common themes relating to counselling emerged which corresponded with other studies referred to in the literature. These include positive effects such as a general sense of well-being and a feeling of success whilst being in control of the horse. An emerging empathy and closeness of each child with their particular horse was observed over time, which appeared to lead to increased communication. This took place whilst the children were talking or communicating to the horse or in the presence of the horse.

The Instructional Media Centre at the Canberra College of Advanced Education has been developed in the belief that teaching and learning are performing arts - particularly when they take place together - and that they are greatly enhanced by an understanding, and appropriate use, of the media. This Centre was established to provide media services to the whole College, and to teach media courses in its School of Teacher Education. Its development entailed the procurement of equipment, the employment of staff, the organization of administrative procedures, the devising of courses, the production of materials, and later the design of a building to house the operation. In the absence of any comprehensive, coherent and cogent theory this development was essentially pragmatic. Factors such as the availability of money and material resources determined its lower limits; the skills and beliefs of the people involved its upper limits. Designing, producing and delivering media materials, teaching, and evaluating the outcomes of those activities are however susceptible to theoretical examination, if not completely to prediction and control. Media producers, managers, teachers and students require an artistry that goes beyond theoretical insight and technical competence. Traditional theoretical frameworks have not adequately encompassed this quality. The study examines the development of this Centre and the complex of factors which have influenced it, in the light of the available theories. It pays particular attention to the ways in which theory informs practice in each of the Centre's areas of activity, and also to the personal preferences and attitudes of the people involved. Educational media is seen as a field governed more by convention than by formula. Its unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects are seen as signs of its artistry. And artists have ultimately to be left to their own devices and their own genius. Perhaps the most important outcome of the study is that it translates some knowledge from someone's head to a more objective and accessible form of record.

This field study is concerned with the development and implementation of a formative evaluation of an innovative aspect of program development in the Language/Reading Centre at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. In 1983 a parent training dimension was added as part of a developing concern to assist school pupils who are experiencing difficulties in language and reading. The Language/Reading Centre programs are designed to provide this assistance within an 'integrated systems' approach. The group of people who participated in one of these parent training programs within the Language/Reading Centre in semester 2, 1983, were the focus for this evaluation. The program is called the Parent Training Evening Group Seminar Program in the evaluation. This study was set up in response to a request from the Director of the Language/Reading Centre for an external evaluation of this parent training component. The eva1uation developed within the framework of naturalistic inquiry and the design has been based on the work of Robert Stake. The evaluator undertook a responsive evaluation plan with an adaption of the briefing panel component, to gather and organise the perceptions and judgments of the people concerned with the program. The information collected in this process was focused on a number of Issues for consideration. This case study format was intended to gain some measure of program effectiveness as formative information for the client to use in the ongoing development of the program.

Despite the growing importance of both destination image and event tourism, a research gap exists when the two fields are combined. Destination image and event tourism have been subject to separate research efforts in the tourism field, however there has been little evidence of research in how events can affect destination image. The thesis attempts to address the research gap that currently exists by using Canberra, the National Capital of Australia and two annual events in the Capital - Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade 2002 as case studies. The thesis illustrates the importance of destination image in regard to the destination selection process, the meaning and measurement of image and the growing interest in event tourism. Several studies have illustrated that destination images do influence tourists' behaviour and subsequently decision making (Hunt 1975). Image, among other variables can be the deciding factor in choosing one destination over another. In spite of the importance of this research line, several authors recognise a lack of an agreed way of conceptualising destination image. A conceptual framework of destination image was developed by Echtner and Ritchie (1991) which forms the foundation of the thesis. Although the framework has its flaws, it has been pointed out that the Echtner and Ritchie Destination Image Framework has been useful in the assessment of destination images. Importantly, how events can be used to influence the image of a destination is put forward. Canberra and its image, being the focus of the study, is discussed in detail with reference also to Tamworth and Sydney. Although much of the research into event tourism has focused on the economic benefits that events can provide to a destination, the effect an event can have on the destination image has not been well demonstrated. Research on Canberra has indicated various studies in regard to the perceptions Australians have of the destination, community attitudes towards Canberra and event related research, however the effect that events have on Canberra's image has not been addressed. The thesis incorporates studies of events to measure the effect that they have on the image of a destination. The two main studies were conducted in conjunction with the Centre of Tourism Research (CTR) at the University of Canberra. Two events, held annually in the National Capital, were the focus of the research - Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade 2002. Event attendees at the two events were the target sample consisting of both locals and interstate visitors to Canberra. Two key questions related to destination image were added to the existing questionnaires and were the focus of the research. Primary research commenced in June 2002 and concluded November 2002. Destination image responses were derived from both the Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade 2002. Results indicated that event attendees regard the two events as being very positive in respect to the destination image of Canberra. The Top 15 responses from both studies also indicate a positive correlation between events and the destination image of Canberra. The Top 15 image responses from the events indicated that events do have an influence on the image of the destination with many event related characteristics appearing in the Top 15 image responses. This was further emphasised when the results from the two events were compared to that of 'Australians' Perceptions of their National Capital' (Richards 2002). General destination images in all three studies were mentioned however Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade 2002 image responses were more events driven. The Perceptions study illustrated more unique characteristics of the National Capital along with National attractions. Further, the image results derived from Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade illustrates the notion of 'multiple' images that a destination may possess. It is postulated that events have a Life Cycle, and that their influence on destination image varies according to their life cycle stage. It was found that events that lay in the introduction stage of the life cycle have more varied image results that are directly related to the event itself. On the other hand, events that reside in the maturity stage possess strong images related more to the destination itself as opposed to the event. These 'older' events become synonymous with the destination and therefore images are associated with the destination. In conclusion, the research has illustrated that events do have an impact on the image or images of a destination. In this case, the image of Canberra was subject to influence from both Stegbar Canberra 400 and Floriade 2002 event attendees.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2004. / "A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, March 2004" Bibliography : leaves 257-292.

South Africa since the liberation in 1994 has faced a lot of changes. The changes include being a member of the international community. As part of the international community, South Africa is finding itself largely faced by the challenges associated with this position. Looking at other countries South Africa is realizing that the world is looking at better ways of educating their people and organizing their education and training systems so that they might gain the edge in an increasingly competitive economic global environment. Success and survival in such a world demands that South Africa has a national education and training system that provides quality learning and promotes the development of a nation that is committed to life-long learning. Institutions of higher education in South Africa are currently changing their present education system to conform to a Competency-Based Training (CBT) system. This system has only been planned but not implemented yet and it is not clear how CBT will be implemented, especially how the learners are going to be assessed. Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) is an integral part of CBT that needs particular attention if the new system is to succeed. The key aims of this thesis are to investigate the current assessment policy and practice at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) underpinned by Competency- Based Training system. The project will describe and analyze the Competency-Based Assessment system used within CIT's CBT system. The project will focus on: Observing classroom practice of CBA, analyzing students' and teachers' perceptions of their involvement with CBA, and analyzing employers' perceptions of the effectiveness of CBA. The main aim of this thesis is to suggest recommendations for an assessment model that will be suitable to implement within hospitality training institutions in South Africa.

Limited English proficiency (LEP) amongst non-English-speaking background (NESB) employees is a major concern for the Government, employers and unions in Australia. Due to their low levels of English proficiency, NESB employees are often unable to carry out effectively the required workplace tasks. In the current climate of rapid change in workplaces, as a result of Award Restructuring, NESB employees may also lack the communication skills necessary to undertake skill-based training and, therefore, be further disadvantaged. In light of these concerns, this study investigated the English learning needs of a group of NESB non-academic staff at the University of Canberra (UC). It established that there was a gap between their present levels of English proficiency and the levels required in their current positions. As a result, these employees are unable to engage effectively in all communication tasks required in the workplace. Following a detailed analysis of the current literature on the provision of workplace English training it is recommended that an English in the Workplace (EWP) program be provided at the UC for NESB non-academic employees. Specific recommendations are made regarding the design and implementation of the learning program.

The University of Canberra (UC) has been involved in GPS processing since the late 1980s. This processing commenced with the GOTEX 1988 campaign and progressed through a series of project specific regional campaigns to the current daily processing of a distributed set of continuously operating sites for the determination of precise GPS station positions for user applications. Most of these earlier campaigns covered only short periods of time, ranging from a few weeks to multiple occupations of a few days to a time over one to two years. With software developments, these multiple occupations were able to be combined to produce results from which crustal motion velocities could be extracted. This first became feasible with the processing of the Australian National Network (ANN), which yielded realistic tectonic velocities from two occupations (1992 and 1993) of sites 12 months apart. Subsequently, this was successfully extended by a further 12 months, with re-occupation of certain sites for a third time in 1994. Analysis of the results indicated that the accuracy of determining the earth signals improved as the time span from first to last observation was increased. The same was true also for the determination of the position of global references sites. However, by current standards the results achieved were poor. Consequently, the process was extended to combine the results of subsequent campaigns with the original ANN data set. From 1995 to 1999, campaigns were conducted across Australia, covering many State and tide gauge sites included in the original ANN solution. These provided additional multiple occupations to improve the determinations for both position and velocity. UC has maintained a data set of the global IGS sites, commencing with the IGS pilot campaign of 1992. Daily data sets for those global sites, which contained days common to the regional campaigns, were processed to produce our own independent global orbit and reference frame connection. The motivation for doing so was fourfold. �Firstly, to see if historic data could be reprocessed using current modern software and thus be able to be incorporated in this and other analysts research programs. �Secondly, to compare the results of the reprocessing of the original data set using modern software with the original ANN solution and then validate both the solutions. �Thirdly, to extend the timespan of observations processed to include more recent campaigns on as many original sites as possible. This to achieve a stronger solution upon which to base the determination of an Australian tectonic plate velocity model and provide quality assurance on the solution comparisons with re-observed sites. �Fourthly, to develop a set of transformation parameters between current coordinate systems and the GDA94 system so as to be able to incorporate new results into the previous system. The final selection of regional and global sessions, spanning from mid 1992 to late 2002, contained almost 1000 individual daily solutions. From this 10 year data span a well determined rigid plate tectonic motion model was produced for Australia. This site velocity model was needed to develop a transformation between the thesis solution in ITRF00 an the GDA94 solution in ITRF92. The significant advantage of the plate velocity model is that all Australian sites can now have computed a realistic velocity, rather than being given a value which has been interpolated between sites whose velocities had been determined over a one or two year span. This plate velocity model is compared with the current tectonic motion NNR-NUVEL-1A model and other recently published models. To perform the comparison between the thesis solution in ITRF00 and the GDA solution in ITRF92 a transformation was developed between the two reference systems. This set of transformation parameters, in conjunction with the plate velocity model developed, enables site solutions at any epoch in the current ITRF00 to be converted onto the GDA94, and vice versa, with a simple, non-varying seven parameter transformation. The comparisons between the solutions are analysed for both horizontal position and height consistency. There were 77 sites whose differences were compared. The horizontal consistency was within estimated precisions for 75 of the 77 sites. However, the vertical comparisons revealed many of the single epoch sites, especially in 1992, have inconsistent results between the two solutions. The heights from this thesis for some West Australian sites were compared with analysis done by DOLA and the height recoveries are very similar, indicating a weakness in the GDA94 solution for some of the single epoch sites. Some of these differences have been resolved but others are still under investigation. This thesis describes the repocessing of the original ANN data set, the addition of later data sets, the results obtained, and the validation comparisons of the old and new solutions. As well as the plate velocity model, transformation is provided which enables the user to compute between the GDA94 system, and any epoch result in ITRF00. Recommendations are made as to which sites need additional work. This includes sites which only need further analysis or investigation and those which require further observations to achieve a result which will have acceptable accuracy and reliability.