Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 02 December 2014

A new book that looks at the NCEA secondary school qualification and its potential. 

“We want students to be educated rather than just qualified. The key message of NCEA In Context is that curriculum and learning need to be at the forefront of what is happening in the classroom,” says Dr Sheehan co-author of NCEA in Context along with Dr Michael Johnston both senior Victoria University lecturers.  

“This book isn’t about policy change, it’s about practice change,” says Dr Johnston.

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The authors of a book being released today on the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) say it’s important that the secondary school qualification is used to promote education that prepares students for citizenship, further study and work, rather than simply giving them credentials.

Two Victoria University of Wellington senior lecturers have collaborated with a chief researcher from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) to write NCEA In Context—a four-part book which presents an analysis of the past, present and potential future of NCEA.

Victoria Faculty of Education contributors, senior lecturers Dr Michael Johnston and Dr Mark Sheehan, and NZCER contributor, Dr Rosemary Hipkins, say the book aims to give educators working with NCEA new ideas on how to use the qualification to the best advantage of their students.

“We want students to be educated rather than just qualified. The key message of NCEA In Context is that curriculum and learning need to be at the forefront of what is happening in the classroom,” says Dr Sheehan.

“This book isn’t about policy change, it’s about practice change,” says Dr Johnston.

"We sought out strong examples, to emphasise that these types of changes are already happening in some schools," says Dr Hipkins.

The book looks at the precursors to NCEA, the impact NCEA has had on teaching and learning, challenges and shifts in its early implementation, as well as potential opportunities to use NCEA to improve the quality of education and its relationship with the New Zealand Curriculum.

Each of the authors brings a variety of experience and expertise to the book. Dr Johnston led psychometric and statistical work at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to support the reform of NCEA between 2005 and 2011. Dr Sheehan is a historian and history educator who has contributed to the development of achievement standards for NCEA. Dr Hipkins from NZCER is a highly experienced researcher who has been tracking NCEA's development since its inception. She has a background in science education, and has had a long career in curriculum development and assessment.

The book is published by NZCER and is being launched 12 September at Victoria University.

Prime Minister John Key has announced a new package of support for renewable energy projects in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Palau.

“New Zealand is committed to boosting the supply of renewable energy across the Pacific in order to help Pacific nations build resilience, and reduce both emissions and dependence on imported diesel,” Mr Key says.

“So I’m pleased to announce today that we will be investing $5 million in renewable energy projects in Micronesia.

“The funding will allow the development of up to 400kW of solar generated power in each of the three countries – that’s the renewable equivalent of about half a million litres of fuel per annum.

“This is the first time we have undertaken this type of initiative in Micronesia and we’ll be looking to work with development partners and the three Micronesian governments to deliver both funding and technical assistance.”

Mr Key says the package is part of the $100 million in support announced by New Zealand at the Pacific Energy Conference earlier this year. The Conference resulted in commitments of over $1 billion from international donors for renewable energy across the region.

“New Zealand now has significant renewable energy projects underway in 11 Pacific countries. We’re proud to be working with the region to demonstrate leadership on the transition to renewable energy and low carbon development,” Mr Key says.

The Prime Minister is currently attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia.

In a report released by the Market Research Centre on the Global Metal Fabrication Equipment Market 2016-2020 they commented:

“One of the key trends for market growth will be emergence of friction stir welding technology in automotive sector. Friction stir welding is an innovative and novel technique that makes use of frictional heat combined with precisely controlled forging pressure to join two metals. This technique adds high-integrity to the final product, by eliminating the possibility of mechanical distortions as the entire operation is carried out under a low operating temperature.” 

You can get the sample pages of the report at https://marketreportscenter.com/request-sample/374150

Enhances flight redemption with a combination of cash and Skywards Miles

Emirates Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates airline, has marked its 16th year milestone with over 16 million members and the successful launch of new initiatives to enhance reward options for members.

Since the programme’s inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards members have redeemed a whopping 220 billion Miles on reward flights, hotel stays and exclusive access to the biggest events worldwide. The diversity of the programme’s partners and rewards are reflected in the airline’s global customer base and network spanning six continents and over 150 destinations.

More benefits

With a focus on customer satisfaction, Emirates Skywards continuously forms exclusive partnerships and introduces new initiatives to offer greater value, choice and flexibility to its members. Most recently, Emirates Skywards has introduced Cash+Miles – allowing flight redemption using a combination of cash and Skywards Miles. Members in all four tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum – can start redeeming flights with as little as 2,000 Miles.

This popular new initiative instantly reduces the cost of the tickets and can be used on any Emirates flight across all classes, making any seat available to Emirates Skywards members. The Cash+Miles feature applies to the Europe Earlybird fares released in New Zealand this week by Emirates, which flies five times daily from New Zealand to Dubai and beyond.

To date, Emirates Skywards has 14 airline partners including strategic partnerships with Easyjet and Qantas, offering members access to one of the world’s largest networks of global travel destinations. The programme also has 24 hotel partner brands covering nearly 20,000 properties worldwide. This includes a collaboration with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme which gives members double rewards through the ability to earn both Skywards Miles and Starpoints when they fly with Emirates or stay with Starwood.

Exclusive access

As part of Emirates airline’s numerous sponsorships in sports, arts and cultural events, members have also enjoyed front row access to some of the biggest world events including the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival.

Since January this year, over 12,000 tickets across 40 sporting events have been made available to members. The tickets offer access to world-class sports including events in rugby, tennis, baseball, horseracing and Formula 1®.

However, football is the biggest draw for Emirates Skywards members. Emirates sponsors six top European clubs - Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Hamburger SV, SL Benfica, Arsenal, AC Milan - and in the last nine months, over 5,000 tickets were made available for Emirates Skywards members to watch their favourite teams play in the Spanish La Liga, Bundesliga, Portuguese Primeira Liga, FA Premier League, Lega Serie A, and Ligue 1.

Besides sports fans, Emirates Skywards also engages with artists worldwide. In 2010, it launched the annual design competition known today as Art of Travel. Each year, aspiring artists are invited to design the programme’s four membership cards, giving them a platform to showcase their talent on a global scale.

Emirates Skywards members also enjoy access to a global network of 39 Emirates lounges in major airports including Auckland and six lounges at Dubai International Airport. Members are also given excess baggage allowance of up to 20kg. Visit emirates.com/skywards for more information or to sign up as a member.

KENT, Wash., 6 September 2016 - Flow International Corporation a leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet machines for cutting applications, announced today the next generation of waterjet software, FlowXpert 2016®. 

The software integration was engineered in partnership with ANSYS SpaceClaim™ and realizes the full advantages of Flow’s more than 40 years of waterjet application expertise. Incorporating waterjet best practices -- such as application tips, material cut speed knowledge, improved pathing algorithms, and expanded lead in/out customization -- the program anticipates what steps are needed to provide a premier cut. Users get faster, smarter, interactive modeling integrated into a familiar interface.

A Flow International press release

New Zealand importers and exporters are scrambling to find out how they will be affected after the world's seventh largest shipping line went broke.

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Perfectly incorrect pseudo accounting term must be replaced

This week the rocket launch platform was transported from Auckland to the Rocket Lab launch site on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The installation of the almost 50 ton platform is the final major step in preparing the site for the arrival of the first Electron launch vehicle.

Thanks to all the wonderful people in Mahia who came out to say 'hello' as we were passing through!

View the journey here

Volvo’s fully autonomous truck is the first in the world to be tested in operations deep underground in the Kristineberg Mine. The self-driving truck is part of a development project aimed at improving the transport flow and safety in the mine. The truck will cover a distance of 7 kilometres, reaching 1,320 metres underground in the narrow mine tunnels.

“This is the world’s first fully self-driving truck to operate under such tough conditions. It is a true challenge to ensure that everything works meticulously more than 1300 metres underground,” says Torbjörn Holmström, member of the Volvo Group Executive Board and Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer.

Volvo Group is now releasing a film showing the opportunities that open up with autonomous trucks. The film was recorded in harsh operating conditions in the Kristineberg Mine 100 kilometres from Arvidsjaur in northern Sweden. Torbjörn Holmström, who takes part in the film, wants to show how safe the truck is. He didn’t hesitate to stand in the middle of the mine gallery as the truck approached him.“No matter what type of vehicle we develop, safety is always our primary concern and this also applies to self-driving vehicles. I was convinced the truck would stop but naturally I felt a knot in my stomach until the truck applied its brakes!”

The entirely self-driving truck that takes the lead role in the film is a specially equipped Volvo FMX. Using various sensors, it continuously monitors its surroundings and avoids both fixed and moving obstacles. At the same time, an on-board transport system gathers data to optimise and coordinate the route and fuel consumption. The truck is part of a development project and is being tested in real-life operation for the very first time.

The film can be seen at