Allocative and informational pricing roles in MBA program choice

This paper reports on a study of how prospective and current MBA students (n = 699) made tradeoffs between tuition price and other variables in choosing a university program in the Australian market. Two price segments were identified: price-negative and price-positive. The price-positive segment constituted 13 per cent of the sample. The behaviour of the two price segments is interpreted in relation to the allocative and informational roles of price. Price-positive respondents were found to be more concerned with the reputational characteristics of universities and programs in making their choice. Age, enrolment mode, and residential state were found to be associated with segment membership. The results suggest that an MBA by distance education can be regarded as a prestige product for some market segments.

50 years of underground filmmaking in Melbourne: program 3

Program 3 of the 50 years of underground filmmaking in Melbourne, curated by Bill Mousoulis. A collection of John Cumming's films, including: Obsession, Recognition, and Sabotage. John also screened and discussed excerpts from some of his other works. The whole session was followed by discussion

The inclusion of ‘then-test’ questions in post-test questionnaires alters post-test responses: a randomized study of bias in health program evaluation

Objectives Program evaluations are frequently based on ‘then-test’ data, i.e., pre-test collected in retrospect. While the application of the then-test has practical advantages, little is known about the validity of then-test data. Because of the collection of then-test in close proximity to post-test questions, this study was aimed at exploring whether the presence of then-test questions in post-test questionnaires influenced subjects’ responses to post-test.
Patients and methods To test the influence of then-test questions, we designed a randomized three-group study in the context of chronic disease self-management programs. Interventions had comparable goals and philosophies, and all 949 study participants filled out identical Health Education Impact Questionnaires (heiQ) at pre-test. At post-test, participants were then randomized to one of the following three groups: Group A responded to post-test questions only (n = 331); Group B filled out transition questions in addition to post-test (n = 304); and Group C filled out then-test questions in addition to post-test (n = 314).
Results Significant post-test differences were found in six of eight heiQ scales, with respondents who filled out then test questions reporting significantly higher post-test scores than respondents of the other groups.
Conclusions This study provides evidence that the inclusion of then-test questions alters post-test responses,
suggesting that change scores based on then-test data be interpreted with care.

Creatrix: artist in residence performance at birthing the mother 14

Digitally projected improvised creative writing performance art.

What help do young women want in their efforts to control their weight? Implications for program development

The aim of this study was to examine women's views on the usefulness of various types of information and practical sessions on weight control, their preferences for program delivery, and likelihood of participation. Cross-sectional survey of 462 women aged 18–33 years randomly selected from the community was conducted. We examined the perceived usefulness of various types of information and practical classes on weight control; preferred mode of delivery; willingness to participate. Among the women 82% were interested in trying to lose or control weight. Information on weight control was considered to be more useful than practical sessions. Information about meal planning, cooking and low-fat recipes and how to manage stress was considered most useful. Fifty-eight per cent of women reported they would prefer to participate in an individual face-to-face program delivered by a health professional. Thirty-one per cent of women reported it was very likely that they would participate in a program if it included the sort of things they considered useful and was offered in the way they preferred; a further 35% felt it 'likely'. It appears that health professional-delivered, individual, information-based programs appear most popular among this target group. Tailoring the content and delivery mode of weight management programs to young women's preferences may enhance program participation.

The impact of a parenting intervention in Australia among migrants and refugees from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Burundi : results from the African migrant parenting program

African migrants and refugee families who resettle in high-income countries such as Australia face many challenges. Negotiating parenting in a new culture is one of the most pressing challenges that is faced by most African migrant and refugee parents. As a consequence of the new cultural environment reflecting values and practices that may seem inconsistent with traditional parenting from countries of origin, differing acculturation rates of parents as compared to their children may lead to difficulties and challenges. An eight-session parenting program for African migrant and refugee parents living in Melbourne was evaluated. Thirty-nine families participated in the program, which involved pre-test and post-test measures of parenting domains, using the Bavolek and Keene (1999) revised Adult–Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2). Exposure to the program was related to positive changes in parental expectations of children, attitudes towards corporal punishment, and restriction of children’s access to food. The program facilitated positive change in almost all parenting domains. In light of these findings, recommendations are made for policy and future programs.

Volunteering in a school kitchen garden program : cooking up confidence, capabilities and connections!

This paper reports on the evaluation of a kitchen garden program in primary schools in Victoria, Australia. It focuses on the motivations, impacts, and issues associated with volunteering in the program. The study revealed that volunteers are drawn from a range of sources, including: families of current and former students, former teachers, local residents, clients of aged care and/or disability services, other schools and communities, local universities, community organizations, the community services sector, and the corporate sector. Benefits to volunteers included: opportunities to use time productively, an increased sense of belonging, learning opportunities, and an increased sense of self-worth and enjoyment. For schools, volunteers enhanced engagement between the school and the local community, enabled them to engage more effectively with hard to reach groups, and increased student engagement. In addition, the involvement of volunteers improved the sustainability of the program, improved communication between teachers and families of students from minority ethnic groups, and gave students the chance to relate to new people, to learn from their experience and to have fun in working with the volunteers. Perhaps the most telling benefits to flow both to students and to volunteers were not the “three Rs—reading, w’riting and a’rithmetic” but the three Cs—confidence, capabilities, and connections. However, a clearly identified issue was the importance of matching volunteers’ motivations and needs with the roles they play to sustain current levels of volunteering and, therefore, the program itself.

Sustaining modified behaviours learnt in a diabetes prevention program in regional Australia : the role of social context

Background
The Greater Green Triangle diabetes prevention program was conducted in primary health care setting of Victoria and South Australia in 2004--2006. This program demonstrated significant reductions in diabetes risk factors which were largely sustained at 18 month follow-up. The theoretical model utilised in this program achieved its outcomes through improvements in coping self-efficacy and planning. Previous evaluations have concentrated on the behavioural components of the intervention. Other variables external to the main research design may have contributed to the success factors but have yet to be identified. The objective of this evaluation was to identify the extent to which participants in a diabetes prevention program sustained lifestyle changes several years after completing the program and to identify contextual factors that contributed to sustaining changes.

Methods
A qualitative evaluation was conducted. Five focus groups were held with people who had completed a diabetes prevention program, several years later to assess the degree to which they had sustained program strategies and to identify contributing factors.

Results
Participants value the recruitment strategy. Involvement in their own risk assessment was a strong motivator. Learning new skills gave participants a sense of empowerment. Receiving regular pathology reports was a means of self-assessment and a motivator to continue. Strong family and community support contributed to personal motivation and sustained practice.

Conclusions
Family and local community supports constitute the contextual variables reported to contribute to sustained motivation after the program was completed. Behaviour modification programs can incorporate strategies to ensure these factors are recognised and if necessary, strengthened at the local level.

Factors influencing participant enrolment in a diabetes prevention program in general practice: lessons from the Sydney diabetes prevention program

Background: The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in reducing diabetes incidence has been well established. Little is known, however, about factors influencing the reach of diabetes prevention programs. This study examines the predictors of enrolment in the Sydney Diabetes Prevention Program (SDPP), a community-based diabetes prevention program conducted in general practice, New South Wales, Australia from 2008–2011.

Methods: SDPP was an effectiveness trial. Participating general practitioners (GPs) from three Divisions of General Practice invited individuals aged 50–65 years without known diabetes to complete the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment tool. Individuals at high risk of diabetes were invited to participate in a lifestyle modification program. A multivariate model using generalized estimating equations to control for clustering of enrolment outcomes by GPs was used to examine independent predictors of enrolment in the program. Predictors included age, gender, indigenous status, region of birth, socio-economic status, family history of diabetes, history of high glucose, use of anti-hypertensive medication, smoking status, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity level and waist measurement.

Results: Of the 1821 eligible people identified as high risk, one third chose not to enrol in the lifestyle program. In multivariant analysis, physically inactive individuals (OR: 1.48, P = 0.004) and those with a family history of diabetes (OR: 1.67, P = 0.000) and history of high blood glucose levels (OR: 1.48, P = 0.001) were significantly more likely to enrol in the program. However, high risk individuals who smoked (OR: 0.52, P = 0.000), were born in a country with high diabetes risk (OR: 0.52, P = 0.000), were taking blood pressure lowering medications (OR: 0.80, P = 0.040) and consumed little fruit and vegetables (OR: 0.76, P = 0.047) were significantly less likely to take up the program.

Conclusions: Targeted strategies are likely to be needed to engage groups such as smokers and high risk ethnic groups. Further research is required to better understand factors influencing enrolment in diabetes prevention programs in the primary health care setting, both at the GP and individual level.

Changes in health-related quality of life amongst participants in a four month pedometer-based workplace health program

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for chronic health conditions and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Efforts to increase PA have included workplace health promotion. Currently, little is known about the effect of these programs on overall HRQoL. Aim: To evaluate whether participation in a pedometer-based PA program in the workplace was associated with changes in HRQoL. Methods: 487 voluntary employees enrolled in a health program completed the SF-12 Health Survey at baseline and 4 months. Change in Physical and Mental component summary scores (PCS; MCS) was assessed with multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for covariates. Results: Participation in the program was associated with an increase of 1.5 MCS units (95% CI: 0.76, –2.09). Greater improvements in MCS were observed in those reporting an increased level of PA during the program [1.9 (CI: 0.78, 2.92) versus 0.9 (CI: –0.12, 2.03)] and a lower baseline MCS score [6.3 (CI: 4.80, 7.62) versus –1.5 (CI: –2.21, –0.80)]. No change in PCS was observed. Conclusions: Participation in this workplace PA program was associated with improvements in the mental component of HRQoL. We recommend the use of a broad perspective of health be used in both the implementation and evaluation of workplace PA programs.

Cross-cultural team effectiveness for MBA students studying in an immersion program

We focus on cross-cultural team effectiveness for MBA students involvedin an immersion program, examining the development of knowledgeabout cultural traits, the challenges associated with teamwork, andfactors that promote or hinder team performance, based on qualitativeresults of a survey of 20 students who participated in the program. Keyobserved traits included; Indonesians were perceived to becollectivist/relationship, Australians were laid back, informal but taskfocused, and Americans were hard working and outspoken. Keychallenges faced by students included managing cultural differences,culturally embedded decision-making styles and communication/language hurdles. Team performance was facilitated by acknowledgingand addressing cultural issues from the start, not being ethnocentric,valuing team diversity, and focusing on task completion.

Professional development : the singing ear sees and does

This paper argues that professional development is seen as one element that can lead to the types of change that create more effective schools and improve the learning outcomes of students (Rhodes and Houghton-Hill, 2000). As change is a multifaceted phenomenon that teachers find difficult, it questions and challenges education reform that requires teachers to significantly change their practices and approaches to teaching without significant long-term ongoing support for that change. While there is an emphasis on teachers to be lifelong learners and teaching is viewed as a dynamic and growing profession, many teachers will require ongoing professional development to support such change. This paper examines the relationship between professional growth and professional development and its impact on teacher change. This paper concludes with some views from artists-in-residence and from music teachers regarding onsite professional development and the need for ongoing professional development specifically in African music. The authors contend that an expanded program of professional development in music is likely to be more effective if it is onsite and long-term where broad educational views are considered and participants’ knowledge valued.

Festivals, art and mentoring : disseminating knowledge, enhancing skills and developing networks in regional Victoria

Many regional festivals use art as a vehicle to engage with a broader cross-section of the community; highlight the artistic talent of their region; introduce art to their region; and to distinguish theirs from others. Regional Arts Victoria and Arts Victoria recently piloted a mentoring program, Directions, for regional festivals that indicated an interest in developing their artistic direction. Three experienced artistic directors were selected to participate in the program as mentors, and each of these mentored two festival directors whose festivals are located in Regional Victoria. The aim of this paper is to highlight the potential of mentoring within the context of festival management by exploring the outcomes of Directions. A case study approach is used, and although this limits the generalisability of the results to other festivals, the information gained provides insights into managing festivals within the context of artistic direction. A number of themes emerged from the study that appear to have broadened the perspective of 'art' in those festivals participating in the program. Furthermore, the program has highlighted that while festivals and artistic directors in regional locations experience varying degrees of isolation, they have a great deal of creativity and skill. Directions provided organisers of the festivals with the confidence to make decisions that enable them to capitalise on their extant creativity and skills. Festivals are then able to be marketed against their competitors with unique selling positions, which is important for sustainability. The results obtained through the evaluation of this pilot program provide Regional Arts Victoria and Arts Victoria opportunities to effectively assess the need for such programs for festivals in regional Victoria in the future.