Orals ain’t orals : the role of prepared oral presentations in the classroom and beyond. How do instruction and feedback practices guide delivery choices?

Despite an ostensibly technology-driven society, the ability to communicate orally continues to feature as an essential ability for students at school and university, as it is for graduates in the workplace. Pedagogically, one rationale is that the need to develop effective oral communication skills is tied to life-long learning which includes successful participation in future work-related tasks. One tangible way that educators have assessed proficiency in the area of communication is through prepared oral presentations. While much of the literature uses the terms 'oral communication' and 'oral presentation' interchangeably, some writers question the role more formal presentations play in the overall development of oral communication skills. However, such formal speaking tasks continue to be a recognised assessment practice in both the secondary school and academy, and, therefore, worthy of further investigation. Adding to the discussion, this thesis explores the knowledge and skills students bring into the academy from previous educational experiences. It examines some of the teaching and assessment methods used in secondary schools to develop oral communication skills through the use of formal oral presentations. Specifically, it investigates criterion-referenced assessment sheets and how these tools are used as a form of instruction, as well as their role and effectiveness in the evaluation of student ability. The focus is on the student's perspective and includes 12 semi-structured interviews with school students. The purpose of this thesis is to explore key thematics underpinning oral communication and to identify tensions between expectations and practice. While acknowledging the breadth and depth of material available under the heading of 'communication theory', this study specifically draws on an expanded view of the rhetorical tradition to fully interrogate the assumptions supporting the practice of assessing oral presentations. Finally, this thesis recommends reconnecting with an updated understanding of rhetoric as a way of assisting in the development of expressive, articulate and discerning communicators.

Scientific Research in Information Systems : A Beginner's Guide

- ​Covers entire research process from start to end - Places particular emphasis on motivational components, modes of inquiry in scholarly conduct, theorizing and planning research - Includes aspects such as publication and ethical challenges This book is designed to introduce doctoral and other higher-degree research students to the process of scientific research in the fields of Information Systems as well as fields of Information Technology, Business Process Management and other related disciplines within the social sciences. It guides research students in their process of learning the life of a researcher. In doing so, it provides an understanding of the essential elements, concepts and challenges of the journey into research studies. It also provides a gateway for the student to inquire deeper about each element covered​. Comprehensive and broad but also succinct and compact, the book is focusing on the key principles and challenges for a novice doctoral student.

A guide to assessing and improving breastfeeding content in nutrition and dietetics curricula

The aim of the Hearts and Minds Project: A curriculum intervention (2005-2010) was to determine the effectiveness of curriculum interventions relating to breastfeeding introduced into a four year dietetic course based at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Queensland, Australia. This five year project included interventions based on a needs assessment in 2005 that identified deficits in breastfeeding knowledge of students, concerns regarding their attitudes and beliefs, and little interest in working in an area that involves breastfeeding in the future. The interventions sought to address these issues and to equip students to support and promote breastfeeding in their role as health professionals in the future. The project was developed in partnership between QUT and the Nutrition Promotion Unit, Metro South Health Service District (Queensland Health) with support from the South East Queensland Breastfeeding Coalition.

Implementation Guide for Surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia -- [Consultation Edition]

The Implementation Guide for the Hospital Surveillance of SAB has been produced by the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Technical Working Group of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and endorsed by the HAI Advisory Group. The Technical Working Group is made up of representatives invited from surveillance units and the ACSQHC, who have had input into the preparation of this Guide. The Guide has been developed to ensure consistency in reporting of SAB across public and private hospitals to enable accurate national reporting and benchmarking. It is intended to be used by Australian hospitals and organisations to support the implementation of healthcare associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia(SAB) surveillance using the endorsed case definition1 in the box below and further detail in the Data Set Specification.

Implementation Guide for Surveillance of Clostridium Difficile Infection -- [Consultation Edition]

The Implementation Guide for hospital surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been produced by the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Technical Working Group of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and endorsed by the HAI Advisory Group. State jurisdictions and the ACSQHC have representatives on the Technical Working Group, and have had input into this document. (See acknowledgements on inside front cover)...

Implementation Guide for Surveillance of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection -- [Consultation Edition]

The implementation guide for the surveillance of CLABSI in intensive care units (ICU) was produced by the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Technical Working Group of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care(ACSQHC), and endorsed by the ACSQHC HAI Advisory Committee. State surveillance units, the ACSQHC and the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) have representatives on the Technical Working Group, and have provided input into this document.

Asian representations in films for the Australian Curriculum : an annotated guide

In this annotated guide we offer a reference list, with brief synposes, of possible films for inclusion in schools and linked to the Australian Curriculum: English (AC:E). These films meet one of the three cross curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum, which is Studies of Asia, specifically Australia’s contribution to Asia and Asia’s impact on Australia. This priority was recently introduced to curriculum policy in the 2008 Melbourne Declaration (Ministerial Council for Education Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs, 2008). In this guide we include Australians films made by Asian Australian filmmakers, as well as films about people from Asian countries in Australia, where representations of Asia are a significant part of the film’s content.

Directors at work : a practical guide for directors

Directors at Work: A Practical Guide for Boards is designed to be a practical tool for directors and boards wishing to implement leading practice corporate governance in their organisations. The book discusses contemporary issues in corporate governance, ways in which boards, directors and their advisers can be effective, and ways to improve their governance processes and procedures. The book also discusses an area that was only touched on briefly in the previous book, but is at the heart of effective decision making by boards: board behavioural dynamics, which deals with the types of behaviours that either support or destroy good governance.

An Introduction to Dating Techniques : A Guide for Geomorphologists

This chapter provides researchers with a guide to some of the types of dating techniques that can be used in geomorpological investigations and issues that need to be addressed when using gechronological data, specifically issues relating to accuracy and precision. This chapter also introduces the 'types' of dating methods that are commonly used in geomorphological studies. This includes sidereal, isotopic, radiogenic, and chemical dating methods.

The place of higher education institutions in assessing student engagement, success and retention : a maturity model to guide practice

The perennial issues of student engagement, success and retention in higher education continue to attract attention as the salience of teaching and learning funding and performance measures has increased. This paper addresses the question of the responsibility or place of higher education institutions (HEIs) for initiating, planning, managing and evaluating their student engagement, success and retention programs and strategies. An evaluation of the current situation indicates the need for a sophisticated approach to assessing the ability of HEIs to proactively design programs and practices that enhance student engagement. An approach—the Student Engagement Success and Retention Maturity Model (SESR-MM)—is proposed and its development, current status, and relationship with and possible use in benchmarking are discussed.

Development of a practical design guide for balcony acoustic treatments

Balcony acoustic treatments can be demonstrated to provide important benefits in reducing road traffic noise within the balcony space and consequently internally for any adjacent room. The actual effect on road traffic noise is derived from a multitude of variables that can be broadly categorized into (a) acoustical and (b) geometrical for two distinct propagation volumes being (i) the street space, and (ii) the balcony space. A series of recent research activities in this area has incorporated the use of a combined image and diffuse source model, which can be used to predict the effect of balconies on road traffic noise for large number of scenarios. This paper investigates and presents a method and capability to summarize predictive data into user friendly guidelines aimed for use by acoustical professionals and architects and possible implementation in building design policies for environmental noise. The paper concludes with a presentation of the likely format of a potential design guide.

Implementation guide for surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection

The Implementation Guide for hospital surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been produced by the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Technical Working Group of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and endorsed by the HAI Advisory Group. State jurisdictions and the ACSQHC have representatives on the Technical Working Group, and have had input into this document. The Guide is intended to be used by Australian hospitals and organisations to support the implementation of hospital-identified Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) surveillance using the endorsed case definition in this guide. It has been produced to support consistency of surveillance activities and is not intended to replace clinical assessment of infection for patient management.

Life in the baby boomer library world : a survival guide

According to Australian Job Search, just 14% of librarians are under the age of 35. As a Generation Y librarian, flexibility is a key factor to ensuring survival in the Baby Boomer library and overcoming employment, promotion and in particular stereotype barriers. This paper draws upon generational and library workforce research, coupled with industry experience to provide practical advice and strategies to break through both personal and professional barriers for the Generation Y librarian in the Baby Boomer library world. Industry understanding, drawn from personal experiences of working in public, education and special libraries, utilises my journey as a librarian since graduation in 2005 to discuss barriers faced and methods for breaking through. In my previous position as Teaching and Learning Librarian at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE from 35 library staff I was the sole member under 30. In addition I was the youngest member of the Library Management Team by 20 years, providing a perfect example of the Generation Y librarian within a Baby Boomer environment. This experience provides the platform for exploring strategies for understanding and overcoming ageist ideas, generational stereotypes, and employment barriers. Discussion regarding the need to develop sound industry knowledge for survival within the library world will also be raised.