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2. ICT and Initial Teacher Education: National Policies. OECD Education Working Papers, Number 61
- Author
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and Rizza, Caroline
- Abstract
This working paper aims to give an overview of the national policies that exist in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) and initial teacher education. Information on this topic was initially gathered via a survey, in the form of a country questionnaire, which was conducted as part of the analytical strand of the the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study entitled "ICT and Initial Teacher Education." All of this work has been carried out under the auspices of the "New Millennium Learners" project. Responses to the survey were received from the following countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Chile, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Some of the responses have been used in this report. In addition, desk research was conducted for 31 OECD countries. Special attention was given to the dates and to the last revisions of the documents in order to ensure the relevance of the information collected. Official country reports, work plans, official texts (decrees, laws) and articles constitute the main material of this study. Multiple sources have been used: databases, official government websites, key stakeholders. The review was completed in January 2009; therefore, reforms and updates of the policies implemented after January 2009 have not been taken into account. On the basis of these documents, three categories are proposed for understanding the extent to which countries have addressed the issue of ICT and initial teacher education: (1) Lack of relevant information concerning ICT and initial teacher education; (2) Category 2: Developing awareness of the stakes of ICT and initial teacher education; and (3) Category 3: Inclusion of ICT in initial teacher education at several levels. The first part of this report presents a comparison of national policies by classifying each of them in one of these three categories. The second part of this report proposes a complementary analysis of these results by first discussing some limits to the initial broad classification of countries in these categories and then presenting key elements of comparison in order to estimate the level of coherence of these policies. Country Questionnaire is appended. (Contains 4 tables and 41 notes.)
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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3. Smoke and Mirrors: 2021 Garth Boomer Address and Reflection
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Melitta Hogarth
- Abstract
The power of the coloniser within colonial Australia is clear when we consider how central to the teaching and learning and schooling in Australia is the privileging of Standard Australian English. Prior to 1788, the peoples and the lands of this country were abound with languages. That was until the coloniser exerted their power and insisted on a supposedly monolingual society despite being an amalgamation of various Englishes. Quintessential to maintaining the status quo and assumed power of the coloniser is subject English. I want to query the privileged positioning of subject English and its role in privileging the dominant norm. The subject content, the privileging of the coloniser's language, the silencing of Indigenous voices, even the naming of the subject -- all work to maintain the status quo. In a world where technology auto-corrects and predicts our writings, where 'new' ways of communicating such as emojis are becoming prevalent, where the written word is reduced to memos, text messages and emails, where the evolution of language is studied and yet, the consistent message is that you must excel in Standard Australian English. There has never been a 'pure' English nor a standard Australian English in colonial Australia. Our curriculum makes this explicit when we ask students to explore the evolution of language. In this paper, I share the script from my Garth Boomer address provided in 2021 where I wanted to extend the provocation, I raised in 2019 -- why is Standard Australian English the only means of communication privileged in the Australian Curriculum? And be so bold to ask: could (or should) subject English be renamed? Why not Languages, literacy and communication as found in the Welsh Curriculum or how about, simply, Language Arts?
- Published
- 2022
4. Examining the Changing Shape of the Specialist Studio/Classroom Model in Communication Design Education Today
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Marshalsey, Lorraine
- Abstract
The shift from specialised studio environments to standardized classroom learning has changed the shape of Communication Design education today. As networked learning and augmented digital classrooms continue to dominate higher education, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a repertoire of learning spaces on students' engagement within contemporary Communication Design studio learning. This study proposes educators and learning space coordinators employ a methodological framework, known as a Methods Process Model (MPM), to empower students to form their own strategies for learning in conventional studio and generic classroom spaces. This paper discusses the findings from two case studies in the UK and Australia.
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- 2020
5. Communication teaching and research: life after the White Paper.
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Irwin, H.
- Published
- 1989
6. Critical Literacy and New Technologies.
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Lankshear, Colin and Knobel, Michele
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Increasingly in Australia, attention is being given in English or language education to core or functional literacy conceived as print mastery, alongside literature, and critical literacy. The Queensland Years 1 to 10 English syllabus evinces an attempt to organize such qualitatively distinct "literacies" under a burgeoning conceptual and theoretical umbrella. The result is a syllabus which many regard as "unwieldy, if not incoherent, bursting at the seams, and often palpably unsuccessful" at the level of classroom implementation. This paper considers a different approach to understanding literacy in general and critical literacy in particular. This approach aims to transcend the earlier kind of compartmentalized view and develops a sociocultural view of literacy as necessarily involving three dimensions: "operational,""cultural," and "critical." According to the paper, an integrated view of literacy in practice and in pedagogy addresses all three dimensions simultaneously; none has any priority. The paper describes and discusses the three dimensions in detail. It outlines the elements of a framework for critical literacy and relates them to some examples encountered around Brisbane of young people exploring new technological literacies in varied settings. Examples in the paper involve school students and young adults who worked within a community-based space called GRUNT during 1995-97. The paper concludes by envisaging possibilities for a critical literacy pedagogy built around the use of new technologies. (Contains 33 references.) (NKA)
- Published
- 1998
7. 'I Am Not a Person with a Creative Mind': Facilitating Creativity in the Undergraduate Curriculum through a Design-Based Research Approach
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Wood, Denise and Bilsborow, Carolyn
- Abstract
Today's graduates need the skills to enable them to "persevere in the face of complexity and unresolvability" (McWilliam and Haukka 2008: 660), and to respond creatively in work environments that are increasingly dependent on digital technologies (Cunningham 2006). However, although many higher education institutions (HEIs) acknowledge the importance of creativity within the curriculum (McWilliam 2007a), it is argued that universities are failing to equip graduates with the creative skills they require to be effective in the workplace. Design-based learning (also referred to as learning by design) is ideally suited to facilitating the development of creative problem solving (CPS) skills by engaging students in complex learning activities involving the active construction of knowledge through a series of iterative cycles of experimentation and refinement of concepts (Naidu 2004). Similarly, design-based research (DBR) involves a series of iterative steps to design and develop learning environments and theories the design, while also informing the development of practical guidelines (Reeves, Herrington and Oliver, 2005). This paper reports on findings from a project funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching, which aimed to develop a CPS framework and supporting online system to scaffold teachers and students through a creative problem solving approach founded on the principles of DBR. The study employed a mixed-methods DBR approach involving multiple iterations to design, develop, trial and implement the framework and tool, as well as the development of principles and practical guidelines for application in the classroom. The findings reported in this paper focus on the DBR process and the experience trialling the CPS tool in a first-year undergraduate course offered in the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages at the University of South Australia. The paper reports on the implications of the findings from the project and the benefits of DBR as a methodology informing the design, development and implementation of a technology enhanced learning approach to fostering CPS in the undergraduate curriculum.
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- 2014
8. Proceedings of the International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS) International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Age (CELDA) (Madrid, Spain, October 19-21, 2012)
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International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS)
- Abstract
The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference intention was to address the main issues concerned with evolving learning processes and supporting pedagogies and applications in the digital age. There had been advances in both cognitive psychology and computing that have affected the educational arena. The convergence of these two disciplines is increasing at a fast pace and affecting academia and professional practice in many ways. Paradigms such as just-in-time learning, constructivism, student-centered learning and collaborative approaches have emerged and are being supported by technological advancements such as simulations, virtual reality and multi-agents systems. These developments have created both opportunities and areas of serious concerns. This conference aimed to cover both technological as well as pedagogical issues related to these developments. The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference received 98 submissions from more than 24 countries. Out of the papers submitted, 29 were accepted as full papers. In addition to the presentation of full papers, short papers and reflection papers, the conference also includes a keynote presentation from internationally distinguished researchers. Individual papers contain figures, tables, and references.
- Published
- 2012
9. Communicating with the Public about Wildland Fire Preparation, Response, and Recovery: A Review of Recent Literature
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Santo, Anna R., Huber-Stearns, Heidi, and Smith, Hollie
- Abstract
This review paper synthesizes peer-reviewed empirical research published between 2010 and 2021 about wildland fire communication practices. Our goal was to systematically review and provide an overview of how wildland fire communication has been empirically studied, and theoretical and methodological underpinnings and representativeness of this work. We found that researchers employ diverse theoretical and methodological approaches, yet most work originates from the western United States or Australia. Studies were published in diverse disciplinary journals, most frequently looked at residents as study subjects, and many sought to understand the effectiveness of communication. There is a need to build theoretical and methodological consistency in wildland fire communication research.
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- 2022
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10. Technologies, Learning and Culture: Some Emerging Themes
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Lally, Vic, Sclater, Madeleine, and Brown, Ken
- Abstract
This paper reflects on some of the themes emerging from a consideration of recent research at the nexus of technologies, learning and culture. The authors comment on the expansive nature of the concept of learning spaces in papers featuring an investigation of technology enhanced learning (TEL) and communication design studios in the UK and Australia, the use of interdisciplinary research collaborations to develop novel implementations of TEL learning spaces, and the challenges of developing an e-university in Malawi. They also examine a comparative study focused on classroom-based learning spaces augmented by computer-based assessment technologies, and the role of TEL both within and in response to protests at universities in South Africa. Massive open online courses are then considered as distinctive educational designs that may offer diverse student experiences, either formal or informal. The next emerging theme considers the sources of tension and richness arising from the widely divergent values that can be embedded in TEL. This is followed by consideration of infrastructural issues and the technologies--learning--culture nexus, followed by the use of theory in TEL work, leading to interdisciplinary theory-informed TEL projects that may be beneficial in the wider project of reimagining higher education for work and study. Finally, the paper examines the theme of mobile TEL and the hegemonic issues surrounding the building of sustainable and authentic foundations for learning with mobiles in the globalised South. The theme points to the methodologically challenging and problematic aspects of this hegemonic analysis and considers how the arguments may be further developed.
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- 2018
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11. Building Employability Skills for Higher Education Students: An Australian Example
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Gill, Robert
- Abstract
Employability has become an important focus for graduates and employers in Australia, as many universities contend with the notion of developing knowledgeable and problem-solving graduates who are workforce ready practitioners. This paper presents an example of how the higher education communication disciplines from across Victoria, Australia, have developed a forum that allows graduating students to engage directly with industry leaders to better prepare for the leap from higher education to professional employment in the communication and media sectors. This national award-winning education forum brings multi-institutional student groups, recent graduates, academics, and industry practitioners and leaders together in order to aid the development of student skills in areas such as: networking, job application, time management, and effective work habits.
- Published
- 2018
12. Knowledge Is Something We Do: Knowing and Learning in Globally Networked Communities.
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Farell, Lesley and Holkner, Bernard
- Abstract
Workspaces are sites of contention over what is knowledge and who can say so; work-related education has never been a neutral arbiter. In a context in which workspaces routinely bring together physical place and cyber place in communication networks, traditional struggles over knowledge and knowing are affected by communications technologies (CT) in powerful but unobtrusive ways. CT play a part in construction of knowledge, community, and identity between and within workspaces. Formal, informal, and nonformal education mediates CT and helps shape local and global economic activities, working communities, and working lives. Communications networks operate to construct contemporary hybrid workspaces, but are also adopted by local working communities. Knowledge at work in hybrid workspaces has a social and textual character. Technology plays a part in shaping communication and knowledge production in workspaces. Organizations try to join up geographically and temporally dispersed workspaces by introducing software that mimics a physically integrated workspace. Two perspectives for education are the following: (1) educators may adopt the position that trainees, children, or colleagues should be informed of ways in which technology mediated knowledge construction and technologically facilitated collaborative environments can work to their advantage in contrast to the view that the role of education is to provide skills that will make future workers flexible and adaptable to the needs of the organization, and (2) educators can use those aspects of group communication and knowledge construction that benefit learning. (Contains 20 references) (YLB)
- Published
- 2002
13. Education, Equity, and the Crisis in the Rural Community: An Integrated Framework.
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Spring, G. J.
- Abstract
This paper demonstrates how jointly planned activities can provide an integrated system in bridging the quality gap between urban and rural education in Australia. A national communications policy and delivery system would provide a cost-effective way of improving services to rural areas. Rural schools and colleges can be transformed by developing partnerships between the school and the community. These programs can be implemented through open-access learning centers and community education centers which could meet a full range of relevant local employment, education and training needs in rural communities. This paper provides a case study analysis of recent experiences in Australian education, also drawing on recent experience in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and from Asian and Pacific Regional case studies. The main areas investigated in the case studies were: (1) collaboration between the national government and states; (2) collaboration across education sectors and between public and private providers; (3) giving the decision-making responsibility to the local level and broadening the base of school/college services to match local needs and priorities; (4) the setting of new national targets for post-compulsory education and training; (5) higher productivity through the use of technology; and (6) and evaluation of cost substitution measures. (LP)
- Published
- 1992
14. Video Conferencing with Preschool Children: Mass Communications Media in Music Instruction.
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Gouzouasis, Peter
- Abstract
An experiment is described that involved video conferencing technology with preschool children in a music instruction context. Video conferencing is a powerful communications medium, and may be used in creative interactive contexts. The subjects were children, ages 3 through 5, participating in video conferences from Australia and Canada, eight at each conference site. A detailed discussion of rehearsal procedures, technical broadcast information, instruction techniques, evaluation of instructional efficacy with objective tools, and interpretations of the data are provided. Whereas children's television programming, especially in a music context, is essentially non-interactive, video conferencing provides educators a viable, interactive audio-video medium to deliver instruction in a variety of subject areas. (Author)
- Published
- 1994
15. The Disadvantaged Country Areas Program: A Program Designed to Increase Social and Educational Equity for Rural Children.
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Randell, Shirley K.
- Abstract
The Schools Commission's Disadvantaged Country Areas Program, an important strategy in promoting social and educational equity for rural children in Australia, is the focus of this paper. After a brief consideration of the historical background of the establishment of the Disadvantaged Country Areas Program, the objectives and operation of the Program are discussed. Aspects of Program operation covered include selection of areas, funding, committee structure and functions, and processes established for the use of resources provided. Strategies for improving education for rural children are examined next. Projects described are concerned with transport and mobility, curriculum development, community enrichment, technology, school-work transition, upgrading facilities, and effective use of resources. Finally, some of the constraints and tensions governing progress in the Program are discussed in relation to possible directions for the future. Problems considered include school based versus shared area programs, school based versus community based programs, a "rural" curriculum versus a core curriculum, system support versus independent operation, pilot projects versus ongoing program, local projects versus research and development, and consultants and coordinators versus local development. (CM)
- Published
- 1980
16. Assessment in First Year University: A Model to Manage Transition
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Taylor, Janet A.
- Abstract
For most students assessment guides their study and learning practice. Yet in the literature associated with the first year of study at university, few have mobilised the power of assessment to develop and engage first year undergraduate students. This paper presents a model of assessment for first year students which separates the semester into three overlapping assessment phases: assessment for transition, assessment for development and assessment for achievement. The implementation and usefulness of the model is supported by examples from mathematics, engineering, computing, communication and nursing studies at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). Particular attention is paid to assessments for transition which occur early in the semester and are linked more closely with processes than specific content. Evidence is collated on the success of assessments in improving the participation of students, especially distance education students.
- Published
- 2008
17. The Complementary Relationship between the Internet and Traditional Mass Media: The Case of Online News and Information
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Nguyen, An and Western, Mark
- Abstract
Background: The question whether old media are driven out of existence by new media has been a long concern in academic and industrial research but has received no definitive answer. Aim: This paper goes beyond most previous studies of Internet impact on traditional media, which have placed their relationship within a competition-based framework, to specifically investigate the complementary effect of online news and information usage on traditional sources. Method: Secondary data analysis of a national survey of 4270 Australians conducted in late 2003, employing hypothesis testing for the mean, partial correlations, and a linear regression analysis. Results: Online news and information usage at different usage levels is positively associated with the use of traditional news and information sources, especially those that are more information-intensive. Those who relied on the Internet the most for news and information still used traditional sources substantially. Conclusion: The findings suggest that even if a displacement effect takes place, there will be no replacement (absolute displacement): traditional media will still exist to complement the Internet in serving human beings' news and information needs.
- Published
- 2006
18. Organizational Rhetoric in the Prospectuses of Elite Private Schools: Unpacking Strategies of Persuasion
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McDonald, Paula, Pini, Barbara, and Mayes, Robyn
- Abstract
The way in which private schools use rhetoric in their communications offers important insights into how these organizational sites persuade audiences and leverage marketplace advantage in the context of contemporary educational platforms. Through systemic analysis of rhetorical strategies employed in 65 "elite" school prospectuses in Australia, this paper contributes to understandings of the ways schools' communications draw on broader cultural politics in order to shape meanings and interactions among organizational actors. We identify six strategies consistently used by schools to this end: identification, juxtapositioning, bolstering or self-promotion, partial reporting, self-expansion, and reframing or reversal. We argue that, in the context of marketization and privatization discourses in twenty-first-century western education, these strategies attempt to subvert potentially threatening discourses, in the process actively reproducing broader economic and social privilege and inequalities. (Contains 2 tables.)
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- 2012
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19. Broadening the Scope for Educational Research. Report of a Regional Seminar (Tokyo, Japan, July 11-20, 1984).
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National Inst. for Educational Research, Tokyo (Japan). and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Bangkok (Thailand). Asian Centre for Educational Innovation for Development.
- Abstract
The results of a seminar in which representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and eight Asian countries discussed interdisciplinary research in education are presented. Types of interdisciplinary research were identified, and the conditions necessary for its development were examined. The recent impetus toward interdisciplinary research has emanated from concerns about economic and national development, social justice, the implications for national unity of linguistic and ethnic diversity, and a representation in schools of continuing cultural and social traditions. In some countries there are limitations of knowledge on the part of educational researchers. For example, researchers need to know more about computer and communications technologies. Cooperation and communication among the disciplines and support from the community must be encouraged. Guidelines for the advancement of interdisciplinary educational research are discussed. The annexes, which make up over two-thirds of the report, contain a list of participants and the papers from the individual countries. (RM)
- Published
- 1984
20. Instructional Film Production, Utilization and Research in Great Britain, Canada and Australia (Rapid Mass Learning). Technical Report.
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Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park. Coll. of Education., Greenhill, Leslie P., and Tyo, John
- Abstract
Part of a larger research program to determine the principles of effective production and utilization of filmic instructional devices, this paper deals with activities in Great Britain, Canada, and Australia. Activities in each of these countries form the basis for each of the three chapters of this report. The chapter on Great Britain describes: The British tradition in documentary films, instructional films during the war, instructional films in education, the use of instructional films in universities, instructional film research, the producers of instructional films, and organizations interested in promoting the development of instruction films. It ends with references and an appendix describing the technique of factual film production in Great Britain. The report on Canada discusses the National Film Board of Canada and its functions, production facilities, the distribution and exhibition of films, and the documentary tradition. The chapter on Australia comprises reports on audiovisual aids in military training and in education, and concludes with references. (GO)
- Published
- 1949
21. Joint Ministerial Statement on Information and Communications Technologies in Australian Education and Training: 2008-2011
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Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) (Australia)
- Abstract
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are integral to contemporary society. Technologies are powerful tools for education and training. They are enabling the transformation of the curriculum and changing the way learners and educators operate, learn and interact. Educators will enhance twenty first century student learning outcomes by effectively and ethically incorporating ICT into their teaching and learning programmes and methods and collaborating in the creation of flexible learning environments. To that end, educators will be supported to enhance their ICT capabilities. This paper describes the Australian Ministers of education and training's commitment on integrating ICT in Australian learning environments.
- Published
- 2008
22. The Future of Satellite Communications Technology.
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Nowland, Wayne
- Abstract
Discusses technical advances in satellite technology since the 1960s, and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization's role in these developments; describes how AUSSAT, Australia's domestic satellite system, exemplifies the latest developments in satellite technology; and reviews satellite system features, possible future developments, and options being considered for second generation AUSSAT satellites. (MBR)
- Published
- 1985
23. Communications Technologies: Challenges and Solutions for Isolated School Learners.
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Sheppard, Marlene
- Abstract
Discusses the role of communications technologies in distance education; the communication needs of distance education; problems confronting New South Wales (Australia) in providing distance education on the primary and secondary levels; and solutions to those problems by way of technology. The specific case of an electronic mail system is described. (MBR)
- Published
- 1986
24. The pitfalls of auctioning universal service - the Australian experience.
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Bahtsevanoglou, John
- Subjects
UNIVERSAL service (Telecommunication) ,MOBILE communication systems ,AUCTIONS ,ECONOMIC conditions of developed countries ,INCUMBENT local exchange carriers ,LICENSE agreements ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the degree to which auctioning the right to provide universal service is a viable option in developed countries with high teledensity and near ubiquitous fixed line and mobile networks. The paper also aims to provide signposts on the types of issues regulators need to consider and resolve when designing auctioning mechanisms for the competitive provision of universal service. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines the nature and scope of universal service, the approaches that have been used to identify the costs of universal service provision and the difficulties in using an auction process to allocate the right to provide universal service in countries with near ubiquitous network infrastructure. Australia is used as a case study on the difficulties of using auctions to encourage new entry in universal service areas served by a powerful incumbent. The paper also examines the types of issues regulators need to resolve when designing auction mechanisms for universal service provision. Findings - The paper concludes that for developed countries, it is unclear whether the use of auctions for the provision of universal service will have the desired effect of ensuring a market-based approach to service provision. This is because the risks associated with becoming an alternative universal service provider are likely to outweigh the benefits of doing so. Further, the risks faced by an alternative universal service provider are not borne by the incumbent operator thus further increasing the disincentive to bid for the right to provide universal service. The paper also concludes that the practical design of the universal service rights and obligations which will be attached to a winning bidder's license conditions is an extremely important mechanism by which some of the risks to potential universal service providers can be overcome. Originality/value - The paper stimulates thinking about whether universal service auctions are a viable means of providing universal service in developed countries. In presenting empirical evidence of the difficulties in using auctions to introduce competition in universal service provision, the paper may provide valuable input to the regulatory proceedings associated with introducing universal service contestability arrangements that are currently being conducted in various countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
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25. ICT Governance Frameworks for Managing Australian e-Government.
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Martin, Nigel and Gregor, Shirley
- Subjects
INFORMATION & communication technologies ,INTERNET in public administration ,GOVERNMENT websites ,INFORMATION technology ,INFORMATION resources management ,PERSONNEL management ,PUBLIC sector - Abstract
As governments operate in more dynamic and resource constrained environments the requirement for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) governance frameworks are assuming greater importance as tools for managing information system and technology projects. This exploratory paper looks at how governance frameworks for the electronic domain are influenced and shaped by the underlying legislation that gives rise to the government body, the practice of good government, and the allocation of public sector budgetary resources. This paper also analyses and describes what two public sector agencies in Australia are doing in terms of their ICT governance arrangements to ensure the success of their business and reduce the risk of ICT project failure. The two public agencies were selected from a wider study for their exemplary Information Technology (IT) and Information and Technology governance frameworks and processes that have been used to guide and direct ICT activities, including e-government and government e-business initiatives. Other organisations in the wider study displayed limited governance practices, with some notably problematic human resource and financial management information system implementations that hampered government e-business progress. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2005
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26. LGBT communities and substance use in Queensland, Australia: Perceptions of young people and community stakeholders.
- Author
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Demant, Daniel, Hides, Leanne, White, Katherine M., and Kavanagh, David J.
- Subjects
LGBTQ+ people ,SUBSTANCE abuse ,YOUNG adults ,SEXUAL minorities ,PEER pressure - Abstract
Sexual minority young people use licit and illicit substances at disproportionate levels. However, little is known about the perceptions of substance use among members of LGBT communities. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of 45 semi-structured interviews about substance use in LGBT communities with sexual minority young people (n = 31) and community stakeholders (n = 14). Results indicated both sexual minority youth and community stakeholders perceived the use and acceptance of substances to be higher in LGBT communities compared to the general population. Participants identified a range of characteristics potentially leading to higher levels of substance use including peer pressure, high exposure to substance use, and the high concentrations of licensed venues in LGBT communities. Marginalisation, discrimination and mental health were also perceived as important reasons for these disparities. Community stakeholders identified a range of potential interventions including legislation to address discrimination and substance use, increased services and activities, advertising in commercial LGBT venues and social media, and reinvigorating community cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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27. Significance of likes: Analysing passive interactions on Facebook during campaigning.
- Author
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Rao, Asha and Khairuddin, Mohammad Adib
- Subjects
- *
SOCIAL interaction , *PASSIVITY (Psychology) , *SOCIAL media , *POLITICAL campaigns , *ELECTIONS , *PSYCHOLOGY ,MALAYSIAN elections - Abstract
With more and more political candidates using social media for campaigning, researchers are looking at measuring the effectiveness of this medium. Most research, however, concentrates on the bare count of likes (or twitter mentions) in an attempt to correlate social media presence and winning. In this paper, we propose a novel method, Interaction Strength Plot (IntS) to measure the passive interactions between a candidate’s posts on Facebook and the users (liking the posts). Using this method on original Malaysian General Election (MGE13) and Australian Federal Elections (AFE13) Facebook Pages (FP) campaign data, we label an FP as performing well if both the posting frequency and the likes gathered are above average. Our method shows that over 60% of the MGE13 candidates and 85% of the AFE13 candidates studied in this paper had under-performing FP. Some of these FP owners would have been identified as popular based on bare count. Thus our performance chart is a vital step forward in measuring the effectiveness of online campaigning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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28. Combining Social Norms and Social Marketing to Address Underage Drinking: Development and Process Evaluation of a Whole-of-Community Intervention.
- Author
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Jones, Sandra C., Andrews, Kelly, and Francis, Kate
- Subjects
SOCIAL norms ,SOCIAL marketing ,YOUTH & alcohol ,ALCOHOL drinking & society ,PARENT-teenager relationships - Abstract
Youth alcohol consumption has been steadily declining in Australia, as in other countries; fewer young people are drinking and the age of initiation is increasing. However, young people, their parents and others in their communities continue to believe that adolescent (excessive) drinking is the norm. This perception, and the concurrent misperception that the majority of parents are happy to provide their underage children with alcohol, creates a perceived culture of acceptance of youth alcohol consumption. Young people believe that it is accepted, and even expected, that they will drink; and parents perceive that not providing their adolescent children with alcohol will lead to social exclusion. There is evidence that shifting social norms can have an immediate and lasting effect adolescents’ (and adults’) alcohol related attitudes and behaviors. This paper reports on a novel, community based social marketing intervention designed to correct misperceptions of alcohol related social norms in an Australian community. The project utilized a social marketing approach, informed by the full complement of Andreasen’s social marketing benchmarking criteria, and concurrently targeted adolescents, parents of adolescents and the broader community. Using extensive formative research and multiple evaluation techniques, the study demonstrates that shifts in community social norms are possible and suggests that this approach could be used more widely to support the positive trends in youth alcohol consumption and parental supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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29. Trust and productivity in Australian construction projects: a subcontractor perspective.
- Author
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Chalker, Mathew and Loosemore, Martin
- Subjects
CONSTRUCTION project management ,COMMERCIAL trusts ,PRODUCTION (Economic theory) ,CONSTRUCTION industry accidents ,SUBCONTRACTORS - Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between trust and productivity from a subcontractor perspective. More specifically it investigates: the perceived level of trust that currently exists between subcontractors and main contractors; the factors affecting trust at the project level; the relationship between trust and productivity. Design/methodology/approach – An on-line survey was undertaken with of 112 senior construction managers working for tier-1 and tier-2 subcontractors in the Australian construction industry. The survey was based on a combination of validated questions from Lau and Rowlinson’s (2009) interpersonal trust and inter-firm trust in construction projects framework and Cheung et al.’s (2011) framework for a trust inventory in construction contracting. Findings – In contrast to the large number of research projects which have highlighted a lack of trust in the construction industry, the findings show that level of trust that Australian subcontractors have in main contractors is generally high. However, bid shopping is a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry which acts to undermine trust. The findings also provide strong evidence that high levels of trust influence productivity on site by enabling greater collaboration, better communication and greater flexibility, agility and informality in project relationships. Research limitations/implications – This research was undertaken in the Sydney metropolitan area in Australia and within an economic boom. It is quite possible that outside this regional context which tends to dominated by larger construction firms and in an alternative economic context that the results of this research could be quite different. This possibility needs to be investigated further. Practical implications – The results indicate that this relatively healthy level of trust is down to good communication and empathy on the part of main contractors to the subcontractor’s welfare. While the results showed that bid shopping is clearly a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry, subcontractors also felt that their contracts were clearly defined and that they were given sufficient time to innovate on their projects. This suggest that new communications technologies can be used to build trust through the supply chain. Given that much of the construction supply chain is made up of small- to medium-sized businesses, the challenge of diffusing these new technologies into this business environment should be a priority. Social implications – Trust in basis of effective collaboration which has been shown to produce numerous social benefits such as greater equity and justice in business relationships and higher levels of productivity and safety. Originality/value – The originality of this research is in using theories of trust to give subcontractors a greater “voice” in the construction productivity debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Emergency communications and warning systemsDetermining critical capacities in the Australian context.
- Author
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Martin, Nigel and Rice, John
- Subjects
NATURAL disaster warning systems ,EMERGENCY communication systems ,CRISIS management ,NATURAL disasters ,DECISION making - Abstract
Purpose – The frequent occurrence of emergencies and disasters continues to threaten community safety and security. Emergency communications and warning systems (ECWS) allow people to make decisions and take actions before, during and after the emergency or disaster. The critical objective of this study is to determine the critical capacities of ECWS in the Australian context. Design/methodology/approach – This study used stakeholder analysis in which written submissions from individuals, and public and private organizations collected by the Australian federal government were subjected to structured coding techniques in order to identify major ECWS capacity issues. The summary of findings were generating by axially collapsing and summarizing the coded statements. Findings – Findings showed that a broad range of ECWS are deployed in the Australian context. These ECWS come with social and/or technical limitations that suggest the importance of adopting an integrated or systems based approach for their construction and deployment. Also, while the identification of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities reinforced the argument for an integrated systems approach for ECWS, this also demonstrated the pressing need to build resilience and redundancy into domestic infrastructure networks. In addition, new and innovative ECWS technologies and solutions will enable improved emergency or disaster management in the future. Originality/value – This paper simultaneously considers important factors and issues impacting ECWS and provides an instructive discourse on the requirement for more combinative ECWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Mobile message services and communications policy.
- Author
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GOGGIN, GERARD and SPURGEON 1, CHRISTINA
- Subjects
TEXT messages ,MOBILE communication systems ,WIRELESS communications ,TELECOMMUNICATION policy ,COMMUNICATION policy - Abstract
Something of a design after-thought, mobile phone SMS (Short-Message Services) have been enthusiastically adopted by consumers worldwide, who have created a new text culture. SMS is now being deployed to provide a range of services and transactions, as well as playing a critical role in offering an interactive path for television broadcasting. In this paper we offer a case study of a lucrative, new industry developing internationally at the intersection of telecommunications, broadcasting, and information services—namely, premium rate SMS/MMS. To explore the issues at stake we focus on an Australian case study of policy responses to the development of premium rate mobile messaging services in the 2002–2005 period. In the first part, we give a brief history of premium rate telecommunications. Secondly, we characterise premium rate mobile message services and examine their emergence. Thirdly, we discuss the responses of Australian policy-makers and industry to these services. Fourthly, we place the Australian experience in international context, and indicate common issues. Finally, we draw some conclusions from the peregrinations of mobile message services for regulators grappling with communications policy frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Designing communication Honours curricula : theory and practice in Australian higher education.
- Author
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Murray, S.
- Published
- 2006
33. Gaps, Disconnections, and Discontinuities—The Role of Information Exchange in the Delivery of Quality Long-Term Care.
- Author
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Georgiou, Andrew, Marks, Anne, Braithwaite, Jeffrey, and Westbrook, Johanna Irene
- Subjects
FOCUS groups ,INFORMATION technology ,INTERVIEWING ,LONG-term health care ,MEDICAL quality control ,SCIENTIFIC observation ,DECISION making in clinical medicine ,QUALITATIVE research ,OLD age - Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The smart use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is widely seen as a means of enhancing the quality of aged care services. One of the barriers to ICT diffusion in aged care is the failure to cater for the complex and interdisciplinary requirements of the aged care environment. The aim of this qualitative study was to identify the layers of information exchange and communication and produce a conceptual model that can help to inform decisions related to the design, implementation, and sustainability of ICT. Design and Methods: A qualitative study conducted in 2010 within seven Australian residential aged care facilities. It included 11 focus groups involving 47 staff and 54 individual interviews and observation sessions. Results: The analysis of work processes identified key information exchange components related to the type of information (residential, clinical, and administrative) that is collected, stored, and communicated. This information relies on a diverse number of internal and external communication channels that are important for the organization of care. Implications: The findings highlight potential areas of communication dysfunction as a consequence of structural holes, fragmentation, or disconnections that can adversely affect the continuity and coordination of care, its safety, and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Bushfire: the recovery phase, path to resilience and future readiness.
- Author
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Di Pietro, Vince
- Subjects
PREPAREDNESS ,WILDFIRES ,GOVERNMENT property - Abstract
The 2019-20 summer bushfire on the New South Wales south coast caused massive damage to public and private property, bushland and livestock. The author, the Chair of the former Recovery Committee and now Shoalhaven Recovery into Resilience Project Co-ordinator, provides personal insights into the recovery effort and the follow-on path to resilience and future readiness. He discusses futuristic scenarios and alternative pathways and concludes by describing the biggest threats now faced in the aftermath of the bushfires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
35. Dissonances in communication with sexual health consumers in an inner‐Sydney sexual health clinic in relation to health literacy: A mixed‐methods study.
- Author
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McCormack, Heather, Nathan, Sally, Varma, Rick, and Haire, Bridget
- Subjects
HEALTH literacy ,SEXUAL health ,MEDICAL communication ,CLINICS ,PRE-exposure prophylaxis ,MEDICAL quality control ,MEDICAL personnel - Abstract
Issues addressed: This study examined the navigation of health care interactions by health consumers attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), an inner‐city sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia. We aimed to assess the accessibility and appropriateness of communications between SSHC and patients in the context of health literacy. Methods: We conducted 20 semi‐structured interviews with health consumers, assessed health literacy using the Short Health Literacy Assessment for English‐Speaking Adults (SAHL‐E) and conducted a focus group with clinical staff. Results: We identified dissonances around assumed knowledge in communications between health professionals and health consumers, which were most apparent when lack of knowledge about sexual health, HIV and pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) intersected with poor English fluency. So what?: This study suggests that existing models of access for HIV treatment and PrEP in Australia have been developed for high health literacy and may not support consumers who experience communication barriers due to low health literacy. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care recommends addressing health literacy systemically, including embedding assessment of health literacy into organisational systems and policies. We recommend developing tools to assess knowledge levels of consumers accessing sexual health services and incorporating health literacy into clinician training on working with patients from non‐English–speaking backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. 'Willy nilly' doctors, bad patients, and resistant bodies in general public explanations of antimicrobial resistance.
- Author
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Davis, Mark D. M., Lohm, Davina B., Whittaker, Andrea, and Flowers, Paul
- Subjects
ANTI-infective agents ,COMMUNICATION ,DRUG resistance in microorganisms ,DRUG utilization ,EXPERIENCE ,INTERVIEWING ,PUBLIC health ,RESPONSIBILITY ,GOVERNMENT policy - Abstract
Increased public engagement is a feature of policy and communications focussed on the reduction of antimicrobial resistance. Explaining antimicrobial resistance for general publics has proven difficult and they continue to endorse apparently mistaken knowledge, including the conflation of antimicrobial resistance with the notion of the resistant body. We interviewed members of the general public in Melbourne, Australia, to explore explanatory models for antimicrobial resistance and shed light on the persistence of the resistant body assumption and related concepts. In the face of AMR's complexity and the portended antibiotic apocalypse, publics rely on a heavily inscribed understanding of the body defending itself against microbes. Publics also read antibiotic misuse and overuse messages as the responsibility of other patients and medical practitioners, and not themselves. Significantly, the scientific world view that has created expert knowledge about AMR hails publics in ways that discredits them and limits their capacity to take action. Increased engagement with publics will be required to ensure that collaborative and sustainable AMR approaches are fashioned for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Health education beyond the school gates : Use of school newsletters to communicate health messages to parents and their families.
- Author
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Merga, Margaret K. and Hu, Qi Mei
- Published
- 2016
38. Pharmacy practitioners’ lived experiences of culture in multicultural Australia: From perceptions to skilled practice.
- Author
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Fejzic, Jasmina and Barker, Michelle
- Subjects
DRUGSTORES ,PHARMACY ,CAREER development ,PHARMACY students ,CULTURAL awareness ,CULTURE - Abstract
Objectives: The Code of Ethics of pharmacy practitioners in Australia recognises the obligation to provide care to patients in a culturally safe and responsive manner. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine how Australian community pharmacists understand and experience the concept of ‘culture’ in their everyday practice environment. Methods: Voluntary, semi-structured interviews were conducted at community pharmacy placement sites in South-East Queensland, Australia. Pharmacists were asked to recall an incident that evoked their cultural awareness during the course of their practice. The question stated, verbatim: “We are preparing our students to be pharmacists in a highly multicultural community. Can you think of an incident where you learnt something about another person’s culture or it made you more aware of your own culture? Please briefly describe the incident.” Reportable responses were collected from 59 of the 92 visited pharmacists. These responses were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were collated and analysed through iterative, reflexive, thematic analysis using constant comparison. Results and significance: The responses provided a rich selection of lived experiences within Australian multicultural pharmacy practice, describing professional dilemmas, fears and the strategies employed to overcome practice challenges. Six main response categories were identified: (i) Language/communication challenges, (ii) Cultural attitudes and behaviours, (iii) Exposure to culture due to pharmacy location, (iv) Religion, gender, and age, (v) Prejudiced/perceived racist attitudes and discrimination towards ‘other’ cultures, (vi) Perceived ‘sameness’ of different cultures. The study has provided valuable insights into community pharmacists’ experiences of culture in their day-to-day professional practice, also highlighting the associated strategies used to maintain a high standard of practice. There is merit in ensuring that the pharmacy curriculum and professional development programs are designed to respond to the ethical obligation of pharmacists to practise in a culturally safe, responsive manner that acknowledges and incorporates the importance of culture, cultural differences and intercultural relations, while addressing culturally unique needs in a skilled and professional manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Government policy and the information economy.
- Author
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Longdale, J. V.
- Published
- 1983
40. Please Like Me: Facebook and Public Health Communication.
- Author
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Kite, James, Foley, Bridget C., Grunseit, Anne C., and Freeman, Becky
- Subjects
PUBLIC health ,SOCIAL media ,HEALTH promotion ,BEHAVIOR modification ,INDUSTRIAL hygiene ,MENTAL health ,LIFE sciences - Abstract
Facebook, the most widely used social media platform, has been adopted by public health organisations for health promotion and behaviour change campaigns and activities. However, limited information is available on the most effective and efficient use of Facebook for this purpose. This study sought to identify the features of Facebook posts that are associated with higher user engagement on Australian public health organisations’ Facebook pages. We selected 20 eligible pages through a systematic search and coded 360-days of posts for each page. Posts were coded by: post type (e.g., photo, text only etc.), communication technique employed (e.g. testimonial, informative etc.) and use of marketing elements (e.g., branding, use of mascots). A series of negative binomial regressions were used to assess associations between post characteristics and user engagement as measured by the number of likes, shares and comments. Our results showed that video posts attracted the greatest amount of user engagement, although an analysis of a subset of the data suggested this may be a reflection of the Facebook algorithm, which governs what is and is not shown in user newsfeeds and appear to preference videos over other post types. Posts that featured a positive emotional appeal or provided factual information attracted higher levels of user engagement, while conventional marketing elements, such as sponsorships and the use of persons of authority, generally discouraged user engagement, with the exception of posts that included a celebrity or sportsperson. Our results give insight into post content that maximises user engagement and begins to fill the knowledge gap on effective use of Facebook by public health organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. The textual revolution : SMS vs literacy.
- Author
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Leech, R.
- Published
- 2006
42. Perceptions of climate change risk in four disaster-impacted rural Australian towns.
- Author
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Boon, Helen
- Subjects
RISK assessment of climate change ,RURAL population ,PUBLIC opinion on climate change ,ACCLIMATIZATION ,STRUCTURAL equation modeling ,RURAL geography ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) - Abstract
Australia, a country which has regularly experienced various natural disasters, is now set to face more intense and frequent disasters in the twenty-first century as a result of climate change. Prior research indicates that in Australia, the perceived risks of climate change are mixed and becoming less prevalent across rural and urban locations, posing a threat to the public's adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Research was conducted in four disaster-impacted rural Australian towns to investigate whether prior disaster experience, trust in climate change risk communications and specific location predicted climate change risk perceptions. Four case study sites were chosen exemplifying communities impacted by different types of disaster events. The case study towns were Beechworth (wildfire, 2009) and Bendigo (drought, 2002-2008) in Victoria; Ingham (flood, 2009) and Innisfail (cyclone, 2006) in Queensland. Structural equation modelling analyses of surveys returned by a sample of 1,008 householders across the four towns showed that prior disaster experience had no impact upon climate change risk perceptions. Instead climate change risk perceptions were predicted by trust in climate change communications, climate change knowledge and the geographical location of the sample, suggesting the need for targeted, place-specific contextual communication interventions that consider the needs and socioeconomic characteristics of the community in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Stress and Well-Being in Emergency Medical Dispatchers.
- Author
-
Adams, Kaye, Shakespeare-Finch, Jane, and Armstrong, Deanne
- Subjects
MENTAL health ,WOUNDS & injuries ,CONTROL (Psychology) ,ADAPTABILITY (Personality) ,COGNITION ,EMERGENCY medical services communication systems ,EXPERIENCE ,INDUSTRIAL hygiene ,INTERVIEWING ,JOB stress ,PHENOMENOLOGY ,RESEARCH methodology ,RESEARCH ,TELEMEDICINE ,WELL-being ,EMERGENCY medical technicians ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
This study explored stress and well-being among emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) who remotely provide crisis intervention to medical emergencies through telehealth support. Semistructured interviews with 16 EMDs were conducted, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes in the data. Results indicated that despite their physical distance from the crisis scene, EMDs can experience vicarious trauma through acute and cumulative exposure to traumatic incidents and their perceived lack of control, which can expound feelings of helplessness. Three superordinate themes of operational stress and trauma, organizational stress, and posttraumatic growth were identified. Practical implications are suggested to enable emergency services organizations to counteract this job-related stress and promote more positive mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Communication futures and the future of communication.
- Author
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Galvin, M.
- Published
- 2002
45. Electronic commerce in Australia : changing reality or changing the way we think about reality?
- Author
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Degabriele, M. and Joseph, R.
- Published
- 2001
46. Educating professional communicators: limiting options in the new academic 'marketplace'.
- Author
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Zorn, T. E.
- Published
- 1998
47. Art education communicating experience.
- Author
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Wallace, A.
- Published
- 1997
48. From outback icon to imperial time lord: 'reinventing' Sir Charles Todd (1910-2010).
- Author
-
Cryle, Denis
- Subjects
HISTORIANS ,TELEGRAPH & telegraphy ,COMMUNICATION - Abstract
Drawing on the work of communication historians, this article makes a case for revisiting and 'reinventing' Sir Charles Todd's dynamic life and notable career over half a century. The author argues for a wider view of 'Telegraph Todd' than simply that of outback icon, one which is not merely celebratory in the Victorian tradition of his existing tributes, but which situates Todd firmly within networks of patronage and power, starting with pre-Victorian Britain and extending from South Australia across the Australian colonies. Contradictory historical representations of Todd, as popular outback icon and imperial time lord, go to the heart of his complex legacy. In seeking to provide a more balanced perspective, this article focuses on the lesser known perception of Todd as imperial 'time lord', to understand his long career and the wider forces in which it was bound up. Contemporary insights provided by the burgeoning literature on the 'British World' are utilised in order to better understand Todd's far-reaching connections and influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Likely future developments in Open Systems Interconnection with their implications for Australia.
- Author
-
Symons, F. J. W.
- Published
- 1988
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