This article discusses the development of an interactive online textbook for undergraduate teaching, in response to moving teaching online due to COVID-19. The development took place initially for a university with less than 5% of... more
This article discusses the development of an interactive online textbook for undergraduate teaching, in response to moving teaching online due to COVID-19. The development took place initially for a university with less than 5% of students studying online in 2019. The online textbook was incorporated into a large, diverse, multidisciplinary and predominantly first-year undergraduate research design and statistics course. Digital tools were embedded into the textbook to facilitate student engagement in lieu of face-to-face contact, including online crosswords for low-level statistical literacy, drop-and-drag activities, screencasts, exercises, animations, and videos. The textbook was prepared in markdown format. This approach allows for instant updating of material and provides focussed URLs that educators can use to point students directly to specific learning outcomes. Despite the textbook being developed in response to restricted teaching conditions, it has provided a cost-effective resource, targeted at teaching research design and basic statistics concepts, interpretation, and communication. Having returned to face-to-face teaching, the text is now fully integrated into the course. Importantly, the online textbook is freely available for other educators to use, either in its existing form, or by forking (on Github) the textbook sources to create a bespoke online textbook for other courses.
Research Interests:
Biochar compound fertilisers (BCFs) are an emerging technology that combine biochar with nutrients, clays and minerals and can be formulated to address specific issues in soil-plant systems. However, knowledge of BCF performance over... more
Biochar compound fertilisers (BCFs) are an emerging technology that combine biochar with nutrients, clays and minerals and can be formulated to address specific issues in soil-plant systems. However, knowledge of BCF performance over consecutive crops and without re-application is limited. This study aims to assess the residual effect of organic BCFs soil-plant nutrient cycling 2 years after application and without additional fertiliser inputs. We applied BCFs and biochar with organic fertiliser amendments and established a crop of ginger and a second crop of turmeric (Curcuma longa) without re-application or additional fertilisation. All treatment formulations included bamboo-biochar and organic fertiliser amendments; however, two novel BCFs were formulated to promote agronomic response in an intensive cropping system. We report here on the effect of treatments on soil and plant macronutrient and micronutrient cycling and turmeric growth, biomass and yield at harvest. Both BCFs (enriched (10 t ha−1) and organo-mineral biochar (8.6 t ha−1) increased foliar K (+155% and +120%) and decreased foliar Mg (−20% and −19%) concentration compared with all other treatments, suggesting antagonism between K and Mg. Plants were limited for K, P and B at harvest but not N, Ca or Mg. Foliar K was dependent on the biochar formulation rather than the rate of application. Biochar-clay aggregates increased K retention and cycling in the soil solution 2 years after application. Clay blended BCFs reduced K limitation in turmeric compared to biochar co-applied with organic amendments, suggesting these blends can be used to manage organic K nutrition. All formulations and rates of biochar increased leaf biomass and shoot-to-root ratio. Novel BCFs should be considered as an alternative to co-applying biochar with organic fertiliser amendments to decrease application rates and increase economic feasibility for farmers. Applying BCFs without re-application or supplementary fertiliser did not provide sufficient K or P reserves in the second year for consecutive cropping. Therefore, supplementary fertilisation is recommended to avoid nutrient deficiency and reduced yield for consecutive organic rhizome crops.
Research Interests:
With the GAISE emphasis on prioritising concept development over mathematical calculation in statistics education, statistical language has increasingly become the focus of research. Yet, there is a dearth of research investigating... more
With the GAISE emphasis on prioritising concept development over mathematical calculation in statistics education, statistical language has increasingly become the focus of research. Yet, there is a dearth of research investigating techniques to teach statistical language. To redress this gap, we introduced a group of statistics tutors to some cooperative learning techniques commonly used to teach language and concepts in other disciplines (Jigsaw and Think-Pair-Share). The twofold aim was to explore the tutors’ uptake of the techniques and how to improve their proficiency in implementing the techniques. The techniques were delivered experientially with tutors through a professional development session followed by implementation of the techniques in their tutorials. A semester-long exploratory case study was conducted using surveys, focus group sessions and shared self-reflection on a digital discussion board. From the tutors’ reported experience and feedback, areas for improvement ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article discusses the development of an interactive online textbook for undergraduate teaching, in response to moving teaching online due to COVID-19. The development took place initially for a university with less than 5% of... more
This article discusses the development of an interactive online textbook for undergraduate teaching, in response to moving teaching online due to COVID-19. The development took place initially for a university with less than 5% of students studying online in 2019. The online textbook was incorporated into a large, diverse, multidisciplinary and predominantly first-year undergraduate research design and statistics course. Digital tools were embedded into the textbook to facilitate student engagement in lieu of face-to-face contact, including online crosswords for low-level statistical literacy, drop-and-drag activities, screencasts, exercises, animations, and videos. The textbook was prepared in markdown format. This approach allows for instant updating of material and provides focussed URLs that educators can use to point students directly to specific learning outcomes. Despite the textbook being developed in response to restricted teaching conditions, it has provided a cost-effective resource, targeted at teaching research design and basic statistics concepts, interpretation, and communication. Having returned to face-to-face teaching, the text is now fully integrated into the course. Importantly, the online textbook is freely available for other educators to use, either in its existing form, or by forking (on Github) the textbook sources to create a bespoke online textbook for other courses.
Research Interests:
Biochar can improve soil nutrient retention and alleviate salinity; however, use is not widespread due to cost. Biochar is usually co-applied with a full-rate of supplementary fertiliser before planting. This study investigated... more
Biochar can improve soil nutrient retention and alleviate salinity; however, use is not widespread due to cost. Biochar is usually co-applied with a full-rate of supplementary fertiliser before planting. This study investigated co-application of bamboo biochar with organic fertiliser and amendments on nutrient cycling, plant growth, yield and commercial value of ginger. Four treatments were applied including no amendment, organic amendments and organic amendments co-applied with biochar at two applications rates of 10 t ha−1 and 30 t ha−1. Plant growth, biomass, foliar nutrient and water-extractable soil nutrients were examined. Co-applied high rate biochar increased available soil potassium (K) concentration (+ 89%) over 22 weeks and led to increased foliar K concentration (+ 25%) at harvest and after 30 weeks compared with organic amendments alone. Biochar high rate decreased soil sodium concentration (− 22%) over 22 weeks. Biochar high rate increased root mass fraction and plant height but decreased the number of stems, and therefore, did not increase aboveground biomass compared with all other treatments. In contrast, ginger rhizome yield, grade and commercial value were not affected by biochar treatments. Added biochar provided additional net K that improved foliar concentration late in the growing season following dissolution. The additional K supply then stimulated root growth and biomass re-allocation despite daily irrigation throughout the growing season. Therefore, we suggest biochar as a useful amendment to prevent nutrient loss and alleviate salinity for organic crops.
Research Interests:
Learning statistics requires learning the language of statistics. Statistics draws upon words from general English, mathematical English, discipline-specific English and words used primarily in statistics. This leads to many linguistic... more
Learning statistics requires learning the language of statistics. Statistics draws upon words from general English, mathematical English, discipline-specific English and words used primarily in statistics. This leads to many linguistic challenges in teaching statistics and the way in which the language is used in statistics creates an extra layer of challenge. This paper identifies several challenges in teaching statistics related to language. Some implications for the effective learning and teaching of statistics are raised and methods to help students overcome these linguistic challenges are suggested. First published May 2016 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Research Interests:
Hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis has the potential to estimate organic compounds in plants and foods. Curcumin is an important compound used to treat a range of medical conditions. Therefore, a method to rapidly determine rhizomes with... more
Hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis has the potential to estimate organic compounds in plants and foods. Curcumin is an important compound used to treat a range of medical conditions. Therefore, a method to rapidly determine rhizomes with high curcumin content on-farm would be of significant advantage for farmers. Curcumin content of rhizomes varies within, and between varieties but current chemical analysis methods are expensive and time consuming. This study compared curcumin in three turmeric (Curcuma longa) varieties and examined the potential for laboratory-based HSI to rapidly predict curcumin using the visible–near infrared (400–1000 nm) spectrum. Hyperspectral images (n = 152) of the fresh rhizome outer-skin and flesh were captured, using three local varieties (yellow, orange, and red). Distribution of curcuminoids and total curcumin was analysed. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed to predict total curcumin concentrations. Total curcumin and the pro...
Research Interests:
Mathematics teachers are often keen to find ways of connecting mathematics with the real world. One way to do so is to teach mathematical modelling using real data. Mathematical models have two components: a model structure and parameters... more
Mathematics teachers are often keen to find ways of connecting mathematics with the real world. One way to do so is to teach mathematical modelling using real data. Mathematical models have two components: a model structure and parameters within that structure. Real data can be used in one of two ways for each component: (a) to validate what theory or context suggests or (b) to estimate from the data. It is crucial to understand the following: the implications of using data in these different ways, the differences between them, the implications for teaching and how this can influence students’ perceptions of the real-world relevance of mathematics. Inappropriately validating or estimating with data may unintentionally promote poor practice and (paradoxically) reinforce in students the incorrect idea that mathematics has no relevance to the real world. We recommend that teachers approach mathematical modelling through mathematizing the context. We suggest a framework to support teach...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study investigated factors that could affect inter-examiner reliability in the pronunciation assessment component of speaking tests. We hypothesized that the rating of pronunciation is susceptible to variation in assessment due to... more
This study investigated factors that could affect inter-examiner reliability in the pronunciation assessment component of speaking tests. We hypothesized that the rating of pronunciation is susceptible to variation in assessment due to the amount of exposure examiners have to nonnative English accents. An inter-rater variability analysis was conducted on the English pronunciation ratings of three test candidate interlanguages: Chinese, Korean, and Indian English. Pronunciation was rated by 99 International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examiners across five geographically dispersed test centres. The examiners had either prolonged exposure, or no, or little exposure to the interlanguage of the candidates. A significant proportion of examiners rated pronunciation higher when they had prolonged exposure, and lower when they had no, or little, exposure to the candidates’ interlanguage. The location of the test centre also had a significant effect on the pronunciation rating, i...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Rainfall models are used to understand the effect of various climatological variables on rainfall amounts. The models also have potential uses in predicting and simulating rainfall. We use Tweedie generalized linear models to model... more
Rainfall models are used to understand the effect of various climatological variables on rainfall amounts. The models also have potential uses in predicting and simulating rainfall. We use Tweedie generalized linear models to model monthly rainfall amounts and occurrence simultaneously with a set of predictors (sine term, cosine term, NINO 3.4, SOI and SOI phase). Models are fitted to the monthly rainfall data of 220 Australian stations with 4 stations as case studies. First, models with only sine and cosine terms (the base model) are fitted to model the cyclic pattern of rainfall data, and then one of the climatological variables is added each time in addition to the base model. On the basis of the BIC, the model with NINO 3.4 is preferred for most of the studied stations. Stations for which the model using the SOI is preferred appear in small clusters. Adding the climatological variables to the base model improves the fit of the model and makes substantial changes in the predicted...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Statistical models for total monthly rainfall used for forecasting, risk management and agricultural simulations are usually based on gamma distributions and variations. In this study, we examine a family of distributions (called the... more
Statistical models for total monthly rainfall used for forecasting, risk management and agricultural simulations are usually based on gamma distributions and variations. In this study, we examine a family of distributions (called the Tweedie family of distributions) to determine if the choice of the gamma distribution is optimal within the family. We restrict ourselves to the exponential family of distributions as they are the response distributions used for generalized linear models (GLMs), which has numerous advantages. Further, we restrict ourselves to distributions where the variance is proportional to some power of the mean, as these distributions also have desirable properties. Under these restrictions, an infinite number of distributions exist for modelling positive continuous data and include the gamma distribution as a special case. Results show that for positive monthly rainfall totals in the data history for a particular station, monthly rainfall is optimally or near‐opti...
Research Interests:
Modelling rainfall presents difficulties: one is that rainfall is both continuous and discrete. The discrete component corresponds to exactly zero rainfall. Some researchers circumvent this by using two models-one for determining the... more
Modelling rainfall presents difficulties: one is that rainfall is both continuous and discrete. The discrete component corresponds to exactly zero rainfall. Some researchers circumvent this by using two models-one for determining the presence and absence of rainfall, another for the rainfall amount. Here, we use power-variance (Tweedie) generalized linear models, which can explictly model continuous data with exact zeros. We demonstrate there is a basis for using these models; that the parameters, in some cases, lend themselves to a useful ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In this paper we propose ten simple ‘rules’ for guiding students’ learning of the language of statistics. Learning any new subject brings with it the requirement to learn the language associated with that subject. Students also bring with... more
In this paper we propose ten simple ‘rules’ for guiding students’ learning of the language of statistics. Learning any new subject brings with it the requirement to learn the language associated with that subject. Students also bring with them varying understandings about the relationship between statistics and mathematics. Many students expect the formality and precision of mathematics to transfer to statistics, and are baffled to discover this is not the case. The first four rules will guide instructors and learners around the landscape of tricky terms, from general English to the English of mathematics, statistics and other disciplines. The remaining six rules will establish some signposts along the way to assisting students to overcome the challenges of the language of statistics. We acknowledge that there is no single route to enforce here, and that management of expectations, embracing ambiguity in terminology, and reinforcement of new language through writing and speaking all...
Research Interests:
In the current educational climate in Australia, there is an imperative on university administrators to maintain student enrolments since funding is explicitly linked to student numbers. The most effective way of achieving this is to... more
In the current educational climate in Australia, there is an imperative on university administrators to maintain student enrolments since funding is explicitly linked to student numbers. The most effective way of achieving this is to retain those students who have already enrolled. Consequently many universities currently seek to identify those students at risk of either failing a course or withdrawing from the university. In this paper we report on an initial study into the use of pre-entry measures to identify at-risk students in the context of a tertiary preparatory course offered entirely in the distance mode. We conclude that such measures are at best rough indicators of at-risk students and that results from such measures should be used in a non-directive manner only.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Engineering, Urbanization, Landscape, Land Use Change, Urbanisation, and 13 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Habitat, Fragmentation, Species Richness, Spatial Distribution, Interspecific competition, Vegetation Cover, Urban Landscape and Planning, South East Queensland, Habitat Structure, Vegetation Structure, Conservation strategies, and Urban Area
Student engagement at first-year level is critical for student achievement, retention and success. One way of increasing student engagement is to use a classroom response system (CRS), the use of which has been associated with positive... more
Student engagement at first-year level is critical for student achievement, retention and success. One way of increasing student engagement is to use a classroom response system (CRS), the use of which has been associated with positive educational outcomes by fostering student engagement and by allowing immediate feedback to both students and instructors. Traditional CRS rely on special and often costly