{"id":3078,"date":"2018-07-30T12:01:42","date_gmt":"2018-07-29T23:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unitec.ac.nz\/UnitecResearchBlog\/?p=3078"},"modified":"2018-07-31T12:27:53","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T23:27:53","slug":"research-voucher-scheme-creates-real-world-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unitec.ac.nz\/UnitecResearchBlog\/index.php\/research-voucher-scheme-creates-real-world-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Research voucher scheme creates real-world benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a common issue facing businesses, charities, schools and so many other organisations \u2013 you have a great idea that you think will improve what you do, but you just don\u2019t have the time or money for research.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where the ITP research Research and Enterprise voucher scheme can help. Since ITPs (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics) focus on practical, real-world learning, they are the perfect partners to provide research and strategic advice.<\/p>\n

Unitec offers the expertise of its skilled graduates and lecturers through the voucher scheme. It\u2019s a win-win collaboration: organisations can outsource their research requirements (provided they match the agreed level of funding); Unitec delivers invaluable learning opportunities for students while contributing to New Zealand\u2019s productivity and economic growth.<\/p>\n

Below are a few of the 20 research voucher projects Unitec has completed to date; more are in progress. Perhaps the Research and Enterprise voucher scheme could help you too.<\/p>\n

Mobile app trialled to encourage positive student behaviour<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"PB4L

The Ka Pai app from a teacher’s point of view.<\/p><\/div>\n

Apps and online games are regularly used in New Zealand schools to teach reading, writing and maths. Could they also be used to teach and reinforce good student behaviour?<\/p>\n

Since the \u2018Tomorrow\u2019s Schools\u2019 reforms of 1989, the New Zealand education system has been largely punitive in its approach to behaviour management. This has led to major concerns about the impact on learning relationships and higher stand-down rates, particularly for M\u0101ori and Pasifika learners.<\/p>\n

Wesley Intermediate School has been using the Positive Behaviour for Learning \u2013 School Wide (PB4L-SW) pedagogy since 2014, through a paper-based points and rewards system. Master of Applied Practice student Lou Reddy, who was at the time the school\u2019s deputy principal, wanted to use gamification to take the system digital.<\/p>\n

Signing up to the voucher scheme provided most of the money for Unitec postgraduate student Tao Liu to develop and design the mobile app. In early 2018, Reddy ran a trial at the school, and he\u2019s almost finished writing up the results for his thesis. But it\u2019s already become a firm favourite \u2013 all staff and 180 students are now using the prototype app, and there are plans to develop it further.<\/p>\n

Dr Nilufar Baghaei, an Associate Professor and Acting Head of Computer Science, acted as Reddy\u2019s primary supervisor. She says some teachers who were not keen to use PB4L-SW on paper are now using the system through the Ka Pai app.<\/p>\n

\u201cReddy has also had feedback from someone at the Ministry of Education, who was excited about the app and sees it as quite valuable,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cGamification is an engaging and growing area in education. There\u2019s great potential to use it on a large scale to promote pro-social behaviour, higher expectations for learners, and better learning relationships and outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full paper, Designing Mobile Applications for Improving Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) Pedagogy<\/i><\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n

Building stronger, more prosperous communities<\/b><\/h3>\n

In small or rural communities, such as South Kaipara, the key to economic development is bringing together organisations and individuals to collaborate on projects that will be inclusive and self-sustaining. And, of course, learning what works through post-project analysis.<\/p>\n

\"SKCEDS

Rural areas, such as the Kaipara Harbour, need coordinated economic development. Photo: supplied by Helensville District Health Board.<\/p><\/div>\n

Enter the South Kaipara Community Economic Development Scheme (SKCEDS). The three-year project, hosted by the Helensville District Health Trust (HDHT) and funded by the Department of Internal Affairs, aimed to improve the community\u2019s ability to work smarter with the resources already available to residents.<\/p>\n

A SKCEDS development officer identified strategic initiatives \u2013 a community centre, a business hub, an arts trail, improving access to broadband, and a focus on food \u2013 and helped develop implementation plans so community and business partners could run projects themselves.<\/p>\n

Unitec lecturers worked with HDHT, through the voucher scheme, on a vital research project to evaluate the success of SKCEDS and help set the course for the future. The economic and socio-economic impact report found among its conclusions:<\/p>\n