This research examines Samoan student experiences in two Homework Study Groups （HSGs） in Melbourne using a researcher-practitioner approach. It highlights that school teachers need to acknowledge students＇ preferre...This research examines Samoan student experiences in two Homework Study Groups （HSGs） in Melbourne using a researcher-practitioner approach. It highlights that school teachers need to acknowledge students＇ preferred learning methods, especially those of minority backgrounds like the Samoan participants in this investigation. A detailed exploration of the experiences of students in two HSGs finds that while students and their families place a high priority on learning, their cultural practices are not compatible with standard Western learning approaches. The HSGs provided a social space in which students could ask the teacher questions without fear of appearing foolish, in which they could apply themselves to study. It provided a physical study space away from the demands some Samoan families place on their young people, and it provided a cultural space in which the students could learn according to fa＇aSamoa （traditional values and beliefs）. This research makes a contribution to an understanding of the motivations of Melbourne-based Samoan students to learn, of what concerns them, and of impediments to their educational success. It also offers insight into the benefits that set up a specific space for students offers, when its specific intent is influencing the merging of Samoan and Western ideas to further learning.展开更多
The tropical cyclone(TC)named Amos(2016)that impacted the Samoan Islands on 23 April 2016 was a particularly dif f icult storm to forecast.Both the intensity changes and the track of Amos represent a signif icant chal...The tropical cyclone(TC)named Amos(2016)that impacted the Samoan Islands on 23 April 2016 was a particularly dif f icult storm to forecast.Both the intensity changes and the track of Amos represent a signif icant challenge for forecasters and this is briefl y summarized in this report.Model forecasts initially indicated that the cyclone would track south of the Samoan Islands.However,the forecasts generally changed to a direct hit over Samoa as a Category 4 storm at approximately 0000 U TC 24April based on model cycles initialized at 0000 UTC 23 April.TC Amos’central pressure dropped from 983 hPa to 957 hPa between 0000 UTC 21 April and 0000 UTC 23April.The models did not pick up on this rapid intensif ication until the intensif ication had already begun around0000 UTC 21 April.The models also struggled to capture the rapid weakening of TC Amos due to vertical wind shear that began 0000 UTC 24 April as the cyclone continued to move north of the islands.Because of the initially ominous track forecasts for TC Amos to hit land,preparations for a Category 3 or Category 4 cyclone were underway in the Samoan islands and the population prepared for the worst.After the center of the storm moved north of the islands as a weaker storm than anticipated,the residents of the Samoan Islands were both surprised and relieved that the cyclone only gave a"glancing blow"to the islands and that the impacts were not as bad as originally feared.An in-depth evaluation of this particular tropical cyclone helps to shed some light on model def iciencies and can be used to help determine future model changes.展开更多
文摘This research examines Samoan student experiences in two Homework Study Groups （HSGs） in Melbourne using a researcher-practitioner approach. It highlights that school teachers need to acknowledge students＇ preferred learning methods, especially those of minority backgrounds like the Samoan participants in this investigation. A detailed exploration of the experiences of students in two HSGs finds that while students and their families place a high priority on learning, their cultural practices are not compatible with standard Western learning approaches. The HSGs provided a social space in which students could ask the teacher questions without fear of appearing foolish, in which they could apply themselves to study. It provided a physical study space away from the demands some Samoan families place on their young people, and it provided a cultural space in which the students could learn according to fa＇aSamoa （traditional values and beliefs）. This research makes a contribution to an understanding of the motivations of Melbourne-based Samoan students to learn, of what concerns them, and of impediments to their educational success. It also offers insight into the benefits that set up a specific space for students offers, when its specific intent is influencing the merging of Samoan and Western ideas to further learning.
文摘The tropical cyclone(TC)named Amos(2016)that impacted the Samoan Islands on 23 April 2016 was a particularly dif f icult storm to forecast.Both the intensity changes and the track of Amos represent a signif icant challenge for forecasters and this is briefl y summarized in this report.Model forecasts initially indicated that the cyclone would track south of the Samoan Islands.However,the forecasts generally changed to a direct hit over Samoa as a Category 4 storm at approximately 0000 U TC 24April based on model cycles initialized at 0000 UTC 23 April.TC Amos’central pressure dropped from 983 hPa to 957 hPa between 0000 UTC 21 April and 0000 UTC 23April.The models did not pick up on this rapid intensif ication until the intensif ication had already begun around0000 UTC 21 April.The models also struggled to capture the rapid weakening of TC Amos due to vertical wind shear that began 0000 UTC 24 April as the cyclone continued to move north of the islands.Because of the initially ominous track forecasts for TC Amos to hit land,preparations for a Category 3 or Category 4 cyclone were underway in the Samoan islands and the population prepared for the worst.After the center of the storm moved north of the islands as a weaker storm than anticipated,the residents of the Samoan Islands were both surprised and relieved that the cyclone only gave a"glancing blow"to the islands and that the impacts were not as bad as originally feared.An in-depth evaluation of this particular tropical cyclone helps to shed some light on model def iciencies and can be used to help determine future model changes.
