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O trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um software educacional para Fisioterapia, fornecendo suporte ao aprendizado dos alunos em relação à ventilação mecânica. O tema ventilação mecânica é ministrado durante todo o sexto período da graduação, porém a abordagem é superficial e o contato com o aparelho de ventilação mecânica normalmente acaba não acontecendo. Também a dificuldade em levar para as salas de aula um aparelho e o pouco tempo dos alunos durante o estágio curricular nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, motivaram o desenvolvimento do programa. O programa possui textos, figuras, animações curtas, questionários e principalmente casos clínicos com um simulador de ventilação mecânica. O processo de aquisição do conhecimento foi realizado através de análises de textos e entrevista com especialista Fisioterapeuta. Na representação do conhecimento foram utilizadas as regras de produção e frames. Como metodologia de desenvolvimento foram utilizados os diagramas de casos de uso, diagramas de fluxo de dados e diagramas de transição de estados. Para o desenvolvimento e implementação do programa foi utilizado o software de animação Macromedia Flash MX 2004. Para avaliar a usabilidade do programa foram realizadas duas análises qualitativas: uma com acadêmicos do curso de Fisioterapia e outra com Fisioterapeutas que trabalham em hospitais. Avaliando os resultados obtidos com os acadêmicos e Fisioterapeutas, observa-se que o SEVeM cumpriu o objetivo proposto e teve boa aceitação pelos usuários. Através da abordagem inovadora o software modificou o cotidiano dos alunos. Certamente o software pode dar apoio ao aprendizado de ventilação mecânica, desmistificando o aparelho e tornando o aprendizado do assunto mais interessante. As informações obtidas através das análises qualitativas indicaram a aprovação da informática na Fisioterapia. Os computadores quando utilizado com os softwares educacionais, tornam-se um artefato mediador eficaz para a melhora do processo ensino/aprendizagem. / This work aims at developing instructional software in the area of Physical Therapy, more specifically in mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation is a subject that students have during the sixth period of the undergraduate course. However, the approach is usually superficial and the students do not have close contact with the ventilator. Also, it is difficult to take a ventilator to the classroom so as to show it to the students, students spend little time during the curricular stage in the Intensive Care Unity. All these factors motivated the development of this software, that comprises texts, figures, short animations, quiz list and, most importantly, clinical cases together with a mechanical ventilation simulator. Knowledge acquisition process was done using text analysis and interviews with an expert. Frames and production rules were used to represent knowledge. The methodology of development included case diagram, data flow diagram and state diagram. The software was completely developed using Macromedia Flash MX 2004. To evaluate the accessibility of the program, two qualitative analyses were done: with undergraduate students and with Physical Therapists work in hospital. The analysis of results indicates that SEVeM accomplished the proposed objective and had good acceptance among users. By using an innovative approach, this software has taken a different view to the students and we believe that it can give support to learning mechanical ventilation in the course, demystifying the equipment and making the subject more attractive. A conclusion can be done from this work in the sense that the use of informatics in Physical Therapy is quite positive, and the computer with educational software is an effective mediator of the teaching/learning process.

O trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um software educacional para Fisioterapia, fornecendo suporte ao aprendizado dos alunos em relação à ventilação mecânica. O tema ventilação mecânica é ministrado durante todo o sexto período da graduação, porém a abordagem é superficial e o contato com o aparelho de ventilação mecânica normalmente acaba não acontecendo. Também a dificuldade em levar para as salas de aula um aparelho e o pouco tempo dos alunos durante o estágio curricular nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, motivaram o desenvolvimento do programa. O programa possui textos, figuras, animações curtas, questionários e principalmente casos clínicos com um simulador de ventilação mecânica. O processo de aquisição do conhecimento foi realizado através de análises de textos e entrevista com especialista Fisioterapeuta. Na representação do conhecimento foram utilizadas as regras de produção e frames. Como metodologia de desenvolvimento foram utilizados os diagramas de casos de uso, diagramas de fluxo de dados e diagramas de transição de estados. Para o desenvolvimento e implementação do programa foi utilizado o software de animação Macromedia Flash MX 2004. Para avaliar a usabilidade do programa foram realizadas duas análises qualitativas: uma com acadêmicos do curso de Fisioterapia e outra com Fisioterapeutas que trabalham em hospitais. Avaliando os resultados obtidos com os acadêmicos e Fisioterapeutas, observa-se que o SEVeM cumpriu o objetivo proposto e teve boa aceitação pelos usuários. Através da abordagem inovadora o software modificou o cotidiano dos alunos. Certamente o software pode dar apoio ao aprendizado de ventilação mecânica, desmistificando o aparelho e tornando o aprendizado do assunto mais interessante. As informações obtidas através das análises qualitativas indicaram a aprovação da informática na Fisioterapia. Os computadores quando utilizado com os softwares educacionais, tornam-se um artefato mediador eficaz para a melhora do processo ensino/aprendizagem. / This work aims at developing instructional software in the area of Physical Therapy, more specifically in mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation is a subject that students have during the sixth period of the undergraduate course. However, the approach is usually superficial and the students do not have close contact with the ventilator. Also, it is difficult to take a ventilator to the classroom so as to show it to the students, students spend little time during the curricular stage in the Intensive Care Unity. All these factors motivated the development of this software, that comprises texts, figures, short animations, quiz list and, most importantly, clinical cases together with a mechanical ventilation simulator. Knowledge acquisition process was done using text analysis and interviews with an expert. Frames and production rules were used to represent knowledge. The methodology of development included case diagram, data flow diagram and state diagram. The software was completely developed using Macromedia Flash MX 2004. To evaluate the accessibility of the program, two qualitative analyses were done: with undergraduate students and with Physical Therapists work in hospital. The analysis of results indicates that SEVeM accomplished the proposed objective and had good acceptance among users. By using an innovative approach, this software has taken a different view to the students and we believe that it can give support to learning mechanical ventilation in the course, demystifying the equipment and making the subject more attractive. A conclusion can be done from this work in the sense that the use of informatics in Physical Therapy is quite positive, and the computer with educational software is an effective mediator of the teaching/learning process.

This dissertation examined the process of conversion to computerization in a health care organization. More specifically, it looked at the way in which computerization changed everyday organizational practices and relationships, as well as at the processes whereby technological change was managed and institutionalized, and organization members "converted" to an acceptance of computerized work. At an epistemological level, the study was located within the theoretical traditions of symbolic interaction. Accordingly, it was inductive and sought to develop theory about the symbolism and experience of computerized work based on fieldwork in an organization. The researcher followed the process of computerization in a Health Maintenance Organization from before its introduction up to its use and adoption by the organization. Three major research techniques were used. They were participant observation, in-depth semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. The qualitative data analysis was guided by the principles of grounded theory. Descriptive statistics, a discriminant analysis and ANOVAs of mean scores on questionnaire items were also computed. First, the study sought to understand the symbolic aspects of work computerization. The researcher documented multiple meanings and imagery around computerized work and classified them into three broad categories viz. pragmatic, pessimistic and romantic symbols of computerization. The study also demonstrated how these symbolic constructions of computerized work had distinct consequences for organization-level action by fostering acceptance, engendering resistance and setting up a series of organizational paradoxes. The study also explored the process whereby computerization changed the practice of health care in the organization. It examined this from the subjective perspectives of different occupational positions including nurse, physician, physician assistant, receptionist, clerk and manager. Based on these findings, a model for understanding transformations in medical care as a result of computerization was generated. This suggests that managers are likely to be enabled by the technology, professionals restricted by it and workers impacted in more ambivalent ways. The study also discussed how a conversion to computerization altered the nature of available information, reduced the reliance on personal knowledge and changed power relations within the organization.

The purpose of this study was to determine how continuous on-line communication could help meet the needs of beginning teachers, foster reflection of both the mentor and the protégé, and serve as a medium for open dialogue. Two problems that this study directly addressed were (a) current mentoring programs not offering support which is systematic and ongoing; (b) the lack of training provided for mentor teachers. The significant findings from this study can be grouped into three categories: (a) how on-line communication influenced discussions, (b) how on-line communication influenced group cohesion, and (c) how on-line communication paralleled and differed from traditional mentoring parameters.

This study investigated the attitudes and opinions of students and teachers regarding the use of computers with students having special learning needs. Using a quasi-experimental design with three non-equivalent groups, within and between subjects effects were studied using a survey instrument and follow-up interviews. The students and teachers at three school sites, consisting of students in grades 5 through 13, participated in pre and post-test surveys. One site served as the experimental group, while the other two were control groups. The experimental condition consisted of the installation of a campus-wide computer network for use by all students and teachers at the experimental site. The survey consisted of demographic questions as well as 26 pre-test and 27 post-test questions. A 19 item scale measured participants' general attitudes about computers in schools. A four item scale measured participants' attitudes about the use of computers by students with special needs. Two items served as independent outcome measures of participants' attitudes about students' and teachers' comfort level and worry about computer use. Twelve follow-up interviews were conducted with two students and two teachers from each school. The interviews focused on having participants discuss their attitudes and opinions about the use of computers in special education. The survey data were analyzed using analysis of variance, multiple regression, and repeated measures procedures. The interviews were evaluated using Glaser and Straus' Grounded Theory methods. Results from the surveys showed that there was no correlation between the experimental condition and changes in students' and teachers' attitudes and opinions about computer use in special education. These data also showed that the most significant variables related to students' and teachers' attitudes and opinions were variables related to past experience using computers as well as their school affiliation. The interview data supported the survey results and showed that how the interview participants had used computers in the past related to their current attitudes, opinions. Taken together, these data suggest that schools can shape the computer-related attitudes and opinions of students and teachers. Recommendations include providing students and teachers with regular access to computer uses that are embedded in curricular activities.

The field of education has been confronted with an expansion in the use of technology over the last decade. This expansion has made technology beneficial to individuals who possess disabilities, allowing them more independence by capitalizing on the use of assistive technology. This expansion has also placed technology into the classrooms and adding a new dimension to teaching. This research explored the differences between regular and special education teachers with respect to assistive technology. The participants included teachers in the Boston Public Schools system. Utilizing a questionnaire, the researcher investigated the knowledge and attitudes of regular and special education teachers. In addition, the researcher determined if demographics had an impact on participants, knowledge and attitudes. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive Statistics, Reliability Analysis, Factor Analysis, t-tests, Analysis of Variance and Regression analysis were utilized to determine if any statistically significant difference were evident between these different groups of teachers.

In educational and instructional technology communities, learning objects have generated a great deal of interest in recent years. The learning object paradigm promises many benefits, most of which have yet to be realized. This dissertation proposes approaches for using learning objects outside of the currently dominant approach, which could be characterized as course-centric and informed by skills training, knowledge-transfer, and a content-delivery orientation. The dissertation examines ways that objects can be used to support learners in two key areas central to the concerns of English departments: critical thinking and development of competence in academic (and other) discourses. I argue against the “seamless course” model of content-delivery in favor of an approach that capitalizes on the modular, component architecture of learning objects by letting learners access and manipulate objects at a granular level. Objects that are searchable, shareable, versionable and annotated provide new ways to represent, manipulate and evaluate structural knowledge, and to tie learning content to discursive knowledge. An ongoing concern throughout the dissertation is the necessary and fruitful bridging of the divide between education and training. It is argued that such a bridge is useful for object initiatives to integrate concept-learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the social construction of knowledge.

An initial test of scientific inquiry skills revealed that students enrolled in a computer enhanced introductory college chemistry class using a guided discovery approach produced significantly larger gains after class instruction compared with two other introductory chemistry classes at the same institution and three introductory science classes at two other college institutions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the instructional strategy in this class to understand how it may have contributed to gains in inquiry skills. Classroom observations of the computer enhanced guided discovery class and two other lecture based chemistry classes, uncovered a pattern of instruction in the guided discovery case that was markedly different from the other two classes, yet more similar to model construction processes of scientists. The central pattern of instruction in the primary case was referred to as the guided discovery approach and was characterized by instructional strategies designed to trigger generate, evaluate, and modify or GEM cycles, other teacher guidance strategies, and the integration of an interactive computer tool. Analysis of classroom observation data and student surveys confirmed a higher frequency of students' generating ideas about chemistry, constructing explanations, and quantitative problem solving in the guided discovery case than the lecture-based classes and a higher rate of teacher requests for students to engage in several of these processes. Small group observations revealed students' reasoning processes as they interacted with their teacher and the computer during instruction. Overall, compared with more traditional forms of chemistry instruction, the evidence suggests that the instructional strategies in the guided discovery case were successful in sustaining student engagement with several fundamental processes of scientific inquiry and may have led to the development of important inquiry skills. The guided discovery case used classroom activities that included finding trends, evaluating extreme cases, using incremental values, making comparisons, asking why, providing discrepant information, designing new tests, working back from the data, and thinking of an individual molecule, as several different strategies to foster inquiry. Rich descriptions of such instructional strategies may offer prescriptive methods for teachers to foster these processes in their classrooms and may represent a promising model for inquiry based instruction.

In this study a model for the design of mathematical software was developed and tested. The model, which is based upon current cognitive theories of learning, was used to design Transformer, a computer learning environment (CLE) for exploring transformational geometry. In a pilot study, the software was used in middle-school classrooms and in in-service workshops, and then refined for use in the current study which tested the design model qualitatively. Two cycles of in-depth interviews were conducted with each of twelve high-school students, who used the CLE to solve geometric problems. Transcripts from videotapes of student work on two problems were extracted and subjected to a protocol analysis. Analysis revealed patterns of misconceptions and patterns of problem-solving approaches by the students, which led to suggested improvements in software design model and in the CLE. The most common misconceptions, confusions regarding reflections and rotations, led to redesigning display features including placement of mirrors and animation of rotation. Many participants found the use of both physical manipulatives and transparent screen overlays a significant problem-solving aid. It was concluded that CLEs which incorporate the use of such manipulatives would be easier to understand for many students. The model was expanded to include design principles of making the CLE accessible to a greater number of students. Implications of the research for mathematics education and for software design are discussed and suggestions for further testing of the model presented. Appendices include a typical protocol analysis of one student's work on a selected problem.