A variety of lenses were used to examine the world of the novice science teacher. A degree of agency was provided by looking through the eyes of the beginning teacher. Previous studies focused on researcher or program’s orientation, the successes of various educator preparation programs, or were limited in scope to elementary teachers of science. This study was conducted to better understand and appreciate the high school novice science teacher’s view of science, teaching, and teaching science in the today’s contextual setting. Experiences encountered during the initial year of teaching high school science and as perceived by teachers without previous professional teaching experience presents are presented. A multiple case study was built around four individual novice cases from one of the largest school districts in the state of Florida. Of the four cases, three participants were rehired for the following year. The fourth left teaching after nine weeks. The research questions are: How do today’s novice science teachers describe their first year’s teaching experiences? How do novice teacher’s feelings about being science teachers change during their first year of teaching? How do beginning science teachers describe their successes? And, what challenges do today’s beginning science teachers face? These research questions were asked to relate the novice experiences and perceptions associated with the initial year of teaching high school science. Emergent themes included concerns for questionable ethical administrative actions and poor administrative decisions as they are perceived by the novice science teacher. Findings of the multiple case study relate experiences perceived as positive, bureaucratic, involving student and parent apathy, local administration, and missed communications. Beliefs changed about student needs, mandated science exams, district micromanagement, confidence, and unique personal changes. Descriptions provided of success involved mentoring, students, lesson planning, confidence, and retention. Perceived challenges were parent and student apathy, mandated science exam validity, student needs, micromanagement of science lessons, discipline, abandonment, and development. The researcher was employed as a science teacher in the same district as the participants, but at a separate high school.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / After South Africa became a democratic country in 1994, the South African education ministry devised curriculum changes at a national level that would reflect an equal education structure for all South Africans. Curriculum 2005 was implemented in 1998 with the curriculum changes gazetted in the Department of Education’s Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 (RNCS) (Schools). South African teachers had to be retrained to implement these curriculum changes. The legislation for teacher education is documented in the Norms and Standards for Educators (NSE) policy document (DoE,2002). This exploratory phenomenological multiple case study explores teacher identity in connection to how primary school teachers view, perceive and implement the Community, Citizenship and Pastoral (CCP) role at three primary schools in the Western Cape education districts. The three schools chosen can be described as suburban advantaged, suburban disadvantaged and urban disadvantaged. The overall aim of this study is to investigate the connection between teacher identity and the views, perceptions and practices of primary school teachers at three schools in the Western Cape in relation to the practical, foundational and reflexive competences of their CCP role.In this multiple case study, qualitative methods are used. The qualitative methods include participant interviews, focus group discussions, unstructured observations and document analyses. Numerical data collected is presented in a quantitative format. An interpretative approach from an insider and outsider perspective has been selected. Terre Blanche,Durrheim & Kelly’s (2006) steps in interpretative data analysis is adopted as well as Max-Neef’s (1991) transdisciplinary approach.This study is informative for a number of stakeholders: teachers, schools, Education Management Development Centres, the Western Cape Education Department and the National Education Department. I report on how teachers see their teacher identity and how this identity impacts on the way teachers view, perceive and approach their CCP role. Some internal and external factors that influence teacher identity include administrative stress, staff dynamics and the results and feedback from learners. The significance of this study lies in the revelation that all teachers, irrespective of their teaching environment or backgrounds, are in need of support. Based on the findings of this investigation I further propose a programme for teacher support that can be encouraged amongst teachers. These recommendations can influence both teacher performance and teacher longevity in schools. Further recommendations are for the extended school community and the synergy that can exist among the various stakeholders in education.

This thesis focuses on the topic of teaching practicum in training teachers of EFL. The practicum is regarded as a complex didactic tool realized for a specific purpose with a specific aim. The theoretical part of the thesis presents the concept of practicum and the role of its participants. Furthermore, it presents the practicum models used in Finland, Germany and Belgium. Based on secondary literature and on the description of the practicum models used in the selected countries, the theoretical part proposes recommendations for enhancing the efficiency of practical training within the lifelong learning programme. The aim of the empirical part of this thesis is to find out how novice teachers evaluate their practical training and the beginning of their teaching career. The research is based on five case studies of teachers educated at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University and one case study of a teacher educated at the Faculty of Education at the University of South Bohemia. Semi- structured interviews were conducted to find out whether the novice teachers felt sufficiently prepared for their career and whether they consider the practicum model efficient. The research findings suggest that the practicum model used within the lifelong learning programme is inadequate and does not sufficiently...

Public health policy and practice principally acknowledge a needs-based approach when developing, implementing, and evaluating community health programs. This needs-based perspective receives criticism because it focuses too heavily on what is missing or wrong with communities as opposed to building on their strengths. As a result, community members are perceived as passive recipients, which is disempowering, and ultimately risks creating unsustainable and ineffective programs. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in achieving a balance between the needs-based approach and the asset-based approach, which accentuates positive capabilities. While the amount of literature discussing the benefits of this latter perspective has grown substantially, accompanying evaluation required to sustain continued investment has been limited. Compared to needs-based research, there is less literature on asset-based evaluation. Emphasis on such research could contribute to the progression of evaluation methodologies and theories, ultimately encouraging their use. The purpose of this study is to apply an existing public health evaluation framework – the RE-AIM model (Glasgow, Vogt, and Boles, 1999) – to asset-based community health interventions and to examine the utility of such an evaluation structure across a variety of asset-based health projects. A multiple case study design facilitated comparison of the applicability of the RE-AIM model dimensions – Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance across three cases in the East London borough of Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom. These included the Local Links Asset-mapping project, the Healthy Early Years Project, and the Good Moves project. The RE-AIM framework is additionally guided by principles of the Realist Evaluation approach (Pawson and Tilley, 1997). This research study contributes to asset-based research by providing a guideline and conceptual framework to support asset-based intervention evaluation theory and practice.

O presente trabalho insere-se numa perspectiva de pesquisa qualitativa. O foco desta investigação recai particularmente sobre a aula de uma professora, Sophia, bem como no grupo de quatro professores que juntamente com ela participaram de um grupo colaborativo, constituindo-se assim, num estudo de caso múltiplo sobre o desenvolvimento profissional num contexto de formação contínua. Nesta investigação objetivou-se estabelecer as relações possíveis entre relatos educacionais e de profissionalização, concepções de ensino-aprendizagem e prática educativa que se evidenciaram num processo de reflexão crítica realizado por este grupo. A base de dados é composta por gravações em vídeo de aulas dentro de um contexto de uma disciplina de pós-graduação, vídeo de uma aula da profª Sophia no seu contexto real de atuação, textos escritos, desenhos e reflexões dos professores e gravação de uma entrevista com cada um desses cinco professores investigados. Os dados foram todos transcritos e a análise dos dados está baseada na análise textual discursiva, onde categorias emergentes foram estabelecidas. Ao final um metatexto foi construído onde o resultado dessas análises está contemplado. O processo reflexivo investigado nesse grupo revela um universo distinto de características de professores e a complexidade do processo educativo. As ações de cada professor em sua prática educativa têm influencias múltiplas e muito diversas relativas ao seu histórico de vida, sua experiência formativa e profissional, suas crenças, suas orientações políticas etc. O que determina a auto-imagem de um professor competente é provavelmente influenciado por todas essas características de uma maneira dinâmica e altamente complexa. Entretanto, duas características marcantes reveladas nesse estudo de caso múltiplo parecem ter influência positiva no trabalho de um professor - sua formação específica e pedagógica além de uma postura de confiança no processo educativo. Essas características nem sempre andam juntas, mas revelaram-se importantes para uma atuação segura dos professores investigados e, portanto, destacam-se no processo de construção de sua autonomia. / This work has a qualitative research perspective. Our focus was the class of an in-service teacher, Sophia, and the four teachers who participated of a collaborative group. This investigation was a multiple-case study about the professional development in a teacher education context. The aim of this research was to establish possible relations between educational and professional reports, teaching-learning theories and classroom practice. These relations were revealed during a critical reflection process which was done by a group of in-service teachers. This research took place within the framework of a post graduation course. Our data are based in class videos, a video of Sophia\'s classroom, written texts, drawings, teacher\'s reflections and interviews with each one of these five teachers. Data were all transcribed and analyzed by the use of discursive textual analysis methodology, which established the emergence of some categories. At the end a metatext was written reporting and discussing the results of such analysis. The reflective process investigated in this group reveals that each teacher contributes with an idiosyncratic universe of characteristics and also evidences the complex nature of the education process. Each teacher actions in their educative practice have multiple and diverse influences which are related to their life history, educational and professional experience, their beliefs, their political orientations, etc. Results suggest that the self image of a competent teacher is influenced by all of these characteristics in a dynamic and complex way. However, two key characteristics revealed in this multiple case study seems to have a positive influence in a teacher\'s work - specific and pedagogical education and a confident view of the education process. These characteristics not always go together but were revealed as important for a confident performance of the investigated teachers. So, these characteristics can be considered as especially important during the construction of the teacher\'s autonomy process.

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Towards School Inclusion Abstract Since September 2016, the so-called inclusive amendment, i.e. Decree No. 27/2016 Coll., on the education of pupils with special educational needs, has been in force in Czech schools. The multiple-case study of three schools describes the process of change in different contexts prior to 2016. Three inclusive schools were selected based on measuring the level of inclusion and their public declaration of striving for inclusion. The data research sources were narrative interviews with current and former principals of the selected schools, their deputies, some teachers, assistants, parents and/or representatives of the municipality. IPA was used to analyze the data. The inclusive school is a product of a principal's vision and their transformative leadership. The key for a successful transformation was to change not only processes and structures but mainly the culture, thus common understanding of the goals. The central concept was communication and collaboration. The respondents perceived themselves as pioneers and communities sharing the same values. Creating conditions for respecting the needs and differences of each child and gaining community trust were the necessary steps for this transformation. It was important to raise sufficient funds, to work hard and to improve...

Less than 30% of Black business owners successfully obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years when compared to evidence that shows that more than 65% of White small business owners obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the experiences of 3 Black owners of small businesses who successfully obtained small business loans and maintained operations longer than 5 years in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The conceptual framework for this study was systems theory and contingency theory. The data collection process consisted of conducting face-to-face semistructured interviews with open-ended questions and a review of documents associated with the small business owners’ attempts to remain in business longer than 5 years. Data were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method, transcribing the interview recordings, and coding the data to identify relevant themes. Two primary themes emerged regarding successful strategies for obtaining small business loans: create an effective business plan, and research and prepare for the process of procuring a loan. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to provide Black owners of small businesses with strategies for obtaining small business loans and achieving sustainability of operations. Business success for Black owners of small businesses might contribute to the economic prosperity of the local communities.

Title: Internet of things and cloud computing adoption within manufacturing among small to medium sized enterprises in Sweden. Authors: Tim Kari and Wesley Kleinreesink Background & Problem discussion: Industries in Europe are facing economic challenges related to global societal and technological developments. The adoption of industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT and cloud computing within manufacturing can be used as a solution to these challenges. SMEs form the backbone of the Swedish economy, making up a large amount of the employment and added value within the country, making them important in this context. Little is known about the maturity levels of IoT and cloud computing and the challenges encountered during adoption of of these technologies by Swedish SMEs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate maturity levels of IoT and cloud computing adoptions and the associated adoption challenges by looking at Swedish SMEs in the manufacturing industry that are adopting or are interested in adopting IoT and cloud computing technologies within their manufacturing. By addressing the maturity levels and adoption challenges found among the cases and providing more insight into the context in which these are occurring. These insights can then be used for the purposes of addressing maturity levels as practitioner and contributing to current literature regarding maturity levels and adoption challenges found. Method: Following an exploratory research strategy, qualitative data has been gathered both in the form of a literature review as well as a multiple case study through semi-structured interviews. The data has then been analyzed by conducting a conceptual analysis, a cross-case synthesis and pattern matching Findings & Conclusion: The findings indicate that the levels of maturity vary highly between categories and cases, with only a few examples of reaching higher (integrated) levels of maturity. Adoption challenges found were mainly centered around organizational and human challenges as opposed to technical ones, indicating that further focus needs to be put on organizational change management. Furthermore, an apparent lack of knowledge among the case companies may explain both the narrow and simple implementations of IoT and cloud computing as well as the lack of drivers for further adoption. The implications of this means that managers need a larger focus on change management and more comprehensive implementation plans. There is also the need to consider the need for digitalization and to do it in an efficient and useful manner. Further research is needed on these topics, with possible avenues being a focus on smaller companies, a study with a larger sample size or a focus on industries with a higher volume of production as the ones presented in this study were all relatively low-volume.

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