The 2007 revised mathematics curriculum in Ghana introduced many changes to the way mathematics should be taught and learned. However, before this research started in 2010, very little was known about how this subject is taught and learned. This study aims to investigate mathematics teachers’ teaching practices and students’ learning experiences in junior high schools (12-14 years) using a mixed methods design. The study’s conceptual framework is informed by two different, but interrelated theories: behaviourism and constructivism. Participants in the study were 24 mathematics teachers and 358 students from 12 schools. Semistructured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data about participants’ perceptions, and classroom observations and interviews were used to collect qualitative data about actual classroom practices. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, STATSDIRECT and ORIGIN software and the qualitative data assessed using a thematic analysis approach. The key findings include: teachers and students espoused the belief that their teaching and learning practices are consistent with the principles and guidelines of the new mathematics curriculum. Teachers perceived teaching practices were complex as they contain both behaviourist and constructivist beliefs; however, their actual teaching practices were didactic. It also emerged that both teachers and students try to avoid making mistakes, despite the importance of correcting students’ misconceptions when promoting effective teaching and learning. The fact that peer influence is a key factor that shapes students’ learning was an important theme that emerged from the interview and the classroom observations. Students were only willing to participate in class discussions if they knew the correct answer, as they would be ridiculed by their peers for giving a wrong answer. The movement towards a more constructivist approach to teaching and learning, which is the prime objective of the new mathematics curriculum, occurred at a slower pace. Thus, a conceptual model for the teaching and learning of mathematics which advocates collaboration and partnership between teachers and students in the classroom is offered.

The introduction of technology and the widespread use of ICT in the wealthier nations have led teacher-educators to integrate technological applications in their teaching environment. The research investigated the new teaching modes created by teacher-educators in teacher-training colleges in Israel, due to their transition from traditional teaching to distance-teaching through the Internet. This was a qualitative research using case study within an interpretative paradigm that enabled the researcher to consider the viewpoints of the informants together with her own viewpoint. The research tools included: 14 open interviews, a non-participatory observation, documentation reading and the writing of a personal log. The rich variety of research tools enabled triangulation of data. The conceptual framework of the research was based on theories of teacher-training, distance-teaching, academic disciplines, and several teaching dimensions: organisation and representation of data, organisation and management of teaching and different types of interaction. The research findings indicated intrinsic and extrinsic motives for the teacher-educators transition to distance-teaching. The transition created a pedagogy characterised by four teaching modes that corresponded to different academic disciplines. Each discipline harnessed the technology for intensive use in one or more of the teaching dimensions. The Representation mode used by teacher-educators in the natural sciences and statistics used a large variety of data representations and Internet writing characterised by multiple links. The Interactive mode employed by teacher-educators in the field of literacy principally dealt with formative assessment of the students' writing and used virtual communication tools to tighten the teacher-learner inter-personal interaction. The Organisational mode used in education disciplines focused on organisation and management of teaching and learning through the use of computer applications. The Holistic mode employed by teacher-educators in the fields of education and literature, in substance constituted a combination of all the characteristics of the above-mentioned modes with an emphasis given to social presence of both learners and the teacher. Analysis of the teaching modes led to the creation of a typology of four modes positioned at different points along the following scales: organisation of teaching, flexible – fixed, types of interaction few – multiple; data representation, creative – conservative; computer literate – computer users. There was a clear contrast between teacher-educators teaching education disciplines as a continuation of traditional frontal teaching and those who had previously taught in workshops. At the crossroads of pedagogy with technology, the changes in location, time and lesson character have meant that the implementation of the teaching paradigm of Zeichner and the teaching orientations of Feiman-Nemser have taken on fresh dimensions. The new teaching modes necessitate appropriate training for all teacher-educators working in distance-teaching in accordance with their academic disciplines. The research findings contribute to the reduction of a gap in knowledge concerning the new teaching modes of teacher-educators teaching distance-learning in a teacher-training college in Israel.

Student Number : 9713472V - PhD thesis - School of Anatomical Sciences - Faculty of Health Sciences / The medical professional requires expertise in a wide range of disciplines as well as competence encompassing knowledge, skills and attitudes. Of these, the knowledge and skills gained in Anatomy play a fundamental role in contributing to the quality and performance of the medical practitioner. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of the teaching-learning Anatomy in the training of doctors at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique and therefore to contribute to the effectiveness of the medical curriculum to ensure that it produces high quality medical professionals. The following questions were addressed: i) Is the Anatomy course perceived by the students to be structured to address their needs regarding medical practice? ii) Is there a relationship between performance in Anatomy and other disciplines as recalled by the students? iii) Do medical students demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of Anatomy in dealing with patients in practice? The study involved the medical students in the clinical cycle and the junior doctors employed at the Central Hospital of Maputo City. Data obtained by means of questionnaires, examination of clinical reports and interviews was analysed statistically by the SPSS programme. The results showed that overall the students have a positive view of how well the Anatomy course meets their clinical needs, and that there is a direct relationship between knowledge of Anatomy and the ability to perform in the clinical setting. There is however a need to review the current medical curriculum in order to achieve better integration between the courses and cycles and particularly to improve the efficacy of the teaching-learning process by selecting the content more appropriately and adjusting the assessment procedures. From this study recommendations may be made to help improve the students’ application of anatomical knowledge by increasing vertical and horizontal integration in the curriculum and introducing earlier exposure to clinical problem solving. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of assessing the outcomes of the basic sciences such as Anatomy on the educational process as well as on medical practice.

Orientador: Mara Alice Fernandes de Abreu / Banca: Ana Maria Lombardi Daibem / Banca: Cássia Irene Spinelli Arantes / Resumo: A pesquisa tem como objetivo de investigação a prática pedagógica, construída pelas licenciandas em enfermagem em conjunto com a pesquisadora e, realizada de forma continuada, com alunos da sétima série do ensino público. O trabalho objetivou investigar se a realização de uma prática pedagógica, contextualizada ao ambiente escolar e às necessidades do aluno e elaborada, desde o seu planejamento até o exercício pedagógico, considerando-o como elemento ativo no processo ensino-aprendizagem, é capaz de promover ampliação na formação das licenciandas, estimulando-as para uma atuação transformadora. Essa prática pedagógica, ao considerar a transversalidade da saúde, abordou seus aspectos biológicos, sociológicos e psicológicos, a partir de estratégias de aprendizagem propostas pelas próprias licenciandas, com base nas concepções construtivistas que favoreceu a interatividade entre elas e os alunos da escola e também, o desenvolvimento e a socialização do conhecimento referentes à esse contexto. Entendendo a saúde, tema de extrema relevância para ser abordado com os adolescentes desta faixa etária, como um processo resultante da convergência de fatores integrados: condições de trabalho e consumo, meio-ambiente, liberdade, lazer, acesso à posse da terra, educação, habitação, alimentação, relacionamentos afetivos, convívio social, além da garantia de acesso aos serviços de saúde e, a prática pedagógica, um instrumento de reflexão-ação e transformação da realidade, a pesquisadora atuou, durante toda a pesquisa, como articuladora entre o saber teórico e o prático. Os resultados revelaram que a vivência dessa prática pedagógica possibilitou, maior aproximação das licenciandas com os alunos, professores e administração da escola, desenvolvimento dos conteúdos, com a utilização de propostas adequadas e em ambientes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this research is the investigation of the pedagogic practice developed by the nursing graduate students in connection with the researcher and continued with the students of the seventh degree of the public high school. The goal of this work is to investigate the realization of the pedagogic practice connected to the scholar environment and to the students needs and was elaorated, since its planning all the way to its practice, considering it as an active element in the process of teaching-learning, capable to promote the improvement of the graduation students as well as to stimulate and active transformation. This pedagogic practice, considering the versatility of the health, studied biologic, sociologic and psychological aspects, starting from the learning strategies proposed by the graduating students based on the constructivist conceptions that helped the interaction among them and the high school students as well developed and socialized the knowledge of this study. However, the health, relevant theme to be considered with the teenagers students, as a resultant process of the convergence of integrated factors: job and consume conditions, environment, freedom, leisure, land owing access, education, dwelling, feeding, affection relationship, social living completed with the lack of public health services, the pedagogic practice is an instrument of reflection and action as well a change of the real life. The researcher worked all the time as a link between the theory and the practice knowledge. The results showed that living this pedagogical practice promoted a larger relationship between the graduate students and the high school students, teachers and school workers as well developed the subject of the research using it with proper utilization of the objectives in an ideal environment to the learning and valuing... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre

Mudanças têm ocorrido no perfil do estudante egresso contabilista, requerendo destes conhecimentos específicos das técnicas contábeis, e ainda desenvolvimento de competências múltiplas e visão holística do mundo dos negócios. Entretanto, pesquisas mostram que os estudantes não se sentem preparados ao concluir o curso de Ciências Contábeis. O método PBL traz como proposta o estímulo ao pensamento crítico, habilidades para solução de problemas e a aprendizagem de conceitos na área em questão. Este método diferencia-se das abordagens convencionais, pois o ensino é centrado no estudante, inicia-se com o uso de problemas, para direcionar, motivar e focar a aprendizagem. Porém, o uso do PBL ainda é incipiente na área contábil. O presente trabalho objetiva verificar a efetividade do método PBL no curso Ciências Contábeis da FEA-RP/USP. Os resultados estatísticos encontrados por meio da análise fatorial, alpha de Cronbach e regressão permitiram verificar que, a partir da adesão do estudante ao método, os mesmos ganham conhecimento na área, adquirem capacidade para resolução de problema, melhoram sua comunicação, desenvolvem habilidades, e adquirem confiança, apresentando consonância com o trabalho de Kanet e Barut (2003). Tal resultado também corrobora com meta-análise conduzida na área médica por Norman e Schmidt (2000) e Albanese e Michell (1993). Contudo, não há um método que resolva todos os problemas de ensino-aprendizagem. / Changes have been happening in the profile of exit accounting students, requiring from them not only specific knowledge of accounting techniques, but also the development of multiple competences and a holistic view of the business world. Research, however, has shown that the students do not feel well prepared when they finish their Accounting course. The PBL method proposes to stimulate critical thought, develop skills for the solution of problems, and also encourage students to learn concepts of their area. This method is different from conventional approaches because the teaching is student-centered; it begins with the use of problems to address, to motivate, and to focus the learning process. Nevertheless, the use of PBL is still incipient in the accounting area. The aim of this work is to verify the effectiveness of the PBL method in the Accounting course of FEA-RP/USP. The statistical results found through factorial analysis, alpha of Cronbach, and regression allowed us to verify that, when students adhere to the method, they gain knowledge in the area; they acquire the ability to solve problems; they improve their communication skills; they develop abilities; and they become more self-confident. These results are consonant with Kanet and Barut\'s (2003) work, and they also corroborate with goal-analysis carried out in the medical area by Norman and Schmidt (2000) and Albanese and Michell (1993). However, there is no method that solves all teaching-learning problems.

O material educativo (parcialmente composto pela configuração interna dental e cirurgia de acesso endodôntico), bem como o tema para o exercício escolhido, utilizados neste aplicativo, são de caráter experimental. Para sua produção, todas as modalidades audiovisuais normalmente utilizadas no ensino tradicional pela Disciplina de Endodontia foram parcialmente digitalizadas e processadas, o que possibilitou a exploração das potencialidades da tecnologia hipermídia. Os recursos pedagógicos dessa ferramenta permitiram instrumentalizar o corpo discente para uma exploração ativa do tema e exclusivamente centrada no aluno. O objetivo deste trabalho constituiu-se no desenvolvimento de aplicativo computacional, valendo-se da hipermídia como recurso de ensino-aprendizagem em Endodontia, de modo a: • Permitir uma exploração interdisciplinar do tema e de recursos audiovisuais; • Possibilitar uma navegação não-linear e interativa das informações, com características motivadoras de aprendizagem, baseadas em buscas e associações e veiculadas em diferentes mídias. Alunos e Professores da Disciplina de Endodontia compuseram o público alvo. A sala de aula é o ambiente ideal para utilização deste aplicativo. Conquanto o aplicativo computacional possa residir nos laboratórios de informática, nas bibliotecas, em CD-ROM; possa ser acessado em ambiente restrito ou em rede local (Intranet) e sua aplicação no grupo de alunos não seja descartada, a exploração mais indicada é a individual. / The educative material (containing, partially, dental internal configuration and endodontic access), and the choice about the exercise theme used in this device are experimental. To produce it, all the audiovisual devices usually used traditionally by the Endodontic Discipline were partially digitalized and processed. It allowed hypermedia technology potential exploration. This teaching devices allowed the theme active exploration by the students. The aim of this study was a multimedia application development using an hypermedia device by teaching-learning process in endodontics, to: • allows an interdisciplinary exploration about the theme and the audiovisual devices; • to make possible the non-linear and interactive navigation of the informations, with learning motivated characteristics, based in searches and associations, and transmitted in different medias. The Endodontics Students and Professors (Dentistry Faculty - Endodontics Discipline) were the aim public. The classroom is the ideal environment to use this device. Even if this device can stay in computer laboratories, libraries, CD-ROMs; could be accessed by a restricted environment or by a local net (Intranet), the advice is to an individual navigation.

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo investigar a área que circunscreve os processos de significação no design, a fim de desenvolver uma proposta de intervenção pedagógica que possa ser adotada em disciplinas de Semiótica de cursos de graduação em design de instituições de ensino superior brasileiras - de modo a capacitar os discentes em suas habilidades e competências relacionadas aos processos de análise e construção de significação no design, em suas dimensões metodológicas e epistemológicas. Para tanto, realizou-se uma extensa e profunda revisão bibliográfica, que consiste em um levantamento organizado das duas principais teorias semióticas (Peirceana e Saussureana) que podem auxiliar a teoria do design, assim como um levantamento ordenado dos principais estudos já realizados na área do design em relação à dimensão semântica, em especial: três abordagens que foram desenvolvidas a partir das décadas de 1970 e 80: Offenbach - Linguagem do Produto, Semântica do Produto, e Semiótica do Design. Após o desenvolvimento da fundamentação teórica, este estudo também realizou e apresentou uma consistente pesquisa de campo (qualitativa e quantitativa). Assim como a investigação teórica, a pesquisa de campo também contribuiu como alicerce da proposta de intervenção. A integração da pesquisa qualitativa (realizada com 28 docentes que ministram disciplinas de Semiótica, Projeto ou Metodologia de Projeto de oito cursos de design de universidades brasileiras) com a pesquisa quantitativa (realizada com 90 discentes dessas oito universidades) demonstrou diferentes fenômenos e problemas que envolvem a qualificação de alunos de design quanto ao estudo dos processos de significação. Com base na fundamentação teórica e na pesquisa de campo, desenvolveu-se, a partir da metodologia ADDIE (normalmente aplicada ao design instrucional) e suas cinco fases – (1ª) análise, (2ª) design, (3ª) desenvolvimento, (4ª) implementação e (5ª) avaliação –, a proposta de intervenção para disciplinas de Semiótica de cursos de graduação em design de instituições de ensino superior brasileiras. Durante a fase analítica dos dados, buscou-se sintetizar os objetivos da intervenção em três: (1) desenvolver no aluno a habilidade de compreender os processos de significação no design, a partir do conceito de “ação de signos”; (2) desenvolver no aluno a habilidade de analisar signos; (3) desenvolver no aluno a habilidade de produzir signos. Para cada um dos três objetivos projetou-se uma atividade. Essas três atividades tiveram como principal fundamentação teórica o conceito semiótico de signo de Charles Sanders Peirce, a partir das contribuições de Charles Morris, e suas dimensões sintática, semântica e pragmática. As três atividades foram projetadas para sua realização em um semestre letivo, em disciplinas de Semiótica com aproximadamente 4 créditos semanais. Para todas elas desenvolveu-se materiais didáticos. Dentre esses materiais didáticos estão 3 apostilas, referentes a cada uma das 3 atividades, e nas quais estão apresentados de modo simples os principais fundamentos da semiótica que podem auxiliar designers no desenvolvimento de suas habilidades de analisar e produzir signos. Como a intervenção enfatiza a análise e a produção de signos, nas apostilas 2 e 3 apresenta-se também dois métodos, um de análise e outro de produção de signos integrados a diversos recursos oriundos da semiótica. O objetivo último em propor os dois métodos não foi somente metodológico, foi desenvolver no aluno, a partir da sua experiência prática metodológica, uma consciência crítica sobre o seu próprio processo de design em relação aos processos de significação, isto é, uma consciência epistemológica que amplia a sua capacidade de enxergar o projeto e de poder realimentá-lo constantemente. Depois de desenvolvida, a intervenção proposta foi implementada, durante o período de um semestre letivo, em dois cursos de graduação de design no Brasil. Por fim, após as duas implementações, avaliou-se criticamente a proposta de intervenção e realizou-se inferências acerca da pesquisa de modo integral. / The purpose of this study is to investigate the area encompassing the signification processes in design in order to propose a pedagogical intervention that can be adopted in Semiotics disciplines of undergraduate design courses in Brazilian higher education institutions so as to enable students to develop their skills and competences related to the processes of meaning analysis and building in design, in both methodological and epistemological aspects. To this end, an extensive and comprehensive literature review was carried out, consisting of an organized survey of the two main semiotic theories (Peircean and Saussurean) which can contribute to design theory, as well as an orderly survey of the main studies that have been carried out in the area of design regarding the semantic dimension, in particular: three approaches that were developed from the 1970s and 1980s: Offenbach - Product Language, Product Semantics, and Design Semiotics. Following the development of the theoretical framework, this study also performed and presented a consistent field research (qualitative and quantitative). Like the theoretical research, the field research also served as a foundation stone for the intervention proposal. Integrating qualitative research (carried out with 28 professors who teach Semiotics, Project or Project Methodology in eight design courses of Brazilian universities) and quantitative research (carried out with 90 students from these eight universities) showed different phenomena and problems involving the qualification of design students regarding the study of signification processes. Based on the theoretical framework and field research and following the ADDIE model (usually applied to instructional design) and its five phases – (1) Analysis, (2) Design, (3) Development, (4) Implementation and (5) Evaluation –, the intervention proposal was developed for Semiotics disciplines of undergraduate design courses in Brazilian higher education institutions. During the analytical phase of the data, we tried to encapsulate the objectives of the intervention in three goals: (1) have students develop the ability to understand the processes of signification in design based on the concept of "action of signs"; (2) have students develop the ability to analyze signs; (3) have students develop the ability to produce signs. A specific activity was designed for each of the three goals. These three activities were theoretically grounded on Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic concept of sign, with the contributions by Charles Morris and his syntactics, semantics and pragmatics dimensions. The three activities were designed to be carried out throughout a school semester, in semiotics disciplines of approximately 4 credits per week. Teaching material was developed for all three activities. It includes: 3 handouts, one for each activity, presenting in simple language the core fundamentals of semiotics that can help designers develop their skills to analyze and produce signs. As the intervention focuses on sign analysis and production, handouts two and three also describe two methods, one for sign analysis and another for sign production, integrated into several resources from semiotics. The ultimate goal in proposing these two methods was not only methodological, but also to have students develop, based on their practical and methodological experience, a critical awareness of their own design process in relation to the processes of signification, that is, an epistemological awareness that amplifies their ability to see the project and constantly feed it. After being developed, the proposed intervention was implemented, during the period of one school semester, in two undergraduate design courses in Brazil. Finally, after implementation, the intervention proposal was critically evaluated and inferences were made about the research as a whole.

Chemistry textbooks and teachers frequently use a variety of metaphors, analogies and models to describe atomic and molecular structures and processes. While it is widely believed that multiple analogical models encourage students to construct appropriate mental models of chemical phenomena, uncritical use of multiple analogical models may actually be responsible for a number of alternative conceptions in chemistry. Students hear and read about electron clouds and shells, atoms that are like miniature solar systems and balls, and molecules that are simultaneously represented by balls-and-sticks, joined spheres, electron-dot and structural diagrams. A strong case has been made that students try to integrate these diverse analogical models resulting in the generation of unscientific synthetic models. Conceptual change research programs also propose that carefully designed teaching and learning activities can stimulate students to exchange their intuitive and synthetic conceptions for more scientific conceptions.This thesis investigates the occurrence of students' intuitive and synthetic mental models of atoms and molecules at both a general and specific level. The investigations consisted in the first phase of semi-structured interviews with 48 Year 8-10 science students. While the data were predominantly qualitative the interviews also generated simple quantitative data. The second phase was wholly qualitative and involved the researcher as teacher' in the Year 11 class. Portfolios were compiled for each student in the class and six portfolios were interpreted to produce a set of case studies describing the students' learning about atoms, molecules and bonds. These data were derived from transcripts of class discussions and individual interviews; pre-tests, formative tests and post-tests; student essays and worksheets and analogical teaching events. The data were ++ / interpreted from a constructivist viewpoint with attention given to credibility, viability and transferability, and dependability. The desire to collect every piece of useful data was constrained by the ethical need to minimise the disruptive effect of the research on the students' normal learning.The first or general phase of this study investigated the question: With what models of atoms and molecules are lower secondary science students familiar? The interviews about atomic and molecular conceptions held by the Year 8-10 students found, for example, that some students confused atoms with cells because both have a nucleus, while others believed that electron shells enclose and protect the atom. All but two students visualised atoms with large nuclei and close static electrons. A majority of this student sample were confused by ball-and- stick molecular models and had a strong preference for space-filling molecular models because they were more 'real'.The second or specific phase of this study consisted of an in-depth study of the development of mental models of atoms, molecules and bonds by six Year 11 chemistry students over 40 weeks of instruction. This study investigated the question: Do systematically presented multiple analogical models help students change their conceptions of atoms, molecules and bonds in favour of the scientific view? The students' prior mental models of an atom were dominated by a solar system model with the electrons in simple shells. A variety of metaphors, analogical models and explanations emphasising the diffuse spaciousness of atoms helped three students restructure their conceptions in favour of the scientific concept. Students also were encouraged to identify the shared and unshared attributes of familiar molecular models and, in time, three students became competent multiple modellers. It is claimed that these three students ++ / changed their conceptions of atoms and molecules in the sense that they realised that models are thinking and communicative tools, not reality itself. The significant change in these students' thinking was their recognition that atomic and molecular analogical models are context-dependent.The phase two study's pre-occupation with conceptual change or knowledge restructuring raised an important methodological question: Is a multi-dimensional approach a better way to interpret conceptual change learning? or, are the various theoretical perspectives on conceptual change complementary? The study's theoretical framework found that conceptual change learning can be interpreted from epistemological, ontological, motivational, holistic explanatory and developmental perspectives. The collection and analysis of the data showed that student modelling ability and Perry's model of intellectual development were powerful interpretive tools when data needed to be examined from multiple perspectives. The six case studies support the assertion that multi-dimensional interpretive frameworks have superior credibility and viability compared to uni-dimensional studies.Finally, the research raised several questions requiring further investigation. No direct support was found for the claim that dissatisfaction is central to conceptual change. This issue needs much more study due to the popularity of discrepant event teaching. While a multi-dimensional conceptual change model has been synthesised, this model needs further refinement as does the issue of how to monitor the status of students' conceptions. A most promising line of pedagogical research is the value of teaching scientific modelling through the use of multiple systematic analogical models.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 120-130.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2002. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-150). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p3045090.