In recent decades, reflective practice has taken a more central role in the construction of teachers’ knowledge and practice (Elliot, 1991; Roberts, 1998). Within reflective practice, action research has developed as an approach within which teachers can systematically question, challenge and improve their teaching and recently been introduced into teacher education programmes with the rationale of encouraging student teachers to critically engage with curriculum and practice (Mills, 2003). Recent years have additionally seen interest in how teachers’ knowledge is sociodiscursively constructed with a concomitant focus on the link between teacher identity and practice (e.g. Danielewicz, 2001; Miller Marsh, 2003; Norton 2000). However, few studies have attempted to explore the influence action research may have on the construction of student teacher practice and identity (Trent, 2010). This study explores the role of an undergraduate action research project in terms of the extent of its influence on the development of student practice in English Language classes and the trajectory of their emergent teacher identities. Informed by new theoretical directions in ethnography (Denzin, 1997), data was collected using naturally occurring texts integral to the student teachers’ studies, including weekly lesson observations, post-observation feedback discussions and three focus group discussions over the course of the research project. Analysis indicates that the undergraduate action research project differentially affects students’ practice and emergent identities, but that this relationship may be tangential and students’ agency may be overshadowed by methodological preoccupations and constraints of institutions. Both global and local discursive formations combine and interact to influence this process which occurs in a theoretical ‘interzone’ a third space, sociodiscursively constructed between institutions.

The aim of the research was to generate a cyclonic model for understanding the influences and processes of continuously improving management education in an environment rich in online learning technologies. The research questions were: 1. What is the nature of the cyclonic interactions observed in the transactions of a team of online management educators? 2. How might an understanding of cyclonic interactions, a. help refine action research, and, b. generate rich insight for online management education? The methodology was an action research project. The research team worked in an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) to continuously develop teaching practice in one unit of the MBA. The methodology matched the objectives of the project, and the appropriate rigour associated with qualitative, interpretive research. The results showed that theories of systems and relational dynamics, adapted to hermeneutics and aligned with other learning theories, can be framed by the metaphor of a cyclone to conduct research into teaching practice and build upon the theory base in the field of online education. Online management education is subject to reinterpretations. The cyclonic framework explains some of the changes. The project showed that a chaotic but organised cyclonic program development process in one particular MBA course was informative for and informed by the chaotic and cyclonic globalized business world. For the education of managers the cyclonic view was relevant. The approach was metaphorical and, therefore, opened new ways of seeing and speaking. Findings pertained to the nature of the cyclonic interactions, how an understanding of cyclonic interactions helped to refine action research, and how an understanding of cyclonic interactions helped generate rich insight for online management education. It was found that it was the asymmetrical impetus of imperfection that created the examples of cyclonic learning spirals formed as double feedback loops for improved understanding. Online education in the action research required cyclical enhancement of connectedness by teachers, stronger emphasis on relational considerations in learning, and heightened expectations of collaboration by educators. It became possible to correlate earlier conceptions of action research with cyclonic categories and analyse the parallels with events in this action research project. Models were developed and presented to explain cyclonic connections with hermeneutics, collaborative teaching, online resource development, and the environment of online management education.

The case study examined how three preservice teachers within a Master of Arts in Teaching program at a small, private university negotiated meaning around an educational practice--collaborative action research. Preservice teachers must negotiate multiple, and often competing, internal and external discourses as they sort out what educational practices, policies, organizational structures to accept or reject as presented in the teacher education program. This negotiation is a dynamic, contextual, unique meaning-making process that extends, redirects, dismisses, reinterprets, modifies, or confirms prior beliefs (Wenger, 1998). Korthagen's (2004) model for facilitating understanding and reflection was used to explore the process of negotiating meaning. Known as the Onion Model, it includes six levels: the environment, behavior, competencies, beliefs, identity, and mission. When alignment occurs between all levels, Korthagen explained that individuals experience wholeness, energy, and presence. In contrast, tensions can occur within a level or between levels of the Onion Model and limit the effectiveness of the preservice teacher regarding the area in question. Reflecting on the collaborative action research experience through the layers of the Korthagen's model may allow preservice teachers (and professors) to identify degrees of alignment and areas of tension as preservice teachers negotiate meaning. Once identified, areas of tension can be deconstructed and better understood; self-understanding can empower individuals to assume an active and powerful role in their professional developmental. To explore how preservice teachers negotiated their identity regarding collaborative action research, the following research questions guided the study: (1) How do preservice teachers' trajectories align with the practice of collaborative action research? (2) How do individuals negotiate meaning regarding the practice of collaborative action research? (3) How do preservice teachers frame collaborative action research in relation to their future practice? Triangulated data from interviews, observations, and document analysis was collected, analyzed, and interpreted to provide insight into preservice teachers' process of negotiating meaning around a nontraditional educational practice. Each participant traveled a unique and emotional journey through the process of collaborative action research and their personal trajectory did influence the way they negotiated the practice of collaborative action research. Findings included: (a) each participant had a dominant trait that influenced areas of alignment and misalignment between their trajectory and the practice of collaborative action research; (b) some participants exhibited visible misalignments while the misalignments of others were hidden; (c) participants relied on personal strengths to reestablish the perception of alignment as they negotiated meaning through the practice of collaborative action research; (d) the way misalignments were negotiated limited the transformational potential of the learning experience of collaborative action research; and (e) participants' expectations for their future use of the practice of collaborative action research aligned with their dominant traits.

Each of us has knowledge but it is not complete. When we come together to listen, we learn, we grow in understanding and we can analyze better the course that needs to be taken. One thing I learned over the past several years is that words and their interpretation have power. Grand Bayou community member This dissertation examines the question of change in the non-community people who have interacted or come into contact with the Grand Bayou Participatory Action Research (PAR) project. Who Changes?, a book on institutionalizing participation in development, raises the issu of "where is the change?" in a participatory project (Blackburn1998). Fischer (2000), Forester (1992), and Wildavsky (1979) indicate that a participatory process is beneficial to all stages of planning policy development, and analysis. However, planners, academics, and practitioners who work with high risk communities are often of different cultures, values, and lived experience than those of the community. Despite the best intentions of these professionals, these differences may at times cause a disconnect from or a dismissal of the community's knowledge, values or validity claims as the participatory process transpires. The outside experts often fail to learn from the local communities or use the community's expertise. The Grand Bayou Participatory Action Research (PAR) project, funded in part by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, investigated the viability of PAR in a post-disaster recovery project. The NSF report revealed that the community did gain agency and political effectiveness; the study and evaluation, however, did not focus on the outside collaborators and their change. Freirian and Habermasian theories of conscientization and critical hermeneutics would assume that those engaged with the project have changed in some way through their learning experience and that change may be emancipatory. The change builds on a core tenet of PAR in developing relational knowledge while honoring the other. This study used a case study methodology utilizing multiple sources of evidence to explore the answer to this question. A better understanding of the change in outside collaborators in a PAR project can be helpful in developing a more holistic participatory community planning process.

The main aim of the study is to create insight into students' algebraic knowledge and the conditions for their algebra learning at upper secondary level. An additional goal is to suggest ways to improve algebra teaching and learning within the Swedish edu­cational system, based on the results from the study. The study builds on an extended research and development project, which are presented in four phases. In the empirical study two cohorts of students were followed during their time of study at one upper secondary school in southern Sweden, and some main factors for success in algebra learn­ing were identified. This part of the study was presented more in detail in my licentiate thesis. The following three phases are described in the three articles, on which this thesis rests. In the second part of the study I reflect upon my development from being a teacher into being a teacher-researcher and what this has meant for my understanding of what happens in the classroom, and in what ways this has changed, especially enhanced, my way of teaching. In the third part, a deepened analysis is made of stu­dents' answers to how a functional relation can be explained. The fourth part is a literature review of recent research of the influence of calculators and other tech­nological tools on algebraic knowledge and skills. All parts of the project are put into one overarching frame, based on the didactical triangle with its main parts: the learning/the student, the teaching/the teacher, and the learning matter/the result of the education. As a background for the study a theoretical framework is used with five main components: mathe­matics and philosophy of mathematics, theories of knowledge and learning, the meaning of symbols, representational forms, and tools for learning. A thorough overview of earlier research in the field of algebra education is given, with a multi-dimensional perspective and with special focus on areas of importance for the study. A range of findings from the different parts of the study are presented and compiled, both on the basis of the theoretical framework and the didactical tri­angle. These results then form the starting point for consideration of significant implications for educational practice in mathematics within the areas: knowl­edge and development, symbols and representational forms, algebra as a strand in mathematics education, technology in mathematics education, and the importance of affective factors. Moreover, some suggestions is given to teachers about different methods and ways for local development projects in schools, and also suggestions for further research. / Huvudsyftet med studien är att skapa insikter om algebrakunskaper och villkor för algebralärande hos gymnasieelever. Ett andra syfte är att med utgångspunkt i resultaten föreslå vägar till en förbättrad algebraundervisning inom det svenska skolsystemet. Studien bygger på ett längre forsknings- och utvecklingsprojekt, som kan indelas i fyra faser. I den empiriska grundstudien följdes två årskullar elever under sin studietid på en gymnasieskola i Sydsverige, och några huvudfaktorer för framgång i algebrastudierna identifierades. Denna delstudie har närmare presenterats i min licentiatuppsats. De tre följande faserna är beskrivna i de tre artiklar, som denna avhandling vilar på. I den andra delstudien reflekterar jag över vad min utveckling från att bara vara lärare till att även bli forskare betytt för min förståelse för vad som händer i klassrummet och på vilka sätt detta förändrat mitt sätt att undervisa. I den tredje fördjupas analysen av elevernas svar på frågan om hur ett centralt funktionssamband kan förklaras. Den fjärde delstudien är en litteraturöversikt över nyare forskning kring räknares och andra teknologiska verktygs inverkan på algebrakunskaper och -lärande.Samtliga delstudier sätts in i ett övergripande sammanhang som utgår från den didaktiska triangeln med huvuddelarna: den lärande/eleven, läraren/undervisningen och det lärda/resultatet av undervisningen. Som bakgrund för studien används ett teoretiskt ramverk bestående av fem huvudkomponenter: matematik och matematikfilosofi, teorier om kunskap och lärande, symbolernas betydelse, representationsformer och verktyg för lärande. En utförlig översikt över tidigare forskning inom området algebraundervisning ges, med ett multidimensionellt perspektiv och med speciellt fokus på delområden av betydelse för studien.En rad resultat från de olika delstudierna presenteras och sammanställs, utgående från såväl det teoretiska ramverket som den didaktiska triangeln. Dessa resultat bildar sedan utgångspunkt för viktiga implikationer för undervisningspraktiken i matematik inom områdena: kunskap och kunskapsutveckling, symboler och representationsformer, algebra som en röd tråd i matematikundervisningen, teknologi i matematikundervisningen och de affektiva faktorernas betydelse. Dessutom ges förslag till lärare om olika metoder och tillvägagångssätt för lokala utvecklingsarbeten på skolorna, samt förslag till vidare forskning. / Godkänd; 2010; 20100204 (ysko); DISPUTATION Ämnesområde: Matematik och lärande Opponent: Professor Carl Winsløw, University of Copenhagen, Danmark Ordförande: Gästprofessor Barbro Grevholm, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Fredag den 12 mars 2010, kl. 13.00 Plats: A109

Internet adoption and e-business has been of particular interest amongst researchers and practitioners, however, most of the studies focus on large organisations and only recently there has been a shift of interest to e-commerce/business adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with little or no reference to dot-com initiatives. It is well documented that SMEs have significant and different challenges in comparison to large organisations in the brick and mortar domain. Therefore, investments in the e-business domain (such as dot-com start-ups) present even more challenges to SMEs. Consequently, this research offers an in-depth study of the start-up process of a dot-com company by examining the stages, phases, and components that are key for this process. The empirical contexts of this research are three projects with three different SMEs that have actively participated in the creation of a new dot-com venture. These were analysed using an action research approach with interpretative and qualitative analysis. The main component of the action research approach covers a longitudinal study (2 years) divided in four cycles, followed by two case studies used for the evaluation of the findings of this research. These results of all research cycles, which in turn, can be considered the contributions to theory and practice of this research, can be seen in two ways: the development of a start-up framework for SMEs, and a Business Information Database (BID) that supports the implementation of the framework. The framework is designed to visualise, from a strategic perspective, the stages that an organisation have to go through in order to initiate a new dot-com venture. Is proved that organisations have, directly or indirectly, followed specific steps related to the phases described in the framework. Hence new entrepreneurs can use the phases of the framework to facilitate and ease their start-up process looking at the main features of each phase. The BID was constructed under two premises: a) to structure the main documents and corresponding building blocks used in industry and in the proposed framework, such as the Strategic Plan, Business Model, Business Plan, and Business Case, and b) to identify the relationships among the building blocks of all the aforementioned documents. The BID and related documents can be used to identify how a particular piece of information (e.g. building block) affects other aspects of the dot-com initiative. The BID can be also be used as an independent artefact to assist organisations through the structure of the business documents in the start-up process, even if the organisation is not following a specific framework. Hence the BID itself can assist entrepreneurs to start-up firm without the need to have an overarching framework. Last but not least, practical recommendations are offered to practitioners and stakeholders interested in developing new ventures within the dot-com domain.

Faculty of Humanities School of Education 9711890e barbaramichel@absamail.co.za / The focus of this action research study was to facilitate a field generated process to develop guidelines towards standards of practice for peer education. Peer education has been widely used across the globe and often in health oriented fields. In South Africa, peer education practice is marked by the lack of agreed standards and guidelines together with a lack of empirical evidence of its impact on beneficiary groups. The researcher consulted with over 200 individuals who are, in some way, connected or involved in the management of peer education or programmes focussing on youth. The research confirmed the lack of an agreed definition of peer education, the need for guidelines and eventually standards of practice for peer education. There was consensus that peer education was considered a ‘valuable strategy’ despite a chronic lack of reporting, monitoring and clear goals for most programmes. An additional challenge was the lack of evaluation of the benefit of peer education to beneficiaries. Programmes lack underpinning theories, and often are implemented in an attempt to ‘help’ communities in any way possible. Lack of a systemic approach and lack of agreed performance standards, perpetuates peer education interventions that fail due to avoidable challenges that could have been averted with more attention to planning and systematic organisation. The research proposes that with agreed standards and support to implement and build capacity at national and provincial level, peer education could become a flagship for the prevention, care and support to many communities, particularly where there is a chronic lack of resources.

Desde a década de 80 o ensino de ciências sofreu diversas transformações. Se antes se buscava formar tecnicistas, hoje se busca formar cidadãos conscientes e críticos capazes de compreender e atuar no mundo em que vivem. Mas ainda hoje as disciplinas de ciências, como a química, são vistas como enfadonhas, difíceis e distantes da realidade, sendo necessário buscar métodos que possam alterar este quadro, como o caso do uso do humor no ensino, que apesar de ser visto com desconfiança, por razões históricas, têm apresentado bons resultados na literatura. Neste trabalho analisa-se o uso de recursos humorísticos, como tirinhas, músicas, vídeos e anedotas, no ensino de química, em uma turma de 1º ano do Ensino Médio, desde o preparo das aulas até as atividades avaliativas, através de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa com estratégia da pesquisa-ação. Os dados foram coletados mediante uso de questionários, entrevistas e observações e submetidos a uma análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicam que os alunos veem, na disciplina, potencial de se relacionar com o cotidiano, mas ainda assim a julgam com estereótipos tradicionalistas, e com isso anseiam por aulas que sejam diferentes das habituais. Dessa maneira, o uso dos recursos mencionados mostrou-se eficiente por dinamizar as aulas, promover interações sociais, despertar o interesse dos alunos, contextualizar o conteúdo exposto e trazer impactos positivos na memória dos estudantes. Por outro lado foi preciso cautela com o conteúdo humorístico utilizado, a frequência de utilização dos recursos e o controle da sala de aula. Foi possível também acompanhar a identificação de um perfil docente. E por fim destacar a importância da pesquisa-ação para aproximar a pesquisa e a sala de aula. / From the 80s to the present day science education has undergone several transformations. If before it was sought to form tecnicists today seeks to educate aware and critics citizens, who can understand and act in the world in which they live. But even science subjects such as chemistry, are seen as boring, difficult and far from reality, being necessary to find out methods that can change this situation, as the case of the use of humor in teaching, that despite being viewed with suspicion, for historical reasons, have shown good results in the literature. In this work we analyze the use of humorous resources, like strips, songs, videos and anecdotes, in teaching chemistry in a class of 1st year of high school, from the preparation of classes until the evaluation activities, through a survey qualitative research with action research strategy. Data were collected by use of questionnaires, interviews and observations and subjected to content analysis. The results indicate that students see the potential to relate chemistry to the everyday, but still judge it under traditionalists stereotypes, and thus crave for classes that are different from the usual. Thus, the use of resources was efficient for streamline classes, promote social interactions, arouse the interest of students, contextualize content exposed and have a positive impact in the minds of students. On the other hand, it was necessary caution with humorous content used, the frequency of use of resources and control of the classroom. It can also track the identification of a teacher profile. Finally highlight the importance of action research to approach the research and the classroom.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an evidence-based creative expression therapy for Chinese people with dementia in hospitals, LTC settings and household. Background: Creative expression (CE) has been shown to be effective for engagement of both people with dementia and carers to communicate in the USA. However, there are limited cross-cultural studies of psychological therapy of people with dementia in China. Method: The overall research strategy is a mixed method. To develop standard CE programme, action research was conducted by three sequential sessions in the geriatric wards, long term care institution and patients’ homes respectively. 7rounds of action research cycle including plan, action, observation, reflective discussion was complemented and 31 people with dementia received CE intervention and evaluating by means of observation, semi-structure interview. The following evaluation research is a controlled trial for people with dementia in LCT settings and hospitals. 91 cases of people with dementia were recruited and divided into two groups. While a series of social contact activities were conducted on the 48 cases control group, the revised CE intervention carried out on the 43 cases test group, both twice weekly for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was measured by MMSE、QOL-AD、CSDD and SFACS in week 0, week 7, week 10. Findings For the social communication and communication of basic needs in SFACS score, pleasure and general alertness mood by OERS, the test group presented significantly better effect than the control group (P < 0.05). Although both group had a decline effect on CSDD score, the test group were maintaining lower 1month after intervention (P < 0.05). Thus the revised CE programme may improve the communication ability and alleviate depression of people with dementia significantly .However, although the quality of life is less affected, it showed a rising tendency after CE programme. Conclusions: This study added trans-cultural evidence on dementia treatment and developed a standard and effective creative expression intervention on Chinese people affected by dementia.

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