Large underfunded classrooms are indicative of the situation found in many developing countries. These limitations often lead to the ineffective teacher-centred approach dominating classroom instruction in these countries. The aim of the study was to examine active learning strategies used by teachers in large unfunded Physics classrooms, in Kerala, India. This study used a qualitative approach utilising a case study method. The data collection process involved mainly unstructured interviews, lesson observations and the analysis of documents. The results of the study indicate that despite the difficulties faced in India, similar to those faced by other developing countries, the Indian state of Kerala implements and supports active learning rather than the more common teacher-centred approach. The research defines the common forms of active learning in the Physics lessons and critically examines the core elements of the learner-centred teaching approaches. Successes have been found in the implementation of active, collaborative, cooperative and problem-based learning in the large underfunded Physics classes. The results of the research suggest that teachers need to be highly trained, resourceful, creative, hardworking and sometimes go above and beyond the required duties to make active learning in large underfunded Physics classroom a success. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The general aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of active learning approaches in the teaching of English Language support courses to first-year university students. The study was planned to identify factors that affected the implementation of active learning in classrooms where English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is taught, the perceptions of EFL instructors and their students regarding active learning, the linkage between assessment practices and productive skills, and the commonly used types of active learning techniques. The study was conducted in three Ethiopian universities and employed a qualitative approach to data generation and analysis. As such, data generation strategies focused on relevant documents, classroom observation, individual interviews, and focus group discussions. The participants of the study included 27 EFL instructors and their students (17 groups of focus group discussion), enrolled for English Language support courses at freshman level. Based on my analysis of the data, the primary barriers to the implementation of active learning techniques in EFL classrooms were as follows: Students’ poor background exposure to the English language; Students’ negative associations with language learning; EFL instructors’ ineffective classroom management; The adverse influence of students’ external social environments; Dependency in group work; low relevance of English Language support courses; Lack of administrative support from Universities. The participants of the study were aware of the importance of active learning and student-centred approaches and in favour of the implementation thereof. Despite this, they did not feel that they practised them effectively in the teaching and learning process. In fact, the instructors explained that, in the face of very unfavourable circumstances for active learning and student-centred approaches, they felt utterly disappointed, with no sense of achievement, when attempting to use these approaches in their classrooms; they did not believe that the existing situation was conducive to the implementation of active learning and student-centred approach. Furthermore, these EFL instructors did not use a variety of active learning techniques in the teaching and learning process of English supportive courses. The dominant techniques they used were group work and pair work. They did not utilise alternative techniques to teach essential productive skills (i.e. speaking and writing).The participants also indicated that the assessment techniques they used were not closely related to lesson objectives or language learning goals in the development of productive skills. The relationship between assessment types and active learning techniques was characterised by traditional pencil-and-paper tests designed solely for grading purposes; and not to improve the actual learning process. In grading, the weight given to productive skills was very small in contrast to that assigned to receptive skills (i.e. listening and reading), grammar and vocabulary. Their relationship involved teaching simply to prepare students for tests, irrelevant and untimely feedback, substandard assessment, absence of dynamism in the two-dimensional assessment techniques, and incongruence between assessment techniques and actual language skills and competence. In relation to feedback, both the students and their instructors pointed out that EFL students were more concerned with their grades than with the potential to learn when receiving feedback on their writing or oral presentations. In line with these findings, this thesis concluded by offering relevant recommendations for alleviating the problems observed in the teaching of English language support courses - both in general and with particular regard to productive skills development. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Large underfunded classrooms are indicative of the situation found in many developing countries. These limitations often lead to the ineffective teacher-centred approach dominating classroom instruction in these countries. The aim of the study was to examine active learning strategies used by teachers in large unfunded Physics classrooms, in Kerala, India. This study used a qualitative approach utilising a case study method. The data collection process involved mainly unstructured interviews, lesson observations and the analysis of documents. The results of the study indicate that despite the difficulties faced in India, similar to those faced by other developing countries, the Indian state of Kerala implements and supports active learning rather than the more common teacher-centred approach. The research defines the common forms of active learning in the Physics lessons and critically examines the core elements of the learner-centred teaching approaches. Successes have been found in the implementation of active, collaborative, cooperative and problem-based learning in the large underfunded Physics classes. The results of the research suggest that teachers need to be highly trained, resourceful, creative, hardworking and sometimes go above and beyond the required duties to make active learning in large underfunded Physics classroom a success. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The project offers Taiwanese teachers who work with adults a new concept of teaching crosscultural negotiation skills as part of their EFL instruction. It also presents Taiwanese teachers with a method of analyzing their educational practice to encourage more active and engaged teaching with a useful curriculum and its corresponding assessment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an active learning approach (ALA) on the achievement of 11 th grade learners in Newton’s laws of motion, The case study was done in one school by comparing the achievement of learners in Newton’s laws of motion through an Active Learning Approach (ALA) with that of learners taught through Traditional Direct I nstruction (TDI) and to determine whether learners taught with ALA retained the material better than those taught with TDI. Two grade 11 classes in one school in the Queenstown District of the Eastern Cape were selected on their performance in two differen t tests and used as case study . The Force Concept Inventory was used to determine the achievements and retention of knowledge of the two groups. The effect of the active lear ning approach on the treatment group was also measured by ask ing each learner in t he group to complete a learner assessment of instruction form. The treatment group was also subjected to a classroom group interview. T he following information emerged from the study: i) Learners taught using the ALA achieved significantly better in FCI pos t - test than those taught with traditional direct instruction. ii) In the retention of knowledge test, the mean score of the learners taught using the ALA was 4.8% higher than those taught with TDI although insignificant. iii) Learners subjected to the ALA liked the instructional approach and as such put in extra time to learn. The findings suggest that the active learning approach had positive effect on the achievement of the Grade 11 learners and thus, can be adapted to enhance learning in the classroom. / Physics

Museums and schools evolved as the definition of the concept of education to describe a lifelong process of developing knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that take place not only in the classroom, but also in a variety of formal and informal contexts and settings. In order to fulfil and extend the potential of the partnership, museum educators and school teachers should be assisted to develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the museum-school collaboration. They should learn the difference between museums and classrooms. When the Botswana National Museum was established in 1968, the Botswana government aspired to avail information relating to Botswana customs, indigenous knowledge system and values to Botswana‘s future citizens, with the hope that the information and artefacts collected at the time would retell the story of Botswana to learners and the public alike. The Botswana National Museum, through its educational programmes, has the capability to help educate learners; make teaching and learning an exciting undertaking; and provide the opportunities for hands-on activities and interaction with real objects. In order to address the research question posed for this study, the researcher conducted open-ended interviews with a sample comprising 40 participants: 10 teachers, 10 learners, 10 museum employees and 10 curriculum developers. The data collected from the interviews were decoded and presented in narrative form. The responses were presented using three identified categories: the curriculum development process in Botswana; the typical learner activities in the classroom and in the Botswana National Museum; and collaboration between the Botswana National Museum and schools. The data analysis revealed that the curriculum development process in Botswana was exclusively done by curriculum developers. Learners, teachers and museum employees were not involved. The Botswana National Museum‘s education programmes are not familiar to all role-players. All role-players were positive regarding a possible collaboration with the Botswana National Museum. Generic and specific recommendations were put forward to this end. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Meaningful learning requires active teaching and learning approaches. Thus, with a specific focus on Mathematics teaching at university in Oramia, the study aimed to: • examine the extent to which active learning/student-centered approaches were implemented; • assess the attitudes of university lecturers towards active-learning; • investigate whether appropriate training and support have been provided for the implementation of an active learning approaches • assess the major challenges that hinder the implementation of active learning approaches and • recommend ways that could advance the use of active learning approaches in Mathematics teaching at university. A mixed-methods design was used. Among the six universities in the Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia, two of the newly established universities (younger than 5 years) and two of the old universities (15 years and older) were involved in the study. A total of 84 lecturers participated in the study and completed questionnaires. This was complemented by a qualitative approach that used observation checklists and interviews for data gathering: 16 lessons were observed while the lecturers taught their mathematics classes (two lecturers from each of the four sample universities were twice observed). In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four mathematics department heads and eight of the observed lecturers. The study adhered to ethical principles and to applied several techniques to enhance the validity/trustworthiness of the findings. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The researcher thinks that there is a need to assess learning programmes for the Senior Phase learners at Environmental Education Centres (EEC' s) in Mpumalanga in order to ensure that resources provided by the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment in Mpumalanga(DACEM) are utilized for what they are intended. Thus the dissertation investigation is about whether learning programmes for the Senior Phase learners in Mpumalanga are assessed for their quality, namely, effectiveness and relevancy within the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) system. Each directorate or section of the Mpumalangas' Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment is obliged to ensure that appropriate policy guidelines are put in place to assist Environmental Officers (EO' s) to implement the Core Functions of the Environmental Education (EE) Directorate. Sometimes EO's need assistance in implementing policy guidelines. In this investigation EO' s were provided with an opportunity to translate policy into action by participating in the workshops conducted by the researcher. The participation of the EO' s meant that they had to learn how to develop learning programmes that are strongly guided by the EE Directorate's policy guidelines and Core Functions. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

Langue optionnelle, intervenant seulement au niveau de l’université, le français n’attire que peu d’étudiants en Arabie Saoudite, et ses modalités d’enseignement transmissives ne suscitent guère la motivation. Cherchant comment améliorer son enseignement, comment enseigner autrement cette langue, comment initier une pratique vivante de la langue et obtenir des apprentissages durables, nous nous sommes orientée vers la pédagogie du projet. Nous avons ainsi, dans la section féminine de français de l’Université Roi Abdul Aziz, pu tester la faisabilité d’une introduction de cette méthodologie, et mettre à l’épreuve son efficacité dans le cadre d’un projet de promotion de la cuisine du Moyen-Orient. Cette expérimentation a eu lieu au cours du deuxième semestre de l’année 2010-2011 avec douze étudiantes de niveau A2. Inscrit dans une perspective actionnelle, ce projet supposait la réalisation d’un certain nombre de tâches, et intégrait les TIC. Il s’agissait en effet de produire un livret électronique de cuisine et de le diffuser sur des sites culinaires francophones. À l’aune des résultats de cette étude de cas, force est de reconnaître que l’introduction de la pédagogie du projet se heurte, dans ce contexte particulier, à certaines limites (des obstacles dus aux représentations, au contexte socioculturel, au fait qu’il s’agisse pour les apprenantes comme pour l’enseignante d’une expérience inédite, et surtout au manque de temps). Mais, il s’avère également que les étudiantes ont su s’approprier cette nouvelle pédagogie, saisir cette occasion de concrétiser leurs apprentissages, de travailler en équipe, d’apprendre en agissant et de réinvestir leurs compétences non langagières. / In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, French is an optional language which is only taught at university. It does not attract a lot of learners specially because its means of teaching does not motivate them. Wishing to promote learning French by teaching it using different methods, in addition to motivate the learners to practice it in a lively and practical way to achieve positive and continuous results, we have chosen the topic of this research and decided to apply our method to the women's section in King Abdul Aziz University to test the possibility and efficacy of utilizing it within the framework of a project to promote the Middle East Cuisine. The practical part of this experiment was implemented in the second term of the academic year 2010/2011 on twelve ‟A2” students. This project aims at accomplishing a number of tasks using Information and Communication Technology. The target is to produce an electronic book for cooking recipes and to publish it at the francophone countries cuisine sites. Analyzing the results of this study, we noticed that implementing this project faced some difficulties regarding the representations of the students, the social and cultural context, the limited time allocated to the experiment and the fact that this experiment is totally novel to both learners and the teacher. Yet, it was perceived that the learners managed to comprehend and fully grasp this new experiment, utilize it and apply the theoretical information that they have attained. They have also learned how to work as a team; they were educated by practice, in addition to using the non-linguistic skills that they have acquired previously.

Cette recherche a eu lieu au Qatar, pays du Golfe persique, où une vaste réforme du système éducatif est entreprise. Notre premier objectif dans cette étude a été d'examiner l'évolution des programmes de formation continue des enseignants des écoles dites indépendantes tels qu'offerts par la seule université nationale, Qatar University, et précisément par le College of Education (CED). Notre intérêt pour les programmes du CED est qu'ils y ont introduit progressivement un processus de suivi sur le terrain des pratiques. Notre deuxième objectif a été d'étudier les changements qu'ont pu apporter le suivi appliqué à l'un des programmes de formation continue en 2009-10 au niveau des pratiques d'enseignement et de la motivation et participation des élèves en classe. La collecte d'information s'est basée sur des documents, des questionnaires d'évaluation d'ateliers et de sessions de suivi, des observations de classes et des entretiens. Les résultats ont montré que le processus de suivi organisé au sein du programme de formation continue a amélioré les performances des enseignants et la participation des élèves en classe, montrant aussi la nécessité d'avoir une gestion pédagogique au niveau du leadership et des enseignants d'une part, et la nécessité de renforcer la coopération entre écoles et universités d'autre part. Par contre, l'effet escompté sur l'orientation professionnelle des élèves n'a pu être confirmé. Les résultats ont permis de faire quelques recommandations pour d'autres recherches, entre autres une étude qui examinerait l'effet­ établissement pour le développement d'une culture d'organisation apprenante et une autre étude sur un partenariat écoles-universités. / This research was done in the State of Qatar, located in the Gulf Region where a substantial reform begun few years ago. The first objective of this study was to explore the evolution of teachers' professional development programs (PD) offered by the sole national university in the country, Qatar University, and mainly by the College of Education (CED), to the so called Independent Schools. Our interest was specifically related to the progressive introduction of a follow-up process in CED professional development programs. The second objective was to study changes that the follow-up process could have carried out regarding independent school teachers’ practices and students' motivation and participation in class. Data were collected through documents, interviews, questionnaires and class observations. The results show that the follow-up process as planned within the PD program improved teachers’ performances to a good extent as well as students participation in class; results also show the need to reinforce instructional leadership and teachers’ effect on learning on one side, and the need to strengthen the cooperation between the schools and the university on the other side. However, the effect on students' future orientations could not be confirmed. The findings of this study helped to draw conclusions and provide a base for recommendations for further research such as the impact of instructional leadership on the development of a learning organization culture, and partnership between schools and universities.