Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-10-20T15:33:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - José Márcio da Silva Ramos Diniz.pdf: 28476357 bytes, checksum: a9c34fcc72517266fa3a81fd81563291 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-10-26T16:53:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - José Márcio da Silva Ramos Diniz.pdf: 28476357 bytes, checksum: a9c34fcc72517266fa3a81fd81563291 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-26T16:53:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - José Márcio da Silva Ramos Diniz.pdf: 28476357 bytes, checksum: a9c34fcc72517266fa3a81fd81563291 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-03 / This research aims, through the Activity Theory, to present reflections on the application of activities through the constitution of a Mathematic Club in a public basic school, discussing the potentialities and limitations that surround it. For this purpose, we used a didactic experiment in the perspective of qualitative research, developed together with students of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th grades of elementary in municipal public school in João Pessoa, the capital city of the state of Paraíba. This research was guided by the question: "How can Activity Theory contribute to the process of constitution and subsequent consolidation of a Mathematic Club in a public basic school?" In order to answer this question, we developed 11 meetings in the Mathematic Club, now in formation at the school, focusing on activities involving games and problem solving as the guiding principle. The data collection was done through the log journals of the meetings, aided by the records used by club members, as well as photographic records. The meetings were analyzed based on the Activity Theory proposed by Leontiev, which constitutes a methodological resource of great importance for the planning of teaching strategies and, consequently, learning. As an important result, we verified the concrete possibility of implementing and consolidating of differentiated learning spaces in our public schools, such as our Mathematic Club. / Esta pesquisa objetiva, por meio da Teoria da Atividade, apresentar reflexões sobre a aplicação de atividades durante a constituição de um Clube de Matemática em uma escola básica pública, discutindo as potencialidades e limitações que a cercam. Para isto, utilizamos um experimento didático na perspectiva da pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida junto a educandos dos 5º, 6º, 7º e 9º anos do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública municipal de João Pessoa, capital da Paraíba. A referida pesquisa foi norteada pela questão: “Como a Teoria da Atividade pode contribuir no processo de constituição e posterior consolidação de um Clube de Matemática em uma escola básica pública?” Para respondê-la, desenvolvemos, junto aos sujeitos da pesquisa, 11 encontros em um Clube de Matemática, ora em constituição na escola, enfocando atividades envolvendo jogos e resolução de problemas como eixo norteador. A coleta dos dados ocorreu por meio dos diários de bordo dos encontros, auxiliados pelas folhas de registros utilizadas pelos integrantes do Clube, além de registros fotográficos. Os encontros foram analisados com base na Teoria da Atividade proposta por Leontiev, que se constitui em um recurso metodológico de suma importância para o planejamento de estratégias de ensino e, consequentemente, de aprendizagem. Como importante resultado, verificamos a possibilidade concreta de implementação e consolidação de espaços diferenciados de aprendizagem em nossas escolas da rede pública de ensino, como nosso Clube de Matemática.

Ao longo da história educacional brasileira, diversas foram (e são) as tentativas de melhorar o ensino no país e a Educação a Distância (EaD) pode ser considerada uma importante estratégia utilizada por nossos governantes com tal intuito. Além de contar com novos instrumentos de mediação, a EaD também conta com um novo e importante ator: o tutor. A tutoria e os tutores são o foco de estudo e os sujeitos deste trabalho, que aborda especificamente um curso de Especialização para Docentes em Biologia (EspBio) da Rede São Paulo de Formação Docente (RedeFor). No caso, a escolha da investigação da tutoria dá-se por sua importância no contexto da EaD e pela necessidade de uma melhor caracterização de tal profissional. O referencial escolhido insere-se na perspectiva sócio-histórico cultural e optamos, especificamente, pela Teoria da Atividade (LEONTIEV, 2004), que utiliza a atividade como unidade de análise. Os objetivos gerais da pesquisa eram contribuir para a ampliação do conhecimento sobre a tutoria na Educação a Distância (EaD) analisando-a através da ótica desse referencial, tendo, portanto, foco na atividade em si, bem como em seu contexto de realização e fazer uma caracterização do tutor na EaD, bem como apontamentos que pudessem contribuir para a melhoria da formação e da prática profissional desse tutor. Para tanto, analisamos a tutoria exercida no curso de EspBio da RedeFor como uma atividade a partir tanto das concepções dos tutores envolvidos, quanto de dados documentais referentes ao curso (primeiro objetivo específico). Tal estudo só foi possível a partir da análise dos diversos tipos de sistemas de atividades dos quais ela pode ser constituinte (segundo objetivo específico), até chegarmos ao sistema de atividades do curso EspBio, onde a tutoria emerge como atividade. Em posse das análises realizadas e dos dados obtidos, sugerimos uma caracterização geral da atividade de tutoria na EaD, estabelecendo as principais ações do profissional tutor, bem como possíveis aproximações entre tutoria e docência (terceiro e último objetivo específico). Verificamos a possibilidade de caracterizar a tutoria a partir de duas principais áreas nas quais pudemos identificar ações que fazem parte dessa atividade. Parte delas concerne interações com os cursistas, por este motivo foram categorizadas como ações de uma área denominada Tutor-Cursista. As demais ações encontram-se em outra área denominada área Tutor-Instituição, e estão relacionadas a tarefas gerenciais do próprio ofício que não concernem interações diretas com os cursistas, embora possam ter características que as associem a tal sujeito. Como identificamos duas grandes áreas de ações que definem a atividade de tutoria, para realizar uma formação adequada, acreditamos que os cursos deveriam utilizar essa linha de referência para elaborar os processos de formação de seus tutores. Uma melhor preparação do tutor refletirá em maior segurança para sua atuação e, possivelmente, a variável experiência perde parte de sua importância para que se atinja uma boa atuação, o que possibilita ao tutor um desempenho mais consistente ao longo de todo o curso, sendo a experiência então apenas uma ferramenta de aprimoramento e não de aquisição de conhecimento sobre a prática de tutoria. / Along Brazil\'s educational history, many were (and are) the attempts to improve education in the country and Distance Education (DE) can be considered an important strategy used by our leaders to such purpose. Besides having new mediation tools, distance education also has an important new actor: the tutor. Tutoring and tutors are the focus and the subjects of this study, which deals specifically with a Specialization Course for Biology Teachers (EspBio) of a Network for Teacher Training (RedeFor). In this case, the research choice for tutoring choice occurs by its importance in the context of distance education and the need for greater characterization of such professional. The chosen referential is part of the cultural and socio-historical perspective we chose specifically for Activity Theory (LEONTIEV, 2004), which uses the activity as unit of analysis. The general objectives of the study were to contribute to the expansion of knowledge about tutoring in Distance Education (DE) analyzing it through the lens of this framework, and therefore focus on the activity itself, as well as their realization of context and do a characterization of the tutor in distance education, and appointments that could contribute to the improvement of training and professional practice of this tutor. Therefore, we analyzed the tutoring carried out in the course of the EspBio RedeFor as an activity from both the conceptions of the tutors involved, as the documentary evidence relating to the course (first specific objective). This study was possible only through the analysis of various types of activity systems that tutoring can be a part of (second specific objective), until we reach the course activity system of EspBio, where tutoring emerges as activity. In possession of the analyzes performed and the obtained data, we suggest a general characterization of tutoring activity in distance education, setting out the main actions of the professional tutor, as well as possible similarities between tutoring and teaching (third and final specific objective). We verified the possibility to characterize tutoring based on two main areas in which we could identify actions that are part of this activity. Part of them concerns interactions with course participants, Therefore were categorized as shares in a area called \"Tutor- 12 Course Participant\". The other actions are in another area called \"Tutor-Institution\", and are related to managerial tasks of his profession not concerning direct interactions with the course participants, although they may have characteristics that associate with such actors. Since we identified two major areas of actions that define the tutoring activity, to conduct a proper training, we believe that the courses should use this reference line to develop the training processes of their tutors. A better preparation of the tutor will reflect in increased security for his performance and possibly the variable experience will lose some of its importance to the achievement of a good performance, which enables the tutor more consistent performance throughout the course, being the experience then only one enhancement tool and not the acquisition of knowledge of the practice of tutoring.

O presente trabalho propõe-se a analisar a controvérsia da experimentação animal por meio do método da dialética materialista a partir de duas unidades que compõem a temática: o teor dos argumentos usados por diferentes atores na controvérsia e as contradições que engendram os sistemas de atividade dos sujeitos. Por meio da dialética, buscou-se superar a dualidade dos argumentos apresentados, na busca por novas formas de divulgação científica. Sem julgar a validade e o mérito das argumentações, foram analisados o discurso de duas pesquisadoras, dois ativistas, um político e um representante do Conselho Nacional de Controle de Experimentação Animal. A partir do arcabouço estrutural da Teoria da Atividade, proposto por Engeström, buscamos compreender onde se localizam as contradições mais evidentes no discurso dos sujeitos e discutir como ações de divulgação científica poderiam propiciar um ambiente favorável para a superação dessas contradições e o desenvolvimento qualitativo do sistema de atividade. Por essa razão, queremos trazer, para esta investigação, as conferências de consenso como ferramenta inovadora de comunicação da ciência, em uma abordagem deliberativa e com participação ativa da sociedade, que nos auxilie no avanço desses conflitos. / This study proposes to analyze the controversy of animal experiments by the method of materialist dialectics from two units that make up the theme: the content of the arguments used by different actors in the controversy and contradictions that engender the activity systems subject. Through the dialectic, he sought to overcome the duality of the arguments made in the search for new forms of science communication. Without judging the validity and the merits of the arguments, we analyzed the speech of two researchers, two activists, a politician and a representative of the National Council for Animal Experimentation Control. From the structural framework of Activity Theory, proposed by Engeström, we try to understand where there are the most obvious contradictions in the discourse of subjects and discuss how science communication actions could provide a favorable environment for overcoming these contradictions and the qualitative development of the system activity. For this reason, we want to bring to this research, consensus conferences as an innovative communication tool of science, in a deliberative approach and active participation of society, to assist in the advancement of these conflicts.

Esta tese teve como objetivo compreender a formação de parcerias sociais entre empresas e ONGs para a construção de projetos de desenvolvimento social de cooperativas e associações no setor da reciclagem. Para tanto, foram investigados dois casos de parcerias entre ONGs e Empresas que buscaram desenvolver projetos para a melhoria das condições de trabalho dos recicladores. Devido à natureza conflitante destes atores, a parceria social foi entendida é entendida como uma rede de atividades interconectadas, construídas coletivamente, em um espaço de tensão e contradição. Essa construção coletiva é compreendida como uma elaboração conjunta de um projeto de desenvolvimento social, em que os parceiros discutem, aprendem e negociam sentidos e significados visando a construção de um coletivo. Este entendimento remete a utilização de uma abordagem que possibilite a compreensão das tensões e contradições imersas nas atividades dos atores e, neste sentido, a teoria da atividade histórico cultural foi utilizada como lente teórico metodológica, principalmente em sua articulação com o campo de estudos negócios e sociedade. Diante deste contexto, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva, por meio de dois estudos de caso. O primeiro caso refere-se ao projeto desenvolvido entre a ONG e a Gerdau, a partir do interesse da empresa em qualificar o seu fornecedor de sucata, bem como usar tal ação de qualificação como uma iniciativa de responsabilidade social em sua cadeia de suprimentos. Os principais mediadores deste processo foram o conhecimento da ONG, seus educadores sociais, o conhecimento gerencial da empresa, seus recursos financeiros, bem como artefatos de identificação. O segundo caso estudado relata o relacionamento ONG e Braskem. Este relacionamento emerge da necessidade da empresa em obter uma licença de operação na sociedade em que esta inserida. Assim a intenção da empresa é legitimar a sua presença e existência na sociedade e isto é realizado através do reforço da utilidade do seu produto. Os instrumentos que são utilizados na parceria buscam assim a melhoria da imagem do produto, bem como da sua imagem como uma empresa ―local‖: artefatos de identificação e discursivos. E tendo como norte esta necessidade latente, o diálogo entre empresa e ONGs se torna um dos principais mediadores do processo, bem como uma divisão do trabalho que reflita esta parceria e proximidade. Ainda, a fim de compreender a dinâmica subjacente ao processo de desenvolvimento destes projetos, este estudo lançou o olhar para os desafios de aprendizagem vivenciados pelos atores. No primeiro caso, foram evidenciados como desafios de aprendizagem (i) necessidade de mudança em direção a uma maior organização do trabalho (ii) ressignificação do trabalho e; (iii) necessidade de desenvolver um instrumento de trabalho que fosse condizente à realidade dos cooperados. Por outro lado, os desafios de aprendizagem relacionados ao segundo caso referem-se ao (i) relacionamento ONG-Empresa e na sua forma de operacionalização; (ii) escolha dos projetos devem ser apoiados, ou, em outras palavras, quais os stakeholders que irão ser considerados na comunidade. É importante notar que o fato dos desafios de aprendizagem e, consequentemente, das transformações obtidas mediante as consecução destes, terem residido, no Caso A, na cooperativa e, no Caso B, no relacionamento, reflete as características idiossincráticas destas organizações e o que ambas buscavam com a parceria. / How to construct fruitful relations with different stakeholders represents a challenge for organizations and a gap in the academic literature. One way to do this is through partnership establishment, especially in between companies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). Through partnerships, organizations could develop their own CSR‘s practices. On the other hand, NGOs could exercise their social role, in order to help community development. This study aims to understand how cross sectorial social partnerships for social development projects, whose purpose is to improve the working conditions and business structure of recycling warehouses, are constructed in the recycling sector, in the South Region of Brazil. In order to do so, two business-NGOs partnership cases were investigated. Given the actors contradictory nature, social partnerships were understood as a network of interconnected activity systems, in a social space of tension, contradiction and negotiation among actors in relation with each other and to the world, immersed in a historical and cultural context, from a culturally mediated relationship. The argument put forward is that the Cultural Historical Activity Theory can serve as a theoretical framework and provide a suitable model to analyse cross-sector social partnerships construction. Supported by the theoretical perspectives outlined above, we rely on a qualitative, descriptive research, by using a case study method. We carry on two case studies, in order to understand the projects development by a single NGO with two company leaders in each sector. The first case analyses Gerdau S.A. and its trajectory in the recycling sector. Gerdau S.A. seeks to engage with the NGO aiming to qualify recycling warehouses, as they are one of the suppliers, and to comply with their CSR agenda. The main artifacts used by the actors are NGO‘s knowledge and expertise, company managerial knowledge, and Identity Artifacts (company logo). The second case refers to NGO-Braskem relationship, which emerges from the company‘s need to get social license to operate in the region. So, the company intends to legitimate its existence in the society through gains in their product‘s image. Most of the artifacts are used by the actors to achieve this goal, such as Identity Artifacts (company and NGO logo), and Discursive Artifacts, in order to embody ―local identity‖ to the company. Given this context, the dialogue between Braskem and the NGO is one of these artifacts, as well as labor division, which reflects the relationship and proximity. In order to understand the dynamics that underlies the project construction, this study also investigated the learning challenges experienced by the NGO and the companies. The main learning challenges experienced by the partnership NGO-Gerdau are: (i) change through better work organization and structuration; (ii) work meaning ressignification; (iii) development of a work tool that fits to the warehouses reality. On the other hand, the learning challenges experienced by the partnership NGO-Braskem are: (i) the partnership between the actors and its operationalization; (ii) the choice between warehouses that will be supported, or, in other words, which stakeholders will be included in the community.

M-learning (mobile learning) é o campo de pesquisa que investiga como os dispositivos móveis podem contribuir para a aprendizagem. Na presente tese é proposto o M-learnMat, um modelo pedagógico para atividades de m-learning em Matemática. O mesmo tem por objetivo orientar práticas educativas que envolvam o uso (não exclusivo) de dispositivos móveis no Ensino Superior e é fundamentado na Teoria da Atividade. Nessa teoria, o foco está nas atividades que os indivíduos desenvolvem e nas relações diversas que decorrem destas. Assim, o modelo tem seu diferencial no fato de relacionar m-learning, Matemática do Ensino Superior e Teoria da Atividade, visando contribuir para a organização, desenvolvimento e análise de atividades pedagógicas. Para a elaboração do M-learnMat, além da revisão bibliográfica, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória e um estudo de caso piloto. Essas ações forneceram dados que permitiram compreender melhor algumas questões relacionadas ao uso educacional de celulares. Para a experimentação do modelo foram organizados dois estudos de caso com alunos do Ensino Superior. Os mesmos ocorreram durante o primeiro semestre letivo de 2011, na disciplina de Cálculo I, com utilização dos celulares dos próprios alunos. Para a coleta e análise dos dados foi promovida uma pesquisa mista, envolvendo abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas, em função das características dos dados. A experimentação sinalizou que o M-learnMat tem potencial para orientar as atividades a que se destina, colaborando para que as mesmas sejam desenvolvidas segundo estratégias definidas. / M-learning (mobile learning) is a field of research that investigates how mobile devices can contribute to learning. This thesis presents M-learnMat, a pedagogical model for m-learning Math activities. This model, developed with support of the Activity Theory, aims at orienting educational practices that involve the use (non-exclusive) of mobile devices in graduation courses. The Activity Theory focuses on the activities developed by individuals and in the various relationships resulting from them. Thus, the model is distinctive as it comprises m-learning, Mathematics and the Activity Theory with the purpose of contributing to the organization, development and analysis of pedagogical activities. Besides the literature review, the development of M-learnMat included exploratory research and a pilot case study. These actions provided data that allowed for a better understanding of some issues related to the educational use of cell phones. For model experimentation, two case studies were carried with college level students. These took place in the first semester of 2011, in Calculus I, in which students used their cell phones. For data collection, a mixed methods research (quantitative and qualitative) was used due to the characteristics of the data. The experimentation indicated that M-learnMat has the potential to guide activities, and collaborate for their application according to defined strategies.

Abstract The quality of technical communication, for example the user guides created for various high-technology products, is often criticized. The information is not available when it would be needed, or it is not presented in a way suitable for our purposes. However, in the increasingly technology-based society of today, we are expected to operate a range of technical devices and software programs daily, at work and at home. The current re-structuring of the IT industry in Finland, on the other hand, has affected technical communication profoundly: cost pressures and outsourcing have led to narrow job descriptions, job losses and diminished wellbeing at work. Companies do not seem to appreciate the impact of high-quality technical communication on user experience. The work environments of technical communicators are also challenging: their background is typically in the Humanities, but they work with highly technical products. In many cases, they have learned the needed skills independently and in practice; very few experienced technical communicators have training in the field. In this study, some of the central contradictions in the technical communication activity are explored by applying activity theory on autoethnographic interview data. This study provides new information about technical communication as a profession, but the issues it raises are not limited to technical communication only: the restructuring of the IT sector is a phenomenon affecting a variety of fields. The aim of this dissertation is twofold: 1) to investigate and describe the current status of the field in Finland, and 2) to suggest solutions to some of the problems we are facing using the tools offered by activity theory. / Tiivistelmä Teknisen viestinnän, esimerkiksi erilaisten teknisten järjestelmien käyttöohjekirjojen, maine ei ole kovin hyvä. Tietoa ei ole tarjolla kun sitä tarvitaan, tai se esitetään tavalla joka ei vastaa toiveitamme. Nykypäivän tietoyhteiskunnassa pärjääminen kuitenkin vaatii tietoteknisiä perustaitoja niin kotona, koulussa kuin töissäkin. Suomessa tällä hetkellä käynnissä oleva IT-alan murros taas on vaikuttanut suuresti teknisen viestinnän ammattikuntaan: kustannuspaineet ja ulkoistukset ovat johtaneet työnkuvan kapenemiseen, työpaikkojen menetyksiin ja työviihtyvyyden vähenemiseen. Yrityksissä ei nähdä laadukkaan teknisen viestinnän merkitystä käyttäjäkokemukselle. Teknisten viestijöiden työolosuhteet ovat myös haastavat: he ovat usein humanistitaustaisia henkilöitä, jotka työskentelevät vaativien teknisten tuotteiden parissa. He ovat tyypillisesti opetelleet vaaditut tekniset taidot omatoimisesti työn ohessa, ja hyvin harvalla pidempään alalla olleella on teknisen viestinnän koulutusta tukenaan. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan teknisen viestinnän keskeisiä ristiriitoja tulkitsemalla autoetnografista haastatteluaineistoa toiminnan teorian kautta. Tutkimus luo uutta tietoa teknisestä viestinnästä ammattikuntana, mutta esiin nostetut ongelmat eivät liity pelkästään tekniseen viestintään: IT-sektorilla käynnissä oleva rakennemuutos vaikuttaa useisiin aloihin. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on 1) selvittää alan nykytilanne Suomessa ja 2) tarjota ratkaisuehdotuksia alan haasteisiin toiminnan teorian tarjoamien työkalujen avulla.

Abstract The concept design of small handheld electronic and telecommunication devices is a creative and dynamic process. Interaction between the designers plays an important role in the creation of new products. This thesis addresses the communication between product concept designers. The aim of this thesis is to examine new ways of developing computer systems for remote collaboration. Multiple research methods have been used so as to enrich the view of the research subject. Product concept design has been studied in field studies and at co-located concept design workshops where the object of design was uncertain. Co-located workshops were organised to examine the moment to moment interaction between designers to discover how designers collaborate when designing a design object in common. By applying the concepts of activity theory, the concept of instrument is elaborated. Four types of instruments to mediate between a designer and the object of design and collaborating designers are identified. These are the instruments used to externalize an understanding of the design object, the concrete means of interaction, the future artefact and the hypothetical user activity. The latter two make up the design object which designers' strive for, and can also be instruments for scaffolding each other. A conceptual model was developed to describe the design action and the instruments for collaboration. This model was used to gain insight into the creation of computer support for remotely collaborating designers by posing questions for computer systems design. To develop computer systems to support designers in remote collaboration, an understanding of both the requirements set by the field and the technological feasibility is needed. Three application prototypes are presented as proof of the concept and as an experiment with virtual prototyping technology. The concept of design action has been defined on the basis of activity theory. Computer-supported geographically distributed workshops have been organised and analysed using the design action as an analytical tool for the research material. I conclude that, in order to support remote collaboration of concept designers, computer systems should support collaborative construction of the object of design. Instruments, such as the future artefact, its various representations and the conceptual construct of hypothetical user activity are potential instruments for computation.

This thesis investigates the use of action research and activity theory to promote the professional development of teachers in an Icelandic upper secondary school. The purpose of the research was to develop a new model to foster professional development through enhancing the participants’ agency to transform their practice. It was carried out with an action research group of twenty-one school professionals and an outside consultant. The group’s aim was to find ways to increase students’ sense of responsibility for their studies. The project combined the ideas behind the Change Laboratory, one of the methods of developmental work research established by Engeström and action research as elaborated by McNiff. I termed our approach the Change Room. There activity theory and the theory of expansive learning provided the participants with a conceptual framework, historical analysis and tools to analyse what changes might be appropriate in our classroom practice. The action research provided the participants with the method and tools to guide the participants when carrying out and evaluating these changes. The research focus was on tensions the participants experienced in their classroom practice. Through creative resolutions of these tensions the intention was to develop better practices and contribute to school development. The research used both action research and case study methodology. The research tools were documentary analysis, interviews, surveys, research diary and observations. The findings were analysed using deductive process based on activity theory. The teachers experienced tensions in their classroom practice between students’ active and passive learning, didactic and dialogic teaching methods, and the requirement to cover the syllabus and to promote deep learning. To resolve these tensions the teachers have developed teaching practices that enhanced active student learning and given more weight to the students’ voices. Participation in the action research group enhanced both individual and collective learning of the school professionals. Their agency to change practice was increased and they also developed more cross curriculum agency. The combination of activity theory and action research in the Change Room provides a new model for enhancing teachers’ professional development and collaboration that has potential to transform classroom practice.

State run public guardianship programs are legally mandated to provide custodial care for persons deemed incapacitated by the courts. Historically, the majority of state wards were elderly women residing in skilled nursing facilities. Today, those demographics are rapidly changing. This new incapacitated cohort has become less institutionalized, with a rising number of persons who have entered the program with criminal records and who continue to commit crimes. This exploratory study focuses on incapacitated persons (IP) with criminal behaviors in order to seek what intervention(s) might reduce their criminal activity. Relying on routine activity theory, differing levels of supervision were compared to those persons institutionalized 24 hours per day. The results of the study indicated that as levels of residential supervision decrease, criminal activities significantly increase. This study can assist administrators of public guardianship programs better understanding the supervisory needs of their incapacitated citizens as well as improve safety precautions for their respective communities.

New research shows that adult participation in children’s play is beneficial for learning and development in early childhood. It is particularly socio-dramatic narrative play, in which children and adults co-construct the play events that is beneficial. Research also shows that teachers in the Swedish preschool tend not play with children. The Swedish Education Act and the Swedish Preschool Curriculum contain goals to strive for, specifically regarding play. Greater efforts and insight is needed to pave the way to increase the benefits for children through the use of play (Broström, 2017). The purpose of this study is to develop knowledge that contributes to understanding of the relationship between pretend play and children’s’ learning and development, as well as the development of preschool didactic and pedagogical activities based on this knowledge. To achieve this aim we drew on Cultural Historical Activity Theory to develop and conduct a case study at a municipal preschool. Data was gathered through observations of preschool children and staff in two units and through individual, semi-structured interviews with eight preschool teachers. We found that the preschool teachers rarely engaged fully in children’s play; however, when they did engage with the children in play, their involvement ranged from a slight involvement, to being a stage hand in the play, or being passively engaged in joint play with children. Our cultural-historical analyses revealed mediating activities that have an effect on if and how teachers engage in play with children. We conclude by arguing that teachers need more education about what type of adult child joint play that is beneficial and that the preschool directors have an important job to help manage the preschool teachers time and provide opportunities for them to reflect and document their work in such way that more time could be set apart for them to commit to being fully engaged with children in narrative pretend play.