This self-study focused on how a physical education teacher worked to develop and enact four authentic assessment tasks with his 7th grade physical education students. The tasks were invented using standards for authentic assessment developed by the Center for Organization and Restructuring of Schools as a guide. Authenticity is explored over the course of a school year through the invention of the tasks, the enactment of the tasks, and the reactions and memories of eight students to the tasks. The study found that students often did not demonstrate a deep understanding of the content when completing the tasks or during the interviews. While decisions were made by the teacher in order to incorporate each of the standards for authentic assessment into the tasks, those standards related to value beyond school were most difficult to satisfy. A tension was described by the teacher between the time in cognitive activities and the time in physical activities. However, students did not describe this tension.

The provision of authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom is one of the corner stones of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). This study investigated to what extent teachers provide authentic teaching and learning in their Mathematics classrooms. A literature study was undertaken to explain authentic teaching and learning. The use of teaching methods and strategies, learning activities, assessment methods and strategies, and the role of the teacher and learner in the context of authentic teaching and learning in the classroom were explored. The literature review provided the conceptual framework for the study; as well as the framework for designing questionnaires and an observation schedule. The questionnaires were utilized to obtain the perceptions of teachers and learners regarding opportunities provided by teachers for the provision of authentic teaching and learning experiences in the Mathematics classroom, and the observation schedule determined how and to what extent the principles of authentic teaching and learning were translated into practice. Data was collected by means of quantitative, non-experimental descriptive survey research. The self-constructed questionnaires were administered to a convenient sample of a purposively selected group of Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 Intermediate Phase Mathematics teachers (n = 24) and learners (n = 440) in the Johannesburg South District of the Gauteng Department of Education. In addition to this, the classroom practices of six of the teachers who completed the questionnaire were observed over a period of six months. The triangulation of teacher and learner data revealed similarities and differences in opinion related to the opportunities that teachers create for authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom. In essence, the data revealed that teachers who took part in the study apparently understand the principles that underpin authentic teaching and learning, and to some extent comply with the principles of authentic teaching and learning in their classrooms. In addition to this, the triangulation of the teacher responses to the questionnaire and the observations of the classroom practices of the teachers indicated that in practice all the application of the principles of authentic teaching, learning and assessment have not yet fully become a reality in the Mathematics classroom. According to the learner responses, to the questionnaire, as well as the observations, it appeared that the application of teaching and assessment strategies that promote authentic teaching and learning are under-utilized by the teachers. This study is concluded with recommendations to teachers on how to create classroom climates that promote the provision of authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

The provision of authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom is one of the corner stones of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). This study investigated to what extent teachers provide authentic teaching and learning in their Mathematics classrooms. A literature study was undertaken to explain authentic teaching and learning. The use of teaching methods and strategies, learning activities, assessment methods and strategies, and the role of the teacher and learner in the context of authentic teaching and learning in the classroom were explored. The literature review provided the conceptual framework for the study; as well as the framework for designing questionnaires and an observation schedule. The questionnaires were utilized to obtain the perceptions of teachers and learners regarding opportunities provided by teachers for the provision of authentic teaching and learning experiences in the Mathematics classroom, and the observation schedule determined how and to what extent the principles of authentic teaching and learning were translated into practice. Data was collected by means of quantitative, non-experimental descriptive survey research. The self-constructed questionnaires were administered to a convenient sample of a purposively selected group of Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 Intermediate Phase Mathematics teachers (n = 24) and learners (n = 440) in the Johannesburg South District of the Gauteng Department of Education. In addition to this, the classroom practices of six of the teachers who completed the questionnaire were observed over a period of six months. The triangulation of teacher and learner data revealed similarities and differences in opinion related to the opportunities that teachers create for authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom. In essence, the data revealed that teachers who took part in the study apparently understand the principles that underpin authentic teaching and learning, and to some extent comply with the principles of authentic teaching and learning in their classrooms. In addition to this, the triangulation of the teacher responses to the questionnaire and the observations of the classroom practices of the teachers indicated that in practice all the application of the principles of authentic teaching, learning and assessment have not yet fully become a reality in the Mathematics classroom. According to the learner responses, to the questionnaire, as well as the observations, it appeared that the application of teaching and assessment strategies that promote authentic teaching and learning are under-utilized by the teachers. This study is concluded with recommendations to teachers on how to create classroom climates that promote the provision of authentic teaching and learning in the Mathematics classroom. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

To date there is no comprehensive understanding of what leadership is, nor is there an agreement among different theorists on what a good or effective leader should be. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the theoretical and empirical similarities and differences of two styles of leadership – transformational and authentic leadership. Follower outcomes, as well as, the effects of trust and psychological capital within these paradigms are of particular interest. Although theoretical differences are proposed for the leadership style, the extent of overlap suggests the need to more closely examine each theory. Pilot studies were created to validate original scenarios created for the study as well as to examine the validity and reliability of new measurement instruments. The dissertation is designed to determine whether the relationships between authentic leadership and a variety of follower outcomes including performance, affective commitment, satisfaction, trust, and organizational citizenship behavior are similar to those between transformational leadership and these outcomes. In addition, variables more unique to authentic leadership research including psychological capital and follower well-being were examined within both paradigms to determine whether their relationships are similar to each type of leadership style. An experimental study using Qualtrics was used to collect the data with the expectation that there would be significant differences in the two styles of leadership such that each explains unique variance in follower behavior. The results of this dissertation support the lack of perceptual difference between the two theories of leadership. The results of this experiment do not come completely unexpected because of the ethical overlap between the two styles of leadership. Although subjects in the experiment could differentiate authentic leadership from transformational leadership based on the manipulations, authentic leadership effects were not significantly different when compared to transformational leadership effects. As a result, analyses in my research do not support previous theoretical development of authentic leadership as a separate theory from transformational leadership. Consequently, lack of support for my hypotheses actually provides valuable information to the study of leadership and calls into question the continued pursuit of research on authentic leadership. Although this dissertation was constructed to investigate the differences between authentic leadership and transformational leadership relative to follower outcomes, results found for gender differences may highlight an additional component to these leadership paradigms not previously considered.

Transformational leadership describes a leader who motivates followers to performance beyond expectations, but it has often been attacked for its potential to be abused. A newer form of leadership has been proposed, that of authentic leadership. Authentic leadership is an over-arching concept that proposes to include transformational leadership and all positive forms of leadership. At the heart of authentic leadership is the concept of ethicality. The concept of authenticity may contribute to the transformational leadership paradigm, producing an ideal form of leadership. Authentic leadership may not be an over-arching form of leadership, but one suited particularly to transformational leadership. I propose that authentic transformational leadership resides in leaders' and followers' implicit leadership theories. This experiment addresses authentic transformational leadership and the role of implicit leadership theories in directing leader behavior. A model is developed that outlines the relationship between authentic transformational leadership and implicit leadership theories, including the separate implicit theories of leader and follower, leader-member exchange (LMX), and leader effectiveness. Hypotheses concerning these relationships are developed. The study is experimental, using WebCT as a delivery tool. Scenario-based surveys were developed to collect data, using both known measures and measures developed specifically for this experiment. Two pilot studies were conducted to test the soundness of the delivery tool and the validity of the constructed scenarios and measures, which largely supported the hypotheses. In the main study, all hypotheses were supported with the exception of one. The results of the unsupported hypothesis, however, suggest authentic transformational leadership may be an ideal form of leadership. There are several contributions to the literature made by this study. The first contribution is the development of authentic transformational leadership as an ideal form of leadership. Second, the development of both follower and leader implicit leadership theories and their relationship to authentic transformational leadership is studied through leader effectiveness, a concept not previously researched. Lastly, the role of a follower's implicit leadership theory and its effects on a leader are examined, a notion that is largely under-researched.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of implementing an alternative form of assessment in chemistry classrooms. The current reform of science education involves the implementation of varied forms of instruction; it stands to reason that assessment will evolve with the curriculum (Baxter, Shavelson, Goldman & Pine, 1992). In an era for which the exclusive use of multiple-choice and similar tests i.e., fill-in the-blank, matching, and true/false are inappropriate measures of student abilities (Hamm & Adams, 1991), portfolios can offer a suitable alternative assessment, as well as a means for evaluation (Paulson, Paulson & Meyer, 1991). This study was conducted in a small math, science and technology high school and focused on three individual teachers and twelve of their students. The research focused on how teachers defined portfolios and implemented this assessment tool in their classrooms and how students and teachers perceived the use and value of the process. This study employed qualitative methodology using individual interviews, document analyses, and classroom observations. Data sources included documents, transcripts of interviews and fieldnotes. The primary research questions were: How do the teachers define and implement portfolios? How do the teachers' definitions of portfolios change during implementation? What are the students' understandings of portfolios and how they are used and do the students' understandings change? What do teachers and students believe portfolios represent regarding the learning that occurs in the science classroom? and What do the data collected via this study demonstrate about portfolios as a valid means of assessing student progress? The teachers' and students' definitions addressed four of the six components of portfolios identified in the literature. Both groups recognized a defined use, evidence, student and teacher made decisions, and reflection as key portfolio elements. Each group failed to identify the components of a defined goal and teacher student conferences. Portfolios were viewed by the teachers and students as a valuable tool. This value was defined in terms of student self assessment and evaluation, teacher assessment and evaluation, college admission, goal setting, promotion of student organizational skills and recognition of student success. / Ph. D.

Thesis advisor: Robert J. Starrratt / Academic cheating undermines teachers' ability to assess student learning and disadvantages honest students. Today's students increasingly express both an acceptance of cheating and a conviction that cheating is the only way to succeed. Academic dishonesty reflects a larger educational problem in which students fail to value school work. Research on cheating suggests that cheating is more prevalent in older grades but neither the cheating behaviors of middle school students nor the development of cheating habits is well understood. Using goal orientation and neutralization theories, this study examined the conditions under which typical eighth graders perceive cheating as acceptable though not right. A cross-case study method compared student views with those of their teachers. Data included focus groups, interviews, classroom observations, and artifacts. Findings indicate that characteristics of assignments, student-teacher relationships, classroom orientation, and student accountability are central to reducing cheating. Results suggest implications for teaching practice and administration in fostering academic honesty. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

Leadership is a critical aspect of organizational success. There have been many leadership styles and models that have emerged from the efforts of both practitioners and researchers. In the early 2000s, authentic leadership offered the potential to be the next prominent leadership style. However, the evolution of the theory never established significant momentum, in part because of the lack of a clear and consistent definition of what it means to be an authentic leader. This is the first study to use a multi-disciplined qualitative approach for evaluating authenticity and leadership. Using grounded theory, this study attempted to revisit authentic leadership by decoupling authenticity from leadership and exploring what it means to be authentic in the context of leadership. Study One used interviews to examine authenticity in leadership by capturing how a diverse group of leaders conceptualize, observe and experience authenticity. The grounded theory analysis revealed themes and construct variables that were consistent with existing authentic leadership literature. In addition, new construct variables of fear and shifting of shared norms emerged to provide further understanding of the relationship between authenticity and leadership. Study One proposed exploring a new conceptual model for high authenticity in leadership. Study Two seeks to refine the conceptual model by further investigating the newly identified construct variables of fear and shifting of shared norms. This will be accomplished by performing a second series of interviews with another sample of leaders. Similar to Study One, a grounded theory approach was used to interpret respondent data and draw conclusions. / Business Administration/Interdisciplinary

This MFA thesis document explores the development of my acting craft and artistic development over a three-year period of intensive graduate training. The document includes an in-depth discussion of the preparation, rehearsal, and performance process of my culminating graduate production – Suzan Zeder’s The Edge of Peace – as it relates to my approaches to acting. The document also includes a discussion of various other areas of my acting process, including the importance of bringing my authentic self to every role, letting go of results, and the integration of body, voice, heart, and mind as well as the productions and experiences in my graduate work that proved essential to the development of these practices. / text

This thesis reports on a qualitative study of the assessment practices in an outdoor education program at an independent school in Ontario. This thesis focuses on the experiences of students with assessment in the outdoor education context, including the range of assessment practices experienced by the students, the students’ perceptions of assessment, and the impacts of assessment on the students’ experiences in the outdoor education program. This study was conducted from October to December of 2008. Using a case study research design, data were collected through observations of class activities, interviews with teachers and students, and assessment documents and student journals. The study found that a wide range of assessment practices were used by the teachers in the study, with an emphasis on student-centered assessment practices such as self assessment, peer assessment, group debriefing, and authentic assessment. These assessment practices fostered a culture of assessment that students perceived to be fair and supportive of their learning. The findings of the study indicate that these types of assessments helped to create a community of learners within the classroom, encouraged the development of self-confidence among students, and promoted transfer of learning. The conclusions of the study suggest that the student-centered assessment practices used in this outdoor education program can provide a model for teachers aiming to develop a positive culture of assessment in their classrooms. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2009-06-08 14:39:20.455