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This master thesis project researches the learning preferences of external clients of Ericsson Learning Services Department, focusing on adult corporate training. The purpose is to collect insights and opinions of clients and use their answers as a basis of improvement for updating and developing courses in the future. The project employed a mix method approach to answer the research question, which combined qualitative data collection through interviews and surveys for a thematic analysis and quantitative data collection from former survey results for statistical analyses. Furthermore, a literary study was conducted to support the research process.  The main results from the thematic analysis proved that most external clients preferred an online learning setting or face to face training. Online courses were mostly preferred due to convenience, even if most would agree that a classroom setting is the best setting for optimal learning. Results from the statistical analysis gave few valuable insights. This may depend on how the questions in the survey were asked and therefore the main result of the statistical analysis is how to improve the surveys using the Learning Experience Questionnaire (LEQ).  This project opens possibilities for applications and future research in this area. One suggestion is to conduct a follow-up study where the surveys are updated and tailored to the needs and wants of the external clients which enables a more comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, researching the specific elements of classroom-based learning that external clients find valuable could provide more understanding to further better the online learning experience. These paths of further research can contribute to the ongoing improvement of adult corporate learning. / Detta examensarbete undersöker lärandepreferenser hos externa kunder till Ericssons Learning Services Department och fokuserar på vuxenutbildning på företag. Målet är att samla insikter och åsikter från externa kunder och använda deras svar för ett förbättringsunderlag för uppdatering och utveckling av kurser. Examensarbetet använde en blandning av metoder för att besvara frågeställningarna, vilket kombinerade kvalitativ datainsamling via intervjuer och frågeformulär till en tematisk analys med kvantitativ datainsamling från äldre undersökningsresultat till statistiska analyser. Vidare genomfördes en litteraturundersökning som stöd i undersökningsprocessen.  De huvudsakliga resultaten från den tematiska analysen visade att de flesta externa kunder föredrog en lärandemiljö online eller traditionell klassrumsundervisning med den gemensamma nämnaren att kursen är lärarledd. Onlinekurser föredrogs mest på grund av bekvämligheten, även om de flesta skulle hålla med om att en klassrumsmiljö är den bästa miljön för optimalt lärande. Resultaten från den statistiska analysen gav få värdefulla insikter. Detta kan bero på hur frågorna i undersökningen ställs och därför är huvudresultatet av den statistiska analysen hur man kan förbättra undersökningarna med hjälp av Learning Experience Questionnaire (LEQ). Detta undersökningsresultat öppnar upp möjligheter till vidare forskning på området. Ett förslag är att genomföra en uppföljande studie då frågeformulären är uppdaterade och skräddarsydda till externa kunders behov och önskemål som möjliggör en mer omfattande analys. Vidare kan undersökning av de specifika element som kunder uppskattar med klassrumsbaserat lärande för att ge insikter om hur man kan optimera upplevelser av lärande online. Dessa vägar av vidare forskning kan bidra till den pågående förbättringen av vuxenutbildning på företag.

A modalidade de Educação a Distância (EAD) ocupa atualmente um lugar importante no desenvolvimento e expansão da Educação no Brasil. A EAD a partir de novas tecnologias, teve um grande impulso, principalmente aquela que envolve a rede Internet. O uso das tecnologias digitais em espaços educativos permitiu que a comunicação, interação, armazenamento e distribuição de conteúdos para o processo educativo, fossem realizados de maneira mais eficiente. Em meio à diversidade de mídias e tecnologias na atualidade, a IPTV surge como uma nova proposta, um veículo de comunicação interativo que possibilita novas perspectivas para a modalidade de EAD. Neste contexto, a IPTV torna-se fundamental, pois possibilita através de seu alto índice de interatividade e qualidade na entrega de conteúdos síncronos e assíncronos oferecer uma gama cada vez maior de opções para seus usuários. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar elementos visando o uso da IPTV como modalidade de Educação no sistema a distância, para a entrega de conteúdos no Ensino de Engenharia, buscando reduzir as distâncias no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Dessa forma, são apresentados os benefícios da integração da IPTV e a Educação em Engenharia, dentro de uma estratégia de Educação a Distância na IPTV. / Distance Education (DE) plays an important role nowadays on the development and expansion of education in Brazil. Due to new technologies, DE had a great propulsion, mainly on those which involve the Internet. The use of digital technologies in educational spaces allowed that communication, interaction, storage and distribution of content became more efficient. In between the diversity of medias and technologies, IPTV arises as a new proposal; an interactive communication tool which enables new perspectives for DE. In this context, IPTV is paramount, since its high rates of interaction and synchronous and asynchronous content delivery quality enables a great range of options for its users. This work aims at presenting elements of IPTV use as a modality of DE in the content delivering for Engineering Teaching and Learning, focusing the reduction of distances in the teaching and learning process. Thus, it is presented benefits of the integration between IPTV and Engineering Education through a strategy of DE in IPTV.

A modalidade de Educação a Distância (EAD) ocupa atualmente um lugar importante no desenvolvimento e expansão da Educação no Brasil. A EAD a partir de novas tecnologias, teve um grande impulso, principalmente aquela que envolve a rede Internet. O uso das tecnologias digitais em espaços educativos permitiu que a comunicação, interação, armazenamento e distribuição de conteúdos para o processo educativo, fossem realizados de maneira mais eficiente. Em meio à diversidade de mídias e tecnologias na atualidade, a IPTV surge como uma nova proposta, um veículo de comunicação interativo que possibilita novas perspectivas para a modalidade de EAD. Neste contexto, a IPTV torna-se fundamental, pois possibilita através de seu alto índice de interatividade e qualidade na entrega de conteúdos síncronos e assíncronos oferecer uma gama cada vez maior de opções para seus usuários. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar elementos visando o uso da IPTV como modalidade de Educação no sistema a distância, para a entrega de conteúdos no Ensino de Engenharia, buscando reduzir as distâncias no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Dessa forma, são apresentados os benefícios da integração da IPTV e a Educação em Engenharia, dentro de uma estratégia de Educação a Distância na IPTV. / Distance Education (DE) plays an important role nowadays on the development and expansion of education in Brazil. Due to new technologies, DE had a great propulsion, mainly on those which involve the Internet. The use of digital technologies in educational spaces allowed that communication, interaction, storage and distribution of content became more efficient. In between the diversity of medias and technologies, IPTV arises as a new proposal; an interactive communication tool which enables new perspectives for DE. In this context, IPTV is paramount, since its high rates of interaction and synchronous and asynchronous content delivery quality enables a great range of options for its users. This work aims at presenting elements of IPTV use as a modality of DE in the content delivering for Engineering Teaching and Learning, focusing the reduction of distances in the teaching and learning process. Thus, it is presented benefits of the integration between IPTV and Engineering Education through a strategy of DE in IPTV.

Zum ersten Mal an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg wurde im Wintersemester 2012/13 eine klassische Präsenzvorlesung in ein umfassendes handlungsorientiertes Blended-Learning-Szenario (Methode: Flipped Classroom; Tools: OPAL-Kurs mit Wiki, Forum etc.) transformiert und evaluiert. Im folgenden Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse des Pilotversuchs vorgestellt und aus Sicht der beteiligten Akteure kritisch diskutiert.

Zum ersten Mal an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg wurde im Wintersemester 2012/13 eine klassische Präsenzvorlesung in ein umfassendes handlungsorientiertes Blended-Learning-Szenario (Methode: Flipped Classroom; Tools: OPAL-Kurs mit Wiki, Forum etc.) transformiert und evaluiert. Im folgenden Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse des Pilotversuchs vorgestellt und aus Sicht der beteiligten Akteure kritisch diskutiert.

This study investigated misconceptions in Algebra of students enrolled for a N2 Engineering certificate at a Further Education and Training College. The study aimed to investigate these students’ misconceptions relating to Algebra which prohibited them to successfully complete their artisanship. The purpose of the research was to determine (i) the nature of these misconceptions, and (ii) the value of screencasts as a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool to improve instruction. The research gap that the researcher addressed related to the Mathematics misconceptions that the N2 students had, and whether these misconceptions could be adequately addressed by screencasts. The study method used was a case study design and methodology while simultaneously collecting quantitative and qualitative data. The findings encompassed the determining of main Mathematics misconceptions, producing screencasts, and assessing the screencasts with the intended target group. The study followed a four-phase strategy of testing, interviewing and analysing, and reflection based on qualitative and quantitative research strategies. During the quantitative research the research participants completed a biographical questionnaire, as well as a customised diagnostic Algebra test. The study sample comprised two groups from different trimesters at a rural FET college in the Northern Cape in Kathu, South Africa. The total population of full-time N2 Engineering students related to 113 participants. The diagnostic test comprised twelve questions from the three main Algebra concepts relating to: (i) exponents, (ii) equations, and (iii) factorisation. The same customised diagnostic test confirmed the misconceptions within the same group. Six questions from the customised diagnostic test identified the central misconceptions. The researcher consequently designed, developed, implemented and evaluated screencasts with the intended student population according to the design principles identified during the study. The six questions formed the basis of a second diagnostic test, which was used in phase three with interviews of ten research participants as part of phase 4 of the evaluation of the screencasts. At the end of the second trimester students were ask to complete a questionnaire regarding their use and perceptions of the screencasts—23 participants completed this voluntary questionnaire. At the end of the trimester ten participants were asked to explain their method of calculations during a walk-through evaluation while answering Algebra problems. The results indicated a number of misconception categories: (i) The main reason for misconceptions relating to equations was the participants’ inadequate understandings of the basic concepts of multiply methods used in equations; (ii) Index laws seemed to be the biggest misconception where participants demonstrated insufficient understanding of the laws; and (iii) The participants did not comprehend the basic concepts of factorisation—they could not identify which method to use while factorising. The qualitative findings indicate that the participants found the screencasts valuable when they prepared for tests and examinations, as well as when they did not understanding a basic Mathematics concept. Access to technology in rural areas remains an obstacle to integrate technology learning tools on a large scale at the FET College. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study investigated misconceptions in Algebra of students enrolled for a N2 Engineering certificate at a Further Education and Training College. The study aimed to investigate these students’ misconceptions relating to Algebra which prohibited them to successfully complete their artisanship. The purpose of the research was to determine (i) the nature of these misconceptions, and (ii) the value of screencasts as a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool to improve instruction. The research gap that the researcher addressed related to the Mathematics misconceptions that the N2 students had, and whether these misconceptions could be adequately addressed by screencasts. The study method used was a case study design and methodology while simultaneously collecting quantitative and qualitative data. The findings encompassed the determining of main Mathematics misconceptions, producing screencasts, and assessing the screencasts with the intended target group. The study followed a four-phase strategy of testing, interviewing and analysing, and reflection based on qualitative and quantitative research strategies. During the quantitative research the research participants completed a biographical questionnaire, as well as a customised diagnostic Algebra test. The study sample comprised two groups from different trimesters at a rural FET college in the Northern Cape in Kathu, South Africa. The total population of full-time N2 Engineering students related to 113 participants. The diagnostic test comprised twelve questions from the three main Algebra concepts relating to: (i) exponents, (ii) equations, and (iii) factorisation. The same customised diagnostic test confirmed the misconceptions within the same group. Six questions from the customised diagnostic test identified the central misconceptions. The researcher consequently designed, developed, implemented and evaluated screencasts with the intended student population according to the design principles identified during the study. The six questions formed the basis of a second diagnostic test, which was used in phase three with interviews of ten research participants as part of phase 4 of the evaluation of the screencasts. At the end of the second trimester students were ask to complete a questionnaire regarding their use and perceptions of the screencasts—23 participants completed this voluntary questionnaire. At the end of the trimester ten participants were asked to explain their method of calculations during a walk-through evaluation while answering Algebra problems. The results indicated a number of misconception categories: (i) The main reason for misconceptions relating to equations was the participants’ inadequate understandings of the basic concepts of multiply methods used in equations; (ii) Index laws seemed to be the biggest misconception where participants demonstrated insufficient understanding of the laws; and (iii) The participants did not comprehend the basic concepts of factorisation—they could not identify which method to use while factorising. The qualitative findings indicate that the participants found the screencasts valuable when they prepared for tests and examinations, as well as when they did not understanding a basic Mathematics concept. Access to technology in rural areas remains an obstacle to integrate technology learning tools on a large scale at the FET College. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Master of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / This study investigated key factors impacting on blended learning delivery with particular focus on socio-cultural and human-computer-interface issues, in the hope that the outcome of this enquiry might contribute positively towards the empowerment of learners and facilitators alike. The study involved a group of first year students enrolled in a Communications Skills Course offered by the (then) Department of English and Communication at the Durban University of Technology. The PRINTS Project, a webquest around which the course activities were based, provided an example of a blended delivery course in practice. While the teaching paradigm used in the course was constructivist, the research orientation employed in this project was critical realist. Critical realism focuses on transformation through praxis and also lends itself to modelling, which provides a way to understand the factors at play within a social system. In the preliminary stages of the research, an exploratory empirical (i.e. applied) model of blended learning delivery was formulated from a theoretical model of course delivery in order to assess which factors in blended learning were systemic and which were variables. The investigation then sought to uncover key factors impacting on the blended delivery system, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The findings were analysed in terms of the empirical model to gain an understanding of any factors that might be seen to either enhance or inhibit learning in blended delivery mode. The result was that certain core issues in blended learning and teaching could be clarified, including the use, advantages and disadvantages of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a learning environment. The notion of the digital divide could also be reconceptualised, and the relationship between literacy (be it academic, professional or social), power and culture could be further elucidated, drawing specific attention to the South African educational environment. The notion of iv culture and its relevance in a blended delivery environment was also further clarified, since the findings of this research project suggested how and why certain key socio-cultural factors might impact, as both enhancers and inhibitors, on the blended learning delivery system.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science: Information and Corporate Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / The core interest in blended learning lies in the need to provide more engaged learning experiences while recognizing the potential of ICTs which has a profound impact on all aspects of life including the Library and Information Service (LIS) field. This doctoral study was undertaken with the objective of exploring the educational and pedagogical issues in blended learning for the development of a framework for designing and implementing blended learning in the delivery of LIS curricula in South African universities. The target populations for this study included, LIS educators from higher education institutions in South Africa offering LIS education, LIS students from these institutions exposed to blended learning interventions and facilitators of blended learning (individuals in institutional teaching and learning units) from the various institutions offering LIS education and using blended learning. The study adopted a mixed method research approach using a fully mixed dominant status design to explore and understand the phenomenon of blended learning at a more detailed level by using qualitative follow-up data (for example, interviews with LIS educators and institutional facilitators of blended learning and focus group discussions with LIS students) to explain and explore the results of a largely quantitative Web survey. The theoretical framework that underpinned the study involved various learning theories, learning styles as well as blended learning models relating to the higher education environment. The key findings of the study reveal that blended learning remains a complex concept with no clear consensus on the key components that need to be blended, how much of each component to blend and the criteria that are needed for the interventions to be regarded as blended learning. This flexibility, to an extent, allows for institutions to tailor the concept and maximise the potential of blended learning while still being responsive to the diverse student populations at South African higher institutions. The framework for blended learning in the delivery of LIS curricula at South African universities proposed by this study is generated from the theories informing this study; the literature reviewed; existing frameworks for blended learning such as Khan’s octagonal framework and the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework; the findings of this study; the researcher’s own educational experiences; and, is grounded in the larger field of higher education. The use of blended learning has the potential to transform LIS education and training by encouraging LIS educators to reflect on their teaching and learning practices and to use the proposed framework as a guideline to design and implement pedagogically sound blended learning interventions for LIS education and training.