The major issue of this thesis is that for effective change in teachers' classroom practice to occur, multiple actions are required at different levels of participation, from federal and state education jurisdictions through to school communities and individual classroom teachers. The thesis supposition is that practical action factors in schools and the community can be found which meet the needs of the change. The history of attempts to achieve educational change through changed classroom practice is littered with a range of different approaches, usually one-off events. They have sometimes succeeded. Stakeholders, including parents, social pressure groups and particularly governments have increasing expectations of what it is that teachers can achieve in terms of their students' learning outcomes. The degree to which actual teaching practices are changed at the classroom level will depend on the degree to which teachers are able to manage and implement change. However, studies in the area of curriculum change reveal that the gap between policy and practice remains an ongoing concern. This thesis draws upon theory and applied research findings from the traditions of educational change, health education, models of change, evaluation and social science research methods. The purpose of this thesis is to identify and make comparisons in the practical action factors which enhance the capacity of teachers to change their classroom practice. These are investigated through a multiple case study consideration of the school context, the professional development inputs, and the classroom programs. The patterns of effective practical action in the research study would support the thesis supposition. A multiple case study-theory building approach was used to analyse the data from twelve school sites selected from the School Development in Health Education (SDHE) Project. Data analysis employed the technique of matrix displays, with several rounds of analysis in order to generate some significant factors related to teacher change. The results were considered for endorsement by an expert panel from the field in order to enhance confidence in the validity and the reliability of the research study. Results from first round of analysis in the multiple case study showed school team commitment, teachers' attitude to professional development and community cooperation to be important factors in educational change. The second round of analysis highlighted the importance of placing the teacher at the centre of change when planning professional development. Finally, the third round presents a summary of the factors emerging from the analyses in five major focus areas: professional development; principal leadership; school organisation and culture; school team; and system support. The importance of the relationships among these factors was recognised in their impact on teachers' abilities to make educational changes in their classrooms. The thesis has found that the professional decision-making and practice of teachers is value added by the actions of other players - professional development providers, school principals and education systems. Teachers' capacity to change is enhanced by appropriate school-based professional development, flexible school organisation, and the opportunity to work collaboratively in school teams. From the patterns emerging from the strong and weak clusters of cases the thesis is able to make conclusions about teachers' professional practice, professional development approaches, principal leadership, school organisation, education systems and the nature of change. This thesis shows that educational change requires multiple actions at different levels of participation. Finally, the thesis offers recommendations to the different players in the field: education systems, principals and professional development providers.

The purpose of the research was to form a defensible basis for considering possible changes in classroom practice within a small rural state school, and it involved four, mixed-ability classes comprising Year 9 and 10 students. These classes were taught an energy-related module by the researcher. In the preliminary phase, which involved two classes, resources were developed to produce a more student-centred module. These resources, and the constructivist approach which informed their development, are described. In the subsequent comparative phase, the reformed module was taught using two contrasting strategies - one teacher-directed and the other, student-managed. During this phase individual achievement and group investigative skills were assessed. Student perceptions of classroom environment were probed using an existing instrument, the ICEQ. The range of classroom activity and level of student engagement was continuously monitored by independent observers using a specifically developed instrument, termed the SALTA.No overall learning advantage was demonstrated to either teaching strategy. A small strategy advantage favouring Year 10 students in the student-managed strategy was offset by a similar disadvantage to the Year 9 cohort. A cohort penalty was found to apply to Year 9 students under either strategy, with a paradox in its application. The role of the teacher was found to change significantly under each strategy, with a consistent hierarchy of student engagement with activity emerging. Boys were found to have significantly higher levels of engagement than girls under either teaching strategy. However, this was associated with only modest advantages in achievement. The relationship between engagement and achievement was stronger and more positive under the student-managed strategy. Mismatches between preferred and actual classroom environment were found, ++ / particularly in the dimension of independence. This mismatch was less in the student-managed setting. Increased potential for learning was noted under each strategy.

Educational practice must be conducted within the confines of assessments in order to elevate teaching and learning (Pellegrino, 1999). Evidence gleaned from the literature suggests that assessment, especially assessment of management practices, has an effect on how educators teach and, consequently, how students learn (Obe, 2018:16). In terms of sampling, five primary schools from a pool of 21 primary schools in Nkomazi West Circuit in the Mpumalanga province were selected purposively due to their high level of compliance in the evaluation of assessment processes. With reference to key informant interviews and discussions, this study draws on the experiences of five primary schools in Nkomazi West circuit in terms of the management of assessment processes, opportunities, procedures and challenges. It is from the five primary schools wherein key participants were selected, from which six participants per school were selected. Observations guided by the researcher were used to validate field survey results and evidence from the school management teams in the five selected primary schools. The study findings indicate that although educators are expected to nurture critical thinking skills in their pupils/students, this is often not mirrored in the management of assessment and teaching and learning practices. This study discovered that for management processes in schools to be effective in promoting the specified goals of the fundamental school programme, greater recognition should be given to the influence of assessment on teaching and learning, the understanding of which may arguably play a crucial role in introducing changes that may promote the cognitive processes and thinking skills desired in our schools and classrooms. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

This qualitative research study explores the promotion and practice of discipline in the Foundation Phase to create a culturally responsive learning environment. For this study, Grade 3 Foundation Phase teachers were identified as the participants and formed part of each case study. The researcher constructed understanding through using an interpretivist approach and was further guided by a conceptual framework. The literature on discipline in the Foundation Phase classroom informed me about the practices and strategies used to discipline learners. The literature highlighted the use of assertive discipline and positive discipline practices in Foundation Phase classrooms. The data collection methods and data collection instruments were tested using a pilot study before the research commenced, to ensure that these worked efficiently. This helped form the foundation on which my research was based. Grade 3 teachers who participated in the study helped answer the primary and secondary research questions. The constructivist theory was used to analyse and understand the findings. The data collection instruments include observations, semi-structured interview questions, field notes and photographs. These instruments were used to collect data from every research participant. This data was then coded and transcribed to formulate an in-depth understanding of the teacher's perspective on discipline. The teachers who participated in the study helped me understand and determine what the effective discipline practices in Foundation Phase classrooms, were to enable teachers to create a culturally responsive learning environment. The research participants also explained and discussed their definition of discipline in a Foundation Phase classroom. From the study it is evident that the teacher's definition of discipline is based largely on their own moral value systems, together with positive discipline strategies. The teachers also explained the diversities they were faced with, within a Foundation Phase classroom. Teachers in the study did not identify cultural differences as a factor, but focused more on parental involvement. Lastly, the research participants highlighted the factors that challenged teachers when applying discipline in a diverse Foundation Phase classroom. These factors were summarised and divided into external and internal factors which impact on a teacher's classroom. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Early Childhood Education / MEd / Unrestricted

The poor learner outcomes in the TIMSS assessment, the SACMEQ assessment, and the Grade 9 ANAs led to this study being conducted. The purpose of the study was to explore whether Grade 9 mathematics teachers’ teaching can improve learner outcomes. This study therefore investigated the literature regarding mathematics teachers’ classroom practices with an emphasis on teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Skills (PCK&S), and how these teachers used assessment outcomes to inform their teaching of mathematics. In developing learners’ conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills, mathematics teachers not only need subject matter knowledge, but also PCK and the skill to implement their planning efficiently during instruction. The conceptual framework for this study is based on Gess-Newsome’s (in Berry et al., 2015) Model of Teachers’ Professional Knowledge and Skills. Based on this, PCK was examined in the planning and executing of topic-specific instruction and as a skill when teaching this content to the learners for enhanced learner outcomes. The research approach was qualitative and the research design was a case study. Two Grade 9 mathematics teachers from one school were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected using a baseline test, three classroom observations, one semi-structured interview and a formative test. Both teachers used Direct Instruction in all their lessons, but proficiently used various representations when explaining the work, and integrated the topic into other mathematical topics and real-life scenarios. The teachers admitted that they did not usually make use of baseline tests to inform their teaching due to time constraints, but found it valuable during this endeavour. The findings from the two tests showed many learners still have the same misconceptions regarding the concepts of surface area, volume and capacity; continued to make the same typical mistakes in finding formulae for surface area and volume; and still found it difficult to convert between the SI units. There was, however, significant improvement in learner outcomes, but the positive outcomes regarding all typical mistakes and learner difficulties were still below 46%. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

Drawing on the elements and processes in language teacher cognition (Borg, 2006), this study was an investigation of how four senior high school teachers perceived the policy of conducting English classes in English, the degree to which they conducted English classes that reflect the policy, and how their educational backgrounds, professional coursework, internal factors in the class, internal factors in the school, and external factors affected their cognition and classroom practice.To investigate the above issues, an instrumental, explanatory multiple case-study was employed. The data were collected from interviews with the four English teachers, the four head teachers of the English departments, members of Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education (TMBE), and two members of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In addition, two Communication English classes and two English Expression classes the four teachers were in charge of were observed and a questionnaire was administered to the students in each class. The findings indicated that the four teachers had favorable opinions about the policy of conducting English classes in English; however, their opinions were not reflected to a large degree in two of the teachers’ classes and were reflected to a moderate degree in the other two teachers’ classes. The discrepancy between their positive opinions of the policy and their classroom practice was attributed to the influence of their educational background, professional coursework, internal factors in the class, internal factors in the school, and external factors. Major factors that prevented them from reflecting the policy were a lack of appropriate teacher training, the presence of university entrance examinations, and the grammar-focused MEXT-approved textbooks. Major factors that helped their teachers reflect the policy were their positive experiences learning English in English communicatively, study abroad experiences, the measures taken by TMBE, the presence of ALTs and their students’ positive attitudes toward learning English in English. The findings of this study suggest that improvements in pre- and in-service training to teach English in English for communicative purposes, reforms of university entrance examinations, and improvements of MEXT-approved textbooks are essential to the implementing of the policy of teaching English in English. / Teaching & Learning

Thesis advisor: Henry I. Braun / With teachers being largely held accountable for student learning outcomes, it is of critical importance to identify effective and ineffective teachers through the development and implementation of a successful teacher evaluation system. Addressing the call to explore indicators of teacher effectiveness and enhance the traditional methods and practices of teacher evaluation, this study extends current efforts investigating different approaches to measuring teacher effectiveness through exploration of the relationship between two indicators of teacher effectiveness: the value-added estimates based on student test performance and growth, and the quality of student learning objectives (SLO) developed by teachers. It uses data from a large school district in North Carolina, comprising student achievement outcomes in mathematics and reading across five grades and three years. Different hierarchical linear models are employed to obtain teachers' VAM estimates with regression adjustments for prior years of achievement, student background characteristics, and teacher level covariate adjusted for each set of models. Weighted Least Squares (WLS) analysis, logistic regression, and point-biserial analysis are used to examine the variations in the relationships among teachers' VAM estimates, SLO quality and SLO attainment status across years and grades. The HLM results revealed fluctuations in teachers' VAM rankings obtained at different stages of the model sequence that caused the correlations with SLO quality to vary as well. The WLS results indicated that the correlations between VAM and SLO quality also varied across years and grades. Further data analysis revealed generally weak associations between SLO quality and attainment status, as well as those between teachers' VAM estimates and whether their SLOs were achieved. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2015. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation.

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This action research study examines the learning experiences of Year 8 students and their teacher as they negotiate aspects of their English classes. The study takes place in a regional Catholic co-educational secondary college in Victoria, Australia. The question of understanding the lived experience of ourselves and other is fundamental to this study, which is situated within an holistic, enactivist view of the world. From this perspective learning is a shared activity in which students participate in creating their own interpretation as they interact with others to bring forth understanding. The study focuses on classroom practice which aims to include all participants, through negotiation, in the actions that take place in the classroom. I have used a narrative approach to describe the way in which three action research cycles were implemented in the English classroom during one academic year. A variety of data gathering techniques was used and these included: classroom questionnaires, classroom meetings, journals, partnership observation and interviews. The main sources of data were the interviews that I undertook with each of the twenty five students in the class. The three action research cycles allowed both the students and me to reflect upon classroom activities and make appropriate changes as the cycles progressed. In addition, negotiating in this English class has helped me to better understand my students and, through reflection, to improve my teaching practice. Analysis of the data suggests that students experience greater commitment and motivation when they are given opportunities to be actively involved in contributing to their own learning. The data also supports research that recognises the importance of collaboration, positive relationships within the classroom, the importance of metacognitive skills and student voice. In addition, the findings point to the value of action research as a method of improving teaching practice.

This descriptive, holistic, single case study focuses on how an experienced teacher with 21 years of teaching was able to negotiate participation in a community of practice (CoP). The study applies Wenger’s (1998) Community of Practice framework as a lens through which to gain insight into the subject’s professional transformation. Wenger’s multilayered theoretical approach, including the four components of his social learning model, provides a common language to describe participation. The specific research questions that frame this inquiry are: 1) How did an experienced secondary mathematics teacher, involved in an ongoing and dual-faceted professional development project, negotiate meaningful participation in a community of practice? 2) How did the kinds of participation in which she chose to engage affect her professionally? and, 3) How did her classroom practice change? Findings from the study include: 1) Wenger’s Stages of Development (potential, coalescing, active, dispersed and memorable) for a CoP were in evidence in this teacher’s participatory experiences. 2) Internal and external factors worked in concert to support transformed practice. 3) The tension between experience and competence is an important factor when thinking about the difference between an expert and experienced teacher. 4) The case subject negotiated her participation through intellectual partnerships formed through the interaction with her Peer CoP and educational experts and researchers—an example of legitimate participation in authentic professional activities at a level quite different from most “teacher professional development” activities. The evolving shared repertoire of changed mathematical instructional practices was tangible evidence of transformative interactions. These findings indicate that a viable, robust CoP can be stimulated through external scaffolding and coordination of learning activities in combination with a joint enterprise of growth-minded professionals. The data provide insight into the professional transformation that occurred within the case teacher’s practice as she enacted the new, shared repertoire with students in her classroom. The new repertoire resulted in improved student learning not just during her active involvement in the CoP but after the community disperses, in a penultimate stage of a CoP described by Wenger (1998), suggesting that the results and transformed practice can be sustained.