The purpose of this research was to investigate first-year tertiary programming students' perceptions of their learning environment, based on the subgroups of gender and "new arrivals" (immigrant and international students of diverse nationalities, culture and educational backgrounds). The literature provides strong evidence that the nature of the learning environment for females studying computing can be uninviting and may be influential in the low rates of female enrolments and retention compared with males. Studies indicate that the cultural norms and artefacts of computing, the minority status of women in computing courses, attitudes, language, experience and institutional context all contribute to a learning environment that proves unattractive and can be detrimental for some women. In recent years, there has been an increased enrolment by New Zealand educational institutions of new arrival students. Research suggests that new arrival students, who leave their home country to live and study in a foreign land, experience difficulties in their learning environment and often have problems adjusting to living and studying in their host country. This research used a mixed-method design to investigate first-year computer programming students' perceptions of their learning environment at three tertiary institutions in Wellington, New Zealand. A survey, the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI), was completed by 239 students, yielding quantitative data about students' perceptions of their Actual and Preferred learning environment. In addition, 28 students, selected to represent gender and new arrival subgroups, participated in interviews and 11 hours of observation were conducted in programming classrooms. / The findings from the survey indicated that students perceived their learning environment with some satisfaction but they suggested improvements relating to the innovation and individualisation dimensions of their learning environment. The perceptions of the student subgroups, defined by gender and as new arrivals were investigated. Although the findings from multivariate analysis of variance of the CUCEI results did not identify differences between the subgroups the interviews revealed wider equity issues and concerns that highlighted differences amongst students of the sex and origin subgroups. Recommendations, based on the study's findings, include suggestions to improve institutional policy relating to the organisation of teaching practice and some cautions about the further use of the survey. The findings have important implications for creating a more equitable and positive learning environment for all students.

This thesis, grounded in an empirically-based study of pedagogic practice in primary school classrooms, examines the corporeality of learning and its role in the process of learning how to write. The central concern in the formation of scholarly habits in the primary years and the degree to which the embodiment of specific dispositions is fundamental in students acquiring the ability and desire to write. This thesis explores the enabling dimensions of embodiment and how these can be generated through the pedagogic practices of schooling. The body is not simply perceived as being shaped by the external, nor capacitated by its ability to retain affects, but rather as mindful, where these affects form the basis of consciousness with embodied understanding being integral to how we learn. This thesis asserts the inseparability of body and mind. Different conceptualisations of the body are examined, and assessed in terms of their usefulness in understanding the role of the body in learning and the need within education to posit an ontology that embraces both the body and the mind. A genealogy of the educative body is provided through an analysis of English syllabus documents within the New South Wales education system. An empirically-based study is conducted examining the pedagogies employed by six teachers and the ways in which disciplinary techniques they employ can contribute to their students’ acquisition of a scholarly habitus and their ability and desire to write. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This portfolio of research aimed to examine the integration of Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) into computer-based classroom learning environments in Thailand. The study was exploratory, investigating to what extent schools in the Thai ICT schools pilot project had classroom learning environments which were related to two student outcomes ( critical thinking skills and attitudes to ICT ) ; and to what extent the classroom learning environments were associated with certain teacher characteristics. The portfolio is presented in three parts. Part 1 reviewed the research literature related to the importance of ICT in education ; the ICT classroom learning environments ; student attitudes to ICT ; students' critical thinking skills ; and the role of the teacher in the ICT classroom. From this review, a theoretical research model was developed, based on teacher characteristics, student characteristics and student perceptions of ICT classroom learning environments as predictors of the two student outcomes. Four specific research propositions were formulated from the model to guide the investigation. Part 2 of the research portfolio reports the quantitative investigation of the ICT schools pilot project in Thailand. Data were collected by means of questionnaires from 150 students in eight of the ICT pilot project schools in relation to students' background characteristics, their perceptions of actual and preferred classroom learning environments, students' critical thinking skills and attitudes to ICT. In addition, questionnaire data on teachers' background characteristics were collected from 16 teachers involved in the project. The associations among the teacher, student and classroom environment predictor variables in relation to the two student outcomes were analysed using SPSS and HLM software programs. The results, discussed in relation to the four research propositions, generally supported the research model. A complementary qualitative investigation of the Thai ICT schools pilot project is reported in part 3 of the portfolio. This involved an analysis of school based documents, which had been collected officially in the course of the project, in order to identify school level outcomes. In addition, 30 students and five teachers from 10 schools in the ICT pilot project were interviewed to ascertain their views on the advantages, the limitations and the future of the project. The interview transcripts, translated into English, were analysed thematically. The researcher was also able to observe ICT integrated into various subject lessons in 22 classrooms, from each of the schools in the ICT project, and to evaluate them according to Bloom's Taxonomy of learning outcomes. The qualitative results provided important insights into the quantitative study in Part 2. In the conclusion to the portfolio, the results of the quantitative and qualitative studies are synthesised in a discussion of the four research propositions. Importantly, the findings led directly to useful recommendations on how computer-based learning environments can be improved. The findings of this study have major implications for the role of teachers in ICT classrooms and for school management in providing the necessary equipment and support. / Thesis (D.Ed.)--School of Education, 2007.

This study was conducted to see what cognitive and social skills and strategies were employed by pairs of students as they used a computer adventure game. The games used in the study were "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" (Broderbund) and "Dinosaur Discovery" (Jacaranda) One male and one female pair of year five students were assigned to each game. Grounded Theory was selected as the methodology as it enabled categorization of the skills and strategies to emerge from the data without locking the researcher into previously identified categories. It was found in this study, and supported in other research, that what occurs between the students during a session with the computer depends on the nature of the task, the students involved, the type and amount of training provided and the classroom conditions under which the activity is conducted. The implications from the study are: that under most circumstances it is desireable for students to work in pairs with a computer to enable interaction to occur, students may require some training in the cognitive skills necessary for the software being used, training students to work cooperatively before placing them in groups is important; and integrating the computer into the classroom environment may encourage the use of other desired skills and strategies.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-210).

<p>Erfarenheten tyder på att många lärare upplever det som svårt att anpassa undervisningen utifrån varje enskild elevs behov, trots att det står i läroplanerna. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva lärares tankar kring anpassning av undervisning så att den tillgodoser alla elevers behov i en klass. Detta är en kvalitativ studie baserad på intervjuer med fyra lärare, där vi bl.a. utgick från fallbeskrivningar, som beskriver fem elever med olika behov.</p><p>Den här undersökningen efterfrågar en variation av lärarnas tankar kring anpassning av undervisningen utifrån alla elevers behov. Något som framkom i resultatet var att förhållningssättet gentemot eleverna är viktigt, att läraren bemöter dem med respekt. Resultatet visar även på många konkreta förslag på anpassningar. Slutsatsen i arbetet är att alla elever är olika och att det är lärarens uppgift att se alla elever samt att ta hänsyn till deras förutsättningar och behov.</p>

Erfarenheten tyder på att många lärare upplever det som svårt att anpassa undervisningen utifrån varje enskild elevs behov, trots att det står i läroplanerna. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva lärares tankar kring anpassning av undervisning så att den tillgodoser alla elevers behov i en klass. Detta är en kvalitativ studie baserad på intervjuer med fyra lärare, där vi bl.a. utgick från fallbeskrivningar, som beskriver fem elever med olika behov. Den här undersökningen efterfrågar en variation av lärarnas tankar kring anpassning av undervisningen utifrån alla elevers behov. Något som framkom i resultatet var att förhållningssättet gentemot eleverna är viktigt, att läraren bemöter dem med respekt. Resultatet visar även på många konkreta förslag på anpassningar. Slutsatsen i arbetet är att alla elever är olika och att det är lärarens uppgift att se alla elever samt att ta hänsyn till deras förutsättningar och behov.

Vårt mål med denna studie var att belysa den fysiska klassrumsmiljön och dess inverkan på elevernas lärande ur ett lärarperspektiv. Vi har gjort intervjuer med lärare på olika skolor, både moderna och äldre skolor som är i behov av renovering för att få en bredd och se om lärares tankar och uppfattningar varierar. Med fysisk klassrumsmiljö så har vi inriktat oss på möbleringen, design och funktion. Där det bästa utifrån aspekter på trivsel och inlärningsklimat finns för barnen. Vi har valt att göra intervjuer med lärare för barn i de tidiga åldrarna, skolår 1-3, för att lyssna och få ett värde till varje enskild lärares uppfattningar. Syftet med vår undersökning var att få reda på lärares olika uppfattningar hur de tänker kring den fysiska klassrumsmiljön. Om tanke och handling hänger ihop då lärare planerar så barnen får den bästa lärande miljön i klassrummet. Frågeställningar som vi har arbetat med är: • Vilken betydelse anser lärarna att den fysiska klassrumsmiljön har för elevernas lärande? • Hur anser lärarna att den fysiska klassrumsmiljön möter barns olika förutsättningar för att lära? • Vad i den fysiska klassrumsmiljön anser lärarna bidrar till en kreativ lärandemiljö? / The purpose of our study was to look at the physical classroom environment and how it influences the children’s learning from a teacher’s point of view. We choose to look at classroom environment on the physic aspect and how it influences pedagogic and the teachers’ vision for the students’ best learning. We have done interviews with teachers on different schools, both modern and older schools that need a make-over. This in hope of that it will give us a broad view and see if thoughts in different schools vary. With physic classroom environment as our subject, we have looked on furniture placement, design and function. There you can find the best learning for the children. We have chosen interviews with teachers as work with children in earlier classes’ year 1-3 as method. This we did because we wanted to listen and understand every teacher’s own apprehension. The purpose of our examination was to find the variation of thoughts from teachers about the classroom environment and if there thoughts influence the classrooms furnishing and organization. We wanted to know if thought and action act together when teacher plan for the children’s best learning in the classroom. Our questions that we have worked with are: • What meaning says the teachers the physical classroom environments have for the children’s learning? • How can teachers make the classroom tribute to different children will learn from different learning styles? • What parts in the classroom say the teachers will tribute to a creative learning environment?

Approximately one quarter of America's students leave school prior to graduation. Teaching practices need to be examined if schools are to effectively deal with the student population. at highest risk of dropping out. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attending behaviors high school teachers directed to students at high risk of dropping out, and to students not so identified. A survey of the literature provided an overview of related studies which addressed the number of students who drop out, their reasons for doing so, and alternative programs for those who have left school. Not found in abundance were studies linking teachers' classroom behaviors with effective at risk strategies. Data regarding teachers' verbal and nonverbal attending behaviors were gathered in twenty classrooms. The resulting totals for all at risk and control groups were nearly equal. However, the types of attending behaviors directed to the two groups were qualitatively different. At risk students were praised one third as often but were criticized seven times as often as their control group counterparts. Additionally, at risk students' attention getting behaviors were ignored seven times as often, and they were physically approached half as often as control group students. Anecdotal data revealed contrasting classroom atmospheres. Some classes were greeted at the door and were praised by their teachers. Other teachers chastised classes, spoke negatively about them, or showed little or no interaction with students in them. / Graduation date: 1991

<p>Vårt mål med denna studie var att belysa den fysiska klassrumsmiljön och dess inverkan på elevernas lärande ur ett lärarperspektiv. Vi har gjort intervjuer med lärare på olika skolor, både moderna och äldre skolor som är i behov av renovering för att få en bredd och se om lärares tankar och uppfattningar varierar.</p><p>Med fysisk klassrumsmiljö så har vi inriktat oss på möbleringen, design och funktion. Där det bästa utifrån aspekter på trivsel och inlärningsklimat finns för barnen. Vi har valt att göra intervjuer med lärare för barn i de tidiga åldrarna, skolår 1-3, för att lyssna och få ett värde till varje enskild lärares uppfattningar.</p><p>Syftet med vår undersökning var att få reda på lärares olika uppfattningar hur de tänker kring den fysiska klassrumsmiljön. Om tanke och handling hänger ihop då lärare planerar så barnen får den bästa lärande miljön i klassrummet.</p><p>Frågeställningar som vi har arbetat med är:</p><p>• Vilken betydelse anser lärarna att den fysiska klassrumsmiljön har för elevernas lärande?</p><p>• Hur anser lärarna att den fysiska klassrumsmiljön möter barns olika förutsättningar för att lära?</p><p>• Vad i den fysiska klassrumsmiljön anser lärarna bidrar till en kreativ lärandemiljö?</p> / <p>The purpose of our study was to look at the physical classroom environment and how it influences the children’s learning from a teacher’s point of view. We choose to look at classroom environment on the physic aspect and how it influences pedagogic and the teachers’ vision for the students’ best learning. We have done interviews with teachers on different schools, both modern and older schools that need a make-over. This in hope of that it will give us a broad view and see if thoughts in different schools vary.</p><p>With physic classroom environment as our subject, we have looked on furniture placement, design and function. There you can find the best learning for the children.</p><p>We have chosen interviews with teachers as work with children in earlier classes’ year 1-3 as method. This we did because we wanted to listen and understand every teacher’s own apprehension.</p><p>The purpose of our examination was to find the variation of thoughts from teachers about the classroom environment and if there thoughts influence the classrooms furnishing and organization. We wanted to know if thought and action act together when teacher plan for the children’s best learning in the classroom.</p><p>Our questions that we have worked with are:</p><p>• What meaning says the teachers the physical classroom environments have for the children’s learning?</p><p>• How can teachers make the classroom tribute to different children will learn from different learning styles?</p><p>• What parts in the classroom say the teachers will tribute to a creative learning environment?</p>