After Norton Peirce's (1995, Norton, 2000) groundbreaking work in conceptualizing identity as "multiple, changing, and contradictory," many researchers have explored language learners' identities. However, few studies of identity have been conducted within the "overlooked and understudied" (Mathews-Aydinli, 2008) context of adult community ESL (English as a Second Language), and even fewer studies have focused on LESLLA (low-educated second language and literacy acquisition) learners in mainstream community ESL programs. This thesis, based on a case study of an adult LESLLA learner in a community ESL class, analyzes how this student's identity, the social context of her life, and the classroom space shaped her investment in participating in the ESL class. Ethnographic interviews revealed that the participant's investment in language learning was linked to her identity in multiple and contradictory ways: while the participant eventually left the ESL program, her self-identification as 'no preparada' (uneducated) and therefore 'burra' (stupid) seemed to be a motivating challenge, not an insurmountable obstacle, and her sense of investment in language learning remained strong even though her in-class participation was limited. The results have pedagogical as well as theoretical implications: there is clearly value in engaging learners' lives in the classroom as well as including learners' voices in research to have a clearer recognition of how learners see themselves and their "possible selves" (Dornyei, 2009) to be able to understand the complex factors that underlie their investments in language learning.

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Föreliggande systematiska litteraturstudie syftar till att med hjälp av nationell och internationell forskning undersöka hur lågstadielärares didaktiska kompetens kan främja elevers kommunikativa kompetens i klassrummet. Studiens utgångspunkt är de centrala begreppen: didaktisk kompetens, kommunikativ kompetens och klassrumsmiljö. I denna systematiska litteraturstudie har vi använt den nationella databasen SwePub och de internationella databaserna ERIC och PsycINFO för att få tillgång till ett bredare forskningsfält. Det material som slutligen framtogs efter urvalsprocessen är 20 publikationer, varav sex som är nationella och 14 som är internationella. Metoden som sedan valdes inför analysering av materialet var en innehållsanalys som resulterade i att två huvudkategorier skapades: klassrumsmiljö och lärmetoder. Resultatet visar att det är betydelsefullt att lärare har kunskap om att den fysiska och den sociala klassrumsmiljön inverkar på utvecklingen av elevers kommunikativa kompetens. Några framgångsrika lärmetoder som lyfts i resultatet är samarbetslekar, grupparbete och återkoppling. Det sammanställda resultatet visar även att lågstadielärares didaktiska kompetens i relation till klassrumsmiljö och lärmetoder är av vikt vid främjandet av elevers kommunikativa kompetens.

This study was an examination of 20 North Texas high school teachers' perceptions about the effects of bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives on instructional planning and classroom environment. The BYOD initiative at two high school campuses was studied through a qualitative approach, i.e. a collective case study. Data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, and reviews of participants' lesson planning documents. The findings indicated teachers had to plan for inequitable technology access, technology support, effective classroom management, and relevant content to support student learning effectively. Teachers participated in professional development focused on planning for student devices, effective use of instructional technology, and classroom management during this type of instruction. Results revealed that, during instruction that included students' devices, teachers believed student engagement and content retention were greater. Observation data also indicated that students were more engaged in the instruction. The interviews and classroom observations indicated that students assumed a more active role in their learning during these lessons, and teachers facilitated and provided more support as needed. Effective planning and classroom management were identified as key components in the success of this type of initiative. Overall, the study supports the necessity for relevant professional development for teachers and campus administrators to ensure the success of BYOD initiatives. Similarly, these two groups should work together to develop the campus framework to support BYOD technology in the classroom.

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This exploratory study investigated the crucial role society and individual college cultures played in selecting and channeling women from male-dominated to female-dominated majors. Since academic major is linked to the kind of vocation a person pursues, scarcity of women in certain majors constitutes an obstacle to opportunity in the work force. Literature was used to develop questions for interview protocol to identify reasons for college women's decision to leave a male-dominated major and enter a female-dominated major. The interviews provided self-report information from college women transfers from the College of Engineering, College of Business, and College of Architecture to the College of Human Resources and revealed six factors that explained their decisions. These factors were classroom environment, faculty behaviors, peer relations, curriculum content, performance pressures, and role expectations. These factors were interdependent though each played a significant role in explaining the women's decisions. Additionally, women's decision to leave a male-dominated major and enter a female-dominated major was a function of affirmation of self and was derived from the six environmental factors. The degree of interaction congruence between the student and each of these factors affected affirmation of self and how women evaluated and responded to their environment. Lastly, applications for educational practitioners were offered and recommendations for further research were suggested. / Master of Arts

The comprehensive evidence presented by a number of researchers established that the nature of the classroom environment has a potent influence on students' academic, social and psychological development. This thesis set out to advance the idea that taxonomy of relevant optimum conditions for identity development can serve to illuminate thinking and research on the impact of the classroom environment on identity development in adolescence. A systems approach was used. The subjects were Grade 11 pupils of a high school in Gauteng. They completed questionnaires in paragraph format, and case studies were conducted with five students. Questions relating to their classroom environments were asked. The unit of study was primarily the classroom, but since the classroom is part of the larger school system, aspects of the school environment were explored as well. Positive and negative elements in the classroom environment, that enhance or hamper identity development, were identified. Recommendations were made to improve the classroom environment in order to create an environment that is conducive to identity development, and ultimately, academic achievement. / Psychology / D.Litt et Phil (Psychology)

Multicultural education is only one of the major changes since the inception of the new democracy in South Africa. However, this inevitable change has resulted in many challenges for educators and educational institutions in the Isipingo District, KwaZulu Natal (KZN). One of the primary responsibilities of a teacher is to manage diversity. The research addressed here focused on challenges experienced by Grade R teachers to create and maintain an unbiased classroom environment for Grade R learners in the Isipingo District, (KZN). A literature review regarding unbiased classroom environments for Grade R learners as well as an empirical investigation using a qualitative approach was conducted. A semi-structured focus group interview and a follow-up focus group interview with Grade R teachers from 3 different public multicultural primary schools were used for data gathering. The findings indicated that Grade R teachers lack the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to enhance unbiased classroom environments. The results of the investigation also indicated that teachers require effective training to help them cope with creating and managing unbiased classroom environments. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Specialisation in Early Childhood Development)

Mathematics anxiety is a personal characteristic which is widespread and continuing. It has a debilitating effect on mathematics performance and contributes to perceptions and attitudes that perpetuate a dislike for mathematics and a lack of confidence when dealing with mathematical problems. An investigation of relevant literature on mathematics anxiety identifies sources and symptoms and emphasises a need for a comprehensive approach to remediation. The historical development of an appropriate measuring instrument is documented and statistical evidence is used to create a mathematics anxiety rating scale suitable for measuring anxiety levels of secondary school pupils and student teachers. The extensive literature interest, research publications and remedial programmes emphasise the problem of mathematics anxiety and thus the need for a comprehensive approach to remediation. Mathematics teaching and curriculum design is expounded to provide the necessary direction to the alleviation of mathematics anxiety. General perspectives on curriculum design are discussed and a cyclical systems approach is recommended. Elements of this approach are detailed and are linked to important personal characteristics to add a humanistic and socio-cultural view of curriculum design in mathematics. The didactic viability of constructivism as an approach to mathematics curriculum design is investigated. Constructivism embodies a philosophy and a methodology which addresses the critical aspects influencing mathematics anxiety. Classroom topics and activities are reviewed in terms of a constructivist approach and the sources of mathematics anxiety are discussed from a constructivist perspective. A longitudinal case study of pupils during their five years at secondary school as well as a study involving student teachers was undertaken. Mathematics performance, perceptions, attitudes and levels of anxiety were investigated by means of tests, questionnaires, and mathematics anxiety rating scales. The statistical results of this research provide evidence to support a comprehensive approach to the remediation of mathematics anxiety. Constructivism is seen as the synthesis of critical aspects of teaching and curriculum development which will stem the perpetuation of mathematics anxiety. Constructivism provides the didactic approach to develop each individual's intellectual autonomy and mathematics power, by instilling a problem solving attitude and a self-confidence when doing mathematics. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

The comprehensive evidence presented by a number of researchers established that the nature of the classroom environment has a potent influence on students' academic, social and psychological development. This thesis set out to advance the idea that taxonomy of relevant optimum conditions for identity development can serve to illuminate thinking and research on the impact of the classroom environment on identity development in adolescence. A systems approach was used. The subjects were Grade 11 pupils of a high school in Gauteng. They completed questionnaires in paragraph format, and case studies were conducted with five students. Questions relating to their classroom environments were asked. The unit of study was primarily the classroom, but since the classroom is part of the larger school system, aspects of the school environment were explored as well. Positive and negative elements in the classroom environment, that enhance or hamper identity development, were identified. Recommendations were made to improve the classroom environment in order to create an environment that is conducive to identity development, and ultimately, academic achievement. / Psychology / D.Litt et Phil (Psychology)