This study focuses on the nature of scaffolding used by the Chinese student and teacher in a Chinese university English classroom located in Mainland China. Using the Vygotskian theory to analyze scaffolding events which occur during three transcripted lessons, it expands the present research on scaffolding. Previous research has predominantly utilized Wood, Bruner and Ross' (1976) six criteria to characterize the building and deconstructing of the scaffold by a tutor: 1) recruitment; 2) reduction in degrees of freedom; 3) direction maintenance; 4) marking critical features; 5) frustration control; and 6) demonstration. Many of these six criteria are utilized by the teacher within a lesson for scaffolding the students. This study, however, has shown that the teacher's scaffold is not the only scaffold that is built. Indeed, this study has shown that at any given moment in a lesson, many different layers of scaffolding are being built, which intertwine and overlap each other.Within the Chinese English classroom, it is more productive to discuss scaffolding in terms of layers, rather than only analyze Wood et al.'s (1976) strategies for building a scaffold. Four separate layers of scaffolding were discovered in the Chinese context. The layer one scaffold is where the teacher sets the backdrop for the lesson. She/He has planned the lesson, aware of what the students already know and lays down the foundation for it within the students' ZPD. Carrying out the work at this level involves creating intersubjectivity with the students and using prolepsis. The layer two scaffold occurs when students attend to the teacher's layer one scaffold and become mentally involved in the teacher's scaffold. Layer three involves two or more learners building and deconstructing scaffolds for each other. Finally, layer four shows the student actually building and deconstructing a scaffold for him/herself.This study discusses the strategies utilized by both the teacher and students in building a scaffold for other students and shows how these scaffolds are inter-related. In the conclusion, suggestions are made for native-English speaking teachers who are teaching in China concerning how to incorporate the findings of this study into their own teaching strategies. / Department of English

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Educational Leadership

A school classroom is a complex, dynamic social system. As the formal and informal norms and rules of classroom behaviour evolve, a stable socio-psychological climate is created. Teachers frequently speak of a classroom's climate, atmosphere, tone or ambience and consider it to be both important in its own right and influential on student learning. Classroom climate is considered a useful criterion variable for evaluating the instructional and learning process. It helps educators to understand the social, emotional and psychological dimensions in classroom life. Over the past two decades, researchers have produced numerous studies attesting to the importance of classroom climate in mediating cognitive and affective outcomes. The three common approaches to studying classroom environment involve systematic observation, case studies and assessing student and teacher perceptions. Perceptual measures were used in this study. Although important educational climate work has been undertaken by researchers interested in a variety of school subject areas, very little research has been done on the classroom climate of physical education classes. The ultimate aim of the study was to derive knowledge of and insight into the classroom climate in physical education classes. To realise this goal the following aims were set for this study: To conceptualise and identify the determinants that decide classroom climate enhancement in general and specifically PE-classes by means of a literature study. To measure the reliability and validity of a suitable instrument to measure the classroom climate in PE-classes. To determine the classroom climate by means of the suitable measuring instrument. To achieve the first aim of the study an empirical literature survey was conducted where classroom climate was conceptualised and specific determinants were identified which could influence classroom climate in general and the classroom climate in PE-classes specifically. To achieve the second aim, a pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of an adjusted form of the CES (CES-PE) and the ML-LO to be used in PE classes. Reliability and validity of the CES-PE and ML-LO to be used in PE settings, were proved. To achieve the third aim of the study a questionnaire study was conducted on 1178 pupils and 22 teachers in 11 schools of the Northwest and Gauteng provinces. The pupils included in the study ranged from standards 6 to 9. The results of the empirical research were as follows: The classroom climate experienced in PE-classes was regarded as being very positive. The PE teacher perceived the classroom climate in a more positive light than the pupils. There were no major differences between boys and girls of the classroom climate experienced. There were no major differences between the different standards of the classroom climate experienced. Some determinants that could influence classroom climate in PE-classes were measured with the ML-LO. Results thereof were that the pupils regarded the PE-teacher, PE-uniform, the status of PE, the use of PE in the school programme and the availability of PE-apparatus positively. There were some negative aspects, the main one being that there was not sufficient time to undress and dress and for hygiene care after PE-classes. The PE-teachers completed an additional questionnaire (MO-LO) to gather their views on certain aspects in PE classes. Two main findings came to light: firstly that PE-teachers regard themselves as being well equipped to teach PE at school and, secondly, that the main goal of the PE-teacher is to make PE-classes enjoyable and thereby foster a positive attitude towards physical activities and sport in the pupils. The following recommendation resulting from this research was considered to be the most important: There is a vast necessity for further research to be done in the RSA with regard to the creation of a positive classroom climate in secondary schools, especially in light of the new education policies. This aspect can be addressed by including courses in classroom climate at tertiary education centres. / Proefskrif (PhD (Menslike Bewegingskunde))--PU vir CHO, 1995

A school classroom is a complex, dynamic social system. As the formal and informal norms and rules of classroom behaviour evolve, a stable socio-psychological climate is created. Teachers frequently speak of a classroom's climate, atmosphere, tone or ambience and consider it to be both important in its own right and influential on student learning. Classroom climate is considered a useful criterion variable for evaluating the instructional and learning process. It helps educators to understand the social, emotional and psychological dimensions in classroom life. Over the past two decades, researchers have produced numerous studies attesting to the importance of classroom climate in mediating cognitive and affective outcomes. The three common approaches to studying classroom environment involve systematic observation, case studies and assessing student and teacher perceptions. Perceptual measures were used in this study. Although important educational climate work has been undertaken by researchers interested in a variety of school subject areas, very little research has been done on the classroom climate of physical education classes. The ultimate aim of the study was to derive knowledge of and insight into the classroom climate in physical education classes. To realise this goal the following aims were set for this study: To conceptualise and identify the determinants that decide classroom climate enhancement in general and specifically PE-classes by means of a literature study. To measure the reliability and validity of a suitable instrument to measure the classroom climate in PE-classes. To determine the classroom climate by means of the suitable measuring instrument. To achieve the first aim of the study an empirical literature survey was conducted where classroom climate was conceptualised and specific determinants were identified which could influence classroom climate in general and the classroom climate in PE-classes specifically. To achieve the second aim, a pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of an adjusted form of the CES (CES-PE) and the ML-LO to be used in PE classes. Reliability and validity of the CES-PE and ML-LO to be used in PE settings, were proved. To achieve the third aim of the study a questionnaire study was conducted on 1178 pupils and 22 teachers in 11 schools of the Northwest and Gauteng provinces. The pupils included in the study ranged from standards 6 to 9. The results of the empirical research were as follows: The classroom climate experienced in PE-classes was regarded as being very positive. The PE teacher perceived the classroom climate in a more positive light than the pupils. There were no major differences between boys and girls of the classroom climate experienced. There were no major differences between the different standards of the classroom climate experienced. Some determinants that could influence classroom climate in PE-classes were measured with the ML-LO. Results thereof were that the pupils regarded the PE-teacher, PE-uniform, the status of PE, the use of PE in the school programme and the availability of PE-apparatus positively. There were some negative aspects, the main one being that there was not sufficient time to undress and dress and for hygiene care after PE-classes. The PE-teachers completed an additional questionnaire (MO-LO) to gather their views on certain aspects in PE classes. Two main findings came to light: firstly that PE-teachers regard themselves as being well equipped to teach PE at school and, secondly, that the main goal of the PE-teacher is to make PE-classes enjoyable and thereby foster a positive attitude towards physical activities and sport in the pupils. The following recommendation resulting from this research was considered to be the most important: There is a vast necessity for further research to be done in the RSA with regard to the creation of a positive classroom climate in secondary schools, especially in light of the new education policies. This aspect can be addressed by including courses in classroom climate at tertiary education centres. / Proefskrif (PhD (Menslike Bewegingskunde))--PU vir CHO, 1995

A positive classroom is more conducive to learning than a negative one. Since the teacher creates the classroom climate, it is important for him or her to follow certain didactic guidelines for creating the right climate. This study investigated the implementation of specific didactic guidelines for creating a climate the most conducive to learning. Kruger and Van Schalkwyk (1992:104) are of the opinion that if a classroom climate is hearty, warm and appealing, everybody is relaxed, and experiences the togetherness as pleasant. Such a setting offers each individual the opportunity for being his or her true self, and the teacher as well as the students are willing to open up and become involved. Should the classroom climate be stiff, cold and clinical, however, the participants become tense, stiff, and introverted. They become unwilling to reveal themselves to one another. The study was aimed at answering specific problem questions, namely: • What does a positive classroom climate entail? • Which didactic measures ensure a positive climate? • What is the current classroom climate at secondary schools? • Which methods and techniques can be implemented to create a positive climate? • Which didactic guidelines can be presented to teachers for optimising the classroom climate? The first two questions were investigated by means of a literature study. Certain findings led to the answers to the problem questions. The third question was answered through an empirical study aimed at determining the climate of a specific secondary school. The study revealed that the students in general experienced the climate as positive. Two control variables, namely gender and language, however, showed slight differences of opinion. Although the results showed no practical statistical significance, a difference was noted between the opinions of girls and boys, as well as between Afrikaans speaking students and students speaking African languages. The questionnaires the teachers completed, were based on the same guidelines for creating classroom climate as were found in the literature study. In chapter 5 various recommendations for further research in this field, relevant to South Africa in particular, were made since it is believed that the school situation here is unique. Further research can offer solutions to persistent problems. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2000

This study is scientifically aimed at the problematic question of the present situation regarding the climate in the Bible Education classroom in secondary schools. A possible cause of the problems experienced with Bible Education and the negative view prevalent with regard to the subject, can be ascribed to the prevailing climate in the Bible Education classroom in the secondary school. An empirical study was conducted by means of a structured questionnaire distributed to the Bible Education teachers and a stratified sample of ten pupils per class at four Afrikaanse secondary schools. The four schools were chosen at random and served as test sample. According to the answers of the respondents, it became clear that the present classroom climate puts a very high premium on rules and control in the classroom. Therefore it would appear as if a lot of work needs to be done concerning the mutual relationship between teacher and pupil for the effective improvement of the climate in the classroom. / Skripsie (MEd (Didaktiese Opvoedkunde))--PU vir CHO, 1995

This study investigated the impact of several affective, cognitive, and demographic entering characteristics of students and their experiences of the psychosocial, instructional and managerial, physical, and course-related materials aspects of the classroom environment in accounting for three language learning outcomes / class participation, study habits, and English achievement. The subjects of the study (N = 519) were the preparatory class students of various departments of Erciyes University in Kayseri who received a one-year English instruction at Erciyes University School of Foreign Languages (EUSFL) during the academic year 2001-2002. In line with the &ldquo / Input-Context-Outcome&rdquo / research framework of the study, the data were gathered from the students through self-report questionnaires and school records prior to (Input-entering student characteristics variables), during (Context- classroom environment variables), and at the end (Outcome) of the specified instructional period (one-semester), which were subjected to various applications of Multivariate Linear Regression procedures. The findings indicated different patterns of relationships depending on the type of outcome assessed with significant predictors from both input and context classes. In descending order of effect size, the significant predictors of class participation were teacher supportiveness, involvement, satisfaction with course materials, speaking anxiety, self-concept, task orientation and organization, effort, student cohesiveness, physical conditions, overall academic achievement, and previous exposure, which altogether accounted for 74 % of the variance in students&rsquo / levels of class participation. The amount of variance accounted for study habits was 40 %, with involvement, overall academic achievement, self-concept, student residence, and gender emerging as significant predictors. As for the English achievement criterion, overall academic achievement, teacher supportiveness, self-concept, involvement, satisfaction with course materials, previous exposure, and student residence were significant predictors which accounted for 56 % of the overall variance. The findings are discussed in light of relevant theory and empirical research and suggestions are made for pedagogical practices and further research directions.

The first purpose of this study was to validate a modified and personalised form of the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI) and then to use this instrument to examine the actual and preferred classroom environment perceptions of students and instructors at the senior secondary and post secondary levels. A third purpose was to examine students' attitude to their courses on three specific scales, namely, Satisfaction, Difficulty and Speed. A sample of 504 students and24 instructors from Canada and the Australian Capital Territory completed the CUCEI. The students also responded to an attitudinal questionnaire. Statistical analysis confirmed the reliability of the CUCEI. The Cronbach alpha reliability figures, using the individual student as the unit of analysis, ranged from 0.73 to 0.93 and from 0.76 to 0.94 for the actual and preferred versions respectively. Good alpha reliability figures were also apparent for instructor versions, ranging from 0.72 to 0.90 for the actual version and from 0.72 to 0.93 for the preferred version. When the two levels were compared, students at the higher level had a less favourable perception of their learning environment. Hardly any difference in perceptions was seen in the learning environment between male and female students. There were significant differences in the perceptions of the classroom environment by mature students. Mature students perceived task orientation and equity more favourably than did younger students. Senior secondary students were generally more satisfied with their science courses than post secondary students. There was no difference in their attitude to the speed of delivery of science courses. The sample of 24 instructors generally perceived their environment more favourably than did their students, however, senior secondary instructors viewed the learning environment more favourably ++ / than the instructors at the post secondary level. The study also suggests that instructors at the post secondary level are aware of the changes in students classroom environment and seem to take into account these changes. Qualitative data collected from class observations and student and instructor interviews complemented the quantitative findings of the study.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Mary Kooy.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Edith Cowan University, 1999. / Submitted to the Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (p. 413-423).