The objective of the project was to develop an online educational technology tool based on research from multiple disciplines to improve effective communication between students, counselors, teachers, parents, and school staff. The website developed for the project aims to increase the involvement of parents in their child's academic progress. The project also includes discussions concerning the website's field testing at a middle school in Rosemead, California, its evaluation through participant surveys, and final revision. The field test participant instructions, survey questions, and a computer disc of the website accompanies the project.

The study investigates the potential of teacher talk in enhancing learner capacity to negotiate learning, premised on a view of classroom interaction as guided construction of knowledge. It examines the extent to which levels of oracy - essentially, awareness of the language of instruction, and the ability to use it more effectively - can be raised by exposing teachers to an in-service distance education language-based course. The main research questions are: a. What are the effects of the course in classroom text and discourse on oracy in the high school classroom? b. How can the quality of classroom discourse be assessed in a relatively systematic and objective manner? With regard to the second question, an analytical framework was developed that defined three key constructs in terms of discourse acts, namely teacher dominance, teacher effectiveness and learner initiative, and these constructs formed the basis of the three hypotheses. Patterns of interaction in English, mathematics and geography classes during the first year of high school in Harare, Zimbabwe (main study) and Zomba, Malawi (supplementary study) were analysed. The Zimbabwe study used a pretest-posttest control group design, with six teachers in the experimental group and three as controls, while the Malawi study used a posttest-only control group design with three teachers in each group. The experimental groups took part in an intervention programme known as the Litraid Project, a course on classroom text and discourse. The findings, interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively, showed that after intervention the experimental group teachers dominated classrooms less and used discourse input more consciously and effectively. Similarly, their learners showed improved ability to negotiate learning, as reflected in their heightened levels of initiative and discourse output, both in class and group discussion. Hence the conclusion that classroom praxis, specifically in English second language situations, benefits from a conscious enhancement of oracy, leading to more effective teaching and learning. / Linguistics / D.Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

Parent involvement is consistently ranked high among the key components of effective schools, and as a result is one of the brightest prospects for the future of public education. This study sought to develop a reliable measure to strengthen parent-teacher relationships that included previously unidentified aspects. Using a qualitative approach, 27 participants were purposely selected to be interviewed in order to determine the challenges stakeholders face in arranging constructive parent-teacher relationships. In addition to parents-teacher relationships, the goal was to determine the role of school principals in managing effective communication to strengthen these relationships between parents and teachers. Results identified numerous reliable parent involvement factors reflecting home monitoring, effective school involvement, and educational management. Attitude toward learning and competence motivation of learners learning behavior were positively identified when all stakeholders work together as a team. Education management that translates high expectations strengthens parent-teacher relationships for the sake of optimal learner development. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of the study was to investigate classroom discourse among high school natural science students in Swaziland. The research problem was: Can student interactions tell us something about the negotiation of understanding during natural science teaching? A qualitative approach was used, specifically, the observational case study style. The population comprised three Form 4 students and their natural science teacher, purposely selected. Data was collected using the non-participant observation and the standardised open-ended interview methods. The collected data was analysed using the discourse analysis approach. The analysed data indicated that prevailing discourse patterns were teacher and student talk, as well as written work. A conclusion was that student classroom discourse in the natural sciences should be encouraged among all students for improved understanding and meaning making. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Thesis (M.Ed.(Socio-Ed.))--University of South Africa, 2002.

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie verhandeling word gepoog om teen die agtergrond van multikulturele skoolsituasies in Suid-Afrika 'n oorsig van die problematiek random kommunikasievaardighede te gee. Algemene intra- en interpersoonlike kommunikasievaardighede word uitgelig. In aansluiting by 'n literatuurondersoek is kwalitatiewe data deur middel van onderhoude met skoolhoofde en onderwysers wat by multikulturele skoolsituasies betrokke is, ingesamel. Die wyse waarop mense met mekaar praat is deurslaggewend. Kommunikasieprobleme kan ontstaan wanneer kultuurgroepe met mekaar kommunikeer. Die hantering van misverstande en konflik in multikulturele skoolsituasies is belangrik. Onderwysbestuurders moet verskeie kommunikasievaardighede tydens 'n konfliksituasie aanwend. Die doeltreffende funksionering van 'n skool word grootliks medebepaal deur effektiewe kommunikasievaardighede wat toegepas word om verhoudinge tussen verskillende groepe te verbeter. Onderwysbestuurders behoort opgelei te word om effektief met alle betrokkenes in 'n konfliksituasie te kommunikeer. / This paper endeavours to give a review of the problematic nature of communication skills against the background of multicultural school situations in South Africa. General intra and interpersonal communication skills are highlighted. Further to the literature review, qualitative data has been gathered through interviews with a number of principals and teachers who are involved in multicultural school situations. The manner in which people speak to each other is important. Communication problems can occur when culture groups communicate. The management of misunderstandings and conflict is important in multicultural school situations. Education managers must utilise several communication skills during a conflict situation. The successful functioning of a school is essentially co-determined by the employment of effective communication skills to improve relationships between different groups. Education managers should be trained to communicate effectively with all persons involved in a conflict situation. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Onderwysbestuur)

This diploma thesis deals with development of communicational skills in children with hearing impairments in preschool. In this case communication is considered to bean atribute of society and it alsosals with the basic of human communication. It presents hearing impairments, its classification and the posibilities of auditory prostheses. It dis scuses the development of human speech and the influence of hearing impairments on it, the possibilities of communication and education of children with hearing impairments. It al so deals with the importace of preschooleducation, and mainparts of rehabilitation in kindergarten (Holečkova street, Prague). There search answers, if this kindergarten possitivelyaffects the development of children's socialskills . And also how importantisthe size of hearingloss and the family background for the communnication development.

Nosso estudo recupera o percurso de emissoras comunitárias na cidade de São Paulo a partir de suas legalizações, buscando, especificamente, os procedimentos adotados por suas equipes para definir e organizar a sua programação, para se relacionar com os seus ouvintes, para resolver suas questões de sustentabilidade financeira e ainda refletir se na emissora há lugar para Educação. Exercitamos formas diferenciadas de analisar as grades de programação dessas emissoras, aqui compreendidas como recursos que guardam informações múltiplas e que podem ser reveladores do tipo de trabalho que desenvolvem. Tivemos como pressuposto o fato de que, se consideradas em seus propósitos e nas formas como são concebidas, planejadas e organizadas, as ofertas de programação de uma emissora revelam a identidade dessa rádio e podem também desvelar as competências comunicativo-educativas que priorizam em sua trajetória. Assim, considerando as afirmações de Roldão (2006) e Peruzzo (2011) de que a caracterização de uma emissora está no seu uso e nos conteúdos que gera, nossa constatação partiu da análise de três aspectos: conteúdos de programação da emissora, grau de interlocução com o ouvinte e forma pela qual expressa o seu compromisso com os rumos da comunidade. Na prática, percebemos uma emissora com pouco espaço de participação do ouvinte, fôlego e entusiasmo reduzidos para mudanças e com sérios problemas de sustentação financeira. Os apoios culturais, única forma de aportar recursos de patrocinadores ou anunciante, são regulados por orientações bastante restritivas. Legalizadas, ainda não ousam buscar modelos e formatos diferenciados de programação, tampouco imprimem gestões mais democráticas na condução de suas equipes em nome da lei da radiodifusão comunitária, que precisam respeitar para não perderem a autorização de funcionamento. Neste contexto contraditório, nos orientou um sistema de hipóteses no qual a grande maioria das emissoras de baixa potência em operação na cidade já está sem fôlego em função das restrições que comprometem sua sobrevivência e que estão impostas na lei que as regulamentou. Percebemos também que cada emissora criou um jeito de marcar presença no cenário da radiodifusão e está forjando uma nova identidade, ainda em construção / Our study recovers the path of community radio stations in São Paulo from its legalization, specifically seeking the procedures adopted by their teams to define and organize your schedule, to relate to their listeners, to solve their issues of financial sustainability and also reflect if the there is a place for education on the radio station. We have exercised different ways of analyzing the programming grids of those stations, here understood as resources that keep multiple kinds of information and may reveal the type of work they develop. We presuppose the fact that, if considered in its purpose and the ways they are designed, planned and organized, offers of a station programming reveal the identity of this radio and can also reveal the communicative and educational skills that prioritize in its path. Considering the claims of Roldão (2006) and Peruzzo (2011) that the characterization of a station is in its use and the content it generates, our findings came from analysis of three aspects: the station\'s program content, degree of dialogue with the listener and the way in which he expresses his commitment to the direction of the community. In practice, we find a station with little space for the participation of the listener, with reduced enthusiasm for change and with serious problems of financial support. Cultural supports, the only way to provide resources for sponsors or advertising, are regulated by quite restrictive guidelines. Legalized radio stations, do not dare to seek models and differentiated programming formats yet, nor have more democratic management in the conduct of their teams on behalf of the law of community radio broadcasting, which must respect not to lose the license to operate. In this contradictorily context, we were guided in a system of hypotheses in which the vast majority of low power stations operating in the city is already breathless if you considered the restrictions that compromise their survival and that are imposed in the law that regulated them. We also saw that each station has created a way to be present at the scene of broadcasting and is forging a new identity, still under construction.

Esse estudo retrata a ação da Pastoral da Criança na Arquidiocese de São Paulo, analisando como funciona na prática o processo educativo e comunicativo idealizado pela organização. Autores que trabalham a relação entre comunicação, cidadania, jornalismo, educação popular e saúde da criança estão presentes no campo teórico. Na pesquisa de campo, ouvimos 61 pessoas que atuam na entidade sobre as ações que realizam, o uso que fazem do Jornal Pastoral da Criança e como veem ou vivem a questão da cidadania. Ainda entrevistamos outras dez pessoas ligadas à Coordenação Nacional ou programas específicos, das quais destacamos a fundadora da Pastoral da Criança, Zilda Arns, e a jornalista responsável pelo jornal, Sonia Prati. Paralelamente às entrevistas, optamos por uma pesquisa participante, com o intuito de aprofundar nosso conhecimento sobre as práticas estabelecidas no cotidiano do voluntariado. Também analisamos a acessibilidade do texto do Jornal Pastoral da Criança, além de relacionar as respostas de leitoras e leitores com o conteúdo apresentado nas matérias, buscando ver se havia uma contribuição efetiva para a construção da cidadania. Nesse percurso, pudemos perceber as políticas comunicativas da Pastoral da Criança e seus efeitos nas comunidades. Realiza-se uma comunicação popular ao mesmo tempo em que se preocupa com a imagem da organização na mídia. O diálogo é a base do processo educativo e da comunicação estabelecida pela Pastoral da Criança, que procura ouvir representantes do voluntariado de diversas formas e incentivar a participação no sistema comunicativo, tanto no jornal quanto na internet e no programa semanal de rádio que desenvolve. Nesse processo educadoras são também educandas assim como as receptoras das mensagens podem também construí-las. O caminho trilhado possibilita que reflexão e ação caminhem juntas rumo à construção da cidadania nas comunidades. / This study shows the action of Pastoral of Child in Archdiocese of São Paulo, analyzing how it works in practice the educational and communicative process designed by the organization. Authors that work the relationship between communication, citizenship, journalism, popular education and health of the child are present in the theoretical. In field research, we heard 61 people about the actions they perform working in the entity, their use of the Journal Pastoral of the Child and how they see or live with issues of citizenship. Also interviewed ten people linked to the National Coordination or specific programs, of which highlight the founder of Pastoral of Child, Zilda Arns, and the journalist and publisher of the journal, Sonia Prati. In same time, we chose a participant research, in order to deepen our understanding of established practices by voluntary daily. We also analyzed the accessibility of the text of the Journal Pastoral of the Child, and relate the responses of readers with the content displayed in the reports, trying to see if there was an effective contribution to building citizenship. Along the way, we can realize the communication policies of the Pastoral of the Child and its effects on communities. There is a popular communication while, in the same time, it is concerned with the organization\'s image in the media. Dialogue is the basis of the educational and communicative process established by the Pastoral of Child, which seeks to hear the voluntaries of the various forms and encourage the participation in the communication system, both the newspaper and the Internet and the weekly radio program that develops. In this process teachers are also educative as well as the recipients of messages can also build them. The path trodden enables reflection and action go hand in hand to the construction of citizenship in the communities.

University of Macau / Faculty of Education