O Clube de Matemática é um projeto de estágio, pesquisa e extensão, realizado em diferentes universidades brasileiras em parceria com escolas públicas, no qual os estudantes de graduação organizam o ensino de modo a possibilitarem a apropriação de conceitos teóricos por alunos dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Assim, o processo formativo ocorre por meio de ações direcionadas a um fim, contemplando as necessidades objetivadas dos graduandos e possibilitando o processo de significação da docência pela relação dinâmica e intrínseca entre as atividades prática e teórica, isto é, pela práxis, o que o caracteriza como um espaço de aprendizagem da docência. Desse modo, com base nos pressupostos da teoria histórico-cultural, a pesquisa que aqui se apresenta investigou as ações potencialmente formadoras na atividade de ensino que possibilitaram, no Clube de Matemática, a atribuição de um sentido à docência concordante com o seu significado social e histórico, construído coletivamente. Para tanto, foram analisados o Clube de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, o Clube de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Goiás e, sobretudo, o Clube de Matemática da Universidade de São Paulo, considerando-se os aspectos particulares de cada um. A análise dos processos de significação da docência nos espaços investigados nos dá evidências da relevância deste modelo de organização da formação docente em diferentes contextos educacionais. / The present research aims to investigate, based on the assumptions of the historicalcultural theory, which potentially forming actions resulting from the teaching activity, in Clube de Matemática, that allow the attribution of a meaning to the teaching that agrees with its social and historical significance, built collectively. The Clube da Matemática is a traineeship, research and extension project, carried out in different brazilian universities in partnership with public schools, in which undergraduate students organize teaching in order to enable the appropriation of theoretical concepts by students from the first years of Elementary School. Thus, the formative process occurs through directed actions towards an end, contemplating the objective needs of undergraduates and enabling the process of meaning of teaching through the dynamic and intrinsic relationship between practical and theoretical activities, through práxis. In this research, we analyzed the Clube de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, the Clube de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Goiás and, especially, the Clube de Matemática da Universidade de São Paulo, considering the particular aspects of each one, evidencing the possibility of reproducing this model of teacher education organization in different educational contexts. The analysis of the processes of meaning of teaching gives us evidence about the relevance of this organization of teacher training in different educational contexts.

Denna studie fokuserar på språkliga svårigheter i förskolan samt vikten av tidig upptäckt och adekvata stödinsatser i barns tidiga år. Studiens syfte var att beskriva och analysera förskollärares och specialpedagogers uppfattningar om förutsättningar för upptäckt av språkliga svårigheter i förskolan, samt utformningen av förskolans arbetssätt för stimulans av barns språkutveckling, med särskilt fokus på språksvårigheter. Studien utgick från följande två forskningsfrågor: "Vilka är förskollärares och specialpedagogers uppfattningar om sina möjligheter att upptäcka språksvårigheter hos barn i förskolan?" och " Vilka är förskollärares och specialpedagogers uppfattningar om utformningen av arbetet för att stötta barn med språksvårigheter i förskolan?" För att besvara dessa frågor gjordes denna kvalitativa intervjustudie. Datainsamlingen bestod av totalt åtta intervjuer med urval från ovan nämnda professioner i förskolan. Informanternas erfarenheter och uppfattningar kring ämnet tematiserades och analyserades med begrepp från sociokulturell teori, samt early childhood literacy. Resultatet påvisade goda möjligheter att upptäcka språkliga svårigheter i förskolan, likväl som att tillämpa stödjande insatser. Det framkom dessutom att detta har positiva effekter på barns fortsatta språkutveckling och inlärning i ett större perspektiv, samt gynnar barnets sociala relationer. Interaktion och kommunikation med barnen, pedagogernas kompetens och förhållningssätt, tillgång till specialpedagogisk kompetens, samt samverkan med vårdnadshavare framstår som avgörande faktorer vid likväl upptäckt av språksvårigheter som tillämpning av stödinsatser. / This study is about language difficulties in preschool and the importance of detection and adequate language intervention at an early age. The purpose of the study was to describe and analyze preschool teachers' and special educators' opinions regarding the prerequisites for detecting language difficulties in preschool, as well as the methods used to support language development, focusing children with language difficulties in particular. The study was based on the following two research questions: "What are the perceptions of pre-school teachers and special educators of their opportunities to detect language difficulties in preschool?" and "What are the views of preschool teachers and special educators on methods used to support children with language difficulties in preschool?" In order to answer these questions, this qualitative interview study was done. The data collection consisted of eight interviews with a selection from the above mentioned professions. The empirical data were sorted by themes and analyzed with concepts from socio-cultural theory, as well as early childhood literacy. The result of the study showed that the prerequisites to discover linguistic difficulties in preschool, as well as the ability of language interventions, were good. Positive effects on children's language development and learning in a larger perspective, as well as social relations, also emerged in the study. Interaction and communication, the educators' competence and approach, access to special educational competence, and collaboration with the parents appear to be crucial for discovering language difficulties, as well as implementing interventions.

<p>This dissertation explores the ‘socio-cultural dilemma’ facing international peacebuilders in war-torn societies through a case study of the post-conflict process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is done with the help of a typological approach of the grid-group Cultural Theory framework, which defines four social solidarities – or ideal type cultures – of individualism, egalitarianism, fatalism and hierarchy. A central argument in the thesis is that international intervention is culturally individualistic and/or egalitarian, thus socio-culturally unviable in war-torn societies, which are usually dominated by hierarchical and fatalist social solidarities.</p><p>This underlying socio-cultural conflict is used to trace the Bosnian post-war process, where the relationship between the managing international institution – the Office of the High Representative of the International Community – and the local nationalist elites repeatedly changed in response to the failure of international policies to produce the desired result, namely broad socio-cultural change in the local politics and society. Four different periods in the process are identified: 1) ’economic conditionality’, 2) ‘Bonn Powers’, 3) ‘the concept of ownership’ and 4) ‘Euro-Atlantic integration’. Each period is defined by different culturally biased policies, supported by corresponding social relations and strategic behaviours.</p><p>The individualistic and egalitarian biased approaches usually resulted in failures, as they were not viable in the local socio-cultural context. After adapting to the local context, new viable approaches produced results in specific policy areas, but at the cost of unwanted side-effects in the form of reinforcement of dominant social solidarities. The result was therefore contrary to the broad goal of the process, which was to transform the local political culture.</p><p>In other words, the defining and re-defining of the OHR’s role in the Bosnian process was a consequence of the dilemma of having to make an unsatisfactory choice: either to adapt to the way the political game is played in the Bosnian socio-cultural context in order to achieve effectiveness in the policy process, or to stay true to the peacebuilders’ own cultural biases and attempt to change the local socio-cultural accordingly. In essence, it is argued, this is the socio-cultural viability dilemma that is inherent in international peacebuilding.</p><p>In unveiling of the socio-cultural viability dilemma, the dissertation explores central problems in the Bosnian post-conflict process. It provides a credible explanation to a number of hitherto unexplained difficulties and paradoxes experienced in Bosnia. It concludes that the international intervention in this particular case was neither a success story nor a failure per se, but one which failed to properly address the dilemma of socio-cultural viability. The key conclusions regarding peacebuilding in general are that there should be a greater under¬¬standing of socio-cultural issues in peacebuilding in order to better manage the socio-cultural viability dilemma. Practically, this means that international peacebuilders need to adapt to local context and strive towards the goal of local ownership of the process. The aim should be to make the intervention as viable as possible, as quickly as possible, to boldly implement policies that promote changes in the local socio-cultural context, and to withdraw only after the necessary conditions for local ownership are in place.</p>

This dissertation explores the ‘socio-cultural dilemma’ facing international peacebuilders in war-torn societies through a case study of the post-conflict process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is done with the help of a typological approach of the grid-group Cultural Theory framework, which defines four social solidarities – or ideal type cultures – of individualism, egalitarianism, fatalism and hierarchy. A central argument in the thesis is that international intervention is culturally individualistic and/or egalitarian, thus socio-culturally unviable in war-torn societies, which are usually dominated by hierarchical and fatalist social solidarities. This underlying socio-cultural conflict is used to trace the Bosnian post-war process, where the relationship between the managing international institution – the Office of the High Representative of the International Community – and the local nationalist elites repeatedly changed in response to the failure of international policies to produce the desired result, namely broad socio-cultural change in the local politics and society. Four different periods in the process are identified: 1) ’economic conditionality’, 2) ‘Bonn Powers’, 3) ‘the concept of ownership’ and 4) ‘Euro-Atlantic integration’. Each period is defined by different culturally biased policies, supported by corresponding social relations and strategic behaviours. The individualistic and egalitarian biased approaches usually resulted in failures, as they were not viable in the local socio-cultural context. After adapting to the local context, new viable approaches produced results in specific policy areas, but at the cost of unwanted side-effects in the form of reinforcement of dominant social solidarities. The result was therefore contrary to the broad goal of the process, which was to transform the local political culture. In other words, the defining and re-defining of the OHR’s role in the Bosnian process was a consequence of the dilemma of having to make an unsatisfactory choice: either to adapt to the way the political game is played in the Bosnian socio-cultural context in order to achieve effectiveness in the policy process, or to stay true to the peacebuilders’ own cultural biases and attempt to change the local socio-cultural accordingly. In essence, it is argued, this is the socio-cultural viability dilemma that is inherent in international peacebuilding. In unveiling of the socio-cultural viability dilemma, the dissertation explores central problems in the Bosnian post-conflict process. It provides a credible explanation to a number of hitherto unexplained difficulties and paradoxes experienced in Bosnia. It concludes that the international intervention in this particular case was neither a success story nor a failure per se, but one which failed to properly address the dilemma of socio-cultural viability. The key conclusions regarding peacebuilding in general are that there should be a greater under¬¬standing of socio-cultural issues in peacebuilding in order to better manage the socio-cultural viability dilemma. Practically, this means that international peacebuilders need to adapt to local context and strive towards the goal of local ownership of the process. The aim should be to make the intervention as viable as possible, as quickly as possible, to boldly implement policies that promote changes in the local socio-cultural context, and to withdraw only after the necessary conditions for local ownership are in place.

Many immigrants in Sweden have not had the chance to learn to read and write, for various reasons. In Sweden, literacy is a prerequisite to being able to function in the cultural community, and for many immigrants this is the first time that they experience their inability to read and write as a handicap or see themselves as “illiterate”. The aim of this study is to use a socio-cultural, second language and gender approach to describe, analyse and understand how a number of adult, illiterate, immigrant women experience their situation when they are expected to simultaneously learn to speak, read and write Swedish. The study focuses on two literacy groups in two Swedish municipalities. In one of the groups I act as both teacher and researcher. The thesis is a case study of the learning process of five illiterate immigrant women in Sweden. The results are based on interviews, carried out with the help of an interpreter, and observation of teaching and texts ritten by the students. The study is based on the assumption that human learning is an activity that takes place in a cultural community in a social context. When learning a language, the language is simultaneously the tool that facilitates social communication and the object of the learning process. The study shows that cultural communities influence the women in different ways. Gender structures are firmly planted in a patriarchal value system, which means that women are seen as inferior to men, and women are expected to “meet the demands of others”. The women have no time to study at home, as their household duties are prioritised. However, there are subtle indications that there is a wish to change the situation in accordance with Swedish values and norms. This can be seen in the Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) lessons. As they have little contact with Swedes, school is the only arena in which they have a chance to use Swedish. They are positive towards teaching and school as an institution. Here they are able to develop an alternative identity. The study also shows that teaching in the literacy groups is to a great extent based on a technical approach, in which the teacher tries to elicit a correct answer from the students. Social interaction involving contemplation and negotiation is either not included or not prioritised. the women’s experience and knowledge is not made use of. There are,however, occasions when collaborative discussions take place between the teacher and students. On these occasions an exchange of experiences takes place. Learning is based on the students’ own experiences and thoughts. Linguistic concepts gain meaning in the collaborative discussion. Initially the concepts may be unclear, but the group works on them together, adapting and adjusting them until they finally make sense. Finally, I conclude that women immigrants bring their own socio-cultural values and experience to the school situation, which affects their learning process to varying degrees. Furthermore, immigrant women need more time at school, as it is the only arena in which they can spend time on studying and personal development. another conclusion is that the school must become a learning community that recognises the immigrants’ cultures, makes use of the students’ experience and allows the students to participate in collaborative discussions, so that they can develop their ability to speak, read and write Swedish.

The desire to translate constructivist and sociocultural approaches to learning in specific learning activities is evident in most forms of training at current, not least in online education. Teachers worldwide are struggling with questions of how to create conditions in this fairly new realm of education for learners to contribute to the development of a good quality in their own and others' learning. Collaboration in forms of text talk in asynchronous, text based forums (ADF) is often used so students can participate at the location and time that suits them best given the other aspects of their life situation. But previous research show how collaboration in forms of text talk do not always evolve in expected quality, and how participation sometimes can be so low that no discussions at all take place. Perhaps it is time to move on and make use of the variety of user-friendly audio-visible technologies that offers conditions for collaboration similar to those in the physical environment? Is there any point to use ADF for collaboration, beyond the flexible opportunity for participation it allows? If so, why, how and under what conditions are it worthwhile to use ADF for tasks meant to be worked collaboratively on? These questions were the starting point of the studies in this thesis that was researched through two case studies involving different techniques and data samples of various natures, with the aim to understand more about collaborative text talk. The research approach differs from the vast majority of studies in the research field of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) where many studies currently are conducted by analysis of quantifiable data. The first case study was conducted in the context of non-formal learning in Swedish Liberal Adult Education online, and the second in the context of higher education online in Sweden. The studies in the thesis were made on basis of socio-cultural theory and empirical studies. Empirical data was collected from questionnaires, interviews and texts created by students participating in tasks that they jointly resolved through text talk. Some results were brought back to the students for further explanation of the results. Findings from data analysis were triangulated with other results and with sociocultural theory. The results indicate that students can create knowledge relevant to their studies through text talk, but can feel restrained or dismiss the activity as irrelevant if important conditions are lacking.  Collaboration through text talk makes individual resources accessible in a specific place where it can be observed and its validity for the purpose of the task evaluated by others. Students with good insight in what they are supposed to accomplish seem be able to consult relevant guidance for this evaluation, from teachers, textbooks, scientific articles and other valid experiences important to their studies, and thereby contribute to learning of the quality they studies are meant to produce. Text talk also increases teachers’ possibilities to identify what the guidance the study group needs when evaluating the gathered resources and through their own active participation provide support in the students “zone of proximal development”. Contributions offered to the CSCL research field is the identifications of important mechanisms related to learning collaboratively through text talk, and the use of case study methodology as inspiration for others to try also these kinds of strategies to capture online learning.

Syftet med uppsatsen är att belysa och analysera hur nyanlända ungdomar beskriver sina upplevelser av att börja om i en ny skola, i ett nytt land. Uppsatsen handlar om att förklara och belysa flyktingungdomars upplevelser av att börja om i ny skola och lära sig ett nytt språk och skaffa nya vänner och vad denna utmaning innebär. Med uppsatsen vill jag belysa språket och skolans betydelse för nyanlända elevers delaktighet. Min studie är baserad på kvalitativa metoder och jag har genomfört kvalitativa intervjuer med sex deltagare som har erfarenheter av att vara en nyanländ elev. Analysen av studien gjordes med IPA (Interpretative phenomenological analysis). IPA är en kombination mellan fenomenologi och hermeneutik. Teoretiska utgångspunkter är den sociokulturella teorin och postkolonial teori. Med sociokulturell teori analyserar jag delaktighetens och gemenskapens betydelse för lärandeprocessen bland nyanlända elever. Jag använder postkolonial teori för att analysera den postkoloniala ordningen i vår nutida skola. Jag har kommit fram till att nyanlända elever står inför en svår utmaning när de börjar skolan. Deltagarna upplevde att det var svårt att skaffa vänner, lära sig ett nytt språk och bli en del av samhället. Deltagarna upplevde både delaktighet och utanförskap i skolan och de har blivit utsatta för kränkning, stigmatisering och mobbning. Skolan hade en viktig roll i nyanlända elevers liv, speciellt under de första åren i Sverige eftersom nyanlända träffade jämnåriga och nya människor i skolan. Svenska språket är ett krav för att nyanlända ska klara sig och bli delaktiga i skolan. Det kräver lång tid för nyanlända elever att bli accepterade i skolan, lära sig ett nytt språk och anpassa sig till det nya landet. / The aim of this study is to illuminate and analyze how newly arrived adolescents describe their experiences of starting over in a new school, in a new land. The essay will explain and illuminate the refugee adolescents’ experiences of starting over in a new school and learn a new language and make new friends and what this challenge mean for them. The essay describes the language- and the school's impact on newly arrived students’ participation. My study is based on qualitative methods, based on interviews with six individuals who have the experience of being a newly arrived student. The analysis of the study was made with IPA (Interpretative phenomenological analysis). IPA is a combination of phenomenology and hermeneutic perspective. Theoretical premises are the socio-cultural theory and postcolonial theory. With socio-cultural theory I explain and analyze the participation and community importance for the learning process among newly arrived students. I use postcolonial theory to analyze the post-colonial order in our current school. I have found that newly arrived students are facing a difficult challenge when they start school. The participants experienced that it was difficult to make friends, learn a new language and become part of the community. The participants experienced both inclusion and exclusion in school and they have been exposed to violations, stigmatization and bullying. The school had an important role in the newly arrivals' lives, especially during the first years in Sweden because in school they meet peers and new people. Swedish language is a requirement for new arrivals so they will cope with life and get involved in school. It takes a long time for newly arrived students to be accepted in school, learn a new language and adapt to the new country.

This study offers a look at the ways in which discourse shaped by the contemporary Israel-Palestine conflict serves as a framework for modern historiography on Palestine. It focuses specifically on the variety of historical narratives proffered as to the “truth” of the Crusade period in Palestine, roughly the eleventh through the thirteenth centuries, and their mobilization in political agendas through the Zionist-Crusader analogy. This comparison, a historical analogy likening Zionists to Frankish Crusaders or the State of Israel to the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, appears frequently in contemporary dialogue on the Israel-Palestine conflict; it comes from a diverse range of sources and for a variety of political ends, showing that the politicization of history of the contested land is a widespread phenomenon that is limited neither to academic nor political circles. Furthermore, this study argues that common national, religious, or ethnic identities do not guarantee common political conclusions or agreement on the “facts” of the Crusader past. On a broader level, this study investigates the theoretical underpinnings of national histories and their employment as political devices in nationalist movements, as well as explores the role of individual agency in creating and deploying nationalist historical narratives within the framework of the Zionist-Crusader analogy. In the specific context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the modern State of Israel, this theoretical component focuses primarily on applications of Crusade history to supporting or challenging contemporary political-religious claims to the land of Israel-Palestine.

The thesis is an examination of Aboriginal cultural tourism based on interviews with national and international tourists. The research found that the opportunity for tourists to share personal intimacy with Aboriginal people often outweighed the attraction to the cultural aspects of the tours and that this can contribute to the discourse of reconciliation.

No description available.