This study examines the sense of preparedness of preservice special education teachers (PSETs) to instruct English language learners. Pre- and post-survey measures were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for a group of PSETs as they engaged in their second semester of student teaching experience. To explore emerging themes, a post-qualitative analysis was performed using focus groups. Quantitative results revealed no statistical difference except for the Self-Efficacy subscale. Focus group data showed increased confidence levels resulting from the student teaching experience. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pre-survey results between PSETs who had and PSETs who had not taken advanced coursework or participated in student teaching. With the exception of the subscale, Attitude Towards ELs in the Classroom, results revealed no statistical difference between the two groups. At the same time, qualitative, open-response questions revealed PSETs who had participated in advanced coursework and student teaching seemed to have a deeper understanding of ELs' instructional and linguistic needs. Contributions to the literature are presented which may help in designing teacher preparation programs to increase PSETs' sense of preparedness to better serve ELs with disabilities.

This study investigated the physical affective, cognitive and volitional problems of the learner in adult basic education (ABE) with reference to the learner's relationship towards the tutor, the learning content, the self, and family and friends. The research design provided for a literature study of ABE in South Africa, as well as the personhood and relationships of the ABE learner. This was done to arrive at a research hypothesis concerning the relative impact of various categories of problems on the ABE learner. The empirical summary had both quantitative and qualitative components. It was found that ABE learners are influenced by the following factors, listed in order of impact: affective problems; cognitive problems; problems related to the learning content, physical problems and problems related to family and friends. Positive fmdings were that volitional problems and problems related to tutors were relatively less significant. In its recommendations the study emphasises the crucial role of, and need for professionally trained adult basic educators who can deal effectively with the personal and contextual problems of ABE learners. Moreover, the typical perseverance of ABE learners demands the establishment of excellent and responsive infrastructure for ABE provision, inter alia in provincial education departments. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Thesis (MEd) -- Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is estimated that some 12,5 to 15 million adults in South Africa have had little or no education. Since the first democratic elections in April 1994 the political, economical and social context in South Africa is in the process of transformation. In order to cope with this transformation phase, South Africa is creating structures where the culture of every citizen, irrespective of class, race or gender is acknowledged and respected. One of these structures is the provision of basic education to all South African adults who have historically been deprived of education and training. The changing political situation in South Africa has inevitably influenced the concept of what literacy is for and how it should be taught. This inevitably affects the role performance of facilitators (educators of adults) at grass roots level. Recent policy developments place heavy demands on facilitators without adequately considering the necessary inputs needed to cope with these demands. The purpose of this study is therefore to make a meaningful contribution to the understanding of the challenging and important role of the facilitator in ABET. A qualitative approach which provided a clear description of the roles facilitators are currently performing in a rural area in the Southern Cape was chosen. This revealed the factors having an impact on the role performances of a facilitator. This study revealed the following: • In keeping with international trends the teacher's role in adult basic education in South Africa has been redefined as that of a facilitator of learning. • The attitudes adopted by the literacy organization can directly influence the teaching approach adopted by facilitators during classroom practice. • Facilitators need to exhibit flexibility when using different teaching styles during classroom practice. • Training objectives should encompass the different learning and teaching styles of facilitators. In order to enable facilitators to perform their multiple roles in ABET the preparation and continuing support of facilitators at grass roots level is crucial, especially if ABET is to make a meaningful contribution towards solving the adult literacy problems as experienced in South Africa and to prevent littering the South African landscape with the debris of failed projects / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na raming het ongeveer 12,5 tot 15 miljoen volwassenes in Suid-Afrika min of geen onderwysonderrig gehad nie. Sedert die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in April 1994, is die politieke, ekonomiese. en sosiale konteks in Suid-Afrika in 'n proses van transformasie. Ten einde hierdie transformasiefase te bowe te kom, is Suid-Afrika besig om strukture te skep waarin die kultuur van elke burger ongeag klas, ras of geslag, erken en gerespekteer word. Een van hierdie strukture is die voorsiening van basiese onderwys aan alle Suid-Afrikaanse volwassenes wat histories onderwys en opleiding ontbeer het. Die veranderende Suid-Afrikaanse politieke situasie het 'n uitwerking gehad op die begrip van die doel van geletterdheid en hoe dit onderrig moet word. Hierdie werklikheid het onvermydelik weer 'n uitwerking op die rolvervulling van fasiliteerders ( onderwysers v1r volwassenes) op grondvlak. Onlangse beleidsontwikkeling stel hoe eise aan fasiliteerders, sonder voldoende oorweging van die noodsaaklike insette wat fasiliteerders moet lewer ten einde aan hierdie eise te voldoen. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om 'n sinvolle hydrae te lewer om die uitdagende en belangrike rol van die fasiliteerder in volwasse basiese onderwys (VBO) te verstaan. 'n K walitatiewe benadering is verkies wat 'n dui de like beskrywing gee van die rolle wat fasiliteerders tans in 'n landelike gebied van die Suid-Kaap vervul en wat die faktore weerspieel wat 'n uitwerking op die rolvervulling van 'n fasiliteerder het. Die studie het die volgende tendense aan die lig gebring: • In ooreenstemming met intemasionale neigings, is die rol van die onderwyser in volwasse basiese onderwys in Suid-Afrika herdefinieer as 'nfasiliteerder van die leerproses. • Die gesindhede wat deur die geletterdheidsorganisasie aanvaar word, kan die onderrigbenadering van die fasiliteerder in die klaskamer direk be"invloed. • Fasiliteerders moet buigsaamheid aan die dag le by die gebruik van verskillende onderrigstyle in die klaskamer. • Opleidingsdoelwitte moet die verskillende leer- en onderrigstyle van fasiliteerders omsluit. Ten einde fasiliteerders in staat te stel om hulle veelvuldige rolle in volwasse basiese onderwys te vervul, is die voorbereiding en deurlopende ondersteuning van fasiliteerders op grondvlak deurslaggewend, veral indien volwasse basiese onderwys en opleiding 'n sinvolle hydrae wil maak tot die oplossing van volwassenes se geletterdheidsprobleme soos dit tans in Suid-Afrika ondervind word en as dit wil verhoed dat die Suid-Afrikaanse landskap met die opdrifsels van mislukte projekte besaai word. / National Research Foundation (NFR)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This study investigates different factors related to master's degree graduates 1965-1976 in Physical Education at North Texas State University in order to gain information about the master's degree program's relevance to the subsequent career. The findings of the study support the following conclusions: 1. Approximately two-thirds of the graduates thought the program had satisfactorily prepared them for their current positions. 2. Seventy per cent of the graduates suggested there should be a core of courses required in the master's degree program in physical education. The courses most often included in the responses regarding core courses were Research Perspective in Physical Education, Thesis, Mechanical Analysis of Motor Skills, Professional Preparation in Physical Education, Administrative Problems in Physical Education, and Testing in Physical Education. 3. The greatest strengths of the master's degree program in physical education at North Texas State University as reported by the graduates were faculty, research work for students, teaching resources and courses available. 4. The greatest weakness of the master's degree program in physical education at North Texas State University as indicated by the graduates was availability of facilities. 5. The majority of the graduates suggested the following: candidates should be free to select a variety of courses, should have the opportunity to select a specialized track, candidates should be involved in the procedures for preparation of degree plan, should increase physical education facilities and equipment, and should supplement the library in the department in order to facilitate research of relevant periodicals and journals.

This study investigated the physical affective, cognitive and volitional problems of the learner in adult basic education (ABE) with reference to the learner's relationship towards the tutor, the learning content, the self, and family and friends. The research design provided for a literature study of ABE in South Africa, as well as the personhood and relationships of the ABE learner. This was done to arrive at a research hypothesis concerning the relative impact of various categories of problems on the ABE learner. The empirical summary had both quantitative and qualitative components. It was found that ABE learners are influenced by the following factors, listed in order of impact: affective problems; cognitive problems; problems related to the learning content, physical problems and problems related to family and friends. Positive fmdings were that volitional problems and problems related to tutors were relatively less significant. In its recommendations the study emphasises the crucial role of, and need for professionally trained adult basic educators who can deal effectively with the personal and contextual problems of ABE learners. Moreover, the typical perseverance of ABE learners demands the establishment of excellent and responsive infrastructure for ABE provision, inter alia in provincial education departments. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Nesta dissertação será abordada a política da educação profissional no Estado do Paraná, a partir de 2003, e sua efetivação no Colégio X, mantido pela Secretaria de Estado da Educação (SEED-PR). O estudo de caso teve como objeto o Curso Técnico em Turismo, integrado ao ensino médio e ofertado pela referida instituição. Com base na pesquisa do tipo qualitativa, buscou-se analisar a oferta do curso Técnico em Turismo, integrado ao ensino médio do Colégio X na perspectiva apontada pelos documentos oficiais. Perpassaram pelos estudos questões relacionadas aos recursos materiais e aos humanos do curso. Destarte, foram estabelecidas relações entre a infraestrutura do Colégio X, disponibilizada ao referido curso técnico em relação às recomendações do Catálogo Nacional de Cursos Técnicos (CNCT). Também foi analisado o PPP do curso em relação às Diretrizes da Educação Profissional do Paraná (DEPs) bem como, caracterizado o corpo docente do mencionado curso, no qual pesquisamos suas representações acerca do trabalho como princípio e ensino médio integrado, categorias fundantes das DEPs. Os resultados revelaram que a infraestrutura (recursos materiais) se mostra insuficiente em relação às recomendações do CTNC, e que o PPP do Colégio X se encontra diametralmente oposto aos fundamentos das DEPs quando comparado os fundamentos de cada um desses documentos. Na caracterização dos professores, entre outros levantamentos, apuramos profissionais sem vínculos empregatícios, notadamente quando se trata dos docentes das disciplinas técnicas. Ainda foi constatado que suas formações continuadas, ofertadas pela mantenedora, não vem atendendo as especificidades para a formação técnica em turismo. Acerca das DEPs e dos fundamentos filosóficos que a sustentam, apuramos que um reduzido número de professores tem conhecimento sobre o assunto. A grande maioria dos docentes demostraram distanciamentos do referido documento e incompreensões acerca das categorias investigadas. Por fim, quando estudamos a história e estabelecemos relação com a atualidade, os dados revelam que pouco se alterou ao longo da existência da educação profissional no Brasil, marcada por sua dualidade estrutural. / In this dissertation will be addressed the professional education policy in the State of Paraná, since 2003, and its effectuation at school X, maintained by the State Department of education (SEED-PR). The case study had as object the technical course in tourism, integrated to high school and offered by the referred institution. On the basis of qualitative study, aimed to analyze the supply of technical course in Tourism, integrated into the high school of College X in the perspective indicated by the official documents. Permeated by studies issues related to material and human resources of the course. Thus, relations have been established between the infrastructure of the College X, provided to the referred technical course in relation to the recommendations of the national catalogue of technical courses (CNCT). Was also analyzed the PPP of the course in relation to the guidelines of the Professional Education of Paraná (DEPs) and yet, characterized the teaching staff of the mentioned course, in which we research their representations about work as a principle and integrated high school, foundational DEPs categories. The results revealed that the infrastructure (material resources) is insufficient compared to the recommendations of CTNC, and that the College‟s X PPP is diametrically opposed to the fundamentals of the DEPs when compared the fundamentals of each of these documents. In the characterization of teachers, among other surveys, we found no professional employment relationships, especially when it comes from teachers of technical subjects. Still was verified that their continued education, offered by the maintaining entity, does not answer the specifics for technical training in tourism. About the DEPs and the philosophical foundations that support it, was found that a small number of teachers have knowledge about it. The vast majority of teachers demonstrated distancing from the document and misunderstandings about the categories investigated. Finally, when we study the history and establish relationship with the present, the data shows that little has changed over the existence of professional education in Brazil, notably marked by its structural duality.

The purpose of the "In Time On Time TESOL" website for Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) is to provide adult-education teachers online access to classroom managing techniques, teaching and learning strategies, and online resources based on constructivism and adult-learning theory. The instructional design and navigation structure is based on Random Access Instruction (RAI) and hypertext theory.

The objective of education authorities worldwide is to enhance teachers’ professional capacities and practices through the supply of quality continuous professional development (CPD) activities. The South African education system has been subjected to many changes during the past two decades which have seriously affected the quality of education provided in schools country wide. Professional development (PD) of teachers has been found to be a key factor in raising standards in South African schools. Although the National Department of Education has identified teacher development as important, very little has transpired in the education system. School leaders should, therefore, take on the responsibility of providing their staff with PD opportunities. To support teachers in special schools and to enhance their professional capacity, the researcher designed, implemented and evaluated a collaborative PD model in six special schools in Gauteng. The aim of the study was to establish the value of the CPD programme on teachers’ learning, learners’ outcomes and whole school change. This multi-phased case study research was positioned within a bigger study conducted by the Gauteng Department of Education and in particular the Early Childhood Development Institute (ECDI). This larger study was based on the fact that most of the burn related accidents in South Africa occur in the 0-4 age group, which served as the rationale for including the fire safety programme in the ECD curriculum. The focus during the research was on the adaptation of fire safety activities and learners and teacher support materials for an inclusive classroom. This research reports on a two year study on the implementation of a CPD model based on collaboration and peer coaching. The theoretical framework for this study links to theories of constructivism, organisational theory of Senge, network and social capital. This research serves as an example of where valuable internal and external networks were formed for the benefit of all involved with the study. During this research theory and practice were successfully integrated for the benefit of the individual, the school and external organisations. / Department of Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

A description of the developmental characteristics of adolescents and the effect of deafness, on the cognitive emotional and social development of the Deaf adolescent boy is given. At a stage, when the parents influence is crucial in any child's upbringing, the Deaf child, mainly because of his/her need for special educational services is placed in a school hostel at an early age. The aim of the investigation was two-fold: • Firstly, from thl! literature study, to analyze and describe the educational distress of the Deaf adolescent boy residing in the school hostel. Secondly, to conduct an empirical survey consisting of structured questionnaires in order to ascertain the kind of support rendered to the Deaf adolescent boy in the hostel. From the literature study and the empirical survey a training/educational programme was designed to promote the educational skills of hostel parents at schools for Deaf adolescent boys. / Inclusive Education / M.Ed.(Orthopedagogics)