In the U.S., about 7,000 high school students drop out each school day, representing a loss of talent and ability. Concurrently, there are a decreasing number of enrolled students taking science-related courses at the high school and college levels. Adults, who return to obtain their General Educational Development (GED) certification, are an untapped resource that could be steered toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers. In this case study, 15 GED students were shown a STEM video, and then peer mentored by 8 CLA (Clinical Laboratory Assistant) students, in a student-centered laboratory experience. Individual interviews of the GED students prior to and after the treatment were used to assess STEM attitudes. Additionally, the CLA peer mentors were given self-assessments regarding their level of self-efficacy. The most marked difference in the pre- and post-treatment data was with the male GED students. Initially, only 2 of the 7 had definite career goals, 5 with undefined career goals, with 4 showing no interest in STEM. After the treatment, 6 exhibited interest in pursuing STEM education or employment. The female GED students' interest remained unchanged, resulting in the male and female students showing equivalent interest in STEM post-treatment. The CLA peer mentors showed an increase in self-efficacy using Bandura's four sources of self-efficacy in social cognition (1997). The preliminary results of this study suggest that interest in STEM education and STEM careers can be generated with peer mentored learning. (Contains 1 figure and 8 tables.)

The quality of mathematics knowledge attained by students entering university in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields has been decreasing. There is a need to enhance students’ mathematical knowledge in order to maintain the standards of STEM curriculum at university. The rationale of this study was to investigate the influence of Pre-Calculus Mathematics Refreshment module taught using Meta-cognitive skills and Co-operative Learning (MCL), or Co-operative Learning (CL) only, or Traditional lecture (T) intervention method to First Year pre-engineering Students on their Applied Calculus 1 in an Ethiopian university. The study further investigated the influence of Pre-Calculus Mathematics Refreshment module for MCL, or CL, or T intervention method on male and female students’ achievement. The refreshment module and Applied Calculus 1 scores were measured through posttest and normal class room score of Applied Calculus 1 result. The dependent variables were student achievement in pre-calculus refreshment Module and Applied Calculus 1. Out of 29 universities in Ethiopia only four were selected to participate in this study. Population of this study was all pre-engineering first year students in those universities in 2016/2017. The sample consisted of 200 pre-engineering university students who studied in four of Ethiopian universities and one class was randomly selected by lottery method from existing pre-engineering classes in each university. Two experimental groups which were taught MCL and the other CL intervention method and two of them were control groups upon whom the control novice with traditional lecture method and control without intervention was applied. In each group 50 students of 25 males and 25 females were purposely selected from sampled class. A pre-calculus mathematics Pre-test was administered first, where the average scores of all students Pre-test result was below 33%. Then, first MCL and CL intervention methods were discussed and exercised for one week before implementing the study. For the study, selected pre-calculus mathematics topics was taught in all classrooms for 32 periods i.e. 50min x32= 26.7hrs at the beginning of the first semester parallel with Applied Calculus 1 for the academic year 2016 / 2017. The statistical tools used under this procedure include descriptive statistics percentage, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics, T-test, and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). The results show statistically significant differences (Sig 0.00) at the significance level (0.05) between students that learnt pre-calculus refreshment module and control group which did not. Among the students those learned pre-calculus refreshment module through MCL, CL and T method students in the MCL and CL groups’ posttest scores significantly different from T group in pre-calculus results both with Sig of 0.00. But there was no significant difference between MCL & CL groups were Sig is 0.97. Additionally, the female students in the MCL group was not significant different from CL and T group, on an impact of refreshment module, in Applied Calculus 1 mathematics where Sig is 0.994 and 0.237 respectively, and CL female group scores significantly different from T group in Applied Calculus 1 results with Sig 0.042. The male students in the MCL and CL groups were significantly different from T group in Applied Calculus 1with Sig of 0.07 and 0.012 respectively. Also, there was a positive correlation between Pre-Calculus refreshment module and Applied Calculus 1 with correlation coefficient of 0.835. Lastly, the result of pre-calculus mathematics posttest scores with the female students in MCL relatively increased than male students, than in CL and T groups, which indicated that MCL benefit more female students than male students. The differences were more in favor of pre-calculus mathematics refreshment with MCL intervention method. To improve success in engineering participation of all students, recommended that a pre-calculus module should be offered by all universities for first year engineering students, structured co-operative learning with purpose has significant gains for effective instruction, and to increase the success rate of female students this study has proven that they are trainable and therefore, meta-cognition skills have to be nurtured for female students. / Mathematics Education / D. Phil (Mathematics Education in Science and Technology)

The purpose of the study was to describe factors that influence black females to choose engineering as a career. It transpired from the literature study that enabling environment, gender of role models, self-efficacy and socialization are important factors in terms of causing and attracting females into the fields of science and engineering study. From the empirical study it came out clearly that family members, female role members, and confidence in mathematics and science were factors that caused the females in engineering group to choose it as a career. Findings also revealed that gender stereotypes did not deter them from choosing engineering and that they were content with their career choice. For the above factors to be addressed incentives exclusive to females should be launched by government so as to attract more females to the fields of science and engineering. Schools also need to pursue programmes that expose learners to these fields. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.

The study explored women’s underrepresentation in engineering at a Technical Vocational and Education and Training (TVET) College in Gauteng, South Africa. Research on the lack of women in engineering exists, however, the underrepresentation of women students in engineering at TVET Colleges is under-researched. Using a theoretical starting point Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy, a qualitative study explored views of selected female students on female underrepresentation in engineering at TVET Colleges, with reference to South West Gauteng College. Interviews with women in Engineering, Business Studies and Hospitality courses were undertaken. Findings indicated: engineering students' desire for equal career opportunities in engineering; recognition of the impact of gender stereotypes and differing ways of developing self-efficacy and capabilities as women to follow an engineering career; the barrier of gender stereotypes on secondary school girls’ choice of and achievement in Mathematics and Science and the information gap concerning career options in engineering; as well as benefits provided by TVET Colleges offering these courses. Some recommendations which are suggested are: TVET Colleges should ensure that more information about the engineering courses offered at these institutions be relayed to the public in a manner that is inclusive to everyone irrespective of gender. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

Work integrated learning (WIL) for the training of engineering technicians and technologists combines the theoretical learning of the fundamentals with their practical application in a real-world situation and environment. The activities in WIL are intended to provide students with specific learning outcomes in each engineering field of study, as well as with the general skills that are necessary for engineers in any field. The WIL learning outcomes are very specific and provide the student with the opportunity to practise and apply the fundamentals in an actual workplace. WIL includes various modalities such as problem-based learning, project-based learning and workplace learning. In this thesis, work integrated learning is referred to specifically as a period of work placement for engineering students. The other modalities of learning are usually included in all engineering qualifications. Thirty percent of the curriculum for the National Diploma engineering qualification in South Africa consists of work integrated learning, which translates into approximately 120 credits. WIL provides a valuable context for learning. However, there has been debate about the offering, placement, quality and supervision of it. This thesis investigates the various factors that may affect the offering of this component of learning in addition to ascertaining the importance of WIL in the training of technicians and technologists. This research comprises a survey conducted among engineering students as well as interviews with lecturers and supervisors directly involved in the implementation of the WIL component. The study investigates the format of WIL and its duration, the presence or absence of supervisors, mentors, a syllabus and clear guidance within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Frameworks. Quantitative data was collected from Engineering National Diploma and B-Tech students in two universities in Gauteng and then captured and processed. Statistical analysis such as factor analysis, analysis of variance, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, Pearson chi-squared, the Bartlet test and others were carried out, using various standard tests. The study reveals the extent to which both students and lecturers appreciate WIL. The study also offers recommendations for the unique and on-going collaboration between industry and academic institutions for the purpose of the training of future technicians. In addition, it provides reasons for the possibility of a shorter work placement period provided certain preparations are made by the universities prior to placement. It highlights the need for clarity on the responsibilities of the role players involved and on assessment methods, and for the provision of a more specific, yet flexible, curriculum, while also recommending regular reflection on this component of learning. All of these points are discussed within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Framework in South Africa. This framework recommends that higher education institutions accept responsibility for WIL placement and for ensuring that programmes are properly structured and supervised. / Science and Technology Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Technology Education))

This thesis tackles the issues of foreign language education, with special attention to German as a foreign language, and STEM education in the K-12, and in some cases K-16, educational system. After exploring the societal and national need for improved STEM and foreign language education programs, this thesis suggests methods of integrating STEM education elements and principals in the foreign language classroom. These methods are provided in chapters about integrating state and national education standards in the STEM fields, core academic subject fields, and foreign language teaching, and finally in chapters about the most appropriate and effective pedagogies for successful STEM and foreign language integration. The thesis brings together research about such integration in learning modules and discussion about assessment methods and further areas of research needed. The learning modules and research are answering a call for a need to shift education in the direction of an integrative, interdisciplinary approach that supports deeper learning, meaning making, and student interest.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / To access interactive systems, blind and visually impaired users can leverage their auditory senses by using non-speech sounds. The current structure of non-speech sounds, however, is geared toward conveying user interface operations (e.g., opening a file) rather than large theme-based information (e.g., a history passage) and, thus, is ill-suited to signify the complex meanings of primary learning material (e.g., books and websites). In order to address this problem, this dissertation introduces audemes, a new category of non-speech sounds, whose semiotic structure and flexibility open new horizons for facilitating the education of blind and visually impaired students. An experiment with 21 students from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) supports the hypothesis that audemes increase the retention of theme-based information. By acting as memory catalysts, audemes can play an important role in enhancing the aural interaction and navigation in future sound-based user interfaces. For this dissertation, I designed an Acoustic EDutainment INterface (AEDIN) that integrates audemes as a way by which to vividly anticipate text-to-speech theme-based information and, thus, act as innovative aural covers. The results of two iterative usability evaluations with total of 20 blind and visually impaired participants showed that AEDIN is a highly usable and enjoyable acoustic interface. Yet, designing well-formed audemes remains an ad hoc process because audeme creators can only rely on their intuition to generate meaningful and memorable sounds. In order to address this problem, this dissertation presents three experiments, each with 10 blind and visually impaired participants. The goal was to examine the optimal combination of audeme attributes, which can be used to facilitate accurate recognitions of audeme meanings. This work led to the creation of seven basic guidelines that can be used to design well-formed audemes. An interactive application tool (ASCOLTA: Advanced Support and Creation-Oriented Library Tool for Audemes) operationalized these guidelines to support individuals without an audio background in designing well-formed audemes. An informal evaluation conducted with three teachers from the ISBVI, supports the hypothesis that ASCOLTA is a useful tool by which to facilitate the integration of audemes into the teaching environment.

This study investigated the effective use of online Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with immediate formative feedback, and the granting of partial credit for correct second or third chance answers when assessing and assisting students’ conceptual learning at higher cognitive levels. The research sample comprised first year engineering science students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria campus. The differences between using online MCQ-assessment for problem-solving calculations and using constructed written questions (CRQs)1 in the assessment of problem-solving calculations were explored. Furthermore, the differences between the assessment of problem-solving calculations using online MCQs without immediate formative feedback, and with immediate formative feedback and the granting of partial credit were analysed. The findings revealed that students’ marks were lower when answering problem-solving calculations using online MCQs without immediate formative feedback than when answering the same questions using CRQs. This clearly indicates that using online MCQs without immediate formative feedback is not effective in assessing scientific problem-solving calculations. Alternatively, online MCQs proved effective in assessing problem-solving calculations when immediate formative feedback and partial credit were employed. The statistical analysis showed that students performed significantly better when immediate formative feedback was given and partial credit was granted for correct second or third attempts. This was due to online MCQs utilising immediate formative feedback, which made it possible to grant partial credit when students chose the correct answers after feedback. This showed that online MCQs with immediate formative feedback and partial credit being granted can be an effective assessment tool for scientific problem-solving calculations. It increases performance and supports learning from assessment. Students can thus correct their calculations whilst in the process of doing them. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Science Education)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Recent technological applications have made the life of people too much dependent on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and its applications. Understanding basic level science is a must in order to use and contribute to this technological revolution. Science education in middle and high school levels however depends heavily on visual representations such as models, diagrams, figures, animations and presentations etc. This leaves visually impaired students with very few options to learn science and secure a career in STEM related areas. Recent experiments have shown that small aural clues called Audemes are helpful in understanding and memorization of science concepts among visually impaired students. Audemes are non-verbal sound translations of a science concept. In order to facilitate science concepts as Audemes, for visually impaired students, this thesis presents an automatic system for audeme generation from STEM textbooks. This thesis describes the systematic application of multiple Natural Language Processing tools and techniques, such as dependency parser, POS tagger, Information Retrieval algorithm, Semantic mapping of aural words, machine learning etc., to transform the science concept into a combination of atomic-sounds, thus forming an audeme. We present a rule based classification method for all STEM related concepts. This work also presents a novel way of mapping and extracting most related sounds for the words being used in textbook. Additionally, machine learning methods are used in the system to guarantee the customization of output according to a user's perception. The system being presented is robust, scalable, fully automatic and dynamically adaptable for audeme generation.

Abstract in English, Swati and Ndebele / This single descriptive case study explored the integration of indigenous graphics knowledge and skills into the Technology curriculum of a school in the Ehlanzeni District of the Mpumalanga Province with a Grade 9 Technology teacher and the learners. The integration of indigenous knowledge and skills can help promote Grade 9 learners’ understanding of graphic design, which forms part of the content taught in Technology Education. The graphics knowledge and skills existent in the indigenous contexts from which most of learners come can make the learning of graphic design relevant and more understandable to learners. Hence, there was a need to research this issue. One Grade 9 Technology teacher was purposively selected for an interview and observed while teaching the class. Seven learners from this teacher’s class were also selected to be interviewed. The data analysed in the present study were obtained from the teacher and seven learners. The constructivist theory of learning framed this study. The findings revealed that, although the teacher had some understanding of technology, (i) she battled with the concept of indigenous knowledge; (ii) she was unaware that indigenous knowledge is even mentioned in the subject’s Curriculum, Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS); and, (iii) her limited understanding of the concept of indigenous knowledge meant that she did not to know how she could integrate indigenous knowledge into the teaching of graphic design. She also did not capitalise on indigenous knowledge as a resource in a resource-hungry teaching environment that she faced. While she acknowledged the importance of the learners’ culture, she did not take full advantage thereof in her teaching. Her adoption of demonstration as her predominant teaching approach provided an opportunity for integrating indigenous knowledge and skills but, again, she did not capitalise on that opportunity fully. This study can help transform the teaching of Technology by ensuring the integration of indigenous knowledge into the teaching of graphic design, a much-needed approach to education in the (South) African context. / Lesifundvo sinye, lesichazako sihlola kufakwa kwelwati lwebuchwepheshe nemakhono eluhlelwenitifundvo Lwebuchwepheshe esikolweni seSigodzi saseNhlanzeni eSifundzeni saseMpumalanga. Kuloku, thishela nemfundzi wesifundvo sebuchwepheshe welibanga 9 babe nencenye kulesifundvo lesifuna kubona kutsi kufakwa kwelwati lwendzabuko nemakhono kungatfutfukisa kuvisisa kwemfundzi likhono lekuhlanganisa titfombe nemfanekiso, lokuyincenye yengcikitsi lefundziswa eSifundvweni seBuchwepheshe Technology teacher and learners participated in a study seeking to determine how the integration of indigenous knowledge and skills can help to promote learners’ understanding of graphic design, which forms part of the content taught in Technology Education. Lwati lwebuchwepheshe nemakhono losekuvele kukhona encenyeni yendzabuko leyo linyenti lebafundzi lebeta, baphindza bayisebentisa lokwenta kufundza ngemakhona etitfombe nemifanekiso kwekubili kufaneleke kuphindze kuvisiseke kakhulu. Ngenca yalesizatfu, thishela munye wesifundvo seBuchwepheshe weLibanga 9 wakhetfwa ngenhloso kute ahlolwe ngemibuto, aphindze acashelwe lapho afundzisa. Bafundzi labaSikhombisa kuleliklasi lalothishela bakhetfwa kute bahlolwe ngemibuto, lokwatsi emva kwaloko ledatha yahlatiywa. Ngekusebentisa ithiyori yemcambititayela yekufundza kute kwetiwe luhlaka lwalesifundvo, lokutfoliwe kuveta kutsi, nakuba thishela anekuvisisa lokutsite ngebuchwepheshe, (i) unebumatima ngemcondvo welwati lwendzabuko; (ii) bekangati nekutsi lwati lwendzabuko kukhulunywa ngalo esifundvweni seCurriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS); nekutsi (iii) lwati lwakhe lolulinganiselwe ngemcodvo welwati lwendzabuko kusho kutsi akakwati kukufaka lapho afundzisa likhono lekuhlanganisa titfombe nemifanekiso. Amange asebentise lwati lwendzabuko kutsi lumsite njengemtfombo wesimondzawo sekulambela kufundzisa lebekabukene naso. Nakuba akuvuma kubaluleka kwemasiko ebafundzi bakhe, amange akusebentise kutsi kumsite ekufundziseni kwakhe. Kusebentisa kufanekisa njengendlela legcame kakhulu ekufundziseni kwakhe kumnike litfuba lekufaka lwati lwendzabuko nemakhono, kodvwa, futsi, amange akusebentise kute kumsite. Lokutfolwe kulesifundvo kungasita ekushintjeni kufundzisa sifundvo seBuchwepheshe, ngekuciniseka kutsi kufakwa lwati lwendzabuko ekufundziseni emakhono ekuhlanganisa titfombe nemifanekiso – lokuyintfo ledzingeka kakhulu emfundvweni nemcodvo we (Ningizimu) ne-Afrika. / Leli rhubhululo elilodwa elihlathululako elisasibonelo beliphenya ngokuhlanganiswa kwelwazi kanye namakghonofundwa wendabuko asagrafu kukharikhyulamu yeThekinoloji yesikolo esisesiPhandeni seHlanzeni esiFundeni seMpumalanga. Ukufika lapha. utitjhere wakwaGreyidi 9 kanye nabafundi bazibandakanye kurhubhululo elifuna ukuthola ukobana ukuhlanganiswa kwelwazi namakghonofundwa kungasiza bunjani ekuthuthukiseni ilwazi labafundi malungana nokudizayinwa kwamagrafiki (graphic design), okuyinto eyingcenye yommongo ofundiswa eFundweni yeThekonoloji. Ilwazi kanye namakghonofundwa wegrafiki sele akhona ngaphakathi kobujamo bendabuko, kukulapho abafundi abanengi beza khona, kanti bangasebenza ukobana benze ukufundwa kwedizayini yegrafiki ukobana kukhambisane neendingo zabafundi begodu kuzwisiseke. Yeke-ke ngalesi sizathu, utitjhere munye wakwa Greyidi 9 weThekinoloji wakhethwa ngehloso ukobana abuzwe ngehlolombono, ngemva kwalokho idatha yoke yahlathululwa. Ngokulandela ithiyori i-constructivist theory yokufunda ngokwesakhiwo serhubhululo leli, okutholakeleko kwaveza ukobana, nanyana utitjhere bekanelwazi lethekinoloji, y, (i) bekakalukana nokuzwisisa amagama amalungana nelwazi lendabuko; (ii) bekangakatjheji ukobana ilwazi lendabuko khelavezwa kuSitatimende soMthethomgomo seKharikhyulamu yezokuHlola (Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS)) yesifundo; begodu (iii) ukuzwisisa kwakhe kancani igama lelwazi lendabuko bekutjho ukobana bekangazi ukobana ilwazi leli bekangalihlanganisa bunjani nokufundisa ukudizayinwa kwegrafiki. Njengombana wabuka ukuqakatheka kwesikopilo labafundi, akhange asebenzise ngokuzeleko ithuba eliveleko lokha nakafundisako. Ukulandela kwakhe indlela yokufundisa ngokukhombisa njengendlela ejayelekileko yokufundisa kulethe ithuba lokuhlanganisa ilwazi kanye namakghonofundwa wendabuko, kanti, begodu, akhange abambelele kilokho. Okutholakeleko kileli rhubhululo kungasiza ukutjhugulula ukufundiswa kweThekinoloji, ngokuqinisekisa ukuhlanganiswa kwelwazi lendabuko ngokudizayinwa kwegrafiki – okuyindlela edingeka khulu efundweni ngaphasi kobujamo beSewula Afrika. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)