No abstract available / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Afrikaans / unrestricted

A sample of 817 Grade 4-5 mathematics students in the diverse school district of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), Florida, USA was involved in an evaluation of the use of hands-on activities in terms of students' achievement, students' attitudes and students' perceptions of the mathematics classroom environment. Other aims included validating generally-applicable measures of classroom learning environments and students' attitudes to mathematics, and investigating associations between the classroom learning environment and the student outcomes of performance and attitudes. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 had a sample of 442 participants and classroom environment was assessed with scales selected from the My Class Inventory, Questionnaire on Teacher lnteraction and Science Laboratory Environment Inventory. Factor analysis provided a degree of support for the factorial validity and internal consistency reliability (using Cronbach's alpha coefficient) for each of five classroom environment scales. Because of the small number of items per scale (15 items in five scales for the My Class Inventory, 12 items in four scales for the Question on Teacher Interaction and 15 items in five scales for the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory) in Phase I, it was not possible to replicate the a priori factor structure of each instrument scale. Scale reliabilities generally were acceptable. Phase 2, involving a sample of 375 Grades 4 and 5 students in four elementary schools, was necessary because questionnaires in Phase 1 had too few items to enable the researcher to establish satisfactory levels of reliability and validity. / The What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) was modified to four scales and 29 questions for use in Phase 2. Factor analysis supported the structure of the WIHIC and internal consistency reliability was satisfactory for two units of analyses, namely, the individual and the class mean. In Phase 1 of the study, differences between an experimental group (that used manipulatives for 60% of the time) and a control group (that used manipulatives for less than 40% of the time), were described in terms of the effect size (magnitude of the difference in standard deviations) and statistical significance for each learning environment, attitude, and achievement scale. Differences between the pretest and posttest for the set of six dependent variables (Student Cohesiveness, Teacher Support, Task Orientation, Cooperation from the WIHIC and Adoption of Mathematical Attitudes and Enjoyment of Mathematics Lessons for the TOMRA) were analyzed in Phase 2 using a MANOVA for repeated measures. Effect sizes were used to describe the magnitude, as distinct from the statistical significance, of prepost changes. In Phase 2, associations between student attitudes and their perceptions of the learning environment were relatively weak for both pretest and posttest data with either the individual or the class mean as the as the unit of analysis. These results were unexpected and are inconsistent with past research, therefore highlighting the need for further research.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral avaliar o comportamento do processo de extrusão inversa para produzir pequenas peças em titânio puro CP grau 4 e promover a fabricação de uma pré forma visando o implante dentário modelo cone morse. Inicialmente, analisou-se o contexto da implantologia, identificando-se o problema da pesquisa. Em seguida, levantou-se um referencial bibliográfico sobre conformação mecânica, extrusão inversa, implantes dentários e titânio. Diante deste contexto, foi executado um planejamento experimental. Estudos preliminares da matéria-prima foram realizados para caracterização do material a ser conformado. Foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta para conformação por extrusão inversa a frio. As atividades relacionadas à alteração do fator do tamanho de grão e parâmetros definidos no equipamento como a velocidade e diâmetro do punção, estabeleceram as variáveis independentes no ensaio. Após realização dos experimentos, dados de dureza, fibramento e força de extrusão foram coletados e analisados estatisticamente. Finalmente, a partir da análise da peça extrudada, observou-se a viabilidade do uso da conformação a frio do titânio em pequenas peças, obtendo-se boa precisão dimensional e controle operacional. / This study aims at evaluating the behavior of indirect extrusion process to produce small parts in pure titanium grade 4 CP and manufacture a preform targeting dental implant model morse taper. Initially, the context of implantology was analyzed, identifying the research problem. Bibliographic reference on metal forming, extrusion inverse, dental implants and titanium was performed. Given this context, an experimental design was executed. Preliminary studies of the feedstock were carried out to characterize the material to be shaped. A tool for inverse cold extrusion was developed. Activities related to the change in grain size and parameters defined in the equipment and the speed and diameter of the punch, established the independent variables in the experiment. After finish of the experiments, data of hardness, grain flow and extrusion force were collected and analyzed statistically. Finally, from the analysis of extruded piece was observed feasibility of using cold forming of titanium in small pieces with good dimensional accuracy and operational control.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral avaliar o comportamento do processo de extrusão inversa para produzir pequenas peças em titânio puro CP grau 4 e promover a fabricação de uma pré forma visando o implante dentário modelo cone morse. Inicialmente, analisou-se o contexto da implantologia, identificando-se o problema da pesquisa. Em seguida, levantou-se um referencial bibliográfico sobre conformação mecânica, extrusão inversa, implantes dentários e titânio. Diante deste contexto, foi executado um planejamento experimental. Estudos preliminares da matéria-prima foram realizados para caracterização do material a ser conformado. Foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta para conformação por extrusão inversa a frio. As atividades relacionadas à alteração do fator do tamanho de grão e parâmetros definidos no equipamento como a velocidade e diâmetro do punção, estabeleceram as variáveis independentes no ensaio. Após realização dos experimentos, dados de dureza, fibramento e força de extrusão foram coletados e analisados estatisticamente. Finalmente, a partir da análise da peça extrudada, observou-se a viabilidade do uso da conformação a frio do titânio em pequenas peças, obtendo-se boa precisão dimensional e controle operacional. / This study aims at evaluating the behavior of indirect extrusion process to produce small parts in pure titanium grade 4 CP and manufacture a preform targeting dental implant model morse taper. Initially, the context of implantology was analyzed, identifying the research problem. Bibliographic reference on metal forming, extrusion inverse, dental implants and titanium was performed. Given this context, an experimental design was executed. Preliminary studies of the feedstock were carried out to characterize the material to be shaped. A tool for inverse cold extrusion was developed. Activities related to the change in grain size and parameters defined in the equipment and the speed and diameter of the punch, established the independent variables in the experiment. After finish of the experiments, data of hardness, grain flow and extrusion force were collected and analyzed statistically. Finally, from the analysis of extruded piece was observed feasibility of using cold forming of titanium in small pieces with good dimensional accuracy and operational control.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral avaliar o comportamento do processo de extrusão inversa para produzir pequenas peças em titânio puro CP grau 4 e promover a fabricação de uma pré forma visando o implante dentário modelo cone morse. Inicialmente, analisou-se o contexto da implantologia, identificando-se o problema da pesquisa. Em seguida, levantou-se um referencial bibliográfico sobre conformação mecânica, extrusão inversa, implantes dentários e titânio. Diante deste contexto, foi executado um planejamento experimental. Estudos preliminares da matéria-prima foram realizados para caracterização do material a ser conformado. Foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta para conformação por extrusão inversa a frio. As atividades relacionadas à alteração do fator do tamanho de grão e parâmetros definidos no equipamento como a velocidade e diâmetro do punção, estabeleceram as variáveis independentes no ensaio. Após realização dos experimentos, dados de dureza, fibramento e força de extrusão foram coletados e analisados estatisticamente. Finalmente, a partir da análise da peça extrudada, observou-se a viabilidade do uso da conformação a frio do titânio em pequenas peças, obtendo-se boa precisão dimensional e controle operacional. / This study aims at evaluating the behavior of indirect extrusion process to produce small parts in pure titanium grade 4 CP and manufacture a preform targeting dental implant model morse taper. Initially, the context of implantology was analyzed, identifying the research problem. Bibliographic reference on metal forming, extrusion inverse, dental implants and titanium was performed. Given this context, an experimental design was executed. Preliminary studies of the feedstock were carried out to characterize the material to be shaped. A tool for inverse cold extrusion was developed. Activities related to the change in grain size and parameters defined in the equipment and the speed and diameter of the punch, established the independent variables in the experiment. After finish of the experiments, data of hardness, grain flow and extrusion force were collected and analyzed statistically. Finally, from the analysis of extruded piece was observed feasibility of using cold forming of titanium in small pieces with good dimensional accuracy and operational control.

I denna kunskapsöversikt har vi undersökt om det finns forskning som behandlar huruvida kooperativt lärande är att arbetssätt som gynnar elever i grundskoleåldern. Vi väljer att särskilt fokusera på elever i matematiksvårigheter. Kunskapsöversikten är systematiskt utförd genom sökningar i sökmotorer för akademiska texter. Vi har valt ut artiklar efter dess relevans i förhållande till våra sökord. Resultaten presenteras därefter tematiskt utifrån gruppindelning vid kooperativt lärande, problemlösning som arbetssätt och förmåga samt elever i matematiksvårigheter och deras progression i samband med kooperativt lärande. Resultat som visar på god progression vid kooperativt lärande när struktur och arbetsgång är välplanerat och tid för implementering funnits. I vår diskussion så resonerar vi kring hur användbara våra resultat är i en verklig kontext, d v s ett “vanligt” klassrum. Vi skriver om vikten av fungerande grupper för ett gott resultat av kooperativt lärande, detta med kopplingar till sociokulturell teori. Inom kooperativt lärande så används ofta problemlösning som arbetssätt. Det används som ett sätt att öva på förmågor som resonemang och metod. Det lyfter vi upp utifrån de studier vi har använt.

Reading is currently a great concern in South Africa with most learners reading below their grade level. In order to remedy this problemthe Department of Education (DoE) has launched a number of campaigns to ensure learners are continuously monitored and evaluated. The purpose of this study is to explore how Grade 4 teachers support learners with word recognition problems in an inclusive classroom. Grade 4 is a transitional grade from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction in most of Gauteng schools. This shift creates a challenging factor when teaching reading. Although the teachers’ in this investigation were professionally trained not all were trained on how to teach reading and such components as word recognition and lack of strategies raised a major concern. The DoE (2005:67) also stressed that in applying teaching methods teachers should bear in mind that there is no single classroom in which all learners will be exactly the same or learn in the same way and same pace. Hence, teachers need to be creative when dealing with word recognition problems in order to be able to accommodate different learners in an inclusive classroom. In addressing the challenges faced this study uses Bronfenbrenners ecological system theory and qualitative research design to examine how teachers support learners with word recognition problem. The interview questions were firstly piloted with one of the neighbouring Grade 4 teacher. After the pilot study six Grade 4 teachers from four different primary schools were interviewed and observed and their documents were also analysed. The analysis used Creswell’s method and the finding highlighted factors which affect Grade 4 teachers when supporting learners with word recognition. The factors include the following: understanding the Grade 4 learner, curriculum changes in Grade 4, teacher training in the teaching of reading, teaching reading in Grade 4, addressing word recognition in Grade 4, insufficient district support, lack of parental involvement, lack of enough resources and time allocation and lesson plans. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on how to support Grade 4 learners with word recognition problems. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Reading is currently a great concern in South Africa with most learners reading below their grade level. In order to remedy this problemthe Department of Education (DoE) has launched a number of campaigns to ensure learners are continuously monitored and evaluated. The purpose of this study is to explore how Grade 4 teachers support learners with word recognition problems in an inclusive classroom. Grade 4 is a transitional grade from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction in most of Gauteng schools. This shift creates a challenging factor when teaching reading. Although the teachers’ in this investigation were professionally trained not all were trained on how to teach reading and such components as word recognition and lack of strategies raised a major concern. The DoE (2005:67) also stressed that in applying teaching methods teachers should bear in mind that there is no single classroom in which all learners will be exactly the same or learn in the same way and same pace. Hence, teachers need to be creative when dealing with word recognition problems in order to be able to accommodate different learners in an inclusive classroom. In addressing the challenges faced this study uses Bronfenbrenners ecological system theory and qualitative research design to examine how teachers support learners with word recognition problem. The interview questions were firstly piloted with one of the neighbouring Grade 4 teacher. After the pilot study six Grade 4 teachers from four different primary schools were interviewed and observed and their documents were also analysed. The analysis used Creswell’s method and the finding highlighted factors which affect Grade 4 teachers when supporting learners with word recognition. The factors include the following: understanding the Grade 4 learner, curriculum changes in Grade 4, teacher training in the teaching of reading, teaching reading in Grade 4, addressing word recognition in Grade 4, insufficient district support, lack of parental involvement, lack of enough resources and time allocation and lesson plans. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on how to support Grade 4 learners with word recognition problems. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Forskning tyder på att fler och fler människor förbrukar vår jords naturresurser utan att de hinner återhämta sig och lever som att vi har fler jordklot än vi har. Med detta som bakgrund har ett intresse utvecklats för hur lärare undervisar om hållbar utveckling för att skapa en medvetenhet om problemet hos elever. Syftet med studien är därmed att analysera lärares undervisningsformer inom hållbar utveckling i årskurserna 4-6, i de naturorienterande ämnena samt teknik, i Jönköpings län. De forskningsfrågor som används för att uppfylla studiens syfte är inriktade på hur lärare arbetar med hållbar utveckling i sin undervisning, vilken betydelse lärarna anser att utbildning om hållbar utveckling har samt hur elevers kunskaper om hållbar utveckling tydliggörs ur ett lärarperspektiv.  För att uppnå studiens syfte har en kvalitativ metod använts och semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med åtta lärare runt om i Jönköpings län. Materialet analyserades med hjälp av kategorier för att underlätta bearbetningen av datainsamlingen. Analysen av materialet och delar av resultatet har sin grund i och kopplas till det sociokulturella perspektivet samt verksamhetsteorin. Resultatet visar olika undervisningsformer som återkommer hos flera lärare, bland annat diskussioner och ämnesövergripande arbete. I det ämnesövergripande arbetet ser lärarna en brist mellan arbetet med andra ämnen än de naturorienterande ämnena samt teknik. Vidare lyfts vikten av utbildning om hållbar utveckling, vilket alla lärare i studien ser som ett viktigt ämnesinnehåll. Lärarna i studien formulerar att eleverna är medvetna om vad hållbar utveckling är men att vissa är mer engagerade än andra. Slutligen lyfts en undervisningsform som alla lärare använder sig i undervisning om hållbar utveckling, nämligen pappersåtervinning. / Research indicates that more and more people consume our earth's natural resources without them being able to recover and live as if we have more globes than we have. With this as a background, an interest has been developed for how teachers teach about sustainable development in order to create an awareness of the problem of students. The purpose of the study is thus to analyze the teaching methods of teachers in sustainable development in grades 4-6, in the nature-oriented subjects and technology, in Jönköping County. The research questions used to fulfill the purpose of the study have their focus on how teachers work with sustainable development in their teaching, what importance teachers believe that education about sustainable development and how pupils' knowledge of sustainable development is made clear from a teacher's perspective. To achieve the aim of the study, a qualitative method has been used and semi-structured interviews have been conducted with eight teachers around Jönköping County. The material was analyzed using categories to facilitate the processing of the data collection. The analysis of the material and parts of the result are based on and linked to the socio-cultural perspective and the activity theory. The results show different types of teaching that come back to several teachers, including discussions and interdisciplinary work. In the interdisciplinary work, the teachers see a shortage between work with subjects other than the nature-oriented subjects and technology. Furthermore, the importance of education on sustainable development is emphasized, which all teachers in the study regard as an important subject content. The teachers in the study formulate that the students are aware of what sustainable development is, but that some are more engaged than others. Finally, a common form of teaching is highlighted, which all teachers use in teaching sustainable development, namely paper recycling.

Syftet med denna systematiska litteraturstudie var att sammanställa aktiviteter som beskrevs i forskning om polygoner i geometriundervisning samt analysera vilken form av förståelse dessa ämnade utveckla. Respektive aktivitet analyserades utefter van Hieles beskrivning av olika nivåer av geometriskt tänkande för att svara på frågan vilken förståelse som aktiviteten ämnade utveckla. Resultatet visade att det fanns fyra huvudkategorier av aktiviteter och att den största kategorin utgjordes av laborativa aktiviteter vilka i huvudsak ämnade utveckla van Hieles nivå två för geometriskt tänkande. De tre resterande kategorierna varierade i vilken nivå de ämnade utveckla mellan van Hieles nivå 1–4. / Polygons are included in mathematics education for grades 4–6. The aim of this study was to compile activities described in previous research on polygons through a systematic literature review and analyze what kind of geometric thinking they intended to develop. The activities were individually analyzed through a comparison with van Hiele’s levels about how geometric thinking is developed. The results showed that the research mainly contained explorative tasks which aimed to develop van Hiele’s level two of geometric thinking. Other activities that were found varied in what level of geometric thinking they developed.