published_or_final_version / abstract / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

Orientador: Rúbia Barcelos Amaral-Schio / Resumo: A presente pesquisa partiu da motivação do seu autor sobre o processo de investigação matemática com estudantes. Entendendo que a Matemática não é produzida do mesmo modo que é apresentada nos livros voltados para o seu estudo, foi intencionado na tese elaborar compreensões sobre o processo de produção de significado para determinadas noções matemáticas em um contexto investigativo de aprendizagem. Desse modo, a pesquisa configurou-se em uma abordagem qualitativa, apoiando-se na Teoria do Modelo dos Campos Semânticos para realizar uma possível leitura desse processo, enfatizando-se a contribuição deste trabalho no diálogo do referencial teórico com o campo da Geometria. Para tal, foi organizado um Grupo de Estudos Independente sobre curvas cônicas composto por quatro estudantes do curso de graduação em Matemática e o pesquisador, autor desta tese de doutorado. Não houve um programa pré-definido, permitindo que os participantes conduzissem as discussões partindo da seguinte pergunta: O que vocês sabem sobre curvas cônicas? Como instrumento de produção de dados, foram utilizadas gravações em vídeo-áudio dos vinte e dois encontros que ocorreram ao longo do ano de 2016, conversas no aplicativo para smartphone WhatsApp (em grupo e em pares) e diários dos participantes. Em consonância com o objetivo, o estilo de escrita da tese adorado como estética buscou evidenciar tanto o processo de produção de conhecimento (matemático) como também o d... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present research is based on the motivation of its author on the mathematical investigation process with students. Understanding that Mathematics is not produced in the same way as it is presented in textbooks, it was intended in elaborating understandings about the producing meaning process for certain mathematical notions in a research context of learning. In this way, the research is framed on a qualitative approach, based on Semantic Field Model Theory to carry out a possible reading of this process, so that the contribution of this work is emphasized in the dialog of the theoretical reference with the Geometry’s field. For that, a Study Group on conic curves was composed by four undergraduate students in Mathematics and the researcher, author of this doctoral thesis. There was no predefined program, allowing participants to conduct the discussions from referrals through the following question: What do you know about conic curves? As a data production tool, video-audio recordings of the twenty-two meetings that took place throughout 2016, conversations in the WhatsApp smartphone application (in group and in pairs) and participants' diaries were used. In agreement with our aim, the text form of the thesis sought to evidence both the process of production of knowledge (mathematical) as well as of scientific knowledge (to do research). The analysis consisted in making a plausible reading of the dynamics of meaning production from the point of view of one of the subjects.... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

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Self-paced study involves choosing items for (re)study and determining how much time will be allocated to those items so as to maximize later recall, making it a viable venue for examining whether there are age-related differences in metacognitive control. Two prominent models have been proposed to account for item selection and study time allocation behaviors during self-paced study. The Discrepancy Reduction Model (DRM; Dunlosky & Hertzog, 1998; Nelson & Leonesio, 1988) suggests individuals will always select and allocate the most time to items that have not yet been learned, whereas the Region of Proximal Learning model (RPL; Metcalfe, 2002) predicts individuals will select the easiest unknown items and will only later select and allocate time to the more difficult items if time constraints permit, thus making distinctions among unlearned items graded by difficulty. Two experiments were conducted to examine whether younger and older adults item selection and study time allocation behaviors would be more consistent with DRM or RPL model predictions. Across both experiments younger and older adults initially selected easier items for study, providing the first evidence to date that the RPL model would extend to older adults self-paced study of heterogeneously difficult Spanish-English vocabulary pairs. However, both younger and older adults allocated more time to difficult than easier items. The assignment of point values to items in Experiment 2 affected how likely participants were to pursue each of four experimenter-determined task goals that either stressed the number of words recalled, points earned, or both. Whether point values initially favored recall of easy or difficult items interacted with time constraints to influence the basis (objective versus subjective difficulty) and order of participants item selections (Experiment 2). However, younger adults were better able to effectively allocate their study time to achieve self-determined (Experiment 1) and experimenter-determined goals (Experiment 2), indicating age-related differences in metacognitive control despite younger and older adults having similar memory self-efficacy ratings and encoding strategy use behaviors.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1996. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Robert Pace. Dissertation Committee: Harold Abeles. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-110).

The purpose of this essay is to identify effective ways of teaching English vocabulary at upper secondary level in Sweden. We have answered three research questions: -  In what ways do local English teachers at the upper secondary level teach vocabulary? -  How do local students at the upper secondary level perceive their acquisition and learning of English vocabulary? -  According to research regarding vocabulary acquisition, what is necessary to include when constructing an effective module for teaching vocabulary?  We gathered the data needed to answer the research questions by conducting interviews with both teachers and students as well as an independent study. The independent study investigated which of six pre picked vocabulary teaching methods gave the best results in a single English 6 class and was the most preferred by those students. The interviews as well as the independent study indicated that one of the most effective ways of teaching vocabulary is through context-based exercises. Our conclusion is that the students’ retention of new vocabulary may be directly connected to the amount of context in which the words are taught. Based on our findings, we have constructed frameworks for a series of lessons which focus on teaching vocabulary.

This diploma thesis aims to provide a rounded view of and information pertaining to the concept of individual preparation as part of a student's university education. The goal is to deliver wholesome theoretical materials in relation to individual preparation as part of a student's university education. The aim was to test the given hypothesis, which deal with the individual aspects of the individual preparation of university students. The work is split into a theoretical and practical section. The theoretical component covers definitions of concepts covering individual preparation as well as signposting university teaching itself. Further, it mentions teaching methods, feedback loops and the independence of the students themselves. These themes form the foundation of the practical section. The theoretical element has its basis in topical literature. The empirical section of the work stems from quantitative research, which defines how current individual preparation occurs in university students, whether it can be seen as typical for this type of education and whether there are any differences when it comes to considering degrees in either technical areas or the humanities. Data was gathered via questionnaires, which were then statistically analyzed. Respondents were approached randomly via the...

Accelerating technological and social innovation drives the need for graduates ready for self-directed lifelong learning. Self-directed learning (SDL) projects are now an integral part of many formal undergraduate programs across the disciplines. A Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) based on Grow’s Iterative Staged Self-directed Learning Model was introduced into a second year Information Systems course to raise awareness of the need for SDL and enable students to drive their own learning. The study evaluates the success of the PDP in preparing graduates as self-directed lifelong learners. Students’ reflective writing and learning journals, together with submitted portfolio work was taken as evidence of success and difficulties. Resistance often accompanies the changes introduced by SDL. This research therefore also explores the potential for business change management principles in mediating change to the educational environment. Student engagement with SDL was found to be accomplished with mixed success; most students demonstrated initial resistance, while many developed into focused reflective learners over time. While students were able to define appropriate learning goals and reflect on progress and achievement, mixed ability in specifying resources, strategies and validation to support their learning was found. Creating change readiness through messaging, cooperative SDL and using adapted change management models were of use in refining the SDL process.

High school students need to be equipped with the competencies that may enable them to adapt to the increasing demands of learning in the school and beyond. To this end, the main research question of this study was, namely How can the self-regulated learning of adolescents be developed at high school? The aim of the study was to design, implement and evaluate a study skills programme for high school students. The social-cognitive theory, in particular the self-regulated Learning (SRL) theory, was used as the conceptual framework on which this study was based. An explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods research design was implemented. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants in the three phases of the research project. Two classes of Grade 10-students (an experimental and a comparison group) from one school participated in the study, as follows: (i) in the first quantitative phase both classes wrote a pre-test, using the Learning and Strategies Inventory - High School Version (LASSI-HS); (ii) this was followed by a qualitative phase over 10 weeks. During this time a programme was implemented with the experimental group, once per week for 30 minutes (during school hours), and a 30 minute session in the afternoons. Individual work was also done with eight students, who were purposefully sampled. Between one and four sessions were held with each of the eight students. During the 10 weeks data were collected continuously by means of individual interviews with the eight students, as well as from their journals. In addition, the researcher collected data by means of field-notes. (iii) After the 10 weeks, the final quantitative phase involved both the experimental and the comparison groups in the writing of a post-test. The results indicated that the programme to enhance the students’ goal-setting, self-monitoring and self-evaluation strategies was successful. The students also indicated an improvement in their attitudes, motivation, information-processing, and in selecting the main ideas in their study material. However, shortcomings were noted in certain areas. Based on the literature and the empirical findings of the study, an improved programme for the development of the adolescents’ SRL in high school was designed. The programme recommended the early commencement of the programme, and that the two problem areas that were identified, namely time-management and motivational strategies be emphasised. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This research project reports on an empirical study on the suitability and feasibility of audio cassette lectures in solving the study problems of adult distance education students. Having reviewed relevant literature on the subject the researcher collected data through: (a) Empirical investigation by contituting a two-group (experimental/control) design. (b) Questionnaires to find out opinions of students on audio cassettes. The study reveals that there is a significnt difference between the academic achievement of students who study via audio cassette lectures in addition to textbooks and face-to-face lectures and those who study through textbooks and face-to-face lectures only. The study therefore validates audio cassette lectures in an integrated study package. Other outcomes of the study are: (a) Suggestions to l.E.M.S. authorities to introduce audio cassette lectures on l.E.M.S. part-time courses. (b) Suggestions to course organisers at 1.E.M.S. to liaise with distance education institutions to adopt their instructional strategies. / Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)