The present study assesses the effects of reward allotment for a highly motivating game through the examination of students’ variations in response to different schedules of reinforcement. Fifty-four Chinese children from preschool to grade three participated by playing a number-matching game on Sifteo cubes. Two types of reward allotment—a 25%-chance-of-winning reinforcement schedule, and an escalating 25-75% reinforcement schedule—were examined in the number-matching game. Overall, the results proved that both reinforcement schedules effectively sustained children’s motivation in playing the game. In this experimental study I hypothesized that if the findings could be replicated in an extremely simple game that does not have the manifold array of additional motivators found in commercial successful video games, we could have a powerful motivating element to be used in educational games, given that digital games are potentially beneficial in helping students to develop 21st-century skills such as collaborative and problem-solving skills.

The purpose of this research is to investigate whether or not adult education acts as an agent for social change in Lesotho, especially in communities of the urban and rural poor. The importance and value of adult education as an agent for social change are highlighted. The study has employed a descriptive approach with case studies, involving samples from chiefs, the Ministry of Education and three prominent institutions: the Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre, the Lesotho Association of Non-Formal Education and the Institute of Extra Mural Studies. The samples of these constituencies totalled one hundred and forty-three. The study has used interviews, questionnaires and observations for collection of data. The researcher observed and judged the natural environment under which facilitation education occurred. Occurrences of all instances under observation were recorded and analysed. The study revealed that even though there is no government policy regarding adult education in Lesotho, the role played by adult education is important as an agent for social change. Adult education has proven its importance and value as a means of providing solutions to pressing issues and problems of the disadvantaged groups. Adult education has a wide range of achievements through which social change is visible and measurable. On the other hand, there is an equally strong opposing side that argues that adult education, as a provision of education in general, does not bring social change in Lesotho; instead, it perpetuates social inequalities that exist. Adult education, according to practices which conform to consensus and conflict paradigm principles, is used as an instrument to promote and strengthen the status quo of social inequalities in Lesotho. However, the researcher believes, through the findings of this study, that educating the urban and rural poor is a reasonable move because these groups constitute a large number of the human resource in Lesotho. With this human resource, if well developed, it is hoped that all other resources can be mobilised for the good of the nation. Lastly, the researcher believes that follow-up studies are needed in order to assess impact of adult education in Lesotho and recommends further research concerning adult education programmes and other pressing issues that are not included in this study. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Didactics)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between TeacherInsight™ (TI) scores and student performance as measured by student academic change scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. School district administrators, particularly district personnel administrators, are continually faced with the task of screening and hiring potential teacher applicants who are expected to influence student achievement outcomes directly. Efforts to make the screening, selection, and hiring process more efficient and effective have led to the use of certain teacher prescreening selection instruments that provide a research-based assessment of teachers’ affective attributes, which purportedly predicts teacher effectiveness. This study addressed this concern using a teacher screening and selection tool, the TI, design by the Gallup Organization. According to the Gallup Organization, the TI is a predictor of teacher affective attributes or talents. The state of Texas uses a student evaluation process called the TAKS to measure student academic gains in certain subject areas. This study examined the relationship between the TI and teacher effectiveness as measured by student academic TAKS change scores in mathematics in fourth and fifth grade. I used data obtained from a single school district in north central Texas. The specific targeted population consisted of 874 students enrolled in mathematics and 44 fourth- and fifth-grade teachers hired over a 3-year period (20082011). I applied a quantitative causal-comparative research design. Descriptive statistics for all variables were presented and bivariate relationships between continuous variables were examined. A two-level linear regression model was used to predict student performance on state-mandated assessments using teachers’ TI scores while controlling for relevant covariates. The statistical significance level throughout the study was set at α = .05. A major finding of this study revealed that teachers’ TI scores were not significant predictors of student achievement in the final model (p = .351). Moreover, the final model did not have significant predictive power when compared to the null model. The findings suggest that other factors not recorded in this dataset may influence student academic performance. Only student gender was a significant predictor of TAKS scores. However, the effect size indicated that student gender accounted for less than 1% of the variance in student achievement (R2 = .003). The findings of this study indicate that the TI alone should not be used as the sole instrument in predicting the quality and potential influence a teacher candidate will have on student performance on state-mandated assessments, and the selected school district should consider re-evaluating its use of the screening instrument for selecting teachers. Recommendations based on the results of the study are discussed and areas for future research are provided.

The No Child Left Behind Act and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Principles and Standards both had a significant impact on the format and content of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) math test. Content analysis of the 2004 TAKS eighth grade math test identified the prevalence of linguistic complexity, mathematical rigor, and visual presentation factors and explored their relationship to student success on individual test items. Variables to be studied were identified through a review of literature in the area of reading comprehension of math word problems. Sixteen variables of linguistic complexity that have been significantly correlated with student math test performance were selected. Four variables of visual presentation were identified and ten variables of mathematical rigor. An additional five variables of mathematical rigor emerged from preliminary study of the 2003 TAKS math test. Of the 35 individual variables, only four reached a significant level of correlation with the percent of students correctly answering a given test item. The number of digits presented in the problem statement and number of known quantities both exhibited a significant positive correlation with the dependent variable. The number of times a student had to perform a multiplication operation had a significant negative correlation with the percent of correct responses, as did the total number of operations required. Stepwise regression of these four variables revealed total number of operations and known quantities to be the best combination of predictors of correct responses. When grouped in categories by problem type and compared, items involving mathematical reasoning but no mathematical operations had a significantly higher percentage of correct responses than those requiring at least one operation. Further categorization revealed problems involving applications only (without computation) associated with the highest levels of correct responses, followed by those involving only computation. Items requiring both applications and computations had a significantly lower percent of correct responses.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the comprehensive school reform model core knowledge on the reading achievement of eighth grade students located in a suburban north Texas school district. The data compared the mean scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills of students attending the experimental core knowledge school with the control school that did not use the core knowledge curriculum. Students from both schools were compared for student achievement gains overall as well as several other categories. The study also used a qualitative survey that asked key faculty members at both schools questions regarding levels of curriculum implementation, staff knowledge of curriculum, etc. The data showed no significant differences between student achievement scores at the experimental school compared with students at the control school. However, the study found that the type of standardized test seems to have an impact on whether students in a core knowledge curriculum show higher achievement than students in a traditional curriculum. Students in a core knowledge curriculum show higher achievement on norm-referenced standardized tests when compared with students not attending a core knowledge school. When taking a criterion-referenced test such as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, there is no difference in reading achievement between the two groups.

Accountability in education has been expanding for the past twenty years. As standards for curricular areas continued to develop, educational shareholders desired a way to measure student achievement contextualized by the established standards. Since 1964, policies expanded federal involvement with education, and with the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, high-stakes testing became a significant part of public education. In Texas, testing transitioned in 2003 to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skill (TAKS) test, an assessment that determines grade advancement for students, ratings for school districts, and additional compensation for some teachers. Along with the increasing expectations for student achievement, the need for effective instruction also increases. This dissertation studies how English language arts (ELA) teachers in four North Texas suburban high schools perceive instructional change following the implementation of TAKS. One hundred twenty-one teachers (n=121) were surveyed using an instrument broken into seven categories: student-centered instruction, student interest, instructional communication, time, classroom environment, teacher knowledge, and assessment. Participants were separated into two groups, teachers with one to six years of experience with a district or seven or more years with a district. Using a rating scale for each statement on the survey instrument, participants indicated the direction and magnitude of change or indicated no change occurred. When comparing an overall average frequency percentage for each possible rating for each category, the two highest percentages for both surveyed groups indicated no instructional change since the implementation of TAKS. However, when considering specific statements about professional growth and instructor knowledge, both groups were likely to rate a change as positive. Whereas, if the statement suggested instructional areas constricted by time, participants for both groups were likely to rate a change as negative. Additionally, an ANOVA indicated no significant difference between either of the participating groups.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and success on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) mathematics exam with fifth-grade students in Texas compared to the effect of alternative improvement approaches used by a control group. Research explored the use of SuccessMaker® CAI educational software (Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ, www.pearsoned.com) in public elementary schools in Texas. Successmaker® CAI was not a good predictor of passing percentage on the mathematics TAKS. Multiple regression analysis utilized in this quasi-experimental design study predicted a negative and not statistically significant change in the percentage of students passing the mathematics TAKS exam (B = -.448, p > .05). SuccessMaker® use exhibited a very small effect size (r = -.04) and accounted for less than 1% of the change in passing percentage (r2 = .0016). Multiple regression model predicted a negative and statistically significant effect upon mathematics passing percentage by economic disadvantage percentage (B = -.211, p < .01). The 95% confidence interval for B ranged from -.365 to -.057. The large effect size correlation coefficient (r = -.51) accounted for 26% of the variance in the mathematics TAKS passing percentage (r2 = .26).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:49:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JESSIKA_MATOS_22_02_2011 JACK ORTEHA URGENTE quinta noite.pdf: 953148 bytes, checksum: c1b02c75bffd54d3a32ed604083f9ee5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-06 / We conducted this research with the aim of obtaining grants to questions about where and when the good teachers of Youth and Adults - EJA acquire their knowledge, develop their skills and professional practice, and how performance assessment can help improve education in this segment. The survey was conducted in CEJA - Study Center for Youths and Adults in Cuiabá / MT., with the participation of students and teachers at different stages of data collection. The Students contributed indicating the qualities of a good teacher and professional skills they should have. For teachers and evaluated, indicating helped develop such qualities as assessed by students through questionnaires and interviews. The theorical base was FREIRE (1997), SOARES (2004), CUNHA (1992), SCHÖN (2000), TARDIF (2002), PERRENOUD (2002), NÓVOA (1995), DIAS SOBRINHO (2003), AFONSO (2002), IMBERNÓN (2006) and LOWMAN (2004). These authors address topics on teaching knowledge,skills and professional evaluation of teaching performance, discuss the educational practice, promote interest in teaching investigative, reflective, politically, and dialogic, and indicate the assessment of teaching practice as one of the basic tools in sustaining the quality of teaching. The research involved a qualitative case study as works of ANDRE (2005) and YIN (2001). The interpretation of data were carried out using content analysis BARDIN (1977). With this study we could demonstrate when, where and how these teachers indicated as good teachers, with the qualities and skills displayed by the students learned to be good teachers of Youth and Adult-adult education- EJA. / Realizamos esta pesquisa com objetivo de obter subsídios aos questionamentos acerca de onde e quando os bons professores da Educação de Jovens e Adultos EJA adquirem seus saberes, desenvolvem suas competências e prática profissionais, e como a avaliação de desempenho pode auxiliar a melhoria de ensino neste segmento. A pesquisa foi realizada no CEJA - Centro de Estudos de Jovens e Adultos em Cuiabá/MT, com a participação de alunos e professores em diferentes momentos da coleta dados. Os alunos contribuiram indicando as qualidades de um bom professor e as competências profissionais que devem possuir. Quanto aos professores bem avaliados, contribuíram indicando como desenvolveram tais qualidades apreciadas pelos alunos através de questionário e entrevistas. O referencial teórico básico foi FREIRE (1996), SOARES (2004), CUNHA (1992), SCHÖN (2000), TARDIF (2002), PERRENOUD (2002), NÓVOA (1995), DIAS SOBRINHO (2003), AFONSO (2002) IMBÉRNÓN ( 2006) e LOWMAN (2004). Estes autores abordam temas sobre saberes docentes, competências e avaliação de desempenho docente profissional, discutem a prática educativa, promovem o interesse pelo docente investigativo, reflexivo, político, e dialógico, bem como indicam a avaliação da prática docente como um dos instrumentos de base na sustentação da qualidade de ensino. A pesquisa envolveu um estudo de caso qualitativo conforme obras de ANDRE (2005) e YIN (2001). A interpretação dos dados foi realizada seguindo análise de conteúdo de BARDIN (1977). Com a realização deste estudo foi possível demonstrar quando, onde e como estes professores indicados como bons professores, com as qualidades e competências indicadas pelos alunos, aprenderam a ser bons professores da Educação de Jovens e Adultos - EJA.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:54:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JESSIKA_MATOS_22_02_2011 JACK ORTEHA URGENTE quinta noite.pdf: 953148 bytes, checksum: c1b02c75bffd54d3a32ed604083f9ee5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-06 / We conducted this research with the aim of obtaining grants to questions about where and when the good teachers of Youth and Adults - EJA acquire their knowledge, develop their skills and professional practice, and how performance assessment can help improve education in this segment. The survey was conducted in CEJA - Study Center for Youths and Adults in Cuiabá / MT., with the participation of students and teachers at different stages of data collection. The Students contributed indicating the qualities of a good teacher and professional skills they should have. For teachers and evaluated, indicating helped develop such qualities as assessed by students through questionnaires and interviews. The theorical base was FREIRE (1997), SOARES (2004), CUNHA (1992), SCHÖN (2000), TARDIF (2002), PERRENOUD (2002), NÓVOA (1995), DIAS SOBRINHO (2003), AFONSO (2002), IMBERNÓN (2006) and LOWMAN (2004). These authors address topics on teaching knowledge,skills and professional evaluation of teaching performance, discuss the educational practice, promote interest in teaching investigative, reflective, politically, and dialogic, and indicate the assessment of teaching practice as one of the basic tools in sustaining the quality of teaching. The research involved a qualitative case study as works of ANDRE (2005) and YIN (2001). The interpretation of data were carried out using content analysis BARDIN (1977). With this study we could demonstrate when, where and how these teachers indicated as good teachers, with the qualities and skills displayed by the students learned to be good teachers of Youth and Adult-adult education- EJA. / Realizamos esta pesquisa com objetivo de obter subsídios aos questionamentos acerca de onde e quando os bons professores da Educação de Jovens e Adultos EJA adquirem seus saberes, desenvolvem suas competências e prática profissionais, e como a avaliação de desempenho pode auxiliar a melhoria de ensino neste segmento. A pesquisa foi realizada no CEJA - Centro de Estudos de Jovens e Adultos em Cuiabá/MT, com a participação de alunos e professores em diferentes momentos da coleta dados. Os alunos contribuiram indicando as qualidades de um bom professor e as competências profissionais que devem possuir. Quanto aos professores bem avaliados, contribuíram indicando como desenvolveram tais qualidades apreciadas pelos alunos através de questionário e entrevistas. O referencial teórico básico foi FREIRE (1996), SOARES (2004), CUNHA (1992), SCHÖN (2000), TARDIF (2002), PERRENOUD (2002), NÓVOA (1995), DIAS SOBRINHO (2003), AFONSO (2002) IMBÉRNÓN ( 2006) e LOWMAN (2004). Estes autores abordam temas sobre saberes docentes, competências e avaliação de desempenho docente profissional, discutem a prática educativa, promovem o interesse pelo docente investigativo, reflexivo, político, e dialógico, bem como indicam a avaliação da prática docente como um dos instrumentos de base na sustentação da qualidade de ensino. A pesquisa envolveu um estudo de caso qualitativo conforme obras de ANDRE (2005) e YIN (2001). A interpretação dos dados foi realizada seguindo análise de conteúdo de BARDIN (1977). Com a realização deste estudo foi possível demonstrar quando, onde e como estes professores indicados como bons professores, com as qualidades e competências indicadas pelos alunos, aprenderam a ser bons professores da Educação de Jovens e Adultos - EJA.

IN ENG Name of thesis: Competence Design of Addiction Studies Pregraduates Background: The study program addictology is an interdisciplinary field dealing with treatment and prevention of addictions and addictive behavior. The field of addictology is still looking for its position, helpful could be creating a document defining competencies of this profession that would bring transparency in practice and in the context of other related disciplines. The design of competencies of a pregraduate student of addictology can serve as a basis for defining professional competencies. Aims: The aim of the thesis is to create a design of competencies of the pregraduate of the study program addictology. Partial goals are the creation of a proposal for the formulation of learning outcomes and the comparison of the acquired competency design with the foreign formulation of competencies of the workers in addictological services. Methods: The research file consists of the accreditation files of the pregraduate degree of addictology study program and information about the subjects taught in the Charles University Study Information System which were subjected to the content analysis and the Q-RAM project methodology was used to formulate the learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, general competencies), these were...