Det saknas, i stor utsträckning, forskning om läromedlens roll i grammatikundervisningen på lågstadiet i svenska skolor. Samtidigt framkommer grammatikens betydelse, om än inte explicit, i kursplanen för ämnet svenska och mycket tyder samtidigt på att läromedlen spelar en central roll för planeringen och genomförandet av undervisningen. Den här studien syftar till att bidra till en ökad förståelse för läromedlens funktion i grammatikundervisningen på lågstadiet samt hur lärare beskriver användningen av och uppfattningen om de läromedel de använder. Studiens teoretiska ramverk grundar sig i det sociokulturella lärandeperspektivet som kompletteras med Shulmans didaktiska pedagogical content knowledge. Genom fyra kvalitativa intervjuer med verksamma lågstadielärare samt utdrag av de läromedel de använder, framkommer efter en tematisk analys, uppfattningen om läromedel som ett stöd men även en begränsning för grammatikundervisningen. Ett stöd så till vida att det bidrar till ökad trygghet för lärarna, men en begränsning utifrån dess utformning och avsaknad av flexibilitet. Vidare utkristalliseras en bild av grammatiken som ett begrepp vilket lärare, samt läromedlen, använder med stor försiktighet. Med anknytning i tidigare forskning samt det teoretiska ramverk som studien hänvisar till förs en diskussion kring läromedlens roll i grammatikundervisningen idag, samt dess roll i framtiden. / There is, to a large extent, a lack of research regarding the role of teaching materials as a resource in grammar teaching at a primary level in L1 education in Sweden. At the same time, the importance of grammar education appears, if not explicitly, in the curriculum for the Swedish subject. Much indicates that teaching materials play a large role in the planning and implementing of the teaching. This study aims to contribute an increased understanding of how teaching materials are used in grammar teaching in primary education, and how teachers describe the use of and the perceptions they have regarding the teaching materials they use. The theoretical framework for this study is based on the sociocultural learning theory, which is supplemented by Shulman's didactic pedagogical content knowledge. The data was collected through four qualitative interviews with practicing primary school teachers, along with excerptions from the teaching materials they use. After analyzing the data through a thematic analysis, the perception of textbooks as both a support but also a limitation for grammar education was discerned. A support to the extent that it contributes to an increased security for the teachers, but a limitation based on its design and lack of flexibility. Moreover, a perception of grammar as a concept appears, which teachers as well as textbooks handle with caution. With regards to previous research and the theoretical framework this study relies on, a discussion is initiated where the role of  teaching materials in grammar education on a primary level today, and in the future is in focus.

Many successful professionals, recognized for their experience, knowledge, competence and commitment to their field, experience a contradiction when they realize that their contributions are no longer valued by decision-makers in their organizations. Professionals, regardless of gender, position, education, race or profession, who experience workplace devaluation agree that this experience devalues their contributions and demeans their sense of self. This study illuminates the professionals' perspective of workplace devaluation through their experience. Within the framework of grounded theory methodology, this research examined three research questions: (a) What is the experience of professionals' workplace devaluation? (b) How did professionals learn from the experience? (c) What did professionals learn from the experience? The unit of analysis is the professional within an organization. Four participants were selected who (a) had several years experience with their organization; (b) were previously valued by the organization; (c) were current in their field; (d) had experienced workplace devaluation; and (e) were able to articulate insights, thoughts, and emotions on their experience. Multiple interviews with each participant provided the data. A comparative, iterative analysis of the data yielded: (a) a seven-phase process of the experience; (b) six constructs embedded in the process, and (c) four categories of learning. The dialogic interview method facilitated the participants' apperception, reflection, and progress through the process. Three emotions--fear, powerlessness, anger--and their interaction with the other constructs (autonomy, communication, personalization, authority, and recognition) influenced coping strategies and actions taken by each participant. The four narratives explicate the interrelationships of the findings. Three major conclusions are: (a) A rich description of the workplace devaluation experience offers a glimpse into the complexity of this topic and into the professionals' "lived world." (b) The learning process, grounded in the data, depicts how these four professionals used the power of their emotions to create balance within themselves as they attempted to explicate their situation of workplace devaluation. (c) The results indicate that greater learning occurred in organizational knowledge and intrapersonal knowledge for these professionals. Questions for further research are noted along with practical suggestions and recommendations for the praxis of adult educators, decision-makers, and professionals. / Ph. D.

Hatbrott är ett problem idag som strider mot allas lika värde och väcker oro bland många i vårt samhälle, samtidigt har kritik riktats mot Sverige för utvecklingen av hatbrott och den utbredda rasismen. Flera förebyggande insatser mot hatbrott har därav i Sverige vidtagits, detta trots brist på forskning kring hatbrott generellt men framförallt förebyggandet av hatbrott. Föreliggande uppsats vill därför skapa en förståelse för hur olika aktörer i Malmö arbetar för att förebygga hatbrott, hur aktörerna tänker kring orsakerna till varför hatbrott begås och eventuella utmaningar i det förebyggande arbetet. För att besvara uppsatsens frågeställningar intervjuas tio personer från olika verksamheter i Malmö utifrån deras roll som en del av det förebyggande arbetet mot hatbrott. Resultatet visar att händelser i omvärlden, bristande kunskap, kultur och historia samt fördomar, ses som möjliga orsaker till varför hatbrott begås. Media och internets påverkan ses som bidragande faktorer till hatbrott. För att förebygga hatbrott betraktas olika former av utbildningsinsatser vara de mest framstående och effektiva, men några få mer direkta insatser nämns också. Ur resultatet framstår det att hela samhället har ett ansvar i det förebyggande arbetet och att alla aktörer måste arbeta gemensamt för ett mer inkluderande samhälle. Det är också viktigt att hantera det aktuella mörkertalet i hatbrottsstatistiken och stärka förtroendet mellan minoriteter och myndigheter. Uppsatsens informanter påpekar också att mer resurser måste läggas på det preventiva arbetet mot hatbrott. Vidare ger uppsatsen förslag på framtida forskning som bör undersöka vilka konkreta insatser de olika aktörerna i samhället ska vidta för att förebygga hatbrott, samt studera ämnet utifrån fler perspektiv. / Hate crime is a problem today that goes against everyone's equal value and arouses concern among many in our society, meanwhile Sweden has been criticized for the development of hate crimes and the widespread racism. Therefore, Sweden has implemented several preventive strategies against hate crimes, despite a lack of research on hate crimes in general and the sizable lack of research regarding prevention of hate crimes. The essay wants to create an understanding of how different actors in Malmö works to prevent hate crimes, what they consider causes hate crimes and possible challenges in the preventive work. To address the inquiries posed by the essay, ten people from different functions in Malmö are interviewed, based on their role as part of the preventive work against hate crimes. The results show that events in the world, lack of knowledge, culture and history, as well as prejudices, are possible reasons why hate crimes are committed. The influence of the media and the internet are seen as contributing factors to hate crimes. To prevent hate crimes, various forms of educational efforts are considered to be the most prominent and effective. Also, a few more direct interventions are mentioned. The result shows that the whole society has a responsibility in the preventive work and actors must work together for a more inclusive society. It is also important to deal with the current darkness in hate crime statistics, and enhancing trust between minority groups and authorities. The essay's informants also highlight that more resources must be put into preventive work against hate crimes. Furthermore, the essay suggests that future research should examine what concrete efforts various societal actors should take to prevent hate crimes. Future research should also approach the subject from different perspectives.

Wearable technology has made a positive impact in the consumer industry with its focus on adult fitness. Devices and applications are pervasive, inexpensive and are in high demand. Our nation struggles with obesity and health concerns related to poor fitness. However, the research on such technology has been more focused on adults. Therefore, the need to investigate wearable technology for fitness improvement with children is essential. Children lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles through TV watching, technology-use and a reduction in physical activities. Further, our society is exposed to quick food loaded with calories. These factors contribute to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The need to educate students early, on their ability to monitor their fitness, is the focus of this research. This dissertation investigated the impact of an integrated technology-enhanced physical education model with 127 fifth grade students over an 11-week period. A detailed analysis, looking at theoretical perspectives across multiple data collections was conducted. This study answered the questions, 1. To what extent can students improve their performance with technology-enhanced physical education? 2. To what extent can students learn to self-monitor their performance levels? How do affective components impact teaching and learning with a technology-enhanced physical education model? Results showed that technology-enhanced physical education does improve performance measures, does improve students' ability to self-regulate and positively impacts student and teachers' affective states. However long term results were inconclusive, stimulating multiple, potential opportunities for continued research.

Information har idag kommit att bli så viktigt att det av många aktörer kallas för den nya digitala oljan, och med anledning av just detta är information idag en av de främsta tillgångar en organisation kan besitta. För att skydda informationen lägger organisationer massiva summor pengar på tekniska och fysiska åtgärder. Tillsammans med dessa åtgärder utfärdas även interna bestämmelser och riktlinjer för hur IT-system och information får eller inte får hanteras. Trots detta sker både intrång och andra säkerhetsrelaterade incidenter som kan härledas till mänskligt felaktigt beteende, eller den så kallade mänsklig faktorn. I den här uppsatsen har därför författaren gjort en djupdykning i ämnet för att studera vilka samband som kan finnas mellan beteendevetenskapliga teorier och efterlevnad av informationssäkerhet. Med kvalitativa metoder har bland annat litteraturstudier genomförts för att ta reda på vilka teorier som är mest relevanta i sammanhanget. Intervjuer har sedan nyttjats för att bredda författarens uppfattning om vilka faktorer som kan påverka mänskligt beteende. De personer som intervjuats har bland varit yrkesverksamma som säkerhetschefer, säkerhetskyddshandläggare och ledande forskare inom det specifika området.

<p>In this dissertation, I investigate the authentic learning experiences of students participating in the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program at Purdue University within the framework of authentic education. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study assesses the performance of new and returning students across five key outcomes that measure authentic learning during a single semester. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant main effects for time of assessment and type of student on performance, with an overall improvement in all outcomes observed from mid-term to final evaluations and returning students typically outperforming new students. Interaction effects between time and type were also examined, revealing subtle yet complex dynamics in students’ learning trajectories. The findings hold implications for enhancing authentic learning, especially in engineering design contexts, and offer insights to guide future implementation of and improvements to authentic education initiatives, particularly the EPICS program. Despite certain limitations, the research opens avenues for future investigations into diverse aspects of authentic education in STEM and beyond.  </p>

Despite widespread use of web-based e-learning applications, insufficient attention is paid to their usability. There is a need to conduct evaluation using one or more of the various usability evaluation methods. Given that heuristic evaluation is known to be easy to use and cost effective, this study investigates the extent to which it can identify usability problems in a web-based e-learning application at a tertiary institution. In a comparative case study, heuristic evaluation by experts and survey evaluation among end users (learners) are conducted and the results of the two compared. Following literature studies in e-learning - particularly web-based learning - and usability, the researcher generates an extensive set of criteria/heuristics and uses it in the two evaluations. The object of evaluation is a website for a 3rd year Information Systems course. The findings indicate a high correspondence between the results of the two evaluations, demonstrating that heuristic evaluation is an appropriate, effective and sufficient usability evaluation method, as well as relatively easy to conduct. It identified a high percentage of usability problems. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Text in Afrikaans / Die invloed van die persoonskonstruk, lokus van kontrole, op die akademiese prestasie van leerlinge in die senior sekondere skoolfase is aangespreek. Literatuur bevestig 'n verband tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie. Interne kontrole word met hoe akademiese prestasie en verantwoordelikheidsaanvaarding geassosieer. Persoonlikheidskenmerke van intern of ekstern georienteerde leerlinge, die invloed van lokus van kontrole op persoonlike perspektief, selfkonsep en akademiese prestasie toon dat internes hulself as bekwaam, effektief en suksesvol beskou terwyl eksternes meer negatiewe persoonskenmerke beklemtoon. Die CNS-IE en IAR vraelyste is gebruik om algemene- en akademiese lokus van kontrole onderskeidelik te meet. Leerlinge wat akademies volgens vermoe presteer, behaal hoer interne tellings as die wat onderpresteer. Geen een-tot-een verwantskap tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie is tydens die empiriese ondersoek gevind nie. Daar is dus ander faktore wat saam met lokus van kontrole die akademiese prestasie van senior sekondere leerlinge beinvloed. / The influence of the personality construct, locus of control, on the academic achievement of pupils in the senior secondary school phase was investigated. Literature confirms a relation between locus of control and academic achievement. Internal control is associated with high academic achievement and acceptance of responsibility. Personality characteristics of internals and externals, the influence of locus of control on personal perspective, self-concept and academic achievement shows that internals view themselves as capable, ef cient and succesful while externals emphasise more negative personality characteristics. The CNS IE and IAR were used to measure general and academic locus of control. Academic achievers obtained higher internal scores than underachievers on both questionnaires. The results of the Empirical research indicate that locus of control is not the sole determinant of academic achievement. Therefore, other factors in conjunction with locus of control influence academic achievement. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The study investigated the perceptions of student nurses and supervisors with regard to the block system used in the general nurse diploma programme in Zimbabwe. Their perceptions were elicited so that the researcher could identify the positive and negative aspects of the blook system which respectively promote and inhibit or obstruct the teaching and learning of student nurses. The study was conducted at the Harare, Parirenyatwa, Mpilo and United Bulawayo Schools of Nursing and in Mashonaland East province. A cross·sectional descriptive survey research design was used to obtain accurate information about the block system. Data was collected from nurse teachers, clinical teachers and sisters in charge of wards/units by means of structured interviews and from community health nurses and student nurses by means of self-administered questionnaires. The following positive aspects of study blocks were identified: the availability of time for student nurses to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes without fear of hurting patients, the availability and willingness of nurse teachers to teach, the attendance of study blocks as groups and straight off duties. During clinical area placements, the integration of theory and practice took place, and there were opportunities for student nurses to apply the knowledge and skills they learnt during study blocks and to work as members of health teams. The negative aspects of the study blocks that were identified included too much theory content taught in each study block, inadequate demonstrations, a shortage of nurse teachers, no periods for individual study, a theory-practice gap and the too-frequent use of the formal lecture teaching method. The negative aspects of the clinical area placements included the inadequate teaching/supervision of student nurses, excessive night duties for student nurses, a shortage of qualified staff: clinical allocation of student nurses not based on study block content, inadequate clinical teaching by nurse teachers, and unplanned clinical teaching. Most clinical teaching was performed by peers and the most junior professional nurses. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia proclaimed a new curriculum for reconstructing the education system. The programme aimed at changing the predominantly-used teacher-centred instructional strategies to student-centred, active learning methods. This motivated the main research question of this study namely What are Ethiopian students’ learning styles and attitudes towards active learning approaches? The specific research questions that were investigated were: • What are the learning styles of students in Grade 10 public and private schools and at second year university level, and do these students prefer certain learning styles? • What are the attitudes of students at Grade 10 public and private schools, and at second year university level in respect of active learning approaches? • Do significant relationships exist between the students’ learning styles and their attitudes towards active learning as regards the four dimensions of the Index of Learning Styles (ILS), namely active-reflective, sensing-intuitive, visual-reflective and sequential-global? • Are there significant differences in the students’ learning styles and their attitudes towards active learning in respect of gender, different education levels and types of schools? In order to answer these questions, the study made use of an exploratory, descriptive design. By means of questionnaires data were collected from a purposefully and a conveniently selected sample of 920 students from Grade 10 government and private schools and second year university students in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The sample comprised of 506 males and 414 females, 400 students from Government schools and 249 from private schools, and 271 from the university. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics (means and correlations) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance). The results indicated that the majority of the students’ learning styles were balanced between the two dimensions of the ILS scales. As secondary preference, they tended towards moderate categories, and a small section of the students preferred the strong categories of the scales. Secondly, the study determined that the sampled students in general, demonstrated a positive attitude towards active learning. Thirdly, by means of the study a significant relationship was ascertained between the students’ attitudes towards active learning and the active-reflective dimension of the ILS. Fourthly, significant differences were indicated in the students’ learning styles and attitudes towards active learning in respect of their gender, their education level and the types of schools. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)