Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: [72]-74)

Detta examensarbete handlar om drama som pedagogik, vad det är, hur man gör och varför man gör det. Mitt syfte med den här uppsatsen är att lyfta fram kunskap om hur vi pedagoger ska kunna hjälpa elever i våra klasser genom att använda drama som metod för kunskap och utveckling. Arbetet innefattar tre intervjuer samt litteraturstudier om ämnet. Individerna som jag har intervjuat är en klasslärare på mellanstadiet, en dramalärare samt en barnteaterförfattarinna. Intervjuerna innehöll frågor som rörde drama som pedagogik och hur de som pedagoger kommer i kontakt med detta, vad de tycker om drama som pedagogik, samt vad man kan använda det till och vilka fördelar som blir följden av användandet. Jag kom fram till att drama som pedagogik är en metod med vilken elever och lärare lär sig mer om sig själva, varandra och världen. Jag kom också fram till att drama som pedagogik verkar både personlighetsutvecklande och grupputvecklande samtidigt som den hjälper eleverna på ett stimulerande, kreativt och roligt sätt mot sina kunskapsmål och är därför en bra metod. Jag kom också fram till att vi pedagoger genom att bjuda på oss själva, samtidigt som vi involverar eleverna i en beslutandeprocess om sitt eget lärande inom dramats ramar, där vi verkar som medagerare för att inspirera, stimulera och styra våra elever, så att de upplever att kunskapsinhämtande är roligt och intressant, utövar en givande pedagogik som stärker individerna i gruppen. / This degree project is about drama as a way of teaching, what it means, how one’s supposed to accomplish it and why one would like to do it. My goal with this essay is to discuss how we, the teachers, are to help our students by using drama as a method for knowledge acquisition and personal development. This study includes three interviews as well as studies of literature about the subject. The individuals that agreed to be interviewed are a teacher who works with grades four to six, a drama teacher and a writer of plays for children. The interviews included questions regarding drama as a way of teaching, what experiences the people interviewed have regarding that method, what their ideas of the method are, how to use it and what benefits there might be from using it. My conclusion was that drama as a way of teaching is a method with which both teachers and students gain knowledge about themselves, each other and the world around them. I also state that drama as a way of teaching is beneficial to both the individuals as well as the group because they evolve and grow through the usage of this method and at the same time it helps the students towards their learning outcomes in a stimulating, creative and fun way, which makes this a good method for learning. I also state that we, the teachers, by acting out along with the students, instead of being reserved, and involve the students in important decisions about their learning within the limits of the drama, where we try to inspire, stimulate and guide our students so they will experience that gaining knowledge is fun and interesting, is practicing a method which strengthens the individuals of the group.

This investigation explores the meanings primary school teachers who apply outdoor learning and teaching methods associate withthe places that encompass their teaching practices. A symbolic interactionist framework coupled with a social constructionistorientation was employed to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation techniques. The findingsillustrated that meaning ascribed to place derived from the interactional processes between the study’s respondents and thephysical setting within which educational interventions occurred. The nature of these interactions also appeared to be highlyinfluenced by the social worlds in which informants participated and their featured social processes. The results elucidated that theattribution of meaning to learning landscapes was impacted by school administrational factors, institutionalized school practices,the respondents’ university education and the perspectives they held about outdoor teaching and learning. Findings from thisenquiry make progress towards gaining an insight into the social construction of meanings ascribed to outdoor learningenvironments. Additionally, they contribute to a theoretical discussion regarding the impact of social contexts encompassingteaching and learning interventions on the educational potential of outdoor places.

This study has been conducted in the context of the master program in Outdoor Environmental Education and Outdoor Life, of Linköping University. It aspires to investigate a specific part of outdoor environments: the schoolyards. Particularly, the aim of the study is to investigate how the use of the school grounds as an educational resource is influenced by their environments -rural or urban. The research compares the school communities’ (principals’, teachers’ and students’) perceptions about the use of their school grounds during the educational process. The research sample consists of 10 Swedish elementary schools, from which the five are in rural and five are in urban environments. The participants are in total 10 principals, 51 teachers and 295 students. Alongside, an observation recorded in a list and photographs enhance the comparison between the rural and urban schools’ infrastructures. From the 1268 photos taken, a selection is included in the study and constitutes the observation part. The study negotiates four controversial issues about school grounds’ capacities: space or place; good or bad; rural or urban; grounds of a school or grounds of a curriculum. The results, after all, reject the contradictions and the sections become respectively: a place for all seasons; neither good nor bad, just unique! ; Ideality stands for ideas; grounds for cooperation. It also becomes visible that even though the analysis of the responses confirms that the urban teachers hold the stereotypical idea that there are differences between rural and urban environments; the infrastructures of both environments do not appear different. However, the teachers’ different opinions and beliefs have a significant impact on the students’ responses. Specifically, significant differences are reported by students which align with the teachers’ differences. The rural and urban principals do not report significant differences, and in the great majority their opinions also align with their teachers’ opinions. Finally, a model which is unfolded through this study has central role, namely the schoolyard circle. This model aims to facilitate a process that I introduce as schoolisization, in which school grounds are used to extend the stereotypical learning environment by adapting the curriculum to a school’s needs. Consequently, the schoolyards’ transformation from a space to our place can be finally proved an outdoor education approach that “bridges contradictions” and promises better educational results.

This study was undertaken in an attempt to improve the vocational training in Electrical Systems and Construction done at the Sedibeng Further Education and Training Colleges. The development of vocational training in South Africa, as well as different approaches to effective teaching and learning, were investigated by doing a literature study. It was determined that a constructivist approach to teaching and learning that advocates an active, learner-centred approach to teaching and learning appears to be the most effective for vocational training. An empirical investigation was conducted to determine possible shortcomings in the current way of teaching, learning and assessment at Sedibeng Further Education and Training College. For this purpose, mixed method research with a triangulation design was employed. The quantitative part of the study utilized descriptive survey research with a questionnaire to establish Level 3 educator and learner viewpoints regarding the current nature of teaching, learning and assessment. A phenomenological strategy was used for the qualitative part of the study, which involved the use of semi-structured interviews with the management staff at the college, to obtain their perspectives regarding training at the college. The quantitative and qualitative data indicated weaknesses in the current approach to teaching, learning and assessment, and that teaching, learning and assessment practices could become more effective by incorporating constructivist teaching, learning and assessment principles that encourage active and interactive learning. Furthermore, a lack of teacher training and a lack of practical experience among educators, as well as inadequate infrastructure and ill-equipped facilities, are major contributing factors to ineffective vocational training. The practical contribution of the study is found in the teaching and learning programme for Electrical Systems and Construction based on constructivist principles that was developed to assist educators to improve the effectiveness of vocational training. / Thesis (PhD (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

This study investigates educators' experiences in choosing material for learners in the inclusive classroom setting as clearly stated in chapter one. Chapter two explored the literature on the learning and teaching support materials and the processes involved. The definition of learning and teaching support materials was explored. The kinds, importance and role of learning and teaching support, were discussed and the role is seen as a vehicle which enhances the awareness for expression and opportunities to capture evidence of learners knowledge. Guidelines to consider in the process of selecting learning and teaching support materials and the utilization thereof, as well as the funding of learning and teaching support materials received attention. This chapter further explored the inclusive classroom where inclusion is defined; the nature of inclusive classroom was discussed. The benefits and the criticism of inclusive classroom settings were also explored. In chapter three, the empirical research design used in the study is discussed. Focus group interviews in qualitative study were used to explore educators' experiences in choosing learning and teaching support material in inclusive classroom settings. Chapter four highlighted the research methods used to investigate the problems of this study. The application of the focus interview was explained in detail because the focus group was used for the collection of data which was analysed and interpreted. The data revealed that educators experience a number of difficulties in choosing learning and teaching support materials for learners in inclusive classroom settings. The last chapter concludes the study with recommendations on the way to assist educators in choosing materials for learners in the inclusive classroom setting. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105).

Many countries across the globe are undergoing rapid economic and social change; and there are increasing efforts to reform, revamp and revitalise education – to equip students for the ever-changing future. Education is considered to be transformative; but the area of transformative learning has been mainly theorised in the field of adult education. Comparatively, teaching approaches designed to bring about such transformation or transformative teaching has been less explored or understood. Connecting various related literature, this study places deeper learning at the centre of transformation through learning. Aiming to fill a gap within the literature, this study explores transformation through learning in a comprehensive school setting at a K-5 School in the North East of the United States by asking the following questions, ‘What are the teachers’ and students’ lived experiences of transformation through music and arts infused creative learning as practiced at an Elementary School in Northeast of USA?’ and ‘What is the role of the arts and music in this process?’. Located within the interpretive paradigm, this ethnographic case study included 7 – 14-year-old students (Grade 2 – Grade 5) and staff, aimed at investigating the phenomenon of ‘transformation through learning’ through a range of sources within its natural environment. Various data collection methods were used, including semi-structured interviews, observations (field notes, video-recordings, still images), conceptual drawing and learning walks. These provided rich, in-depth data, permitting triangulation which strengthened the findings and allowed for an illuminating understanding of the topic. An iteratively developed framework representing elements or behaviours relating to transformation was utilised as a lens to identify relevant critical incidents during the data collection process. Employing thematic analysis on the data collected resulted in eight themes that represent the lived experiences of transformation through learning. These thematic findings highlight that relevance, mindsets and placing arts at centre of the school culture are key to providing transformative learning experiences. The study connects two arguments, that fostering deeper learning enables students to meet new expectations and demands of the changing future; and that it is vital to provide students with a well-rounded curriculum with rich arts education to prepare them for success in the future. Thus, the findings of this study develop the understanding of ‘transformation through learning’ and offer a model framework from the practice at this research site from which others could create their own.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo apresentar a implementação de uma proposta de ensino de leitura e de escrita, a partir dos pressupostos da Linguística Sistêmico-funcional de Halliday (HALLIDAY, 2014, 2008, 1978) e da Teoria de Gêneros, proposta pela Escola de Sidney (MARTIN; ROSE, 2008, 2012). A implementação visa a investigar como a Pedagogia de Gêneros, baseada no Ciclo de Aprendizagem, pode auxiliar nos processos de letramento em sala de aula. Procura-se compreender o funcionamento do Ciclo de Aprendizagem para o desenvolvimento da leitura e da escrita de notícia jornalísticas, discutir quais dificuldades ou facilidades os sujeitos apresentaram e analisar os textos produzidos pelos aprendizes. A Usina do Texto, projeto oferecido aos alunos do sexto ano do ensino fundamental de uma escola da rede municipal de ensino de Porto Alegre, foi o ambiente no qual foi implementada a metodologia prevista no Ciclo de Aprendizagem e nos ciclos de interação. O projeto tem como base teórica os pressupostos a Pedagogia de Gêneros da Escola de Sidney e constituiu-se como o contexto da presente pesquisa. A partir de uma pesquisa qualitativa-interpretativa, procurou-se compreender o funcionamento do Ciclo de Aprendizagem no desenvolvimento da leitura e da escrita das notícias. As análises dos textos produzidos pelos alunos auxiliaram na análise proposta e é estabelecida a partir da noção do Contexto de Cultura, gênero, e do Contexto de Situação, registro. Desta forma, como resultado das observações e das análises textuais, percebe-se que os aprendizes mobilizam os recursos contextuais, semânticos e disponíveis, abordados ao longo das etapas do Ciclo de Aprendizagem. Acredita-se que esta pesquisa possa contribuir nas discussões teóricas sobre gênero sob o viés da Escola de Sidney. / This dissertation aims to present the implementation of a proposal for teaching reading and writing, based on the premises of Halliday's Systemic-functional linguistics (HALLIDAY, 2014, 2008, 1978) and Genres Theory proposed by the Sydney School (MARTIN; ROSE, 2008, 2012). The implementation aims to investigate how the Genres Pedagogy, based on the Learning and Teaching Cycle, can support in the processes of literacy in the classroom. The search is to understand the Learning and Teaching Cycle functioning for the reading and writing of journalistic news development, to discuss what difficulties or facilities the subjects presented and to analyze the texts produced by the learners. The Usina do Texto, a project offered to the students of the sixth year of elementary school in Porto Alegre municipal school system, was the environment in which the methodology precribed in the Learning and Teaching Cycle and in the interaction cycles was implemented. The project is based on the presuppositions of Genres Pedagogy of Sydney School and was constituted as the context of the present research. Based on a qualitative-interpretive research, the aim was to understand the functioning of the Learning and Teaching Cycle in the development of reading and writing of news. The analyzes of the texts produced by the students assisted in the proposed analysis and is established from the notion of the Context of Culture, genre, and the Context of Situation, register. Thus, as a result of the observations and of the textual analyzes, it is perceived that the learners mobilize the contextual and semantic available resources, addressed throughout the sta0ges of the Learning and Teaching Cycle. It is believed that this research can contribute to the theoretical discussions about genre under the bias of Sydney School.