資訊科技對學習引發了全面性的變革，網路無遠弗屆、快速便利的特性，更使得網路學習、線上學習、數位學習等利用網路與資訊科技的結合的學習方式為大家所重視。未來邁入知識經濟後，人們更需要不斷的學習來提昇自己的競爭力，透過學習獲取知識。資訊科技與網路的結合，為數位學習帶來許多的優勢與好處，但是雖然數位學習的網站很多，大多數仍無法達到如傳統學習的學習效果，學習者通常瀏覽過一兩次後，便失去學習的興趣，因此數位學習系統仍缺乏整合性的規劃與開發。 　　目前網路上許多的數位學習系統提供的互動機制不足，學習者缺乏人際互動的工具與活動，除此之外，許多互動工具無法得到參與學習的使用者之青睞，學習者甚少使用，如同虛設。因此本篇論文企圖設計出一套整合性與互動的數位學習之設計，解決目前網路學習在互動中所遭遇的瓶頸。 　　本研究從適性學習(Adaptive Learning)、合作學習(Collaborative and Cooperative Learning)與建構學習(Constructive Learning)三方面進行設計，互動機制可以達到此三個目的，進一步讓系統可以支援達成合作學習與建構學習的活動設計。 / Information technology and Internet technology have brought the revolution of learning, training and education. The knowledge economy in the 21st century has made the knowledge become the most important critical success factor. We must continuously learn in order to maintain the competitive advantage. Many corporations and educational institutions have developed their own e-Learning web sites. Because the lack of adequate interactive mechanisms, most of them cannot provide the efficient and effective learning results. Our research aims to develop an interaction-centric e-Learning design and implementation. Based on the adaptive learning, collaborative and cooperative learning, constructive learning concepts, we design an integrated interaction-centric model to develop a set of toolbox to enhance the interactive activities of e-Learning.

La valutazione dei docenti occupa un ruolo centrale nelle agende politiche dei governi; l’Italia ha avviato una riflessione in questa direzione ma ad oggi gli insegnanti non sono valutati. La ricerca analizza la relazione tra l’introduzione di un sistema di valutazione degli insegnanti e la promozione di comunità professionali nelle scuole; la valutazione dei docenti è considerata strumento utile allo sviluppo di una scuola come comunità professionale. Lo studio dei sistemi di valutazione degli insegnanti, pur non prescindendo da un’analisi economica, deve essere accompagnato da una visione pedagogica sulla scuola e sulla funzione docente, intendendosi sugli elementi che le fondano; la prospettiva di lavoro reputa la professionalità un prisma complesso costituito da dimensioni personali, organizzative e comunitarie. È stata indagata una realtà statunitense innovativa e sistematica per il modello impiegato per valutare gli insegnanti: Denver Professional Compensation System for Teachers, così da offrire spunti di riflessione anche per l’Italia. Dall’analisi sono emersi gli snodi e le opportunità della valutazione della professionalità docente: i vantaggi di una valutazione a servizio della pratica professionale, che prevede interventi alla carriera, alle retribuzioni, che integra forme e modalità differenti di valutare la professionalità e che è collegata al decision making. / The assessment of teachers plays a central role in the political agendas of governments; in Italy there is a discussion on this direction but at the moment teachers are not evaluated. The research examines the relationship between the introduction of a teachers’ evaluation system and the promotion of professional communities in schools; teachers’ evaluation is considered useful for the development of a school as a professional community. The study of teachers’ evaluation systems, while not disregarding economic analysis, must be associated by a pedagogical vision on the school and the teaching function, considering their founding elements; the prospect of the work accounts teaching professionalism as a complex prism of personal, organizational and community dimensions. It is investigated an innovative and systematic model used to evaluate teachers in the USA: Denver Professional Compensation System for Teachers, in order to offer food for thought even for Italy. The analysis highlighted the opportunities of the teachers’ evaluation system: the benefits of an evaluation in the service of professional practice, which provides assistance to career and to salary, which integrates different ways to assess the professionalism, and which is connected to decision making.

Although literature has extensively documented the stereotypes of developing learning communities in schools through book clubs— especially to improve literacy— little is revealed about varied indicators of improvements, such as student self-identification, authentic dialogues, and transforming small groups into learning communities. In this respect, formal efforts on adopting book clubs to improve literacy in Saudi Arabia are simply absent. This thesis presents research findings that seek to explore the effect of book clubs on improving literacy and building a learning community among seventh-grade, under-performing students in Canada. This thesis is contextualized through a thorough review of related literature and discussion of findings from classroom observations, and students’ interviews. The completion of this thesis indicates positive, causal relationships between using a book club as a learning tool and building a learning community, thus improving literacy. The research concludes with implications for using book clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Although literature has extensively documented the stereotypes of developing learning communities in schools through book clubs— especially to improve literacy— little is revealed about varied indicators of improvements, such as student self-identification, authentic dialogues, and transforming small groups into learning communities. In this respect, formal efforts on adopting book clubs to improve literacy in Saudi Arabia are simply absent. This thesis presents research findings that seek to explore the effect of book clubs on improving literacy and building a learning community among seventh-grade, under-performing students in Canada. This thesis is contextualized through a thorough review of related literature and discussion of findings from classroom observations, and students’ interviews. The completion of this thesis indicates positive, causal relationships between using a book club as a learning tool and building a learning community, thus improving literacy. The research concludes with implications for using book clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Thailand has faced under-nutrition and yet, paradoxically, the prevalence of diseases of over-nutrition, such as obesity and diabetes, has escalated. Since access to diabetes prevention programs is limited in Thailand, especially in rural areas, it becomes critical to develop a health information delivery system that is relevant, cost-effective and sustainable. Therefore, the main objective of this program is to build capacity for chronic disease prevention in Thailand through application of learning technologies in the education, support and accreditation of community health care workers (CHCWs). This program stems from established partnerships among: The University of Waterloo (UW), Department of Health Studies and Gerontology; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University (INMU); The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 10 Chiang Mai province; Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Thailand and UW, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) . The development of the community-based diabetes prevention education program in Chiang Mai, Thailand was informed by in-depth interviews with health care professionals (n=12) and interviews (n=8) and focus groups (n = 4 groups, 23 participants) with community volunteers, screened as at-risk for diabetes. Coded transcripts from audio-taped interviews or focus groups underwent qualitative analysis by hand and using NVivo software. Health care professionals identified opportunities to integrate health promotion/ disease prevention into CHCWs’ duties. However, they also identified potential barriers to program success as motivation for regular participation, and lack of health policy support for program sustainability. Health care professionals supported an education program for CHCWs and recommended small-group workshops, hands-on learning activities, case studies and video presentations that bring knowledge to practice within their cultural context; CHCWs should receive a credit for continuing study. Community volunteers lacked knowledge of nutrition, diabetes risk factors and resources to access health information. They desired two-way communication with CHCWs. A tailored diabetes prevention education program was designed based on this formative research. Learning modules were delivered over eight group classes (n=5/class) and eight self-directed E-learning sessions (www.FitThai.org). The program incorporated problem-based learning, discussion, reflection, community-based application, self-evaluation and on-line support. The frequency that students accessed on-line materials, including video-taped lectures, readings, monthly newsletters, and community resources, was documented. Participant satisfaction was assessed through three questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed through pre-post testing based on an exam that was pilot tested with 32 CHCWs from a district outside of the 5 districts in semi-urban Chiang Mai province from which the 69 participating CHCWs (35 intervention, 34 control) were randomly selected. The program was implemented over four months. Three quarters of participants attended all eight classes and no participant attended fewer than six. Online support and materials were accessed 3 – 38 times (median 13). Participants reported that program information and activities were fun, useful, culturally relevant, and applicable to diabetes prevention in their specific communities. Participants also appreciated the innovative technology support for their work. Comfort with E-learning varied among participants. Scores on pre-post knowledge test increased from a mean (SD) of 56.5% (6.26) to 75.5% (6.01) (P < .001). The effect of the program on knowledge of CHCWs was compared between intervention and control communities at baseline and the end of the program. Overall, the knowledge at baseline of both groups was not significantly different (56.5% (6.26) intervention versus 54.9% (6.98) control) and all CHCWs scored lower than 70%. The lowest scores were found in the “understanding of nutritional recommendations” section (mean score = 28% in intervention and 30% in control CHCWs). After 4 months, CHCWs in the intervention group demonstrated improvement relative to the control group (75.5% (6.01) versus 57.4% (5.59), respectively, p <.001, n=69). The percent of CHCWs achieving a total score of 70% was 77% (27/35) in intervention and 0% in control groups. The diabetes prevention education program was effective in improving CHCWs’ health knowledge relevant diabetes prevention. The innovative learning model has potential to expand chronic disease prevention training of CHCWs to other parts of Thailand. Ultimately, prevention of chronic diseases and associated risk factors should be enhanced.

Thailand has faced under-nutrition and yet, paradoxically, the prevalence of diseases of over-nutrition, such as obesity and diabetes, has escalated. Since access to diabetes prevention programs is limited in Thailand, especially in rural areas, it becomes critical to develop a health information delivery system that is relevant, cost-effective and sustainable. Therefore, the main objective of this program is to build capacity for chronic disease prevention in Thailand through application of learning technologies in the education, support and accreditation of community health care workers (CHCWs). This program stems from established partnerships among: The University of Waterloo (UW), Department of Health Studies and Gerontology; Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University (INMU); The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 10 Chiang Mai province; Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Thailand and UW, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) . The development of the community-based diabetes prevention education program in Chiang Mai, Thailand was informed by in-depth interviews with health care professionals (n=12) and interviews (n=8) and focus groups (n = 4 groups, 23 participants) with community volunteers, screened as at-risk for diabetes. Coded transcripts from audio-taped interviews or focus groups underwent qualitative analysis by hand and using NVivo software. Health care professionals identified opportunities to integrate health promotion/ disease prevention into CHCWs’ duties. However, they also identified potential barriers to program success as motivation for regular participation, and lack of health policy support for program sustainability. Health care professionals supported an education program for CHCWs and recommended small-group workshops, hands-on learning activities, case studies and video presentations that bring knowledge to practice within their cultural context; CHCWs should receive a credit for continuing study. Community volunteers lacked knowledge of nutrition, diabetes risk factors and resources to access health information. They desired two-way communication with CHCWs. A tailored diabetes prevention education program was designed based on this formative research. Learning modules were delivered over eight group classes (n=5/class) and eight self-directed E-learning sessions (www.FitThai.org). The program incorporated problem-based learning, discussion, reflection, community-based application, self-evaluation and on-line support. The frequency that students accessed on-line materials, including video-taped lectures, readings, monthly newsletters, and community resources, was documented. Participant satisfaction was assessed through three questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed through pre-post testing based on an exam that was pilot tested with 32 CHCWs from a district outside of the 5 districts in semi-urban Chiang Mai province from which the 69 participating CHCWs (35 intervention, 34 control) were randomly selected. The program was implemented over four months. Three quarters of participants attended all eight classes and no participant attended fewer than six. Online support and materials were accessed 3 – 38 times (median 13). Participants reported that program information and activities were fun, useful, culturally relevant, and applicable to diabetes prevention in their specific communities. Participants also appreciated the innovative technology support for their work. Comfort with E-learning varied among participants. Scores on pre-post knowledge test increased from a mean (SD) of 56.5% (6.26) to 75.5% (6.01) (P < .001). The effect of the program on knowledge of CHCWs was compared between intervention and control communities at baseline and the end of the program. Overall, the knowledge at baseline of both groups was not significantly different (56.5% (6.26) intervention versus 54.9% (6.98) control) and all CHCWs scored lower than 70%. The lowest scores were found in the “understanding of nutritional recommendations” section (mean score = 28% in intervention and 30% in control CHCWs). After 4 months, CHCWs in the intervention group demonstrated improvement relative to the control group (75.5% (6.01) versus 57.4% (5.59), respectively, p <.001, n=69). The percent of CHCWs achieving a total score of 70% was 77% (27/35) in intervention and 0% in control groups. The diabetes prevention education program was effective in improving CHCWs’ health knowledge relevant diabetes prevention. The innovative learning model has potential to expand chronic disease prevention training of CHCWs to other parts of Thailand. Ultimately, prevention of chronic diseases and associated risk factors should be enhanced.

本研究利用實驗法，控制會影響高等教育課堂學生學習成效因素中的教學者、課程設計和網路教學系統這三個變項，來觀察學校行政和學習環境以及學生個人特性差異對學生學習社群發展和學習成效的影響。以一所國立研究型大學和一所私立技術學院各2班學生為實驗觀察對象。 研究結果發現：(1) 高等教育的階層化導致兩類型校學生在對學校行政和學習環境的認知以及學生個人特性有顯著差異；(2)在傳統面授和非同步線上教學裡，兩類型學校的學生對學校環境認知和個人特性差異的不同影響「學習社群發展」。(3)在傳統面授和非同步線上教學裡，兩類型學校的學生對學校環境認知和個人特性差異的不同影響「學習成效」。（4）在相似的數位環境下，使兩校學生的資訊對稱，即非同步遠距線上教學環境可以削弱學校環境以及個人特性背景對學習成效所造成的影響，拉近優勢與弱勢族群的差距，驗證線上學習系統支援跨校遠距教學可提升學生學習成效。 / Findings indicated that: (1) the categorization of higher education institutions in Taiwan indeed created a “differentiating” effect; (2) Both in traditional classroom settings and an asynchronous online learning environment, recognition of school environment and students’ characteristics do affect how learning communities are formed; (3) In asynchronous online learning, school type does affect how students learn and their learning outcomes; (4) In similar learning environments, an asynchronous online learning environment will lower the impact of the school environment and students’ characteristics on interactive models of learning communities, thereby narrowing the gap between dominant and fringe groups.

本研究旨在瞭解北北基地區國民小學校長正向領導與教師專業學習社群的現況，並分析教師人口變項、學校環境變項在校長正向領導以及教師專業學習社群的差異情形，最後探討校長正向領導與教師專業學習社群之關係。 本研究以問卷調查法為主，問卷內容以「國民小學校長正向領導與教師專業學習社群關係之調查問卷」（內含基本資料、校長正向領導量表與教師專業學習社群量表）為工具，對北北基地區國民小學進行問卷調查。調查所得資料分別以描述性統計、t考驗、單因子變異數分析、Pearson 積差相關、逐步多元迴歸分析等統計方法實施資料分析，據以進行研究結果的分析與討論。 研究主要發現如下： 一、國小校長在整體正向領導與教師在教師專業學習社群方面表現為中 上程度。 二、國民小學教師人口變項中，不同性別、年齡、服務年資與現任職務 之教師知覺校長正向領導有差異。 三、國民小學教師人口變項中，不同性別、年齡、學歷與服務年資之教 師知覺教師專業學習社群沒有差異。 四、國民小學在環境變項中，不同學校規模之教師知覺校長正向領導與 教師專業學習社群有差異。 五、國民小學校長正向領導各層面與教師專業學習社群為正相關。 六、校長正向領導各層面對於教師專業學習社群有預測力。 最後依據研究結果與結論，提出具體建議，以作為教育行政機關、 學校校長、教師以及未來研究之參考。 / This study aimed to explore the relationship between principals’ positive leadership of elementary school and teacher’s professional learning community in Taipei City,New Taipei City,and Keelung. The research has been done with the method of questionnaire survey in order to unveil the current situation of principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community. This study also analyzed the differences of perceptions to principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community which possessed by teachers with different background and investigated the predictability of principals’ positive leadership towards teacher’s professional learning community while this study also examined the relationship among these two variables. Questionnaire "elementary school principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community relationship questionnaire" was used as a researching tool in the implementation of questionnaire survey. Survey data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. The findings are as follows: 1. The perception of elementary teachers towards principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community performance was above average. 2. The perception of elementary teachers towards principals’ positive leadership varied due to genders ,ages, working seniorities, current position ,the difference was significant. 3. The perception of elementary teachers towards teacher’s professional learning community varied due to genders, ages, working seniorities, diplomas, the difference was not significant. 4. In the environment variables, the different size of school, teachers perceived difference in principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community. 5. Principals’ positive leadership was positively correlated to teacher’s professional learning community. 6. The predicted relations between principals’ positive leadership and teacher’s professional learning community were supported.This study made concrete suggestions to educational authorities, elementary school principal, teacher, and future related studies based on the findings and results.

This study empirically investigated the impact of an online learning community project on university students' motivation in learning Chinese as a foreign language (CFL). A newly-proposed L2 motivation theory - the L2 motivational self system (Dörnyei 2005; 2009) - was used as the theoretical framework for this study. The three aspects of motivation (ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning experience), as described in this theory, were measured before and after the online project. Specific motivating and demotivating features of the online project were generated from participants' responses. Four individuals with different heritage and technology backgrounds were selected as cases to provide information about their perception of this online project and the possible impact of this project on their motivation. A concurrent transformative mixed method design was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A pre- and post-test survey and semi-structured interviews served as the main instruments for data collection. Paired t-tests were conducted to identify differences in the participants' pre- and post- scores for the three aspects of motivation. Constant comparative method and double coding method were used to generate the major themes about the motivating and demotivating features of the online project. A narrative analysis approach was taken to explore how individuals with different backgrounds perceived their experience in this online project and the possible impact of the project on their motivation. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in L2 learning experience before and after the online project, while there was no significant difference in the other two aspects of motivation (ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self). This finding provided empirical evidence about the different natures of the three motivational aspects. That is, ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self were built up over a long period of time and thus relatively stable, while L2 learning experience was more dynamic and fluid and had a tendency to change even within a relatively short period of time. Regarding the motivating and demotivating features, the results suggested that the most motivating features of this online project were the access to alternative learning resources and tools and opportunities to connect to a larger community of Chinese learners, while the demotivating features were mostly related to the technology barrier and the time and effort it took to complete this project. Furthermore, findings from the interviews with the selected individuals implied that regardless of their different heritage and technology backgrounds, most of them had a positive experience of this online project. However, the impact of this project on their motivation was limited.

The unbundling of the faculty role occurs when e-learning course tasks normally performed by a single faculty member--such as course design, development, delivery, grading, interaction with students, course improvement, and advisement--are segmented or unbundled so that they can be performed by other personnel or with technologies. Using a qualitative methods approach, this study examines the unbundling and restructuring of the faculty professional role in large enrollment e-learning courses. This study was conducted at three community colleges in a large, urban community college district, and presents three models of e-learning course production that affect the unbundling of the faculty role: craft, collegial, and virtual assembly line. This research also examines how e-learning faculty members seek to rebundle tasks associated with their professional role and identity, and the tasks they perceive as meeting student needs and demand. This study contributes to professional and economic theories concerning faculty members in the e-learning context, and advances theories associated with academic labor, managed professionals, Academic Capitalism, and the globalization of the community college.