Implementing differentiated instruction in classrooms with students who have mixed skill levels often results in teachers facing many challenges. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore social studies teachers' perceptions of the challenges they faced when implementing differentiated instruction in classrooms with mixed skill levels and what teachers perceived they needed to help overcome these challenges. This project study was guided by the conceptual frameworks of constructivism from Piaget and Bruner along with the theoretical framework of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. The research questions focused on the viewpoints of teachers on implementing differentiated instruction in their classrooms, what challenges they faced when implementing differentiated instruction in a social studies classroom with mixed skill levels, and what support teachers need to overcome these challenges. Data were gathered using structured interviews of the 10 individual teachers chosen through purposeful sampling from a school in metro-Atlanta, Georgia. Data were transcribed and analyzed using coding by highlighting common words to identify themes to answer the research questions. Data analyses revealed that teachers needed professional development that defined what differentiated instruction is, how to implement it, and how to get to know their students better, as well as time to observe other teachers implementing differentiated instruction. A professional development plan was developed to help meet these needs for teachers. Implications for social change include an improved understanding of differentiated instruction and how to support teachers to overcome the challenges of implementing differentiated instruction. This may lead to better instruction and more academic success for all students which may lead to better assessment scores.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Nursing as a profession is based on firm knowledge, values, clinical skills and attitudes. In the current dynamic healthcare system nursing students are challenged to be insightful and have clinical reasoning and psychomotor skills in order to apply theory to practice. Clinical teaching is therefore considered an essential part of the undergraduate nursing curriculum, as it provides the opportunity for students to apply theory to practice in the skills laboratory and then to transfer it into real life situations. Nursing students spend time in the clinical practice environment learning the skills and values of the nursing profession, with the goal of achieving the clinical learning outcomes, as prescribed by their nursing education institution and the South African Nursing Council. During this time nursing students depend on the support of clinical supervisors and nursing staff in the clinical practice environment to meet their learning outcomes. Clinical supervisors for the undergraduate nursing programme, at the university included in the study, are tasked with clinical teaching in the skills laboratory, supervision of nursing students in clinical practice and assessment of learning. Nonetheless, there are challenges ascertained by the clinical supervisors, which inhibits students from achieving their learning outcomes. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the clinical supervisor’s perception of students’ skills transfer from skills laboratory to the clinical environment.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Clinical supervision or clinical accompaniment is considered an integral part of nursing education and is crucial for the development of nursing students’ clinical competence. In order to achieve this, clinical supervision requires skilled human resources which vary from one educational institution to another and may include lecturers, clinical supervisors/facilitators and professional nurses. Clinical supervisors are required to be good educators as well as excellent clinicians. In addition, they often draw on their individual, personal and professional experiences to guide their teaching to meet the demands of both the clinical and academic contexts in which they work. However, the clinical teaching model or framework used by educational institutions is often not aligned to clinical practice activities and vice versa. This poses challenges for students due to the different expectations of educators and professional nurses in practice. Inadequately prepared clinical supervisors can have a detrimental effect on the delivery of the nursing programme that may include poor clinical teaching and inadequate integration of theory and clinical competencies, which ultimately leads to poorly trained nursing students. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of clinical supervisors regarding their preparedness for clinical teaching. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilising an exploratory descriptive design. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select 12 clinical supervisors in the undergraduate programme. The researcher collected the data by means of semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions and analysed this data using content data analysis. Analysis of the data using ATLAS, ti 8 research software programme generated four themes and 18 categories. Findings: The findings indicated that clinical supervisors required time to adapt to their role and improve their knowledge and skills despite them having a positive experience during their orientation. Although appreciative of the support and guidance, clinical supervisors stated that not all colleagues were supportive, which in some instances had a negative impact on interpersonal relationships. The findings furthermore indicated that clinical supervisors apply all the steps of the five phases in the skills lab methodology employed by the School of Nursing at the university where the study was conducted. Clinical supervisors are required to be well informed and committed to continuing education in order to incorporate theory into practice with the latest developments and equipment in facilities. Furthermore, the findings indicated that inconsistency and failure to attend to students’ clinical learning needs can have a negative impact on student learning. Ethics: The researcher adhered to all principles of research ethics throughout the study.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

No description available.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Sharon Angella Hayden, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education, presented on July, 25th, 2011, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: ENABLING CURRICULA: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TEACHING OBSERVATION PROTOCOL TO ADDRESS STUDENTS' DIVERSE LEARNINNG NEEDS MAJOR PROFESSORS: Dr. Grant R. Miller and Dr. D. John McIntyre Diverse learning needs are students' learning needs in areas such as language, learning styles, background, disabilities, technology skills, motivation, engagement, and access. Teacher candidates must be aware of and plan to meet these needs. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides guidelines that can increase the level of student engagement and variety in materials and activities incorporated in a lesson, and will improve the extent to which teacher candidates meet students' diverse learning needs. This research incorporated design research and systematic observation methodologies and was informed by data from lesson observations collected with the proposed observation protocol. It also relied on data from a focus group discussion with cooperating teachers, email feedback from university supervisors, and document analysis of lesson plans and materials. Analysis of this data showed that teacher candidates' perceptions about diverse learning needs were informed by the school's curriculum, the subject area they taught, their experiences, and theories such as multiple intelligences. Their perceptions were modified during the study which also resulted in changes in the way they planned and taught their lessons. Participants found the proposed observation protocol to be both clear and useful. It is proposed that teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors should be informed about the Universal Design for Learning. It is expected that the observation protocol will be incorporated into methodology courses, as well as in teacher candidate conferences with university supervisors. It is also expected that future research will incorporate university supervisors and cooperating teachers in the implementation of the observation protocol. Future research is also expected to explore the possibility of developing a subject-specific observation protocol for use at the secondary level.