The aim of this thesis is to analyse and provide a summary of the existing knowledge and teachers' attitudes regarding the usage and sources of interactive electronic learning materials in primary schools. Furthermore, the thesis compares the theory with real-life experience. The theoretical part introduces the current sources and possibilities of the use of interactive electronic learning materials in primary schools. Moreover, it defines the interactive electronic learning materials and the implementation of modern technologies in education. The research part analyses the opinions of the teachers and the challenges they perceive in the incorporation of interactive electronic learning materials into their teaching. Furthermore, it supports the theory with the practical application of interactive electronic learning materials in various primary school subjects. The concluding part confronts the theoretical knowledge with the practical experience. At the same time, it introduces some of the author's examples of activities using interactive electronic learning materials which can be used during elementary school classes.

Generation Z, also known as the iGeneration, iGenners, GenZ, and Generation Now, consists of those born in the mid-1990s through the late 2010s. Historical events important for this generation have influenced their perception of safety as well as how they interact with others. As compared to previous generations, technological advances (i.e., Smartphones, social media) changed how GenZ communicates, socializes, and receives information. Unique experiences and attributes influenced Generation Z’s empathy because living through these events and seeing their impact changes how they can understand and take the perspective of others. The relation between three factors was examined across University students who are members of Generation Z; intensity of the CBL activity (high versus low), sex, and empathy (empathy assessment index, basic empathy scale, ethnocultural empathy scale). It is hypothesized that freshmen students would exhibit higher gains in empathy due to their developmental period. As hypothesized, there was a consistent main effect for sex in multiple subscales across the Honors Colloquium and Interdisciplinary late-teen sample indicating that females were higher in initial pretest scores and remained higher on post-scores on empathy as compared to males. These findings hold implication for instructors aiming to provide effective CBL experience for their students. Faculty may consider how students may be differentially receptive to CBL experiences on multiple demographic and personality variables, and while this study only examined sex and intensity of experience, it provides a good representation of the diversity of outcomes that can be evidenced.

Det sägs att barn har lätt att lära språk då de tycks uppskatta att lära sig nya ord och är nyfikna på språk. Jämfört med många andra länder påbörjas språkinlärningen i Sverige relativt sent. I den här litteraturstudien undersöks viktiga förutsättningar för inlärning vid en tidig språkstart samt hur elever i årskurserna F-3 lär sig uttal i engelska som andraspråk. Som grund för analysen av studiernas resultat används Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH), Krashens teorier om andraspråksinlärning samt Piagets teorier om barns utveckling. Fem studier har analyserats. Resultatet av litteraturstudien påvisar nyttan av tidig språk- och uttalsinlärning men att det är i hög grad beroende av lärarnas kompetens. Vidare visar resultatet att uttalsinlärning gynnas mest av metoder som innehåller direkt respons på elevernas uttal men även att passiva inlärningsmetoder (t.ex. lyssna på sång) gynnar inlärning av uttal som ligger nära modersmålet. När det gäller barns språk- och uttalsinlärning är det viktigt att ha rätt kompetensen hos lärarna och att flera metoder (direkt och indirekta) kan gynna inlärningen.

Secondary Education reform efforts have focused on perpetual achievement gaps for more than a decade, highlighting the essence of state level standardized test scores in reading and math, among diverse student groups in relation to their white peers. The reauthorization of ESEA (2013), is a reform effort described as the Student Success Act, whereby the expectation of student success is described in terms of all students graduating from high school, both college and career ready. The concept of no child left behind remains at the base of the law, which designates federal funds for education programs designed to ensure equal access to educational opportunities for all students regardless of their demographics. In the 21st century, a major challenge of secondary school reform efforts is to guarantee equal access while supporting overall student success in accelerated learning environments. The major purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of African American high school students’ on their experiences of success in accelerated learning programs, including Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), Advanced Program (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). Other key interest areas of influence on their perceptions of success included academic efficacy, ethnic identity awareness, and future aspirations. The theoretical frameworks of Bandura’s social cognitive theory (1986), Erikson’s (1968) identity development theory, McClelland’s (1961) human motivation theory, Benard’s (1993) resiliency theory, and Phinney’s ethnic identity development model (1992) framed this research study. Using a qualitative design, in-depth interviews were conducted to obtain thick, rich, detailed materials to gain a deep understanding of the self-concepts, beliefs, and views of how African American high school students think about key influences on their success in accelerated learning programs. Data analysis applying a thematic approach through an inductive and interactive systematic process of data coding and analysis generated themes regarding knowledge strengths, academic and cultural diversity, resource systems, stereotypical expectations, future focused, commitment to give back to the community, and networking for progress. Implications for secondary education policy makers include the need for a more comprehensive resource system, to address opportunity gaps in accelerated learning programs, and expectations gaps in the preparedness of diverse students for college and careers. Understanding African American high school students’ experiences of success may assist in fostering an environment of wholeness and inclusion, in turn possibly leading to a full health approach to student success, including the physical, psychological, mental, and spiritual/inspirational aspects of human development for optimal learning and increased academic and overall life success among African American high school students and all diverse student groups.

According to recent research, approximately 40-50% of teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years, creating a constant need for teachers. There is evidence that creating a supportive working environment through effective professional learning, drawing on adult learning theory, may reduce teacher turnover and increase student performance. This study explored teachers' perceptions about the professional development offerings available to them, how these perceptions influence their decisions to remain at the school, and what types of professional learning experiences teachers want to experience. Fourteen high school teachers participated in individual interviews and 2 focus groups, which were analyzed inductively for themes. Participants revealed that voice, choice, effective professional development, time, collaboration, school climate, and the district's professional development program were instrumental in creating a supportive environment. These results suggest that creating professional learning programs that incorporate the attributes of effective professional learning and encourage teacher participation are important at all points of the process. A professional learning plan project was designed in response to the study findings and recommendations. This study may lead to social change by providing the target school district and its building level administrators with a plan for professional learning based on teacher input, effective practices, and adult learning theory to use as a viable method to retain effective educators that, in turn, may result in improved student performance.