The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of cooperative learning method and individualistic learning method on learning outcomes and training reactions of adults participating an in-service training course. The study was conducted with 42 adults in pilot study and 92 in main study conducted in a government bank. Subjects were randomly assigned to two pilot study groups and four main study groups. Two different training programs were developed, one for individualistic learning, and the other for cooperative learning in order to test the effect of each method on learning outcomes and training reactions. The content and length of the training programs taught were held constant, and duration of training was totally 15 hours (3 hours in each of the five days). Participants, in all groups, learned the same topic of &ldquo / Structured On-the-Job Training&rdquo / and were taught by the same trainer. Cooperative learning groups worked on the exercises structured with the five basic elements of cooperative learning, and the individualistic learning groups worked as individually with the instructor calling on participants at random. Learning Outcomes Tests were administered at the end of each day to measure cognitive learning outcomes, which learners attained during the Training. Training Reactions Questionnaire was administered at the end of the Training. A significant difference between the cooperative learning group and the individualistic learning group was examined concerning learning outcomes as a result of ANCOVA by using the age as covariate. Subjects in the cooperative learning group had a significantly higher level of Learning Outcomes Test score than did those in the individualistic learning group. However, there was no significant difference between the cooperative learning groups and individualistic learning groups based on their training reactions. This study indicated that cooperative learning appears to be a method of instruction that is well suited to the needs of adult learners. Subjects of the study learned more through the cooperative learning method than individualistic learning method that was used. They responded to training as much positive as their counterparts learning in individualistic learning group. Results of the study suggest that structuring positive social interdependence in the classroom through cooperative learning procedures can be used effectively within adult education and specifically training settings.

Focusing upon the intersections between community college faculty and assessment professionals (e.g., institutional researchers) in improving student learning outcomes, the purpose of this study was to describe, analyze, and interpret the experiences of these professionals as they planned for and conducted student learning outcomes assessment in developmental reading, writing, and study skills courses. This instrumental case study at one particular community college in Florida investigated the roles played by these individuals within the larger college effort to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), an essential component of a regional accreditation review. The methodology included individual interviews, a focus group interview, a field observation, and analysis of documents related to assessment planning. There were several major findings: · Assessment professionals and faculty teaching developmental courses had similar professional development interests (e.g., teaching and learning, measurement). · While some faculty leaders assumed a facilitative role similar to that of an assessment professional, the reporting structure determined the appropriate action taken in response to the results of assessment. That is, assessment professionals interpreted results and recommended targets for improvement, while faculty and instructional administrators implemented and monitored instructional strategies. · The continuous transformation of the QEP organizational structure through research, strategy formulation, and implementation phases in an inclusive process enabled the college to put its best knowledge and measurement expertise into its five-year plan. · Developmental goals for students in addition to Florida-mandated exit exams included self-direction, affective development such as motivation, and success at the next level. · Faculty identified discipline-based workshops as promising vehicles for infusing instructional changes into courses, thus using the results of learning outcomes assessments more effectively.A chronological analysis further contributed to findings of the study. This researcher concluded that the College's eight-year history of developing general education outcomes and striving to improve the college preparatory program through longitudinal tracking of student success had incubated a powerful faculty learning community and an alliance with assessment professionals. This community of practice, when provided the right structure, leadership, and resources, enabled the College to create a Quality Enhancement Plan that faculty and staff members could be proud of.

<p>This study explore the capabilities of Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) learners in a Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town, through the lens of the capabilities approach theorized by Amartya Sen. This approach relates to how learners are able to utilize their capability sets to attain functionings in the face of poverty i.e. attain the freedom to live the kind of life they value. The study has chosen the capabilities approach because of its high interdisciplinary and multidimensional characteristics. This makes it appropriate to the South Africa context which is characterized by inequality, deprivation and segregation. In this regard, the study explores the features of poverty and forms of capabilities in relation to Intermediate Phase Learners in Quintile 1 Schools. Furthermore the study attempts to explain the effect of poverty on the capabilities of this group of learners in a selected Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town.</p>

Introduction The purpose of this study was to enhance the prac experience of undergraduate nursing students and registered nursing staff. An innovative model of clinical education, the Clinical Education Unit (CEU) model was developed, implemented and evaluated. Background to the study Clinical education is a vital component of the undergraduate nursing curriculum. 'Real world' practice provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to function effectively as a registered nurse. Despite the commitment of universities to produce competent graduates, there has continued debate regarding the preparedness of new graduates for practice as registered nurses. This has focussed continued attention on the adequacy of students' clinical education and, in particular, on the models used for clinical facilitation/supervision. There is little published evidence that clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of any of the current models of clinical education or that any particular model is better than any other in achieving quality outcomes (Wellard, Williams and Bethune 2000; Clare, White, Edwards and Van Loon 2002). Hence, as recommended in the recent National Review of Nurse Education (2002), ongoing evaluation of nursing curricula and teaching practice, including clinical education, is clearly warranted. Methods The study utilised action research methodology to examine the effects of the Clinical Education Unit (CEU) on the quality of clinical prac as experienced by undergraduate nursing students and registered nurses working with the students in wards where they were placed for their practicums. It was undertaken in two iterations or phases: Phase 1 - Development, implementation and initial evaluation of an innovative model of clinical education (the CEU model) and Phase 2 - Refinement and re-evaluation of the CEU model of clinical education. Using focus group discussions and survey questionnaires, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from undergraduate nursing students and clinical nursing staff in conjunction with each iteration of the study. Results Phase 1 results indicated that the CEU model was evaluated more positively by students and registered nurses than were the non-CEU models that were used for comparison. This result was demonstrated in the comments of students and registered nurses with regard to the respective models of clinical education and supported by their ratings of the quality of clinical experience through the QPE-Phase questionnaires. A similar trend was found in the results from Phase 2. The CEU-2 model was again evaluated more positively by students and registered nurses than were the non-CEU models that were used for comparison. Conclusion In summary, the results of this study indicate that the CEU model had a positive impact on the prac experience of students and registered nurses. In both phases of the study, students and registered nurses in wards where the CEU model was being used evaluated the prac experience more positively than did students and registered nurses in wards where non-CEU models were being used. Two key factors were found to be important in achieving this outcome: the collaborative nature of the CEU model and nursing staff ownership of students' clinical education. These factors provided an operating framework which enabled the development of positive learning environments in the wards where students were placed for prac. Equally important were arrangements for the supervision of students' practice which involved local clinical facilitation and the explicit inclusion of other nursing staff in the ward. Further, continued support from the university to allow the clinical facilitators to take a supernumary role when facilitating students, to provide staff development for clinical education and to support staff on a day-to-day basis during the prac was also important, if not essential. It is proposed that these factors, acting synergistically, promoted enhanced access to learning opportunities for students and improved learning outcomes for students and staff. The study makes an important contribution to nursing education by providing evidence that can inform future developments in the area of undergraduate clinical education. It has potential benefits for nursing education not only in the local context, but within the international arena as well.

Η ραγδαία εξέλιξη των τεχνολογιών της πληροφορίας και της επικοινωνίας δεν έχει αφήσει ανεπηρέαστο τον χώρο της αγοράς εργασίας. Συνεχώς κρίνεται αναγκαία η εμφάνιση νέων, ακόμη πιο εξειδικευμένων επαγγελμάτων που συνδέονται με τον χώρο της πληροφορικής. Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η κατασκευή οντολογίας που περιέχει τις εξής έννοιες: επαγγελματικά προφίλ (job profiles) που σχετίζονται με την πληροφορική, ικανότητες (competences) που συσχετίζονται με τα job profiles, επίπεδα (Proficiency Levels) που προκύπτουν από το Ευρωπαϊκό Πλαίσιο Επαγγελματικών Προσόντων / European Qualification Framework (EQF) και το Ευρωπαϊκό Πλαίσιο ηλεκτρονικών Ικανοτήτων / e-Competence Framework (e-CF) και χαρακτηρίζουν τις ικανότητες αυτές και μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα (Learning Outcomes) που προκύπτουν από τις ικανότητες αυτές. Τα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα χαρακτηρίζονται μέσα από την οντολογία με βάση την Ταξινομία Bloom ενώ, επιπλέον, γίνεται μια σύνδεση των επιπέδων του πλαισίου EQF και των μαθησιακών αποτελεσμάτων με έννοιες, που συναντάμε στην Σύσταση του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για την θέσπιση του Ευρωπαϊκού Συστήματος Πιστωτικών Μονάδων για την Επαγγελματική Εκπαίδευση και Κατάρτιση (ECVET), όπως προσόντα (qualification) και ψηφίδες (units). Η λειτουργία του συστήματος επαληθεύεται με την υποβολή ερωτημάτων και την αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων. Η δυναμική της οντολογίας που κατασκευάστηκε θα μπορούσε να αξιοποιηθεί τόσο από εταιρείες για την βελτίωση διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού αλλά και από εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα για την εξέλιξη ενός προγράμματος σπουδών. / The lack of a commonly accepted representation of competences and qualifications has led to a mismatch between the outcome of education / training courses and true market needs. Frameworks like EQF and e-CF attempt to deal with the problem by providing an abstract, all-encompassing structure that classifies qualifications into levels of formal education. Being so abstract, these frameworks have to be adapted in order to become useful. Moreover, in order to feed the market needs regarding qualifications to the educational system, a further mapping level is required, that which maps qualifications to learning outcomes. Although several attempts have been made, we have not come across a tool that could automate part of the process. For this reason, in the context of EU project PIN, we have developed a semantically rich mechanism that represents job profiles, qualifications and learning outcomes and maps them to EQF and e-CF levels. In this paper, we present the ontologies that constitute the core of this mechanism. We have developed ontologies that represent the EQF and e-CF frameworks, competences, qualifications and job profiles, and learning outcomes based on the Bloom’s taxonomy. Then we combined these ontologies and filled them with actual job profiles (that were developed in the PIN project) in order to evaluate them. In the paper, we describe the ontology engineering methodology, the ontology properties and the ways they can be used to provide a commonly accessible knowledge layer for semantic Web applications that would need to match qualifications and learning outcomes.

abstract: Education for sustainable development (ESD) is an academic goal for many courses in higher learning. ESD encompasses a specific range of learning outcomes, competencies, skills and literacies that include and exceed the acquisition of content knowledge. Methods and case studies for measuring learning outcomes in ESD is absent from the literature. This case study of an undergraduate course in urban sustainability examines the processes, curriculum, pedagogies, and methods to explore whether or not learning outcomes in education for sustainable development are being reached. Observations of the course, and the statistical analysis of student surveys from course evaluations, are explored to help identify the relationships between learning outcomes in ESD and the processes of learning and teaching in the case study. Recommendations are made for applying the lessons of the case study to other courses, and for continuing further research in this area. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.U.E.P. Urban and Environmental Planning 2012

Several factors that are known to influence attitudes of students towards learning have been documented. Some of these factors have been found to affect the achievement of students. In this study the relationship of the attitudinal disposition of students to their learning outcomes were assessed. Chemistry attitude questionnaire was used to assess the attitude of students and a pen and paper examination comprising of questions requiring declarative and procedural knowledge were used to assess learning outcomes of students. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess relationship between attitude of students and their learning outcomes. The results showed that attitude of students had a positive but moderate influence on their performance. The ANOVA results showed a statistical significant relationship between attitude of students and students’ learning outcomes (F= 38.383, p=0.000). / Institute of Science and Technology Education / M.Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

Magister Educationis - MEd / This study explore the capabilities of Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) learners in a Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town, through the lens of the capabilities approach theorized by Amartya Sen. This approach relates to how learners are able to utilize their capability sets to attain functionings in the face of poverty i.e. attain the freedom to live the kind of life they value. The study has chosen the capabilities approach because of its high interdisciplinary and multidimensional characteristics. This makes it appropriate to the South Africa context which is characterized by inequality, deprivation and segregation. In this regard, the study explores the features of poverty and forms of capabilities in relation to Intermediate Phase Learners in Quintile 1 Schools. Furthermore the study attempts to explain the effect of poverty on the capabilities of this group of learners in a selected Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town. / South Africa

No description available.

IN ENG Name of thesis: Competence Design of Addiction Studies Pregraduates Background: The study program addictology is an interdisciplinary field dealing with treatment and prevention of addictions and addictive behavior. The field of addictology is still looking for its position, helpful could be creating a document defining competencies of this profession that would bring transparency in practice and in the context of other related disciplines. The design of competencies of a pregraduate student of addictology can serve as a basis for defining professional competencies. Aims: The aim of the thesis is to create a design of competencies of the pregraduate of the study program addictology. Partial goals are the creation of a proposal for the formulation of learning outcomes and the comparison of the acquired competency design with the foreign formulation of competencies of the workers in addictological services. Methods: The research file consists of the accreditation files of the pregraduate degree of addictology study program and information about the subjects taught in the Charles University Study Information System which were subjected to the content analysis and the Q-RAM project methodology was used to formulate the learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, general competencies), these were...