The present study sets out to explore the impact Swedish upper secondary students' present learning environments have on their motivation to learn English as a second language. More specifically, we aim to investigate student opinions on how their learning situation and their teachers’ approach to leadership and pedagogy affects their motivation in L2 English. The study is performed with the third component of Dörnyei’s (2005) L2 Motivation Self-System, the L2 Learning Experience, as a theoretical point of departure. The L2 Learning Experience emphasizes the motives connected to the immediate learning environment through course-specific, teacher-specific, and group-specific aspects. A quantitative study including four qualitative questions was carried out by a self-report questionnaire to four different Swedish upper secondary schools. The results showed that the students’ learning environment was positive for their motivation across all schools. Moreover, it was found that students seem to consider the teacher’s role to be an important factor in their motivation and learning in L2. A teacher’s mood, spontaneity, and flexibility all seem to be influential aspects of the students’ motivation. This demonstrates the importance of making room for creating meaningful teaching situations and relationships with the students. We conclude that if the motivation was emphasized explicitly in the Swedish curriculum, then teachers would perhaps receive the time and the tools to achieve Skolverket’s goal of stimulating a lifelong desire to learn.

The 1994 democratic elections marked a great turning point in the history the of the South African education system. A call from many politicians and academics for dismantling apartheid education which was racially biased was subsequently made. This was supported by theorists and educational reformers such as Darling-Hammond (1996) and Sizer (1984) who suggested that an educational transformation that would provide South African learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to think critically was required. Following this call, in 1997, a National Curriculum Statement (NCS), with its accompanying assessment policy in a form of continuous assessment (CASS), was introduced in South African schools. This study focuses on the experiences of secondary schools management teams (SMT) in the implementation of continuous assessment. This study is informed by the findings of Chisholm (2001) and Jansen&Christie (1995) who contend that the hasty implementation of CASS was extremely problematic for school managers. The objective was to explore the role of principals, deputy principals, and heads of departments (as managers of schools) in the implementation of the continuous assessment policy. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the kind of support the Limpopo Department of Education provides to the SMT for the successful implementation of CASS. The study was conducted in six secondary schools in the Malamulele East Circuit, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province in the following schools: Deliwe, Dlayani, Falaza Gembani, Ndhengeza, and Yollisa and it employed a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data from principals, deputy principals and heads of departments. In addition, semi-structured focus-group interviews were conducted with heads of departments in order to get in-depth understanding with regard to their experiences when implementing a continuous assessment policy. This study found that members of the SMT in many secondary schools in the Malamulele East Circuit did not receive training for the implementation of continuous assessment and as a result, they lack clarity in many critical aspects of this assess1nent policy. It has further been found that the majority of the members of the SMT lack a conceptual understanding of what CASS is and also the role they are supposed to play in its implementation. Consequently, educators are still relying much on tests to judge the performance of the learners. In the light of this, it is therefore recommended that principals, deputy principals and heads of departments be provided with extensive training which would generate a deeper conceptual understanding of this assessment policy. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Universities make claims about student learning that graduates don't often achieve and are under pressure to show improvement in teaching and learning in their undergraduate programs. This has been the constant focus of university-level professional development programs, but most teachers are still not using the most effective teaching methods. Individual departments need to find ways to help their instructors overcome three main challenges associated with adopting more effective student-centered teaching methods. No matter what strategy is adopted, instructors need considerable support to 1) change their beliefs about what constitutes effective teaching and learning, 2) learn to effectively implement new strategies, and 3) help their students change their beliefs about teaching and learning. We investigated whether M.S. Geoscience Education graduate students could offer the support instructors need to overcome the challenges listed above. We successfully piloted this approach during 2006 to 2008. Receiving consistent and individualized support from a Geoscience Education graduate student, the instructor changed his beliefs about teaching and learning and learned to effectively implement active learning strategies. His teaching satisfaction and student ratings also increased. Advantages of our approach include 1) the time the graduate student devoted to making course changes, 2) the consistent support the instructor received which allowed him to transfer research supported educational theory into his teaching practice, and 3) the instructor is now a departmental resource that other instructors can go to for guidance. Disadvantages include 1) the graduate student's lack of experience as a teaching consultant and 2) the difficulty of transforming a professor/student relationship into a client/consultant relationship.

Prior research has raised questions about different kinds of Music in General Studies (MGS) courses offered at two-year colleges, but few have addressed faculty perceptions related to student learning outcomes (SLO) and institutional missions. In principle, there is a demand on educational institutions to be accountable for SLOs, but two-year colleges present special accountability problems, because they serve multiple missions within each institution. MGS faculty perspectives can provide baseline data needed to demonstrate the ways in which MGS courses contribute to meeting the needs of students, the community, and the institutional missions. This study serves a broader goal of familiarizing readers with faculty perspectives on music education in two-year colleges. More specifically, it contributes to understanding how student learning outcomes of MGS courses are incorporated in light of blended missions as well as the challenges created by serving blended missions within a single music course. The following questions guide the research and focus on South Carolina, two-year college music faculty perspectives on MGS courses: (1) How do instructors of MGS courses describe the primary learning goals of students enrolled in MGS courses? (2) What student learning outcomes do instructors of MGS courses identify for measurement in their MGS courses? (3) How do the instructors' perceptions shape MGS content, textbook selection, and SLOs? (4) How are student learning outcomes measured in MGS courses? (5) How do instructors of MGS courses perceive the purpose of MGS within the institutional mission of their respective colleges? Following within case and cross case analysis of interview data, findings indicated that participants tended to emphasize "identifying the elements of music using correct terminology" as the most important SLO in MGS courses. All participants considered "performing music" the least important SLO. The majority reported their institutional missions as "blended" (transfer and vocational) and perceived MGS courses to be aligned with institutional missions.  

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本研究旨在探討國民小學校長空間領導、教師社群運作與學生學習成效的關聯性。本研究採用問卷調查法，以臺灣地區公立國民小學教育人員為對象，總共發出1,064份問卷，回收1,008份問卷，回收率為94.74%，而有效問卷回收率則為92.20%。正式問卷回收之後，分別以描述性統計、t考驗、單因子變異數分析、皮爾森積差相關、逐步多元迴歸以及結構方程模式等統計方法加以分析。 本研究獲得以下八項結論，分述如下： 一、 國民小學校長空間領導各層面達到高程度表現，在「建構教育空間」、「形塑空間願景」層面表現最突出。 二、 國民小學教師社群運作各層面表現達到高程度表現，以「情感投入」層面最獲肯定。 三、 國民小學學生學習成效各層面表現達到中高程度表現，其中以「學生行為表現」層面最獲認同。 四、 不同背景變項在國民小學校長空間領導、教師社群運作與學生學習成效之差異有其脈絡因素存在。 五、 國民小學校長空間領導、教師社群運作與學生學習成效三者間具有正向關聯。 六、 國民小學校長空間領導及教師社群運作的分層面能預測學生學習成效。 七、 國民小學校長空間領導、教師社群運作與學生學習成效的結構方程模式之適配度評鑑良好，能解釋主要變項間的關係。 八、 國民小學校長空間領導可直接影響學生學習成效，更可間接透過教師社群運作的中介機制，對學生學習成效產生正向影響。 最後，根據研究結論，提出相關建議，俾供教育行政主管機關、學校設施規劃設計、學校單位以及後續研究之參考。 / The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among principals’ space leadership, teacher community operation, and student learning outcomes in Taiwan elementary school. The researcher adopted survey as the main research method. The subjects have been public elementary school educators in Taiwan. 1,064 school staffs were selected to complete the questionnaire, where 1,008 questionnaires were returned. The return rate was 94.74% and the valid rate was 92.20%. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation, stepwise regression, and Structural Equation Modeling. Based on the result of the current study, eight research conclusions were generated as follows: 1. The level of space leadership of principals in the elementary schools is high, and the performance in “constructing educational space” and “molding space vision” are outstanding. 2. The level of teacher community operation is high, and “affective engagement” is certainly the most eligible in the elementary schools. 3. The level of student learning outcomes is medium-performance, and “student behavior” acquired the most recognition in the elementary schools. 4. The differences of the background of principals’ space leadership, teacher community operation, and student learning outcomes have the context factors. 5. The relationships among principals’ space leadership, teacher community operation and student learning outcomes have positive correlations. 6. The sub-level of the principals’ space leadership and teacher community operation can apparently predict the student learning outcomes. 7. The proper fit of structural equation model among principals’ space leadership, teacher community operation and student learning outcomes is assessed as positive and can explain the relationships among main variables. 8. The principals’ space leadership can affect student learning outcomes directly, and which can also affect student learning outcomes positively through teacher community operation. Eventually, according to the above conclusions, the research is to provide some recommendations as future references for the educational administration authority, school planners, and elementary schools.

There is considerable variation among individuals in the ability to learn a second language. Learning strategy research and learning style research, as two main areas of individual difference research, seek to help learners to �learn how to learn�, and ultimately become autonomous and independent learners. Learning strategy theory postulates that successful learning strategies can be used to good effect by less effective learners, and that teachers can promote good learning strategy usage through classroom instruction. At the same time, for there to be effective instruction to second language learners as to the most efficient learning strategy usage, there must be a research effort that looks not just at the strategies per se, but also gives attention to the cultural background of the students themselves. However, there has been little research into the ways in which low-achieving ESL learners can develop effective learning strategies in a non-western context. The historical, political, social and economic aspects of Taiwan make this small island a fascinating place for researchers interested in exploring how English is taught and learned in a relatively monolingual society (in the sense that Chinese Mandarin is the only official language and is predominately used all over Taiwan). Therefore, this study explores the ESL learning strategies and learning styles of 462 adult learners in Taiwan, making use of Oxford�s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning and Kolb�s Learning Style Inventory. Similarities and differences between the learning strategy usage of the high-achieving and low achieving groups are also investigated. The results show that there was no statistically significant relationship between the learner�s English proficiency level and their individual learning style. In sharp contrast, it was discovered that there was a highly significant relationship between the learner�s English proficiency level and their choice and use of various learning strategies. It was also found that the higher the English proficiency level, the greater the variety of learning strategies adopted, and the more frequently those strategies were used. This study aims to shed some light on the principles that underlie successful language learning, particularly in regards to the utilisation and accommodation of learning strategies and styles. The results of such a study could thus contribute to the field of second language learning in a number of ways: for the learner, the teacher, the school policy maker, and the researcher.

服務學習是一個將整個社會資源轉變為學生學習場域的教學方法，它 豐富學生學習的對象、及學習內涵的深度與廣度，也使得學生學習成效從 單純的理論知識提升到全人生命的發展。近年來，眾多學者及專家努力地 傳揚服務學習理念，以及無數教師多年默默地堅持為學生的學習與成長， 甘之如飴的付出心力。因此，當看到教育部能夠重視服務學習、了解其對 學生、學校、及社會可能產生的重大影響力、開始推展服務學習理念時， 相信這群大力鼓吹、或默默推行的先鋒者一定感到非常欣慰與振奮。然 而，更大的責任是將此理念推動到全國高中的教師、學生及家長，並期望 能提供具體與實際的作法說明。 本研究之主要目的，係為了解臺北市各高中推動服務學習的現況與成 效、教師專業知能與自我效能，以及不同之背景變項（人口及學校變項） 對於推動服務學習之困境影響因素與因應。 本研究為達上述之研究目的，採取文獻分析法與問卷調查法進行實證 研究。本研究在問卷調查之外，另行輔以訪談、焦點座談、文件分析等方 式，以補充量化問卷所無法得取之資料。基於此目的，本研究在實施問卷 調查研究後，為使研究更深化，透過半結構式訪談方法、以焦點座談的模 式，邀請臺北市推動服務學習卓有成效的績優學校做深度對話，且輔以纸 筆方式提供各校的推動經驗、規劃理念、執行過程的困境與收穫等。老師、 學生及家長均不吝分享，使本研究更具體展現服務學習方案的實施成果。 本研究之主要發現如下： 一、臺北市高中推動服務學習的現況與實施成效尚可。 二、臺北市高中教師或行政人員對服務學習有正確的認知。 三、教師知覺臺北市高中服務學習之服務知能、自我效能、及困境因應的 成效不同。 四、不同性別教師是影響教師推動服務學習的重要因素。 五、不同學校背景並非影響教師推動服務學習的重要因素。 六、經費、時間及資源不足是推動服務學習的困境 七、服務學習績優學校的共同意象: （一）新思維、新願景、新行動。 （二）品味生活、品質生命、創意生涯。 （三）有活力、具魅力、展光華。 依據文獻探討與統計分析結果，提出本研究之建議如下： ‧ 國 立 政 治 大 學 ‧ Na t i o na l Ch en gc h i U n i v e r s i t y 2 一、對中央主管機關的建議 （一）落實執行服務學習的良善政策。 （二）與高中綜合活動課程作適度的結合。 二、對教育行政主管機關的建議 （一）提供經費挹助及資源支援。 （二）建置服務學習資訊網絡與對話平台。 （三）提供專業進修機會，培訓服務學習種子教師。 （四）結合志願服務法，建立服務學習獎勵政策。 （五）規劃完善的服務學習相關課程。 三、對學校單位的建議 （一）增進社區資源增加與社區（機構）的互動。 （二）加強服務學習之推展且需長時間規劃。 （三）深化教師專業能力、培養教師自我效能及學習統整的教學法。 （四）重視學生的生活主體，結合綜合活動課程實施服務學習教學。 （五）激發學生服務學習動機。 （六）爭取家長的認同及參與，強化支持體系。 四、對後續研究的建議 （一）研究方法方面：質量並重。 （二）研究範圍方面：擴大研究區域。 （三）研究對象方面：擴及家長、學生、社區等之服務者、被服務者及參 與者。 （四）研究領域方面：延長研究時間、增加研究項目、發展研究工具。 （五）研究變項方面：進行質化研究、整合研究變項、向度或層面上加強。 / Service learning is a teaching program that provides students a rich platform of learning that is based not only on the campus but on the entire social resources. Students who participate in this program meet more people as their learning models. They also expand the depth and scope in the knowledge and skills learned. Moreover, students’ learning results indicate that they are more able to lift a simple theory and knowledge into a holistic life development aspect. In recent years, scholars and experts have been putting lots of effort on promoting the service learning concept, not mentioning about the striving of supportive teachers who are always looking upon students’ best interest. Seeing that the government now understands the significant impact of this program to students, schools and even to the entire society and starts to promote this program is no doubt a most encouraging event to its pioneer supporters. However, the task doesn’t just end here. It carries out a bigger responsibility to introduce this program to all the teachers, students and parents in high schools nationwide, and provide them with specific and practical instructions. The objective of this research is to find out the problems and difficulties that eventually affect the promotion of service learning. By obtaining the information of current situations and results from high schools in Taipei City that are now enrolling in this program, this research aims to conclude a solution to those problems. Factors observed in this research also include teacher professional knowledge, self efficiency, and background variables (both population and school). In order to accomplish the abovementioned objective, this research, basing on an empirical study, employs documentary analysis technique and questionnaire survey technique. In addition to questionnaire investigation, the research also adopts techniques like interviews, seminars and document analysis to make up the insufficiency of the quantitative questionnaire. Moreover, in order to deepen the research, well‐performed schools of this program in Taipei city were invited to the interviews and seminars to go through a semi‐structured interview for deeper communication and understanding. Schools were encouraged to share their promotion experiences, concept of planning, problems and gains while implementing this program. The main finding of this research is as below: I. The service learning outcome and current situation of high schools in Taipei are acceptable. II. High school teachers and administrative staffs’ recognition to service learning is fairly good in Taipei. III. Teachers aware that the results of service learning respectively in fields of service knowledge, self efficiency and problem solving are different in high schools in Taipei. IV. Teacher’s gender is an important factor that affects the promotion of service learning. V. Differences school background doesn’t serve as an important factor that affect teachers’ promoting service learning. VI. The problem of insufficient self‐efficiency in promoting service learning is generally observed among high school teachers in Taipei. ‧ 國 立 政 治 大 學 ‧ Na t i o na l Ch en gc h i U n i v e r s i t y VII. Common visions about service learning in well performed schools: a. New thinking, new vision, new action b. Experience life, make life well‐qualified and innovated. c. Energetic, attractive and bright. After documentary discussion and statistic analysis to this research, the suggestions are as below: I. Suggestions to the central government authority: a. Improve the policy in promoting and implementing service learning. b. Make appropriate links in between servicing learning to high school integrated activity learning. II. Suggestions to the government education authority: a. Provide budget and resources support b. Build a website and a communication platform for service learning. c. Offer in‐service training, and train seed teachers of service learning. d. Cooperate with the law of volunteer service, and establish a reward policy on service learning. e. Make good plans for service learning relating courses. III. Suggestions to schools: a. Enhance community resources, and increase the interaction with those community institutions. b. Enhance the promotion of service learning on a long‐time plan base. c. Strengthen teachers’ professional ability. Train teachers for the methodology of self‐efficiency and integration of learning. d. Take account of students’ daily life in order to combine service learning with integrated activity courses. e. Motivate students for service learning. f. Obtain parents’ support and enhance the supporting organizations. IV. Suggestions to further studies: a. Research method: equal emphasis both on quality and quantity. b. Research scope: expand research scope. c. Research subject: expand to include parents, students, service providers, service receivers and all participants in the community. d. Research fields: expand research time, increase research items and develop research tools. e. Research variables: conduct qualitative research; enhance and integrate variable research both vertically and horizontally. Key words: service learning, service learning program, service learning outcomes

<p>This paper uses evidence from a small-scale interview of five primary school principals within the Stockholm Municipality to examine their focus on student learning. To facilitate this analysis, four questions were addressed:</p><p>• What are the expectations principals have of learning for their students?</p><p>• Has there been a change in perception of learning in the 21st Century?</p><p>• How do principals think they have influence on student learning?</p><p>• How do principals see their role towards lifelong learning?</p><p>This thesis argues that we have to redefine learning for the 21st Century through emphasizing a more holistic approach to both teaching and learning and by paying more attention to learning outcomes. It explores contemporary trends in leadership education and connects them to the literature. In practice, the study uses two models, instructional leadership and transformational leadership, to integrate the the data collected. It proposes that school principals play a part in student learning through their roles of setting directions, developing people and developing the organisation.</p><p>The main results showed that the principals and vice-principals who participated in the study were aware of their roles in student learning. However, their roles were not immediately identifiable with a particular leadership style but a combination of styles. They realised that they did not encourage lifelong learning, which is an important component of 21st Century learning.</p><p>Key Words:</p><p>21st Century learning, lifelong learning, learning expectations, learning outcomes, leadership styles, instructional leadership, transformational leadership, cultural change leadership.</p>