This thesis investigated the use of novel combinations of multimodal metaphors in the presentation of learning information to evaluate the effect of these combinations on the usability of e-learning interfaces and on the users' learning performance. The empirical research described in this thesis comprised three experimental phases. In the first phase, an initial experiment was carried out with 30 users to explore and compare the usability and learning performance of facially animated expressive avatars with earcons and speech, and text with graphics metaphors. The second experimental phase involved an experiment conducted with 48 users to investigate their perception of avatar's facial expressions and body gestures when presented in both the absence and presence of interactive e-learning context. In addition, the experiment aimed at evaluating the role that an avatar could play as virtual lecturer in e-learning interfaces by comparing the usability and learning performance of three different modes of interaction: speaking facially expressive virtual lecturer, speaking facially expressive full-body animated virtual lecturer, and two speaking facially expressive virtual lecturers. In the third phase, a total of 24 users experimentally examined a novel approach for the use of earcons and auditory icons in e-learning interfaces to support an animated facially expressive avatar with body gestures during the presentation of the learning material. The obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the tested metaphors to enhance e-learning usability and to enable users to attain better learning performance. These results provided a set of empirically derived innovative guidelines for the design and use of these metaphors to generate more usable e-learning interfaces. For example, when designing avatars as animated virtual lecturers in e-learning interfaces, specific facial expression and body gestures should be incorporated due to its positive influence in enhancing learners' attitude towards the learning process.

lt;p align="justify"gt;Atualmente, o mundo do trabalho tem passado por transformações que afetam toda a sociedade, inclusive a categoria profissional dos professores. Ao mesmo tempo, a temática qualidade de vida no trabalho vem conquistando importância no cenário social, e esta abarca os estilos de vida, as expectativas e os projetos de vida da coletividade e dos indivíduos. Nesse sentido, realizamos um estudo sobre a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho (QVT) dos docentes universitários de duas instituições, sendo uma pública (Universidade Federal de Viçosa – UFV) e outra particular (Centro Universitário de Caratinga – UNEC). Buscamos identificar os perfis sócio-profissionais das duas instituições, o significado atribuído pelos docentes à QVT e a ocorrência de estresse e/ou outros distúrbios no trabalho, através de um estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistados docentes (homens e mulheres), onde identificamos que, apesar das diferentes realidades dos docentes pesquisados, o principal significado de QVT é ter condições adequadas à execução de trabalho. Assim, espera-se que este estudo contribua para que as instituições e seus responsáveis repensem as condições ofertadas para seus docentes e atentem para a promoção de QVT através de ações efetivas.lt;/pgt; / Contemporary, the work world has passed for transformations that affect the whole society, involving also the lecturer’s professional category. At the same time, the issue of quality of life in the work has been achieving importance in the social scenery, and this involve style of life, as well as the expectations of collective and individual project life’s. In that sense, we realize a study about Quality of Life in the Work (QLW) of lecturer’s of two institutions, once public (Viçosa Federal University) and other particular (University Center of Caratinga – UNEC). Through an exploratory study with qualitative approach, we tired to identify the socio-professional profile in both institutions, as well as the significance of QLW attributed by the lecturers, as well as the happening of stress and other disturbances in work. Were interviewed lecturers (men and women), where we identified that, in spite of the different reality of researched lecturers’, the principal significance for QLW is to have adequate conditions for work execution. With this study we expected to contribute for that the institutions and their responsible persons re-though the conditions offered to their lecturers and undertake the promotion of QLW through effective actions.

Information technology gradually started to play a major role in the service rendering of academic libraries since 1994. Large amounts of money became necessary to enable libraries to provide the latest formats of information sources, as well as access to quality electronic databases. Prices of printed information sources also increased dramatically over recent years, along with a high South African inflation rate. Government subsidies for academic institutions also started to decline annually (De Kock, 1997). User needs, and information seeking patterns of library users also changed over recent years because of major information technology developments. Many authors performed studies on changing user needs in recent years, of which five were chosen to form the basis of this study. It became of utmost importance for libraries to monitor user needs regularly, to be able to identify changing needs and expectations. This will enable academic libraries with tight budgets to render more relevant and appropriate information services to specific user groups. Research procedures and methodology: A literature study was done in order to determine which information rendering models currently exist, as well as to find prior research on the information needs of engineers. This was followed by a qualitative study by means of semi-structured interviews. Personal interviews is a flexible method. which enables the researcher to ask follow-up questions, as well as to ask respondents to explain certain issues in detail (Huysamen, 1993 :15 1). The interview schedule contained thirty-three questions, based on eleven theoretical hypotheses constructed throughout the study. The following engineering departments were included in this study: Electronics, Applied Electronics & Electronic communication, Process instrumentation and Control, Power, Mechanical, Civil & Building, Metallurgy, Industrial & Production, and Computer Systems engineering. The aim of the study: This study is aimed at determining the information needs of engineering lecturers in particular, and also to determine if the Gold Fields library currently satisfies their information needs. All engineering lecturers have access to electronic databases as well as internet from their offices, and in many cases don't need to make use the physical library building any more. This study aims at finding out what their current information needs are, and which avenues they are currently being used to acquire relevant subject related information. Lecturers will also be probed about the role of the Gold Fields Library in their information needs. Conclusion: This study reveals that the information needs of engineering lecturers revolve primarily around their personal research interests, as well as changing lecturing methods. Printed and electronic information sources are currently complementing each other, and in no way is one replacing the other. This study also showed that the Gold Fields Library is currently not satisfying engineering lecturer's information needs, with specific reference to the intranet; some printed and electronic resources; training on electronic databases; packaging of information; personalized information services, and the subject knowledge of information librarians. Engineering lecturers were satisfied with the following: information interviews conducted by information librarians; personal attributes of information librarians; information technology competency of information librarians, and ethics. It became evident that the Gold Fields Library should consider certain changes and expansions to the information services currently rendered to engineering lecturers. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This study examines perceptions of 12 full-time non-tenure track faculty members about their professional and academic selves in a research-intensive university. A phenomenological approach is used to gain insight into the complexities of the experience of being a full-time faculty member, off the tenure-track, whose primary responsibility is teaching within a research-intensive institution. The notion of tenurestream as the only desired path to being an academic is challenged by these faculty members’ understanding of their identities. This researcher considers how professional identities may be understood and suggests that the meanings and values these faculty members attach to their professional roles may be embedded in their perceptions of how their role fits within the department. Throughout this qualitative inquiry, the perspectives of these faculty members are positioned as a primary source of data about the experience of being a full-time non-tenure track faculty member. By using a phenomenological approach and taking a constructivist perspective this researcher finds that extant theories that view this population through a deficit model are inaccurate. Additionally, essentialist and homogenizing descriptions of this population are also found to be insufficient. A qualitative analysis suggests the viability of an alternative description of this population, one which reflects the nuanced view of professional identity these participants expressed. Based on structural categories adapted from Martin’s (2002) three perspective view of organizational culture, their perceptions are categorized according to the congruence expressed between their social identity and their professional role. Perceptions shared about their departmental culture are similarly categorized which provides insight about the influence of policies, practices, and collegial interactions on professional lives.

Information technology gradually started to play a major role in the service rendering of academic libraries since 1994. Large amounts of money became necessary to enable libraries to provide the latest formats of information sources, as well as access to quality electronic databases. Prices of printed information sources also increased dramatically over recent years, along with a high South African inflation rate. Government subsidies for academic institutions also started to decline annually (De Kock, 1997). User needs, and information seeking patterns of library users also changed over recent years because of major information technology developments. Many authors performed studies on changing user needs in recent years, of which five were chosen to form the basis of this study. It became of utmost importance for libraries to monitor user needs regularly, to be able to identify changing needs and expectations. This will enable academic libraries with tight budgets to render more relevant and appropriate information services to specific user groups. Research procedures and methodology: A literature study was done in order to determine which information rendering models currently exist, as well as to find prior research on the information needs of engineers. This was followed by a qualitative study by means of semi-structured interviews. Personal interviews is a flexible method. which enables the researcher to ask follow-up questions, as well as to ask respondents to explain certain issues in detail (Huysamen, 1993 :15 1). The interview schedule contained thirty-three questions, based on eleven theoretical hypotheses constructed throughout the study. The following engineering departments were included in this study: Electronics, Applied Electronics & Electronic communication, Process instrumentation and Control, Power, Mechanical, Civil & Building, Metallurgy, Industrial & Production, and Computer Systems engineering. The aim of the study: This study is aimed at determining the information needs of engineering lecturers in particular, and also to determine if the Gold Fields library currently satisfies their information needs. All engineering lecturers have access to electronic databases as well as internet from their offices, and in many cases don't need to make use the physical library building any more. This study aims at finding out what their current information needs are, and which avenues they are currently being used to acquire relevant subject related information. Lecturers will also be probed about the role of the Gold Fields Library in their information needs. Conclusion: This study reveals that the information needs of engineering lecturers revolve primarily around their personal research interests, as well as changing lecturing methods. Printed and electronic information sources are currently complementing each other, and in no way is one replacing the other. This study also showed that the Gold Fields Library is currently not satisfying engineering lecturer's information needs, with specific reference to the intranet; some printed and electronic resources; training on electronic databases; packaging of information; personalized information services, and the subject knowledge of information librarians. Engineering lecturers were satisfied with the following: information interviews conducted by information librarians; personal attributes of information librarians; information technology competency of information librarians, and ethics. It became evident that the Gold Fields Library should consider certain changes and expansions to the information services currently rendered to engineering lecturers. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Background Sustainability involves progressing economic, social and environmental goals together in an attempt to meet current needs without compromising with the needs of future generations. Universities can play an important role in educating young people in sustainability. Many future managers study at business schools which makes this discipline particularly interesting in terms of creating sustainability across society. Swedish universities are by law encouraged to embed sustainability which requires significant changes at all levels including the work of lecturers. Aim The purpose of this study is to examine lecturers’ attitudes and perceptions on making changes to embed sustainability into the courses they teach. Methods A qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews was applied. An interview guideline was developed and eight lecturers from basic and intermediate education programmes at Umeå Business School and Economics (UBSE) were recruited. Data was transcribed and analysed in relation to the theoretical framework of change models. Findings Eight lecturers were interviewed and overall they reported positive attitudes towards making changes to incorporate sustainability into their courses but many of them found it difficult to do so in practice. Obstacles to make such changes included being limited in the decision-making of changes to the syllabus, limited knowledge, time constraints and motivation. Findings show that management plays an essential role in making changes and that a number of key persons (change agents) who want to implement more sustainability to the courses already exist in the organisation. ConclusionsLecturers are important to fulfil changes to their existing courses to incorporate sustainability but in need of more time and training in this subject. A sustainable approach at UBSE positively affects lecturers’ attitudes to incorporate sustainability to their teaching.

This thesis is focused on exploring marking and grading in higher education. Using a phenomenological approach 26 interviews were undertaken with a heterogeneous sample of health academics at four universities. The sample included novice lecturers with two years or less experience in the academy to those with academic careers spanning more than 20 years. Two interview methods were utilised, Protocol Analysis (PA) and Cognitive Interviewing (CI). Protocol Analysis enables close contact with the marking and grading, in the moment, whilst Cognitive Interviewing is a novel method for exploring lecturer practices in higher education. Analysis was completed by applying a modified framework analysis to both data sets, facilitating synthesis of the two series of research findings. A wealth of rich data was gathered which resulted in close exploration of marking and grading practices, with the production of corroboratory evidence for issues previously identified on these phenomena. Close connection as an insider practitioner researcher has enabled close exploration and the gaining of new insights into practice, resulting in the identification of previously unexplored areas. My original contributions to knowledge in this area are: identifying the messiness of marking and grading and troublesome knowledge, the ‘rubric paradox’, importance of communities of practice, dual identity of health academics, working environments, experience recast as expertise, and using current interview techniques (PA and CI) for supporting continuing professional development. This thesis develops these themes suggesting ways in which they could impact upon contemporary marking and grading practice.

Daily and Educational use of Information and Communication Technology by teachers at a private university in Lima In the context of higher education as opposed to scholar levels, urges further studies delineate clear guidelines to promote the educational integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in a relevant way on university. This article presents the results of a descriptive study of the everyday uses of technology by the lecturers of different faculties of a university. It also presents the data relating to educational use of the resources on a daily basis, they used them to develop on their classes. It identifies a clear reduction in the use of technological resources uses daily in their roles as teachers. In that sense is perceived a repeated use of resources such as Power point presentations, finding information on the Internet and the use of video mainly. Beyond that, there is not an effective integration in ICT resources in the educational development even though university has a virtual platform. This study was conducted with lecturers from all departments of the university through a further survey and focus group was conducted supplemented in the information gathered by the survey. We report the synthesis of the results of this study and recommendations to guide policy processes and training teachers in the use of such resources in their teaching. / En el marco de la educación superior a diferencia del nivel escolar, urge profundizar los estudios y delimitar lineamientos claros para promover la integración educativa de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) de manera pertinente en el quehacer educativo universitario. En el presente artículo se muestran los resultados de un estudio descriptivo sobre los usos cotidianos de tecnología de parte de profesores de una universidad y a la vez, los datos referidos al uso pedagógico de estos recursos como docentes en el contexto de la universidad. Este estudio se llevó a cabo con docentes de todos los Departamentos de la universidad a través de una encuesta y adicionalmente se realizó un focus group para complementar la información recogida por la encuesta. Se presenta la síntesis de los resultados así como recomendaciones para encaminar procesos de política y formación de los profesores en el uso de este tipo de recursos en su ejercicio docente.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-05-03T18:57:40Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniane Moreira Manoel - 2018.pdf: 32073054 bytes, checksum: b77be5c61b11d41b398132c6fd86e5db (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-05-04T11:11:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniane Moreira Manoel - 2018.pdf: 32073054 bytes, checksum: b77be5c61b11d41b398132c6fd86e5db (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-04T11:11:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniane Moreira Manoel - 2018.pdf: 32073054 bytes, checksum: b77be5c61b11d41b398132c6fd86e5db (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The Brazilian schools have created a daily life inspired by the Eurocentric culture, which relegated to background or even no knowledge-recognition of AfroBrazilian culture. We consider as soon as the samba, capoeira, mungunzá and many other components of this culture assume the aspects of an “underground” Brazilian folkloric. The review of this scenario begins in 70’s through social movements, which with in means the dictatorship they led to a debate on the questions, which culminate in the enactment of the law 10639/03which requires the inclusion in the official curriculum of the subject "Afro-Brazilian History and Culture". However, that insertion in general is poorly contextualized and poorly understood due to the relations established in the school which are the territorialization and-or hierarchy of themes and knowledge. In this panorama, teachers have difficulties to insert into the daily life of schools, senses and knowledge about the afro culture in addition to the spectator. In the context of these many concerns is that this study was developed. Its primary objective was to understand the catalan congada, challenges and possibilities in order to be showed in schools of the municipality according to the perspective of congadeiros lecturers. The methodology consisted of a review of the literature that allowed obtaining knowledge about the object and starting a dialogue on the subject and the analysis of the congadas narratives of congadeiros lecturers accessed through narrative interviews. The conclusion points out that the congadas are still less considered in all its potential and that congadeiros lecturers have a rich knowledge about them and point out the need for a greater effort management coming from the professionals-coordination in the sense of the congadas’ insertion. The University presents itself as a place of knowledge production and legitimate recognition. / As escolas brasileiras criaram para si um cotidiano inspirado na cultura eurocêntrica o que relegou ao segundo plano ou mesmo a inexistência do conhecimento-reconhecimento da cultura afro-brasileira. Consideramos assim que o samba, a capoeira, o mungunzá e tantos outros componentes dessa cultura assumam tão somente e quando muito aspectos “folclóricos” de uma brasilidade subterrânea. A revisão desse cenário começa na década de 1970 através dos movimentos sociais que, em meio a ditadura lideraram lutas que reposicionam o debate sobre a questão que culminam na promulgação da lei 10639/03 que obriga a inclusão, no currículo oficial, da temática “História e Cultura Afro-Brasileira”. Contudo, essa inserção em geral é pouco contextualizada e compreendida no bojo das relações estabelecidas na escola que manifestam a territorização e-ou hierarquização de temas e saberes. Neste panorama, aos professores se impõe dificuldades para inserir no cotidiano das escolas sentidos e saberes sobre as africanidades para além dos de expectador. No bojo dessas muitas inquietações é que essa pesquisa foi desenvolvida. Seu objetivo primário foi compreender a congada catalana, os desafios e possibilidades para que sejam trabalhados nas escolas do município segundo a perspectiva de professores congadeiros. A metodologia consistiu na revisão da literatura que permitiu obter conhecimentos sobre o objeto e adentrar ao diálogo sobre o tema congadas e a análise das narrativas de professores-congadeiros acessadas por meio de entrevistas narrativas. A conclusão possibilita apontar que as congadas são ainda pouco consideradas em todo seu potencial e que professores-congadeiros possuem conhecimentos ricos sobre elas e apontam a necessidade de maior esforço dos profissionais de gestão-coordenação no sentido da inserção das congadas. A universidade se apresenta como lugar de produção de conhecimento e reconhecimento legítimos.

D.Ed. (Teaching Studies) / Institutions of higher education in South Africa are being affected by widening access to students since the eighties. Student numbers have risen dramatically Since then and the composition of the student population has also been altered considerably with, for example, the enrolment of black students in historically white universities as well as the enrolment of white students in historically black universities becoming a trend (Wade, Hodgkinson, Smith and Arfield, 1994:12; Saunders, 1992: 67; Education reporter, 1996:1; Taylor, 1992:36). Pressure for the expansion of post-secondary education is inherent in the development of modem society and is seen as a global trend, which means that South Africa is part of this expansion (Trow, 1987:289; Hinchcliffe, 1987:1; Aamodt & Arnesen, 1995:65; Fransman, 1995:173; Kirkwood, 1996: 41).This expansion in student numbers is often without a proportionate increase in the funding resources available . The situation, with regard to South Africa, was predicted by, amongst others, Booysen (1990: 1), who maintains that South Africa faces many challenges in ,the field of education because of the expected removal of the disparities in the provision of education amongst the various race groups. The historical and political circumstances in this respect are seen as factors aggravating the complexity of such a challenge. A simple case of numbers seeking higher education would be a serious misconception leading, for example, to the misunderstanding which prompted ministerial action a few years ago through which an injunction of zero growth on ten out of the fifteen residential universities in South Africa was decreed. A different approach to dealing with numbers seeking admission at higher education institutions was seen a few years before the Government of National Unity was in place. It is, noticeable that since 1986 there has been an urge to change higher education admission practices in South Africa