O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal a identificação e caracterização das competências fundamentais requeridas ao tutor para atuar em programas de educação a distância mediados pela internet, utilizando o caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A motivação para a realização deste estudo surgiu das dificuldades enfrentadas pelas instituições de ensino superior em capacitar profissionais para atuar como tutores em cursos on-line, dada a velocidade com que a modalidade a distância vem crescendo no Brasil, e a própria necessidade de identificar quais recursos são fundamentais para o trabalho dos tutores. Neste contexto, a pesquisa parte de um referencial teórico sustentado pelas seguintes temáticas: educação a distância e competências, com ênfase nas contribuições de Zarifian (2001) – noções de competência, evento, comunicação e serviço – e Le Boterf (1999) – conceitos de competência e recursos. A partir de tais conceitos obtidos durante o estudo bibliográfico, foi elaborada a pesquisa exploratória, composta de uma etapa de coleta de dados e de análise do caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Na etapa de coleta de dados, foram realizadas entrevistas com 13 tutores, 03 coordenadores de pólo, 02 gestores e 05 alunos e foram analisados documentos do curso. Durante a execução do estudo, o pesquisador atuou como Coordenador de Tutoria do curso em questão, sendo, então, um observador participante. Após a triangulação dos dados e retorno ao referencial teórico, iniciou-se a etapa de análise. Os documentos foram analisados por análise documental e as entrevistas por análise de conteúdo. Ao final da análise, os resultados obtidos foram duas competências fundamentais: atendimento aos alunos e interação com a equipe de EAD para trocas de informações, conhecimentos e inovações, além de um conjunto de recursos: pessoais, de conhecimentos e de habilidades, que são os elementos que possibilitam aos tutores agir com competência nos cursos de EAD mediados pela internet. / The present study aims to identify and characterize the fundamental competences required to the online tutors for working in internet based distance education programs. The case study was done on the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The motivation for this study emerged from the difficulties faced by universities on training teachers to work as online tutors, considering the huge growth distance education programs in Brazil and the intrinsic need for identifying which are the fundamental resources for the online tutors job. Within this context, this research initiates based on a theoretical frame of reference supported by the following topics: distance education and competences, emphasizing the studies of Zarifian (2001) – notion of competence, event, communication and service – and Le Boterf (1999) – concepts of competence and resources. Initiating from these concepts gathered during the literature review, an exploratory research was developed, including a stage of collects of data and an analysis of the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Documents and interviews with 13 online tutors, 03 class coordinators, 02 managers and 05 students were analyzed. During the present study, the author worked as an online tutor coordinator on the case study course, characterizing himself as a participant-observer. After the triangulation and the return to the theoretical frame, the analysis was initiated. The documents were analyzed by documental analysis and the interviews by content analysis. As results, two fundamental competences were obtained: students attendance and interaction with distance education program colleagues for information, knowledge and innovation exchanges. It was also obtained a group of personal, knowledge and skills resources which able online tutors to act with competence on internet based distance education programs.

O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal a identificação e caracterização das competências fundamentais requeridas ao tutor para atuar em programas de educação a distância mediados pela internet, utilizando o caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A motivação para a realização deste estudo surgiu das dificuldades enfrentadas pelas instituições de ensino superior em capacitar profissionais para atuar como tutores em cursos on-line, dada a velocidade com que a modalidade a distância vem crescendo no Brasil, e a própria necessidade de identificar quais recursos são fundamentais para o trabalho dos tutores. Neste contexto, a pesquisa parte de um referencial teórico sustentado pelas seguintes temáticas: educação a distância e competências, com ênfase nas contribuições de Zarifian (2001) – noções de competência, evento, comunicação e serviço – e Le Boterf (1999) – conceitos de competência e recursos. A partir de tais conceitos obtidos durante o estudo bibliográfico, foi elaborada a pesquisa exploratória, composta de uma etapa de coleta de dados e de análise do caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Na etapa de coleta de dados, foram realizadas entrevistas com 13 tutores, 03 coordenadores de pólo, 02 gestores e 05 alunos e foram analisados documentos do curso. Durante a execução do estudo, o pesquisador atuou como Coordenador de Tutoria do curso em questão, sendo, então, um observador participante. Após a triangulação dos dados e retorno ao referencial teórico, iniciou-se a etapa de análise. Os documentos foram analisados por análise documental e as entrevistas por análise de conteúdo. Ao final da análise, os resultados obtidos foram duas competências fundamentais: atendimento aos alunos e interação com a equipe de EAD para trocas de informações, conhecimentos e inovações, além de um conjunto de recursos: pessoais, de conhecimentos e de habilidades, que são os elementos que possibilitam aos tutores agir com competência nos cursos de EAD mediados pela internet. / The present study aims to identify and characterize the fundamental competences required to the online tutors for working in internet based distance education programs. The case study was done on the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The motivation for this study emerged from the difficulties faced by universities on training teachers to work as online tutors, considering the huge growth distance education programs in Brazil and the intrinsic need for identifying which are the fundamental resources for the online tutors job. Within this context, this research initiates based on a theoretical frame of reference supported by the following topics: distance education and competences, emphasizing the studies of Zarifian (2001) – notion of competence, event, communication and service – and Le Boterf (1999) – concepts of competence and resources. Initiating from these concepts gathered during the literature review, an exploratory research was developed, including a stage of collects of data and an analysis of the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Documents and interviews with 13 online tutors, 03 class coordinators, 02 managers and 05 students were analyzed. During the present study, the author worked as an online tutor coordinator on the case study course, characterizing himself as a participant-observer. After the triangulation and the return to the theoretical frame, the analysis was initiated. The documents were analyzed by documental analysis and the interviews by content analysis. As results, two fundamental competences were obtained: students attendance and interaction with distance education program colleagues for information, knowledge and innovation exchanges. It was also obtained a group of personal, knowledge and skills resources which able online tutors to act with competence on internet based distance education programs.

O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal a identificação e caracterização das competências fundamentais requeridas ao tutor para atuar em programas de educação a distância mediados pela internet, utilizando o caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A motivação para a realização deste estudo surgiu das dificuldades enfrentadas pelas instituições de ensino superior em capacitar profissionais para atuar como tutores em cursos on-line, dada a velocidade com que a modalidade a distância vem crescendo no Brasil, e a própria necessidade de identificar quais recursos são fundamentais para o trabalho dos tutores. Neste contexto, a pesquisa parte de um referencial teórico sustentado pelas seguintes temáticas: educação a distância e competências, com ênfase nas contribuições de Zarifian (2001) – noções de competência, evento, comunicação e serviço – e Le Boterf (1999) – conceitos de competência e recursos. A partir de tais conceitos obtidos durante o estudo bibliográfico, foi elaborada a pesquisa exploratória, composta de uma etapa de coleta de dados e de análise do caso do curso de graduação em Administração, modalidade a distância, da Escola de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Na etapa de coleta de dados, foram realizadas entrevistas com 13 tutores, 03 coordenadores de pólo, 02 gestores e 05 alunos e foram analisados documentos do curso. Durante a execução do estudo, o pesquisador atuou como Coordenador de Tutoria do curso em questão, sendo, então, um observador participante. Após a triangulação dos dados e retorno ao referencial teórico, iniciou-se a etapa de análise. Os documentos foram analisados por análise documental e as entrevistas por análise de conteúdo. Ao final da análise, os resultados obtidos foram duas competências fundamentais: atendimento aos alunos e interação com a equipe de EAD para trocas de informações, conhecimentos e inovações, além de um conjunto de recursos: pessoais, de conhecimentos e de habilidades, que são os elementos que possibilitam aos tutores agir com competência nos cursos de EAD mediados pela internet. / The present study aims to identify and characterize the fundamental competences required to the online tutors for working in internet based distance education programs. The case study was done on the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The motivation for this study emerged from the difficulties faced by universities on training teachers to work as online tutors, considering the huge growth distance education programs in Brazil and the intrinsic need for identifying which are the fundamental resources for the online tutors job. Within this context, this research initiates based on a theoretical frame of reference supported by the following topics: distance education and competences, emphasizing the studies of Zarifian (2001) – notion of competence, event, communication and service – and Le Boterf (1999) – concepts of competence and resources. Initiating from these concepts gathered during the literature review, an exploratory research was developed, including a stage of collects of data and an analysis of the undergraduate management course at the Management School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Documents and interviews with 13 online tutors, 03 class coordinators, 02 managers and 05 students were analyzed. During the present study, the author worked as an online tutor coordinator on the case study course, characterizing himself as a participant-observer. After the triangulation and the return to the theoretical frame, the analysis was initiated. The documents were analyzed by documental analysis and the interviews by content analysis. As results, two fundamental competences were obtained: students attendance and interaction with distance education program colleagues for information, knowledge and innovation exchanges. It was also obtained a group of personal, knowledge and skills resources which able online tutors to act with competence on internet based distance education programs.

Edublox is an educational training facility with headquarters in Pretoria, with branches nationally and their programme marketing internationally. Their latest development was the Edublox Online Tutor (EOT) programme that claims to enhance cognitive functioning in children. This retrospective study thus seeks to establish whether exposure to the EOT programme has an impact on the cognitive functioning (specifically working memory - comprising of visual working memory, auditory memory, and logical reasoning) of primary school children. The conceptual structure for this study was formed using The Cognitive Information Processing Theory and Vygotsky’s Social Cognitive Theory. A convenience sampling method was chosen and comprised of grade 2 children (n=64) who formed 3 groups; 2 experimental groups (EOT and educational computer games) and a control group (usual schooling). A quantitative, experimental research design was adopted throughout the study and included pre-and post-assessments of cognitive performances. Varying data analysis techniques, such as mean plots, paired samples t-tests, and one-way repeated measures ANOVA tests were utilised. Overall, analyses revealed that exposure to the EOT programme significantly improved children's conceptual skills in one out of the 4 variables tested in cognitive performance. Other findings revealed that while there were overall improvements in mean post-test scores, there were no significant differences in mean post-test scores between the experimental groups and the control group. The differences in strength of changes between the pre-and post-test scores were influenced by the length of exposure, the type of intervention, the delivery environment, and the sample size, among other factors. It was recommended that the treatment period is lengthened, a multimodal approach is adopted, and the treatment environment is varied to investigate effect sizes and enhance the validity and comparability of this study. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Psychology / MA (Research Psychology) / Unrestricted

Cette thèse vise à analyser l’interaction des procédés d’enseignement et d’appropriation dans un univers didactique multipolaire [le tuteur, les aides en ligne, les conduites d’auto-apprentissage, etc.], afin de déterminer à quelles conditions l’utilisation d’un environnement mixte rend possible la mise en oeuvre d’expériences d’apprentissage potentiellement favorables à l’acquisition de l’anglais langue étrangère auprès d’un public LANSAD en milieu universitaire. L’ouverture de cette thèse est consacrée à l’apprenant. Etant donné que la mise en place d’un dispositif pédagogique donné revient à mettre à la disposition de ce dernier des outils visant potentiellement à le conduire vers une progression qualitative et quantitative en L-C 2, celui-ci y occupe une place centrale en tant qu’utilisateur. La deuxième partie vise à mettre en évidence comment les logiques de la DLC et de la RAL peuvent être conciliées pour transformer les diverses implications et pédagogiques tirées de la première partie en outils didactiques susceptibles d’influer positivement sur les mécanismes acquisitionnels des apprenants. Ces considérations sont réinvesties dans le cadre de la troisième partie, afin d’étudier à quelle[s] condition[s] un dispositif permettant a priori aux apprenants [ou d’élaborer à leur intention] des tâches [macrotâches] qui répliquent ou simulent les pratiques sociales observées et qui servent d’objectifs aux apprenants ou à l’institution [Demaizière et Narcy-Combes, 2005] peut être mis en place. Enfin, les pratiques apprenantes au sein du dispositif élaboré sont analysées à la lumière des conclusions tirées dans nos trois premières parties. / The perspective of this dissertation is to analyze how the teaching and learning processes are interacting in a multipolar environment [tutor, online help, learning strategies] in order to shed light on the conditions to which a numerical environment is liable to promote English as a foreign language and culture [hereinafter L-C 2] acquisition amongst ESP learners at university level. The first part of the dissertation deals with the learner. If the implementation of a pedagogical environment aims at providing him - her with tools enabling both a potential qualitative and quantitative progression in L-C 2, the learner indeed plays a central role within it, as a user. In order to achieve this objective, a reflection on the L-C 2 learning processes is necessary to take them into account, as far as possible, in the setting up of a pedagogical environment. The second part looks at how the considerations of SLA, second language learning and teaching and the pedagogical implications drawn from the first part can be linked up and turned into tailor-made tools liable to impact positively on the learners’ SLA processes. The third part is about pedagogical engineering with a particular emphasis on how both the pedagogical implications drawn from the first two parts and the various parameters inherent to a pedagogical setting can be taken into account to implement an L-C 2 blended learning environment. Eventually, action research is presented. This part aims at providing an analysis of the learning practices and of the multipolar interaction taking place within a blended environment and at assessing its potential in terms of SLA.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:35:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5717.pdf: 2760407 bytes, checksum: 95ca709a3f87c63e0843f6a7b74a6117 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-16 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The making of this paper was motivated by an interest in issues concerning the formation of (future) elementary math teachers through distance education and, in a more specific way, the role tutors play in this learning mode. The question that led our investigation was: Which online tutors actions in subjects that involve mathematics in a distance Pedagogy course allow us to identify them as teachers educators? Our theory referential approached issues on the formation of teachers in Pedagogy through discussions over mathematical formation in these courses, over the tutor s role and over the peculiarities of distance education, mainly regarding collective teaching. All data were collected in the Pedagogy course through distance education at Universidade Federal de São Carlos, an affiliate institution to the Brazilian Open University System (Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil). The object of the study allowed us to perform a case study which aims to develop knowledge by focusing a specific case and is represented in this study by online tutors work organization. The data that compose this research are questionnaires answered by tutors and students, material that is available online, interviews given by tutors, documents and Brazilian legislation regarding distance education as well as documentation on the organization of the university s distance courses. The analysis of the data took aspects of content analysis into consideration and was performed in a qualitative method. The tutors that were part of the research performed actions that allowed us to identify them as teachers educators in different moments: when they respected specific characteristics of distance education, when they approached issues regarding mathematics content and its teaching and when they acted independently during the collective teaching process. Besides their involvement with students formation, tutors acted as educators when they got involved in their own formative process and had a reflexive view on their own performances, on the course and on the distance education of mathematics. Working conditions, the way the coordination team organized the tutors work and the way each educator conducted his work influenced the tutors performances. After conducting the analysis, it was possible to consider that the quality of a teacher formation distance course is closely related to online tutors work organization and to the possibility that he/she plays the role of a teachers educator. Therefore the aspects that enable this performance must be kept, amplified and qualified and the ones that make the practice difficult must be discussed and minimized. / A realização da presente pesquisa foi motivada pelo interesse na formação matemática dos professores (ou futuros professores) dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental na modalidade a distância e, mais especificamente, quanto à atuação do tutor virtual neste processo. A questão que norteou a investigação foi: Quais ações das práticas dos tutores virtuais, em disciplinas que envolvem conteúdos matemáticos num curso de Pedagogia a distância, permitem identificá-los como formadores de professores? O referencial teórico abordou a formação de professores na Pedagogia, através de discussões sobre a formação matemática nestes cursos, sobre o papel do formador e sobre as especificidades desta formação na modalidade a distância, principalmente em relação à docência coletiva. O cenário utilizado para coleta de dados foi o curso de Licenciatura em Pedagogia na modalidade a distância da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, instituição parceira do Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil. A opção pelo objeto a ser estudado permitiu aproximar tal pesquisa de um estudo de caso, que busca o conhecimento a partir da focalização de um caso específico, representado, neste estudo, pela forma de organização do trabalho dos tutores virtuais. Compõem os dados desta pesquisa: material disponível no Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem das disciplinas que envolvem conteúdo matemático, questionários respondidos pelos tutores virtuais e estudantes, entrevistas realizadas com os tutores virtuais, documentos e legislações do governo brasileiro em relação a Educação a Distância e documentos da organização dos cursos a distância da universidade. A análise desses dados foi realizada levando em consideração aspectos da análise de conteúdo, numa abordagem qualitativa. Pôdese observar que os tutores virtuais, participantes da pesquisa, exerceram ações que permitem identificá-los como formadores de professores em diferentes momentos: quando eles levaram em consideração os aspectos da cultura do Ensino Superior a distância; quando abordaram questões referentes ao conteúdo matemático e seu ensino e quando exercitaram sua autonomia no processo de docência coletiva. Além do envolvimento efetivo com a formação dos estudantes enquanto professores (ou futuros professores), os tutores exerceram o papel de formadores quando se envolveram no seu próprio processo formativo e mostraram uma postura reflexiva sobre sua própria atuação, sobre o curso e sobre o ensino de matemática na Educação a Distância. Ainda foi possível observar que as condições de trabalho, a forma de organização da tutoria pela instituição e a forma de condução do trabalho pelo professor da disciplina tiveram influência no tipo de atuação realizada pelos tutores. Considera-se, a partir da análise, que a qualidade de um curso de formação de professores a distância está intimamente ligada à organização do trabalho dos tutores virtuais e à possibilidade de que este exerça o papel de formador de professores. Assim, os aspectos que contribuem para esta atuação precisam ser mantidos, ampliados e qualificados e os que dificultam tal prática precisam ser discutidos e minimizados.

This thesis offers an assessment design for collaborative learning, utilisation of blended learning support through current communication technologies and highlights the crucial role of the tutor. The thesis designed and tested a theoretical framework which encompassed an active learning environment and resulted in the development of the shamrock conceptual framework. To test the theoretical framework, clarify the role of the tutor and the impact on the learner experience two studies were undertaken using pedagogical models that combined the concepts of learner-centric, sociocultural and dialogic perspectives on collaborative learning and technology in meeting the needs of learners in the 21st Century. In the first study, the role of the tutor was found to be crucial in setting, implementing and guiding learners using the assessment design as part of a social constructivist pedagogical practice. The pedagogical approach adopted was to blend face-to-face and Wiki learning experiences and was found to promote learner ownership, engagement and the fostering of a learning community. The second study validated the first and provided additional asynchronous technology experiences in addition to the Wiki blend in the assessment design. Study 2 examined the role of the tutor and the learner whilst using current technologies comprising podcasts and video and a Wiki in the collaborative experience. Findings showed that the Wiki supported community and collaborative aspects of a sociocultural practice whilst learners were engaged in authentic learning activities and led to a well supported learning environment. The importance of technology design and use to accommodate collaborative and community aspects was found to be an essential component. It was found that technology is not simply an add-on but rather needs to be planned and considered purposefully by both tutors and learners when used in a blend to supplement learning on campus as part of an assessment design in higher education. This study has shown that, for this to happen, academics need to be provided with the appropriate support, knowledge and skills required in developing a blended learning experience using a Wiki supplemented by class contact on campus as part of an assessment design.