[Abstract]: Research has suggested that, despite support through policy and resource provision,information and communications technologies (ICTs) have made little impact on the practiceof education and that limited teacher preparation for the use of ICTs represents a partialexplanation. The purpose of this study was to investigate what form of professionaleducation might be effective in preparing pre-service teachers to integrate ICTs into theirteaching. Self-efficacy beliefs about teaching with computers were identified as a potentiallysignificant source of influence on teachers' use of ICTs for teaching. It was proposed thatinteractive multimedia using a problem-based learning design (IMM-PBL) should be aneffective tool for increasing self-efficacy. Principles for the design of IMM-PBL were derivedfrom the relevant literature.An IMM-PBL package was designed and developed for delivery in a web browser formatusing content relevant to the integration of ICTs into teaching. Interviews with and sampleresponses prepared by computer-using teachers provided the basis for ensuring therelevance of content.The completed materials were evaluated in use with a group of 24 final year pre-serviceteachers in a Queensland university. Participants in the trials reported that the materialswere engaging and assisted their learning about integrating computers in their teaching. Astatistically significant increase in self-efficacy for teaching with computers was found forusers who had initially low self-efficacy for teaching with computers.The principles proposed for IMM-PBL design were found to offer a practical basis for thedevelopment of effective learning materials. With further development, IMM-PBL promisesto be a powerful and flexible approach to supporting learning for teachers and otherprofessionals.

En partant de quelques difficultés observées autour des aspects de la conceptualisation technoscientifique et de l’intégration de la de la théorie et la pratique dans l’apprentissage de la physiologie animale chez les étudiants du programme de Zootechnie de l’Université Nationale de Colombie, siège Medellín, cette recherche propose une stratégie didactique s’appuyant sur la méthode de l’Apprentissage Basé sur les Problèmes (ABP), appliquée spécifiquement aux sujets de thermorégulation et stress physiologique des animaux domestiques. Dans cette étude de cas on a travaillé avec un échantillon de huit étudiants à qui on a présenté dès la première session un problème didactique pour être résolu à travers le cours. Afin d’évaluer le processus on a réalisé trois enquêtes nommées Épreuves de Niveau de Formulation (NF) réalisées à différents moments de l’essai : l’une avant de commencer avec le sujet (NF 1), l’autre après la troisième classe théorique donnée et avant de faire la pratique sur le terrain (NF 2), et l’autre à la fin du processus (NF 3). Finalement on a réalisé des entretiens individuels avec chaque étudiant afin de connaître sa perception concernant la méthode. L’information obtenue a été soumise à une analyse qualitative et par des correspondances, par le biais du programme QDA Miner à travers de la révision et codification des textes provenants des enquêtes et de l’entretien individuel, complétés à leur tour par des observations sur le terrain, en analysant le changement conceptuel, la relation théorie-pratique et les correspondances entre les variables et les catégories établies. Parmi les principaux résultats obtenus on souligne le fait qu’après avoir appliqué l’ABP dans ce cours de Physiologie Animale le changement conceptuel a été favorisé et le problème formulé a servi comme connecteur entre la théorie et la pratique. En outre, on a observé la fusion des connaissances préalables avec les nouveaux acquis, l’apprentissage significatif, l’amélioration du niveau de formulation et l’augmentation de la scientificité des définitions; également il a mené à la solution viii de problèmes et à surmonter les obstacles épistémologiques comme la pluridisciplinarité et la non-linéarité. Il reste comme recommandation celle d’évaluer cette méthode dans d’autres sujets de la Physiologie Animale, dans d’autres sciences, dans des échantillons d’une taille majeure, ainsi comme approcher le sujet de l’évaluation appliquée directement à cette méthode. / Based on difficulties observed on the subject of technical-scientific conceptualization and the integration of theory and practice in learning animal physiology for students in the Animal Science program at the National University of Colombia in Medellin, this research paper proposes a problem-based learning strategy founded on the method of Problem Based Learning (PBL), applied specifically to the issues of thermoregulation and physiological stress in domestic animals. In this case study, a sample size of eight students was presented with a pedagogical problem during the first session that would then be solved during the course. In order to evaluate the process, three surveys were conducted called Level Test Formulations (NF) performed at different times of the trial: one before beginning the topic (NF 1), one after three theoretical classes had been given and before beginning the fieldwork (NF 2), and another one after the end of the process (NF 3). Finally, individual interviews were conducted with each student to know the students' perceptions regarding the method. The information obtained was subjected to a qualitative analysis and categorization, using the QDA Miner program which reviewed and coded texts from the surveys and individual interviews, supplemented in turn, by field observation, analyzing the conceptual change, the theory-practice relationship and the correlation between the variables and categories established. x Among the main results obtained, it should be noted that following the implementation of PBL in this Animal Physiology course, support for conceptual change was demonstrated and the formulated problem served as a connector between theory and practice. Moreover, there was a fusion of prior knowledge with newly acquired knowledge, meaningful learning, improvement in the level of conceptualization and an increase in the scientificness of definitions; it also led to problem-solving and overcoming epistemological obstacles such as multidisciplinarity and nonlinearity. As a result of this research, it is recommended that this method be evaluated in other topics related to Animal Physiology, in other sciences, in larger sample sizes, as well as to address the issue of evaluation applied directly to this method. / Partiendo de algunas dificultades observadas en torno a los aspectos de la conceptualización técnico-científica y de la integración de la teoría y la práctica en el aprendizaje de la fisiología animal en los estudiantes del programa curricular de Zootecnia de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín, la presente investigación propone una estrategia didáctica de enfoque problémico fundamentado en el método del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP), aplicado específicamente en los temas de termorregulación y estrés fisiológico de los animales domésticos. En este estudio de caso se trabajó con una muestra de ocho estudiantes, a quienes se les presentó desde la primera sesión un problema didáctico para ser resuelto a través del curso. Con el fin de evaluar el proceso se llevaron a cabo tres encuestas denominadas Pruebas de nivel de formulación (NF) realizadas en distintos momentos del ensayo: una antes de comenzar con el tema (NF 1), otra después de las clases tres teóricas impartidas y antes de ir a la práctica de campo (NF 2), y otra después al final de todo el proceso (NF 3). Finalmente se realizaron entrevistas individuales a cada estudiante con el fin de conocer la percepción de los estudiantes con respecto al método. La información obtenida se sometió a un análisis cualitativo y por correspondencias, por medio del programa QDA Miner a través de la revisión y codificación de los textos provenientes de las encuestas y la entrevista individual, complementadas a su vez con la observación de campo, analizando el cambio conceptual, la relación teoría-práctica y las correspondencias entre las variables y categorías establecidas. vi Entre los principales resultados obtenidos cabe destacar que tras la aplicación del ABP en este curso de Fisiología Animal se favoreció el cambio conceptual y el problema formulado sirvió como conector entre la teoría y la práctica. Además, se observó la fusión de los conocimientos previos con los recién adquiridos, aprendizaje significativo, mejoramiento del nivel de formulación e incremento de la cientificidad de las definiciones; igualmente indujo la solución de problemas y la superación de obstáculos epistemológicos como la pluridisciplinariedad y la no-linearidad. Queda como recomendación el evaluar este método en otros temas de la Fisiología Animal, en otras ciencias, en muestras de mayor tamaño, así como abordar el tema de la evaluación aplicada directamente a este método.

Submitted by Érica Checcucci (erica.checcucci@univasf.edu.br) on 2014-05-03T15:04:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE -final - 17_4.pdf: 5511812 bytes, checksum: 7bf4dece9310718a9ad7f50bcb5dfc7c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Auxiliadora da Silva Lopes (silopes@ufba.br) on 2014-07-25T14:34:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE -final - 17_4.pdf: 5511812 bytes, checksum: 7bf4dece9310718a9ad7f50bcb5dfc7c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-25T14:34:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE -final - 17_4.pdf: 5511812 bytes, checksum: 7bf4dece9310718a9ad7f50bcb5dfc7c (MD5) / UNIVASF - Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco. FAPESB - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia. / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir para a adoção de BIM (Modelagem da Informação da Construção) nos cursos de graduação em Engenharia Civil. Para tal, é feita uma análise sobre o paradigma BIM e sobre experiências nacionais e internacionais de ensino-aprendizagem sobre o tema; são identificadas competências necessárias para se trabalhar com BIM; são investigados que elementos esta modelagem pode trazer para a configuração instrumental e cognitiva do estudante; são apresentados métodos e estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem que se mostram adequados para trabalhar com o contexto BIM. A partir dos estudos efetuados, é desenvolvido um método para identificar interfaces entre o currículo do engenheiro civil e BIM, mapeando momentos da formação do aluno nos quais esta modelagem pode ser discutida e trabalhada. Finalmente, a pesquisa volta-se para investigar a Expressão Gráfica (EG) e cria uma proposta para estruturação desta área dentro de um currículo de engenharia civil que adote o BIM. O trabalho desenvolvido é exploratório, qualitativo, de natureza fenomenológica e utilizou como pressupostos a implicação do pesquisador, o rigor da pesquisa qualitativa e o paradigma da complexidade. Dentre os seus principais resultados, pode ser ressaltado que: (a) a adoção do paradigma BIM demanda a atualização dos cursos de engenharia civil, o que envolve também a formação de docentes para se trabalhar com o tema; (b) experiências de sucesso vem sendo feitas tanto no Brasil como no exterior e mostram que não apenas é possível trabalhar BIM na graduação, como ele tem trazido diversas vantagens para o aprendizado de conteúdos de engenharia e o desenvolvimento cognitivo dos estudantes; (c) é importante planejar a implantação de BIM considerando o contexto específico de cada instituição e curso; (d) cursos que tem entre seus objetivos inserir BIM nos processos de ensino-aprendizagem devem buscar promover um alto grau de integração entre disciplinas e fomentar o trabalho colaborativo entre docentes; (e) para que aconteça um aprendizado integrado e contínuo, deve-se trabalhar BIM em diversos componentes curriculares ao longo do curso; (f) para que a área de EG possa contribuir para a formação do engenheiro civil em BIM, seu escopo deve ser ampliado, incluindo não apenas o desenho (2D) e a modelagem geométrica (3D) mas também abrangendo a compreensão de informações multidimensionais, multimodais e abstratas; (g) esta área pode trabalhar com os alunos uma pequena parte do amplo contexto BIM, no entanto fornecendo insumos para que os estudantes construam uma base sólida a partir da qual possam desenvolver as competências necessárias para trabalhar com esta modelagem, e finalmente, (h) o processo de ensino-aprendizagem de BIM será mais sólido se for continuado durante toda a formação do estudante, iniciando-se logo no seu acesso à universidade e nas disciplinas do núcleo básico. / Abstract: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the adoption of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in undergraduate courses in Civil Engineering. To this end, an analysis of the BIM paradigm and of national and international experiences in teaching and learning of the subject is made; necessary skills to work with BIM are identified, and the elements that this modeling can bring to the student cognition are investigated. Strategies to deploy BIM courses in civil engineering education and methods of teaching and learning that prove suitable to work with BIM context are presented. From the studies conducted, a method is developed to identify interfaces between the Civil Engineer curriculum and BIM, mapping moments of student education in which this modeling can be discussed and worked out. Finally, the research turns to investigate the Graphic Expression and creates a proposal for structuring this area within a civil engineering curriculum that adopts BIM. The work is exploratory, has a phenomenological nature and assumptions of the implication of the researcher, the rigor of qualitative research and the complexity paradigm. Among the main results, it can be noted that: (a) the adoption of BIM paradigm demand updating courses in civil engineering, which also involves the training of teachers for working with the theme; (b) some success experiences have been achieved both in Brazil and abroad and show that BIM can be studied not only in graduation course, but it has also brought several advantages for learning engineering content and cognitive development of students; (c) it is important to create a plan for implementation of BIM, considering the specific context of each institution and course; (d) courses that have among its objectives work with BIM should seek to promote a high degree of integration between disciplines and foster collaborative work among teachers; (e) to make an integrated and continuous learning, BIM should be worked in various curriculum components along the course; (f) for the GE contribute to the formation of the civil engineering in BIM, its scope should be expanded, including not only the (2D) design and (3D) geometric modeling but also encompassing the understanding of multidimensional, multimodal and abstract information; (g) GE can work with students a small part of the wider BIM context, however providing inputs for students to build a solid foundation from which they can develop the necessary skills to work with this modeling; (h) the teaching and learning of BIM will be more solid if they are continued throughout the student's education, starting already after their access to the university and as part of the basic core disciplines. / Resumen: El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a la adopción de BIM (Building Information Modeling) en los cursos de pregrado en Ingeniería Civil. Para ello, se realiza un análisis del paradigma BIM y en las experiencias nacionales e internacionales de enseñanza y aprendizaje sobre el tema; se identifican las habilidades necesarias para trabajar con BIM y cuáles son los elementos que este modelo puede aportar a la configuración instrumental y cognitiva del estudiante; se presentan métodos y estrategias de enseñanza y aprendizaje que resulten adecuados para trabajar con el contexto de BIM. A partir de los estudios realizados, se ha desarrollado un metodo para identificar las interfaces entre el currículo del Ingeniero Civil y BIM y son mapeados momentos la educación de los estudiantes en el que este modelado puede ser discutido. Finalmente, la investigación se dirige a la Expresión Gráfica y crea una propuesta de estructuración de este sector dentro de un plan de estudios de ingeniería civil para adoptar BIM. El trabajo es exploratorio, de naturaleza fenomenológica y utiliza como supuestos la implicación de la investigadora, el rigor de la investigación cualitativa y el paradigma de la complejidad. Entre los principales resultados, se puede observar que: (a) la adopción del paradigma BIM demanda de actualización en los cursos de ingeniería civil, lo que implica también la formación de los docentes para trabajar con el tema; (b) experiencias exitosas se han realizado tanto en Brasil como en el extranjero y demuestran que no sólo es posible trabajar BIM en la graduación, como él ha traído una serie de ventajas para el aprendizaje de la ingeniería y el desarrollo cognitivo de los estudiantes; (c) es importante crear un plan para la implementación de BIM, teniendo en cuenta el contexto específico de cada institución; (d) un curso que tiene entre sus objetivos tratar de BIM debe promover un alto grado de integración entre las disciplinas y el trabajo colaborativo entre los maestros; (e) para que ocurra un aprendizaje integrado y continuo, BIM debería ser trabajado en diversos componentes del plan de estudios a lo largo del curso; (f) de modo que el área de EG pueda contribuir a la formación del ingeniero civil en BIM, su alcance debe ampliarse, incluyendo no sólo el diseño (2D) y modelado geométrico (3D), pero también abarcando la comprensión de la información multidimensional, multimodal y abstracta; (g) la EG puede proporcionar insumos para que los estudiantes puedan construir una base sólida para desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para trabajar con este modelaje; (h) la enseñanza-aprendizaje de BIM será más sólida si se continúa a lo largo de la educación del estudiante, desde su acceso a la universidad y las disciplinas del núcleo básico.

Le but de cette étude était de considérer la possibilité de la mise en œuvre de l’approche d'apprentissage par problèmes (APP), Problem Based Learning (PBL), comme une méthodologie d'enseignement, épistémologiquement solide, pour enseigner l'anglais de spécialité (ASP), en particulier, dans le domaine académique de la médecine, English for Academic Medical Purposes (EAMP). Dans un premier temps, l'étude a examiné si PBL est compatible avec l'enseignement des langues et a cherché à déterminer les avantages que cette méthode peut apporter à l'enseignement de l'ASP. L'étude a également tenté de résoudre des problèmes d'apprentissage en anglais qui ont été identifiés dans les Collèges de Santé de l’Année préparatoire (Branche Féminine) au sein de l'Université de Hail, Arabie Saoudite. Une analyse des besoins a été menée dans l'institution pour mieux identifier ces problèmes d'apprentissage. En conséquence, PBL a été mis en œuvre pour déterminer si cette approche est capable de fournir une solution possible à la question, puisque PBL a été initialement mis en œuvre en médecine pour faire face à des problèmes similaires. Cela a entraîné un changement dans les niveaux macro-méthodologique et micro-méthodologique, comme Demaizière (1996 ; 66) les appelle. Dans la partie empirique, une étude longitudinale a été menée avec 13 étudiantes qui ont été observées dans une période de 8 semaines au cours de cinq PBL tutoriels, qui a eu lieu pendant quinze séances. En général, les résultats étaient en faveur de la mise en œuvre de cette approche dans l'enseignement de l'anglais médical. Ils ont également montré que PBL peut améliorer l'autonomie des apprenants ; leurs permettre de développer des stratégies d'apprentissage ; les aider à exploiter leurs compétences linguistiques ; et d'apprendre le contenu orienté vers leur domaine. / The purpose of this study was to consider the implementation of Problem Based Learning (PBL) as an epistemologically sound teaching methodology to teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and particularly English for Academic Medical Purposes (EAMP). The study examined whether PBL is compatible with language teaching and determined the benefits that this methodology can bring to ESP. The study also attempted to solve problems with English learning that were identified in the Preparatory Year Health Colleges (Female Branch) within Hail University, Saudi Arabia. A needs analysis was conducted in the institution to examine the English learning situation and better identify these learning problems. Then PBL was implemented to determine if it provided a possible solution to the issue. This entailed a change in the macro-methodological and micro-methodological levels, as Demaizière (1996) called ‘le niveau macromethodologique’ and ‘le niveau micromethodologique’ (p.66). In the empirical part of this study, a longitudinal study was conducted with 13 students who were observed through a period of 8 weeks and over five PBL tutorials, which took place over fifteen sessions. During these fifteen sessions, learners’ behaviors or indicators of autonomy were observed at the group level for the first and third session of each PBL tutorial and at the individual level in session 2. In general, the results favored the implementation of this approach in teaching English for Academic Medical Purposes (EAMP). They also showed that PBL can improve learners’ autonomy; enable learners to develop learning strategies; help learners harness their language skills; and learn content oriented to their field.

This work investigated the establishment of the interactive process among the students of a third grade high school class with the adoption of the methodology of problem-based learning (PBL) and its relation in the development of students' scientific and everyday concepts about electrodynamics. The research was carried out at a state public high school in the interior of the state of Sergipe. In order to analyze social interactions, we used Vygotsky's ideas, Wertsch's (1984) constructs, from Monteiro's (2006) perspective, and the (2002) Analytical tool of Mortimer and Scott. Participant observation was used for data collection, which was performed during 11 classes, and a recorder was used to record the conversations of two groups. Field records, evaluation chart, knowledge sheets and tests of the students were also used. The results showed that the PBL allowed the students to formulate and to expose their points of view of the studied contents, which promoted the emergence of interactive chains as a pattern of interaction and to use semiotic resources as mediators for the understanding and development of the concepts. / Este trabalho investigou o estabelecimento do processo interativo entre os alunos de uma turma da terceira série do ensino médio com a adoção da metodologia da Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP) e sua relação no desenvolvimento dos conceitos científicos e cotidianos dos estudantes sobre eletrodinâmica. A pesquisa foi realizada em um colégio público estadual do interior do estado de Sergipe. Para analisar as interações sociais lançamos mão das ideias de Vygotsky, dos constructos de Wertsch (1984), na perspectiva de Monteiro (2006), e da ferramenta analítica de Mortimer e Scott (2002). Utilizou-se a observação participante para a coleta de dados, que foi realizada durante 11 aulas, e se utilizou um gravador para gravar as conversas de dois grupos. Foram utilizados ainda registros de campo, fichas avaliativas, folhas de conhecimentos e provas dos alunos. Os resultados mostraram que a ABP permitiu aos alunos formularem e exporem seus pontos de vista dos conteúdos estudados o que promoveu o surgimento de cadeias interativas como padrão de interação e utilizarem recursos semióticos como mediadores para o entendimento e o desenvolvimento dos conceitos.

Engineering education is both academic, emphasising theory in a range of subjects, and professional, preparing students for engineering practice. Ideally, these aspects are also in a meaningful relationship in the curriculum, but the dual nature ideal is simultaneously a source of tensions. This theme is explored in the context of engineering education development, represented by the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) approach. Cases on programme and course level illustrate how the dual nature ideal is pursued in the integrated curriculum. CDIO is also compared with PBL (problem/project-based learning), and opportunities to further emphasise research in the CDIO community are explored. Two critical accounts suggest widening the perspective from curriculum development per se, to the organisational conditions. First, the views of Carl Richard Söderberg (1895-1979) are compared with CDIO, showing considerable similarities in ideals, arguments, and strategies. This leads to a critique of the swinging pendulum metaphor. Then, experiences of unsustainable change leads to a model called organisational gravity, explaining the stability of programmes and implying two change strategies, with different availability, risks, resource demands, and sustainability of results. Refuting a rationalist view on organisation, an institutional logics perspective is used to analyse the tensions within engineering education. It is suggested that the logics of the academic profession dominates over the logics of the engineering profession, hence favouring “teaching theory” over “teaching professionals”. The integrated curriculum strategy is contingent on educators’ ability to unite theoretical and professional aspects in courses, and on the collegial capacity for coordination. Finally, the CDIO initiative is conceptualised as a field-level driver of institutional innovation, identifying some strategies for legitimacy. / <p>QC 20171108</p>

De svenska miljömålen är framtagna till följd av Agenda 2030 och de globala målen som FN har beslutat om. Miljömålen ska verka som den centrala utgångspunkten i det allmänna arbetet med miljöfrågor i samhället. Giftfri miljö är en av de 16 framtagna miljökvalitetsmål, inom den fysiska planeringen innebär detta främst ett arbete med förorenad mark vid exploatering och stadsomvandling. De senaste årens ökade urbanisering samt viljan att förtäta våra städer, gör att många kommuner omvandlar äldre industriområden och industrihamnar till bostadsområden. Följderna blir att frågor kring föroreningar blir allt vanligare i planeringsprocessen. Arbetet med att farliga ämnen inte ska utgöra något hot mot människors hälsa och miljö kräver ofta ett brett samarbete. Detta sker såväl mellan konsulter, länsstyrelser och statliga förvaltningar, som förvaltningsövergripande inom en kommun. Vägen från politiskt beslut till genomförande i praktiken är lång och det är många parter som ska bidra med sin del under vägens gång. Författaren har i denna uppsats undersökt implementeringsprocessen av miljömålet Giftfri miljö, med ett fokus på förorenad mark. Detta har utförts genom fallstudier av två planeringsprojekt i två olika kommuner, Kilströmskaj i Karlskrona kommun samt kvarteret Kilen i Ronneby kommun. Empirin som har granskats är kommunala antagandehandlingar samt markutredningar utförda av konsultföretag. För att studera empirin har argumentationsanalys använts, för att sedan analysera resultatet och kunskapsöversikten utifrån ett implementeringsteoretiskt perspektiv. Generellt sätt så kan implementeringen av miljömålet Giftfri miljö, utifrån denna fallstudie, anses som en fungerande process men med möjlighet till förbättring. Trots en fungerande implementering så kommer vi, i dagens takt, inte uppnå miljömålet. De huvudsakliga aspekterna som är i behov av bearbetning och förtydligande är prioriteringsordning vid statligt bidrag samt avvägandet mellan sociala, ekologiska och ekonomiska aspekter. Undersökningen visar också på ett behov kring tydligare vägledning för planerare på kommunal nivå.

Problem-based learning (PBL) was developed for use in medical education to incorporate more active, learner-centered instruction. Central to problem-based learning is the problem, which in medical education is usually case a case presentation, revealed in stages to allow learners to form and research learning objectives. The purpose of this study was to identify themes present across the PBL cases, including the patient-centeredness of the cases. Content analysis was used to examine 62 PBL cases that comprised the first and second years' core curriculum at a public medical school. The cases included a patient population similar to the local population, but care was more hospital-centric than would be expected from the actual patterns of medical utilization in the United States. Analyzing along two axes of patient-centeredness, the PBL cases demonstrated a good understanding of the patient (knowing the patient), but other qualities such as shared decision making was not as exemplified. Medical educators can use the results to understand elements that contribute to patient-centeredness and apply the analysis framework to evaluate future cases.

This mixed methods study compared distance and blended undergraduate environmental students at Royal Roads University (RRU) as they participated in online asynchronous PBL case discussion forums as part of an Ecotoxicology course. This study examined the differences between distance and blended teams in their activity, approaches, and levels of critical thinking in an online PBL activity. Critical thinking was evaluated using the cognitive presence indicators of the community of inquiry framework developed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2001). An organization indicator was added to the framework to capture posts that organized the discussion forum layout or the team and the distribution of work. The use of the organization indicator in the thread map analysis revealed that teams adopted one of two approaches to the online PBL activity, either an organic approach or an organizational scaffold approach. An open coding approach to content analysis of the posts was used to develop two coding schemes to capture the use of learning scaffolds and degree of online collaboration respectively. These coding schemes were used to compare scaffolding and collaboration behaviours of distance and blended students during the online PBL activity. The study found that whether teams used the online discussion forums or face-to-face discussion as their primary communication method influenced both the timing and the critical thinking content of the online discussion forums. Student moderators’ choices influenced the structure and approach to the PBL activity, as well as the form of document assembly that was observed in the online discussion forums. The learning scaffolds coding scheme demonstrated that both distance and blended students were reading beyond the assigned reading list. Both distance and blended students appeared to develop skills in identifying information gaps over the progression of the PBL case problems as their observable level of critical thinking remained consistent as the problem scaffolding was faded. Although both environmental and non-environmental work experience may be used to scaffold team learning, they are used differently. Online PBL is a good fit for the Royal Roads University Learning and Teaching Model and may be used to provide some consistency across blended and online course content. / Graduate

The ongoing trend with urban infill often implicates a conflict with urban green areas, which becomes a problem when green areas in cities are declining and when biodiversity is threatened on a global scale. This case study investigates how green areas and existing biological values are prioritized in an area in Malmö where infill is taking place (Översiktsplan för del av Kirseberg). Specifically, planning process and dialogue, on detailed comprehensive planning level, between the municipality and the landowner is analysed and compared with the policy plan for the area. The methods used are semi-structured interviews combining qualitative and quantitative data.The results show that many of the planning policies regarding green areas are prioritized and considered. However, when it comes to preserving existing vegetation and biological values, these policy goals are prioritized lower than the other policies, which leads to postponed conservation measures. Arguments for planning green areas are about structural concerns and attractivity. Municipal planners are concerned about the low amount of green areas and they find that policies and the planning and building act for green areas give a poor support in the planning process.Vague policy goals for green areas make it difficult for planners to balance between the many policy goals they need to consider. Although the actors have common interests and two-sided compromises are done, profit and a high exploitation level are the priorities of the landowner,which leads to fewer green areas. Landownership therefore limits municipal influence to planfor public interests like green areas. Furthermore, the political focus on high exploitation is another reason for this. Insufficient and outdated policies and planning material are also concerns that affects the planning of green areas.Green areas and biological values are not prioritized enough on the detailed comprehensive planning level neither in the policies of the plan, in the planning process nor in other policies. To change this, both planning laws, policies and political will need to prioritize green areas higher. Many studies state that the planning and building act is insufficient for planning green areas that support ecosystem services on private properties. This seems to apply to this case study as well.