This thesis contributes to the quality of engineering education and the accessibility of education worldwide by promoting computer-enhanced teaching and learning. It uses the epistemology of John Dewey (1859-1952) and the action research methodology first advanced by Kurt Lewin (1890-1947). A mixed methods approach that combines qualitative case studies with quantitative research methods is used. In the first of three case studies engineering students working on their final degree projects participated. To elicit interaction, a learning management system (LMS) was used and the students were strongly encouraged to discuss various aspects of their work. The second case focused on the barriers to a wider utilization of educational software in engineering education. The case is delimited to lecturers at the School of Engineering at the University of Borås. The investigation focuses on the lecturers’ reluctance to use educational technology and the slow uptake of new pedagogical methods in engineering education. The third case study covers three subsets of participants. A course intended to improve lecturers handling skills and motivation to utilize educational software in a pedagogically sound manner was given in Cuba, Guatemala and Peru. The first case demonstrated that computer-enhanced collaborative learning can improve the learning experience and performance of engineering students. The second case showed that LMS tools that facilitate traditional methods are used routinely, whereas lecturers often refrain from using features intended to facilitate collaboration and the creation of communities of learners. The third case study investigated the use of a complete course package, with all course material and software contained on the same USB drive (LiveUSB Mediated Education, LUME). It is asserted that LUME can facilitate constructivist pedagogical methods and help overcome the reluctance of lecturers to utilize educational software in a pedagogical sound way.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:36:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6826.pdf: 3739465 bytes, checksum: c1efb6fbc2810749e2b3b7fd37e0b75b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-18 / There are several issues related to the pedagogical use of technologies for the construction of knowledge in the current Brazilian education system. Some pass through large and complex issues, such as the transmission of trend change instruction conducted through blackboard and chalk for a reality involving the use of digital technologies as mediators of this process. In this scenario, the future teacher lacks experience in their formative process, the pedagogical use of technology to be able to incorporate them into their lessons. There are several challenges to this incorporation into the teaching-learning process, since simple computerization of school environment does not guarantee the desired benefits. This study assumes that the pedagogical use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) contributes enhancing, facilitating and encouraging the teaching of Mathematics and should be part of initial and continuing teacher training. So this research has the main objective to analyze, from the point of view of the participants in a formative experience, contributions and limits the insertion of the pedagogical use of technology in teacher training so that they can reflect on and use them as a teaching tool in Basic Education in their future professional activities. The theoretical framework for this teacher training focuses on the use of technology in the initial training of teachers of Mathematics and the pedagogical use of ICT. More specifically, it assumes the Lee Shulman knowledge bases and the TPACK framework (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Technological Knowledge and Pedagogical Content) Koehler and Mishra. Data were produced by 12 undergraduate students who attended a formative experience over the past year students for a Degree in Mathematics. In this experience they had the opportunity to select digital tools and teach specific classes in detail planned for the computer lab. In a later stage, a couple of interns pedagogically used GeoGebra software for teaching quadratic functions for two 1st year of high school classes. Data were obtained through the application of a pool to characterize the subjects and daily researcher and diaries of the participants followed for the practical classes were prepared, as well as interviews from semi-structured pool. The qualitative analysis was organized in a way that links aspects of learning and difficulties that participants had regarding the selection of technologies and their use in simulated classes or basic education, in the computer lab during the supervised training. The results show learnings, indicate potential and limits on the use of technologies and also emphasize the need for experience of undergraduate students in the pedagogical use of ICT so that they feel at ease in using them pedagogically throughout their careers. / No atual sistema de ensino nacional são diversas as questões relativas ao uso pedagógico das tecnologias para a construção do conhecimento. Algumas passam por amplos e complexos temas como a tendência da mudança da transmissão de instruções realizadas por meio de quadro e giz para uma realidade envolvendo a utilização de tecnologias digitais como mediadoras desse processo. Nessa conjuntura, o futuro professor carece vivenciar, em seu processo formativo, o uso pedagógico das tecnologias para ter a possibilidade de incorporá-las a suas aulas. Diversos são os desafios para essa incorporação no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, pois a simples informatização do ambiente escolar não garante os benefícios desejados. Assim, este estudo parte do princípio de que a utilização pedagógica das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) contribui potencializando, facilitando e motivando o ensino de Matemática e deve fazer parte da formação inicial e continuada dos professores. Então esta pesquisa tem o objetivo principal de analisar, na visão dos participantes de uma Experiência Formativa, as contribuições e os limites da inserção do uso pedagógico das tecnologias na formação docente, para que sobre elas possam refletir e utilizá-las como instrumento didático na Educação Básica em sua futura atuação profissional. O referencial teórico para essa formação docente focaliza o uso das tecnologias na formação inicial do professor de Matemática e o uso pedagógico das TIC. Mais especificamente, assume as bases de conhecimento de Lee Shulman e o framework TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge ou Conhecimento Tecnológico e Pedagógico do Conteúdo) de Koehler e Mishra. Os dados analisados foram produzidos por 12 licenciandos que participaram de uma Experiência Formativa ao longo do último ano do Curso de Licenciatura em Matemática, experiência na qual tiveram a oportunidade de selecionar ferramentas digitais e ministrar aulas específicas, detalhadamente planejadas para o laboratório de informática. Em etapa posterior, uma dupla de estagiários utilizou pedagogicamente o software GeoGebra para o ensino de funções quadráticas com duas turmas de 1º ano do Ensino Médio. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de um questionário para a caracterização dos sujeitos e foram elaborados diários do pesquisador e diários dos participantes acompanhados durante as aulas práticas, além da realização de entrevistas a partir de questionário semiestruturado. A análise qualitativa foi organizada em eixos que apontam aspectos da aprendizagem e dificuldades que os participantes tiveram com relação à seleção de tecnologias e a seu uso em aulas simuladas ou na Educação Básica, no laboratório de informática durante o estágio supervisionado. Os resultados apontam aprendizados, indicam potencialidades e limites no uso das tecnologias, e ainda ressaltam a necessidade da vivência dos licenciandos no uso pedagógico das TIC para que se sintam à vontade em utilizá-las pedagogicamente ao longo de suas carreiras.

Many governments across the world have invested a lot of resources in information and communication technology (ICT) development with an aim to enhance teaching and learning using technology in schools. New educational ICT policy issues emerged and new patterns of ICT related practices are observable in education. This initiative has necessitated the development of National ICT Policies that will guide the implementation process in schools. Namibia has adopted the National ICT policy for Education in 2005 and the National ICT Policy Implementation Plan in 2006. Since the adoption no study was done to evaluate the implementation process, especially in rural schools where the teaching has been proven difficult. This study evaluates the implementation of the National ICT Policy for Education in Namibian rural junior secondary schools, especially in science classrooms. The thesis is a mixed methods study, undertaking survey and case studies. The study was conducted in the three educational regions, namely, Ohangwena; Oshana; and Oshikoto in Northern Namibia were 163 schools were sampled. The purpose of the study was to describe how ICT is being implemented in science classrooms and also explore factors that affect ICT implementation in rural schools. The study’s findings indicate that the rural schools in Namibia are in the initial phase of ICT implementation. ICT use and pedagogical use is low due to lack of professional development courses, pedagogical support and lack of ICT related resources. However, the few schools with high pedagogical use of ICT have shown an entrepreneurial leadership style and vision of the science teachers. The relational analysis suggests three main predictors of ICT implementation in rural schools. These findings were confirmed through case studies of successful schools. In addition, the findings were legitimised by the participants of the ICT use conference. The Kennisnet model (2009) was adopted and adapted as a conceptual framework for this study. The Howie model (2002) provided the frame within which the structure of input, process and outcome could be identified. The data was consistent with the adapted Kennisnet model (2009) and added five more constructs namely, entrepreneurial leadership, science curriculum goals, entrepreneurial science teachers’ vision, general use of ICT. The general use of ICT and attitudes of the science teachers influences the pedagogical use of ICT as added to the Howie model (2002). The results of this research suggest ways to improve the pedagogical use of ICT in rural schools; enable policymakers to make informed decision about resource allocation to the rural schools; and on teacher professional development in order to improve the current rural situation regarding ICT use. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted