An illuminative evaluation of the final year prosthodontic component of the Oral Health Science curriculum (OHSC 501 Component 1) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa was conducted. This evaluation method was employed to illustrate how an evaluation strategy was used to assess classroom practices following institutional curriculum reform. The aim was to use a qualitative evaluation process to assess the impact of the curriculum change at classroom level and to evaluate how a department had reformed its’ teaching and learning strategies within the hybrid problem based learning curriculum that had been implemented. Additionally, it was to evaluate how this curriculum operated in its own terms. From July through October 2007 small group teaching involving problem based learning, led by two faculty from the department of prosthodontics were observed. Six two hour long small group sessions (equivalent to twelve forty minute lessons), were observed and they revealed a variety of pedagogic strategies utilised. The plan, as outlined in the instructional system was held up against the reality through observations of what happened in the classroom. By and large the findings illustrate that much of what was planned was realised, with the more experienced staff member teaching more or less to the plan. However, from the themes that were inductively derived from analysis of the data, it was clear that integration of content knowledge and critical thinking necessary to assist in the comprehensive management of dental patients was not as robust as would be expected from the students at this level during their training. As part of the objectives of the curriculum innovation instituted, content knowledge integration and critical thinking skills are key to the success of the innovation and employing illuminative evaluation methodology afforded the opportunity to delve deeper into these. This finding illustrates the importance of using qualitative evaluation approaches as a mechanism to assess curriculum change efforts.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-11-29T11:27:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Silveiro Boganha.pdf: 27255074 bytes, checksum: b751b6d90416240c4742e25f947b895d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-29T11:27:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Silveiro Boganha.pdf: 27255074 bytes, checksum: b751b6d90416240c4742e25f947b895d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-05 / In order to promote the formation of active students with an expanded view of health and committed to the transformation of the reality and considering the complexity that characterizes it, it is necessary to introduce new ways to organize and produce knowledge, hitherto represented by disciplinarily, fragmentation of the object and increasing specialization. According to the new pedagogical trends, teaching active methodologies arise, allowing "learning how to learn", focusing on the principles of interactive, critical and reflexive pedagogy. Nutrition technical education also advocates the use of learning active methodologies in its guidelines; however, this is not a daily practice in most technical schools. In face of this reality, this study intends to introduce learning active methodologies (problem-based learning and reflexive portfolio) in the discipline of Clinical Nutrition in a traditional curriculum of a Nutrition and Dietetics technical course. Furthermore, it aimed to highlight the perception of these students about the applied methodologies. For data capture, it was applied surveys with open and closed questions. For the organization of qualitative data, it was used the Collective Subject Discourse (DSC) and the word cloud for visualization of the occurrences of the words found in the students answers. For analysis, it was adopted the Content Analysis (AC) mode Thematic Analysis (AT). There was higher cognitive gain since the learning objectives have been achieved. This parameter is reflected in an increase in the note of the assessments. The discourse analysis shows that in addition to the acceptance of the method, other skills such as working group has also been developed. It is concluded that the use of active learning methodologies enhances student learning and develop the ability to work in teams. / Na busca de favorecer a formação de estudantes com visão ampliada de saúde, ativos e comprometida com a transformação da realidade, considerando a complexidade que a caracteriza, faz-se necessária introduzir novas formas de organizar e produzir o conhecimento, ate então representado pela disciplinar idade, fragmentação do objeto e crescente especialização. Dentro das novas tendências pedag6gicas surgem as metodologias ativas de ensino que possibilitam o aprender a aprender, centrando-se nos princípios da pedagogia interativa, critica e reflexiva. 0 ensino técnico de nutrição também preconiza o uso de metodologias ativas de aprendizagem nas suas diretrizes, porem, esta não e uma pratica cotidiana na maioria das escolas técnicas. Diante dessa realidade pretendeu-se com este estudo introduzir metodologias ativas de aprendizagem (aprendizagem baseada em problemas e portfolio reflexível) na disciplina de Nutrição Clinica, em um currículo tradicional de um curso Técnico em Nutrição e Dietética. Além disso, buscou-se evidenciar a percepção desses estudantes sabre as metodologias aplicadas. Para coleta de dados foram aplicados questionários com questões abertas e fechadas. Na organização dos dados qualitativos, foi utilizado o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) e a nuvem de palavras para visualização da ocorrência das palavras contidas nos discursos dos estudantes. Para analise, foi utilizada a Analise de Conteúdo (AC), modalidade da Analise Temática (AT). Houve maior ganho cognitivo uma vez que os objetivos de aprendizagem foram atingidos. Este parâmetro se reflete em um aumento da nota das avaliac5es. A analise do discurso mostra que além da aceitação do método, outras competências como a de trabalhar em grupo também foi desenvolvida. Conclui-se que o usa de metodologias ativas de aprendizagem potencializa o aprendizado dos estudantes além de desenvolver a capacidade de trabalho em equipe

Este trabalho foi uma pesquisa sobre uma metodologia ativa aplicada a alunos do ensino fundamental, buscando o desenvolvimento das seguintes habilidades: autonomia, iniciativa, interação, comunicação, argumentação, raciocínio lógico, participação, reflexão e criatividade, utilizando como recurso a abordagem transdisciplinar, relacionando o conteúdo matemático do Teorema de Pitágoras, \"Triângulo Retângulo\", aos conteúdos de Arte e História. O trabalho foi realizado em uma escola pública municipal de Ensino Fundamental, envolvendo 52 alunos dos 7º anos e 41 alunos dos 8º anos do Ensino Fundamental de 09 anos. Participaram desse projeto, além dos alunos, os professores de Matemática, Arte e História, titulares e eventuais, assim como os pais desses alunos. A metodologia aplicada nessa pesquisa é conhecida como PBL (Problem Based Learning) sigla inglesa para Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP no Brasil), que tem como princípio didático o trabalho em grupo, focado em desafiar os alunos a buscar estratégias para a solução de uma situação-problema, onde o educador torna-se o agente facilitador da aprendizagem. A proposta do trabalho encontra-se fundamentada na literatura produzida por diversas experiências de pesquisadores que investigaram as raízes da metodologia ABP (sigla escolhida para esse trabalho) e suas implicações no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de alunos no Ensino Superior em diferentes Instituições brasileiras, e em outros países. O processo avaliativo desse trabalho foi elaborado utilizando-se como instrumentos metodológicos, questionários, a técnica de observação participante e uma atividade avaliativa escrita visando a verificação do desenvolvimento das habilidades acima mencionadas, e a aplicabilidade do método ABP nas séries finais do Ensino Fundamental. Concluiu-se que a aplicabilidade da ABP e a transdisciplinaridade são ações possíveis de serem realizadas, pois requerem poucos recursos humanos e materiais, e ainda provocam o interesse do aluno pelas atividades, por serem realizadas em grupos, as quais permitem o compartilhamento de ideias e experiências. / This work was a research on an active methodology applied to elementary students, seeking the development of the following abilities: autonomy, initiative, interaction, communication, argumentation, logical reasoning, participation, reflection and creativity, using as a resource the transdisciplinary approach, relating the mathematical content of the Pythagorean Theorem, \"Rectangle Triangle\", to the contents of Art and History. The work was carried out in a municipal public elementary school, involving 52 students from the 7th year and 41 students from the 8th year of the Elementary School of 09 years. In addition to the students, the teachers participated in this project, as well as the teachers of Mathematics, Art and History, as well as their parents and their parents. The methodology applied in this research is known as Problem Based Learning (PBL) for Problem Based Learning (ABP in Brazil), which has as a didactic principle the group work, focused on challenging students to seek strategies for solving a problem problem-situation, where the educator becomes the facilitator of learning. The proposal of the work is based on the literature produced by several experiences of researchers that investigated the roots of the ABP methodology and its implications in the teachinglearning process of students in Higher Education in different Brazilian institutions. In other countries. The evaluation process of this work was elaborated using as methodological instruments, questionnaires, the participant observation technique and a written evaluation activity aiming at verifying the development of the abovementioned abilities, and the applicability of the ABP method in the final grades of Elementary School. It was concluded that the applicability of PBL and transdisciplinarity are possible actions to be carried out, since they require few human and material resources, and still provoke the student\'s interest in the activities, because they are carried out in groups, which allow the sharing of ideas and experiences.

Orientador: Eduardo José Manzini / Banca: Maria de Lourdes Morales Horoguela / Banca: Ricardo Shoiti Komatsu / Resumo: O presente trabalho constitui um estudo de caso que aborda as versões sobre a implementação e desenvolvimento da aprendizagem baseada em problemas na FAMEMA. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar as concepções de docentes-gestores, docentes-tutores e estudantes da 1ª série do Curso de Medicina sobre essa metodologia no currículo da FAMEMA e sua relação com a formação médica. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada. Três roteiros foram elaborados para cada um dos grupos de participantes. Os roteiros foram analisados por juízes e um estudo piloto foi realizado para adequação desses instrumentos. As entrevistas foram realizadas com dois gestores, doze docentes-tutores e doze estudantes da 1ª série do curso médico da FAMEMA em 2002. O método utilizado para a análise das entrevistas é o da análise de conteúdo temática. Após a elaboração das classes e subclasses temáticas, estas foram avaliadas por dois juízes e o índice de concordância com a pesquisadora foi 94,8% e 97,43%, respectivamente. Foram definidas duas temáticas: A ABP na FAMEMA e a Formação Médica e a ABP. Os resultados indicaram: 1) que, pelas concepções dos sujeitos sobre a ABP, esses a identificam como uma metodologia ativa de ensino-aprendizagem, utilizada em todo o currículo organizado de maneira interdisciplinar e não por disciplina, cujo objetivo é aprender a aprender; 2) que as aprendizagens de conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes ocorrem por meio do estudo de problemas; 3) que a concepção de ensino-aprendizagem dos gestores, de alguns docentes-tutores e poucos estudantes é centrada no estudante e no aprender a aprender; entretanto, para alguns docentes-tutores e estudantes, a concepção é centrada no conteúdo; 4) que a concepção do processo saúde-doença está ampliada às dimensões biológica, psicológica... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present study comprises a case study that deals with the versions about the implementation and development of problem based learning at FAMEMA. The research aim is to analyze the conceptions of the teaching management staff, tutors and students of the 1st year of the Medical Course about that methodology in the curriculum of FAMEMA and its relationship with the medical formation. The data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview. Three question guides were elaborated for each one of the participating groups. The question guides were analyzed by evaluators and a pilot study was carried out for the adequacy of these instruments. The interviews involved two professionals of the teaching management staff, twelve tutors and twelve students of the 1st year of the medical course of FAMEMA in 2002. The method applied for the analysis of the interviews is the one of the thematic content analysis. After the elaboration of the thematic classes and sub-classes, these were appreciated by two evaluators and the concordance rate with the researcher was 94.8% and 97.43%, respectively. Two thematics were defined: PBL at FAMEMA and the Medical Formation and the PBL. The results show: 1) that, by the subjects' conceptions about the PBL, these identify it as an active teaching-learning methodology used in the whole curriculum organized in a interdisciplinary way and not by discipline, whose goal is to learn how to learn; 2) that the knowledge learnings, skills and attitudes, occur by means of problem study; 3) that the conception of the teaching-management staff', of some tutors' and that of some students' teaching-learning, is centered on the student and also, on the learning how to learn; however, for some tutors and students, the conception is centered on the content; 4) that the health-disease process conception is enlarged for the biological... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:31:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Barbara Cristina Oliveira de Campos.pdf: 1528714 bytes, checksum: 251cf690118716c3ac04430c1aa462f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-15 / In order to answer the needs of society and the labor market towards the activities of engineer new training strategies in the engineering education must be adopted. The active methodology has been shown one of the most appropriate to face the challenges that come up in this situation. This work aims to analyze the perception of teachers on the active methodology Problem Based Learning (PBL) adopted in the Biomedical Engineering course at Faculty of Exact Sciences and Technology of Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo since its inception in 2009. This research shows the importance of teacher's training in order to work with the PBL methodology as opposed to the traditional teaching model. In this context we adopt different instruments such as: a questionnaire, literature review and documentary analysis. We aimed to understand how teachers were trained to use active methodology PBL and what implications could be observed adopting this methodological model. The survey results show that teachers believe that PBL provides grant for teaching, with respect to tutor/student relations, teamwork and being possible to graduate an engineer with skills and competences to solve real problems beyond having an integrated vision of all knowledge areas. Another fact shows that the teacher's training in order to work with the implementation of PBL methodology must be continuous and seen as an essential factor in the success of this innovative curriculum's implementation / As necessidades da sociedade e do mercado de trabalho para com as atividades dos engenheiros fazem com que novas estratégias de formação profissional devam ser adotadas. A metodologia ativa tem se mostrado uma das mais adequadas para o atendimento dos desafios interpostos nesta situação. Este trabalho tem por objetivo fazer uma análise da percepção dos docentes sobre a metodologia ativa Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP) adotada no curso de Engenharia Biomédica da PUC-SP na Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia (FCET) desde seu início, no ano de 2009. Esta pesquisa mostra a importância da capacitação/formação dos docentes que atuam dentro desta metodologia em contraponto ao modelo de ensino tradicional. Neste contexto utilizamos os diferentes instrumentos: questionário, revisão bibliográfica e análise documental. O objetivo é compreender como os docentes foram formados para utilizar a metodologia ativa ABP e quais as implicações que se podem observar dentro desta concepção metodológica. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram que os docentes acreditam que a metodologia ABP fornece subsídios para a prática docente, para a relação tutor/aluno, para o trabalho em equipe e a possibilidade de formar um engenheiro com habilidades e competências para a resolução de problemas reais e com uma visão integrada de todas as áreas do conhecimento. Outro dado revelador é que a formação docente dos profissionais envolvidos com a implementação da metodologia ABP deve ser contínua e vista como um fator essencial para que se obtenha êxito na implementação desta proposta curricular inovadora

Adopting a Socio-Constructivist theoretical framework, this study investigated the French language discourse produced by a focal group of five intermediate learners of French while immersed in a virtual learning environment (VLE) and engaged in a problem-based activity. Adopting a mixed methods approach, this study analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data to examine the second language (L2) negotiation and co-construction of meaning process in this group's discourse; as well, it investigated these learners' emerging L2 critical thinking, problem solving, and technology literacy skills. Results indicated that the discourse produced by these students was significantly impacted by the problem-based activity itself, and characterized by a progressive trend towards higher levels of L2 critical thinking, with sustained episodes of negotiation and co-construction of meaning. Most notably, the discourse analysis indicated that it was during the consensus-building phase of the problem-based activity that most instances of higher level critical thinking occurred. Moreover, the 3-D representation of learners (as avatars) and space, as well as the immediacy of synchronous chat-based interactions in the VLE had a positive social, motivational, and linguistic impact on this process. These results lend support to the claim that VLEs, with an underlying problem-based and consensus-building component, provide optimal learning opportunities for learners to develop L2 critical thinking and problem solving abilities. Discussion is offered about the benefits of a mixed methods approach to research, as well as about the reliability and validity of Hull & Saxon's (2009) Interaction Analysis model for L2 discourse analysis. Implications for the L2 classroom as well as for future research on L2 negotiation of meaning are also provided.

Epistemic beliefs are individuals’ beliefs about the nature of knowledge, how knowledge is constructed, and how knowledge can be justified. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to examine: (a) middle and high school students’ self-reported epistemic beliefs (quantitative) and epistemic beliefs revealed from practice (qualitative) during a problem-based, scientific inquiry unit, (b) How do middle and high school students’ epistemic beliefs contribute to the construction of students’ problem solving processes, and (c) how and why do students’ epistemic beliefs change by engaging in PBL. Twenty-one middle and high school students participated in a summer science class to investigate local water quality in a 2-week long problem-based learning (PBL) unit. The students worked in small groups to conduct water quality tests at in their local watershed and visited several stakeholders for their investigation. Pretest and posttest versions of the Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire were conducted to assess students’ self-reported epistemic beliefs before and after the unit. I videotaped and interviewed three groups of students during the unit and conducted discourse analysis to examine their epistemic beliefs revealed from scientific inquiry activities and triangulate with their self-reported data. There are three main findings from this study. First, students in this study selfreported relatively sophisticated epistemic beliefs on the pretest. However, the comparison between their self-reported beliefs and beliefs revealed from practice indicated that some students were able to apply sophisticated beliefs during the unit while others failed to do so. The inconsistency between these two types of epistemic beliefs may due to students’ inadequate cognitive ability, low validity of self-report measure, and the influence of contextual factors. Second, qualitative analysis indicated that students’ epistemic beliefs of the nature of knowing influenced their problem solving processes and construction of arguments during their inquiry activities. Students with more sophisticated epistemic beliefs acquired knowledge, presented solid evidence, and used it to support their claims more effectively than their peers. Third, students’ self-reported epistemic beliefs became significantly more sophisticated by engaging in PBL. Findings from this study can potentially help researchers to better understand the relation between students’ epistemic beliefs and their scientific inquiry practice.

The purpose of implementing educational reform is to improve the academic achievement and social skills of graduating students, but evaluating the benefits of a particular instructional method or curriculum design can be complicated. In an online and problem-based learning environment that allows students to choose content and assessment projects and self-pace, the motivation of students to learn and their engagement in the learning process significantly influences the success of the program. This generic qualitative study focused on the experiences of middle school students participating in an online and problem-based educational setting. The study included interview data and self-evaluation questionnaires about students' levels of motivation and engagement. Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD), Bandura's theory of self-efficacy, Dewey's experiential learning theory and other motivational theories provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study of personalizing learning in constructivist environments. The data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis with constant comparison. The findings highlighted the student perspective and identified factors that influenced students' buy-in to this type of personalized education. The results from this study may be used to help teachers plan and design curriculum and instructional strategies that encourage student motivation to learn and engagement in the learning process. Students who are motivated to learn and engaged in the learning process are more likely to graduate from school with the knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce and become productive knowledge workers in a knowledge economy.

The large influx of international students to universities of the developed world, the increased use of Problem-Based method of teaching and learning in the field of Health Education and growing awareness of the need to accommodate varying learning styles in any classroom are the three factors that influenced this research. This study was designed to investigate the effect of learning styles and demographic differences on performance in Biology when taught using two different methods of teaching. One was the teacher-directed Traditional Teaching and Learning (TTL) and the other was the student-centred Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The preferred learning styles of all Foundation Studies (FS) Biology students over four academic years at RMIT were determined using the Paragon Learning Style Inventory (PLSI). These students were taught two selected topics in Biology by the researcher using the two different methods and their performance assessed by a written test at the end of each topic. Two instruments were developed to assess student participation in PBL. The first instrument Students' Participation in Group Discussions (SPGD) rating scale was designed for teacher evaluation of student participation in PBL group discussions while the second instrument the Student Self Evaluation (SSE) rating scale was for self-evaluation by stud ents. Individual interviews provided students' views and opinions about their learning styles and the two teaching methods. The analysis of data was predominantly conducted by quantitative methods, supported by qualitative analysis of the interview data. Effect size analyses were used to investigate differences in performance under the two teaching methods on the basis of demographic and learning style differences. Further probes were conducted to elicit any interactions among the demographic variables and the learning style traits in their effect on performance under the two teaching methods and a quantitative measure for interaction was derived using effect sizes. While results confirmed some of the trends displayed by learning style traits in other disciplines, a number of interactions among variables were found to affect performance in Biology as well as performance under the two teaching methods. Gender, age, prior qualification and the language of instruction of prior education had various levels of interactions with the introvert/extrovert, intuitive/sensing, thinking/feeling and perceiving/judging learning traits and affected performance in Biology to varying extents. However, it was found that international students from diverse backgrounds were able to cope with both methods of teaching though there was a definite preference expressed for the traditional teacher directed method. The conclusions from this study have resulted in a number of recommendations for Biology educators, FS administrators, authors and all practitioners of PBL. Several suggestions have opened new avenues for future research. These recommendations for pedagogy and suggestions for future research can improve the outcomes of Biology education as well as other disciplines in related fields. As a consequence of this study two new instruments have been developed to assess student participation in the group discussions of PBL. These could prove to be valuable assessment tools for practitioners of this methodology.

<p><p>I dagens grundskola ställs en mängd olika krav på elever och på de kunskaper som bör besittas. Det beror på att skolan har till uppgift att förbereda eleverna inför det föränderliga samhälle vi lever i. För att kunna göra detta krävs att de är aktiva och delaktiga i den undervisning som rör dem och för att öka denna delaktighet finns en mängd olika arbetsmodeller som alla handlar om att förbättra elevers aktivitet. Bland dessa finns en modell som kallas problembaserat lärande och förkortas PBL.</p><p>Syftet med det här examensarbetet är att undersöka om, och i så fall hur ett problembaserat lärande kan användas i grundskolans tidigare år som en elevaktiv undervisningsmodell. Anledningen till att detta ämne och syfte valts är för att merparten av den forskning som finns som rör PBL fokuserar på högre studier medan de lägre undervisningsnivåerna har undersökts relativt lite. I ett försök att minska kunskapsglappet har denna undersökning syftat till att påvisa hur lärare arbetar och tidigare har arbetat med problembaserat lärande i grundskolans tidigare år.</p><p>Denna undersökning har genomförts med hjälp av kvalitativt inriktade interjuver vilka resulterade i slutsatserna att det är möjligt att arbeta med PBL som en elevaktiv undervisningsmodell i grundskolan och dess tidigare år samt att eleverna tycks bli mer aktiva och delaktiga. Det är grundat på resultatet av undersökningen där några av personerna som deltog ansåg sig arbeta eller tidigare ha arbetat med problembaserat lärande och gjort detta på ett tillfredsställande sätt. Dessutom tycktes eleverna, enligt undersökningspersonerna, bli mer aktiva och delaktiga än i traditionell undervisning.</p><p> </p></p>