This study attempts to explore the perceived value of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in training teachers of students with behavioral disorders (E/BD) in Hong Kong. It represents an effort to improve the predominately lecture focussed approach adopted in many preparation programs. Data on the training needs of Hong Kong teachers were also acquired and 31 knowledge/skills areas related to teaching students with E/BD were identified. Subjects viewed the PBL approach as dynamic, interesting and incentive driven. It develops skills involved in group learning, self-directed learning, use of information resources and problem-solving. Most important, teachers felt they were supported to explore the practical problems they personally encountered in the classroom and actions they could take to resolve them. Difficulties in using PBL included a lack of resources and the tendencies of most Chinese students to accept rather than challenge others' ideas.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Educational Studies / (M.Tech. (Inclusive Education))

No description available.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of participation in a sport development programme on the sport skills and self-concept of28 at-risk primary school children from a disadvantaged community. All 28 participants were pre-tested, then received a six-week (12 lesson) intervention programme, after which all children were post-tested. Data collection for the dependent variables was completed using the Latchaw Motor Achievement Test and the Catty Self-Concept Scale. Results of this study revealed that at-risk children realised the following outcomes of participation in a sport skill development programme: • Four of six components of motor achievement improved significantly. • The self-concept of the children did not show a significant improvement. • Three of six components of motor achievement showed a significant correlation with self-concept. Based on the results, it was concluded that participation in a sport skill development programme could not make a significant contribution to the motor development of at-risk primary school children. However more research is needed in this specific area in order to determine how skill development can be implemented to enhance the self-concept of at-risk children. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die invloed van deelname aan 'n sport ontwikkelings program op die sportvaardighede en self-konsep van 28 hoë-risiko laerskool kinders vanuit 'n minderbevoorregte gemeenskap te ondersoek. Al 28 deelnemers was gepretoets en daarna 'n intervensie program van ses weke (12 lesse) gevolg, waarna die kinders weer almal gepost-toets is. Dataversameling vir al die afhanklike veranderlikes is voltooi deur die gebruik van die Latchaw Motoriese toets vir die toetsing van motoriese vaardighdede en die Cratty Selfkonsep toets. Resultate van hierdie studie het aangetoon dat die hoê-risiko kinders die volgende uitkomste met betrekking tot deelname aán die sport ontwikkelings program, behaal het: • Vier van die ses motoriese prestasie komponente het beduidend verbeter • Die selfkonsep van die kinders het nie 'n betekenisvolle verbetering getoon nie. • Drie van die ses motoriese prestasie komponente het 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie getoon met selfkonsep. Gebaseer op hierdie resultate, is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat deelname aan 'n sport vaardigheid ontwikkelings program geen defnitiewe bydrae gelewer het tot die motoriese ontwikkeling van hoë-risiko laerskool kinders nie. Verdere navorsing word benodig in hierdie spesifieke area om vas te stel hoe 'n vaardigheids ontwikkeling program geimplimenteer kan word om selfkonsep van hoë-risiko kinders te verbeter.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There are learners in the South African education system that reside and live within highrisk situations. These high-risk situations impact on the family-, scholastic and community contexts and also the relationship variables existing between these systems. The risk situations in which these learners live, cause and/or on occasion lead to early school exiting, teenage pregnancy, alcohol and substance abuse, the choice of living on the streets, youth misbehaviour and gangsterism. It is therefore important to determine and recognize the environmental contexts in which these learners find themselves to on the one hand reach a better understanding of this phenomenon, and on the other hand to organise effective aid and assistance initiatives. The following can be reported in this regard: Inconclusive evidence exists with respect to the exact nature of the problems, which confront primary school learners from high-risk situations. A shortage of effective strategies exists to support primary school learners from high-risk situations. This research is undertaken from a social constructionist, contextual ecosystemic perspective. The research is founded on a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and is undertaken within the interpretive research paradigm. An encompassing literature review was undertaken during which the following aspects were described and determined, namely: The problems encountered by learners from high risk situations. Recommendations from South African state departments regarding the assistance and support for learners from high-risk situations. Guidelines collected from the literature regarding the assistance and support for learners from high-risk situations. The empirical investigation is aimed at identifying the nature and extent of the prominent problems being experienced by learners from high-risk situations. Guidelines were developed by which learners from high-risk situations can be assisted and supported. These guidelines were developed on the basis of the research results yielded by the empirical investigation and a synthesis derived from literature exploration and the integration of empirical findings. The research focuses on Grade Seven learners from ten selected primary schools in the Boland region. The investigative instruments used during this research were the questionnaire, photo analysis and the focus interview. The research findings have shown that learners are more inclined to leave the school prematurely because of insufficient relationships that exists between the family, the community and the school. An integrated approach between these contexts is therefore essential to develop strategies in order to prevent learners from dropping out of school. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is leerders in die Suid-Afrikaanse onderwyssisteem wat 10 hoë risikoomstandighede woon en leef Hierdie risiko-omstandighede het 'n impak op hulle gesins-, skolastiese en gemeenskapskontekste asook die verhoudingsveranderlikes wat daar tussen hierdie sisteme bestaan. Die risiko-omstandighede waarin hierdie leerders leef, veroorsaak en/of lei soms tot byvoorbeeld voortydige skoolverlating, tienerswangerskappe, drank- en dwelmmisbruik, die keuse van 'n lewe op straat, jeugwangedrag en bendevorming. Dit is van belang om die omgewingskontekste van hierdie leerders te begryp en te verreken om enersyds tot 'n beter begrip van die fenomeen te kom, maar om andersyds effektiewe hulpverleningsinisiatiewe te ontwikkel. Die volgende kan in hierdie verband gemeld word: daar bestaan onvoldoende inligting ten opsigte van die wesenlike aard van die probleme wat leerders uit hoë risiko-omstandighede aan primêre skole ervaar; daar is 'n gebrek aan effektiewe strategieë om leerders uit hoë risiko-omstandighede aan primêre skole te ondersteun. Hierdie navorsing word onderneem vanuit 'n sosiaal-konstruksionisties, kontekstueelekosistemiese perspektief Die navorsing steun op 'n kombinasie van beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metodologiese benaderings en word onderneem vanuit die interpreterende navorsingsparadigma. 'n Omvattende literatuurstudie is onderneem waartydens die volgende aspekte beskryfen beredeneer is: die probleme wat leerders uit hoë risiko-omstandighede ervaar. aanbevelings uit staatsdepartemente in Suid-Afrika oor die ondersteuning van leerders uit hoë risiko-omstandighede. riglyne vanuit die literatuur oor die ondersteuning van leerders uit hoë risikoomstandighede. Die empiriese ondersoek is daarop gemik om die aard en omvang van die prominente probleme wat leerders uit hoë risiko-omstandighede aan primêre skole ervaar te identifiseer. Riglyne waardeur hierdie leerders ondersteun kan word, is ontwikkel. Hierdie riglyne is ontwikkelop grond van die navorsingsresultate van die empiriese ondersoek en 'n sintese vanuit die literatuurverkenning en die integrasie van die empiriese bevindings. Die navorsing fokus op graad sewe-leerders aan tien geselekteerde primêre skole in die Boland-streek. Drie ondersoekinstrumente word tydens hierdie navorsing gebruik, naamlik die vraelys, foto-analise en die fokus-onderhoud. Die navorsingsresultate het getoon dat leerders meer geneig is om die skool voortydig te verlaat as gevolg van gebrekkige verhoudinge tussen die gesin, die gemeenskap en die skool. 'n Geïntegreerde benadering tussen hierdie kontekste is daarom belangrik om strategieë te ontwikkel wat sal verhoed dat leerders die skool voortydig verlaat.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Play therapists use children’s natural symbolic play as a method of mental health treatment (Landreth, 2012). Meta-analysis research has demonstrated the effectiveness of treating children with play therapy (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005), and child-centered play therapy (CCPT) has proven to be an effective treatment for children with externalizing behaviors such as aggression and other disruptive behavior (Bratton & Ray, 2000; Bratton et al., 2005). Some studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of brief and short-term CCPT, such as twice weekly within two to three months (Blanco & Ray, 2011; Shen, 2002) and when delivered in an intensive format, conducting 12 sessions within three weeks (Jones & Landreth, 2002). In this current study, I sought to determine the effectiveness of intensive CCPT with children identified as having externalizing problem behaviors. Participants were recruited from public schools in the urban area of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia area. A total of 24 participants completed the study: 18 boys and 6 girls aged 6 to 9 years old (M = 7); 17 Australian Caucasians, 1 English (UK) Caucasian, 1 Asian, 3 Hispanic/Latino, and 2 Biracial. Participants were randomly assigned: 12 to the experimental group and 12 to the wait-list control group. Children in the experimental group received 20 intensive CCPT sessions: twice daily for 10 days. For each child participant, a parent completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and a teacher completed the CBCL Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) three times: at pretest, posttest, and one-week follow-up. Mixed between-within ANOVAs were conducted applying an alpha level of .05 to interpret statistical significant and η2 calculation to assess practical significance. Follow-up results indicated a statistically significant interaction effect on CBCL Externalizing score, F (2, 44) = 14.747, p < .001, with a large effect size of η2 = .277. Results also indicated a statistically significant interaction effect on the TRF Externalizing score, F (2, 44) = 4.042, p = .024, with a large effect size of η2 = .135. Therefore, both parents and teachers indicated that children with externalizing behaviors who received intensive CCPT showed a significant decrease in those behaviors. The results of this study indicate that when time and financial resources call for short-term, intensive CCPT for children with problematic externalizing behaviors, practitioners may use it with confidence that its effectiveness has been demonstrated through this research.