Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Curriculum and Instruction / Rosemary Talab / The purpose of this study was to investigate teacher practices of enabling factors in the implementation of technology-assisted PBL, in Tatweer schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study also explored how the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Education Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS.T) were used in Tatweer classrooms and for what purposes technology was used to support PBL in the Tatweer schools. Using a constructivist framework, a convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. The survey included closed and open-ended items, which was sent to 1073 male and female Tatweer teachers in 30 schools. Of the 710 responses received, 640 were valid, resulting in a 60% return rate. Factorial MANOVA results indicated that gender and school level were statistically significant at p < .05, while other teacher characteristics (degree types, educational degree, years of teaching experience, and content area), including their interaction, were not. ANOVA results indicated that gender effects on PBL practices were statistically significant on both teacher roles (F (1,403) = 17.77, partial ƞ2 = .042, p < .05) and learning environment (F (1, 403) = 10.83, partial ƞ2 = 026, p < .001). A means comparison indicated that males had better technology-assisted PBL practices on both variables. ANOVA and post hoc test results found that high schools used technology-assisted PBL better than elementary schools, and intermediate schools performed better than elementary schools. No significant difference was found between technology-assisted PBL practices in high schools and intermediate schools within the school system. Descriptive analysis results for research question two indicated that Tatweer school teacher technology uses were aligned with ISTE NETS.T, though there was very little use of technology in PBL. Though 177 units of information were found for the seven open-ended questions, little was related to the research questions, so Grounded Theory was used to find 19 overall themes. Findings indicated several casual conditions for the lack of technology-assisted PBL, including technology access, classroom design, space, and facilities, ministry/district support, and teacher preparation. Action strategies included providing needed technology, offering technology training, providing training in new instructional methods, creating a more flexible curriculum, and adopting advanced teaching methods and authentic assessment. Recommendations for Tatweer schools included a better learning environment, greater professional technology access, and school system support. Recommendations for future studies included conducting a similar study on other schools and a further examination of Grounded Theory findings.

Mit dem Projekt ID4BM wurde eine hochschulübergreifende Lehrkooperation umgesetzt. Es wurden zwei Seminare in allen Phasen – von der Wissensbereitstellung über die Wissensanwendung bis hin zur Bewertung – miteinander verzahnt. Technologische Basis war die Lernplattform OPAL. Verwendete Methoden waren projektbasiertes Lernen, Flipped Classroom, Virtual Classroom, Gruppenarbeit, eTutoring, Gruppencoaching und Peer Review. Dieser Beitrag liefert Einblicke in die Konzeption der Lehrveranstaltung und die Evaluationsergebnisse.

La thèse se concentre sur la recherche de stratégies d'apprentissage dans les lycées vietnamiens quant à la participation aux projets d'apprentissage intégrés à l'enseignement et apprentissage de la science physique dans le cadre d'une éducation au développement durable. Elle développe cinq stratégies principales d'apprentissage dans le cadre d'un scénario de projet de l'exploitation des énergies solaires dans la vie courante, et cela dans trois classes de terminales de différentes écoles. Les résultats de la thèse révèlent de nombreux indices concernant les impacts de l'enseignement par les professeurs sur l'apprentissage de leurs élèves, ainsi que sur les méthodes d'apprentissage mobilisées par les élèves pour la réalisation du projet dans un contexte où ils doivent jumeler ce projet avec leurs cours courants sur la classe. Ces résultats sont analysés et nous aident à proposer des suggestions afin d'améliorer le déploiement des projets intégrés à l'enseignement/apprentissage des disciplines scolaires ainsi qu'à augmenter l'efficacité de l'éducation au développement durable dans le contexte scolaire. / The research focuses on student learning strategies in project based learning in context of sustainability education through secondary physics education in Vietnam. The intervention about a learning scenario for the grade-12 student project on solar energy at three different high schools has resulted in five possible learning strategies. In addition, the research outcome shed light on the relation between how the teacher implemented the project design and student achievements as well as how the student struggled with classroom activities and group-based assignments to fulfill their projects. Based on these results, the application of project based learning is suggested to change for more effective student learning and better sustainability education in the school.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a utilização da Aprendizagem Baseada em Projetos com a aplicação do método PBL (Problem Based Learnig) para estudos extracurriculares no Ensino Fundamental. Os estudos tiveram como base os PCN que prevêem conteúdos básicos de Física nas aulas de Ciências, mas de acordo com o currículo acabam tendo uma parcela menor de desenvolvimento em sala de aula. Partindo deste pressuposto planejou-se aplicar um Projeto que contribuísse sem causar impactos no planejamento do professor. Foram realizadas reuniões de acordo com a sequencia didática para a discussão e definição do Projeto. Quanto aos procedimentos técnicos foi realizada uma Pesquisa-Ação, analisando inicialmente o conhecimento prévio e após o Projeto verificaram-se os conhecimentos adquiridos. Com o auxílio das professoras os alunos verificaram o \"problema\" e organizaram-se em grupos cooperativos para o desafio de construir um carrinho de corrida com material reciclado propulsionado a ar. Sem utilizar água ou qualquer equipamento eletrônico os alunos iniciaram a pesquisa, discussão, coleta e separação dos materiais, sempre com o apoio da família e dos membros dos grupos. Pretendeu-se também responder as perguntas: a Aprendizagem Baseada em Projetos pode complementar o ensino de Ciências nas séries iniciais e contribuir para uma aprendizagem significativa? Dentro dos procedimentos metodológicos, aplicou-se uma Avaliação Diagnóstica Inicial para a análise dos conhecimentos prévios do aluno sobre os conteúdos, Mapa Conceitual e avaliação diagnóstica final para averiguar a evolução dos conhecimentos acerca dos conteúdos de Física e a argumentação científica desenvolvida. Ainda na fase de aplicação aconteceu uma \"corrida final\", na qual os alunos em grupos de seis integrantes participaram, registraram e discutiram os resultados obtidos por todos os grupos participantes. Preocupou-se com a análise e os registros de forma geral utilizando algumas técnicas avaliação, como por exemplo, registros escritos, depoimentos e explicações individuais dos fenômenos observados. Para verificar a evolução da argumentação científica e a construção dos conceitos a partir de hipóteses utilizaram-se os modelos de Toulmin e Lawson. Fez-se um levantamento bibliográfico sobre a literatura atual e de bases teóricas que sustentam as metodologias ativas. / The objective of this work was to verify the use of Project Based Learning with the application of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method for extracurricular studies in Elementary School. The studies were based on PCN (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais) predict basic contents of Physics in science classes, but according to the curriculum they end up having a smaller portion of development in the classroom. Starting from this assumption it was planned to apply a Project that contributed without causing impacts on the teacher\'s planning. Meetings were held according to the didactic sequence for the discussion and definition of the Project. As for the technical procedures, a Research-Action was carried out, initially analyzing the previous knowledge and after the Project verified the acquired knowledge. With the help of the teachers the students verified the \"problem\" and organized themselves in cooperative groups for the challenge of constructing a race car with recycled material propelled by air. Without using water or any electronic equipment, they began the research, discussion, collection and separation of materials, always with the support of the family and the members of the groups. It was also intended to answer the questions: Can Project-Based Learning complement science teaching in the initial grades and contribute to meaningful learning? Within the methodological procedures, an Initial Diagnostic Assessment was applied for the analysis of the student\'s previous knowledge about the contents, Conceptual Map and final diagnostic evaluation to ascertain the evolution of the knowledge about the contents of Physics and the scientific argument developed. Also in the application phase was a \"final race\", in which the students in groups of six members participated, registered and discussed the results obtained by all the participating groups. He worried about analysis and records in general using some evaluation techniques, such as written records, testimonials and individual explanations of the phenomena observed. In order to verify the evolution of the scientific argumentation and the construction of the concepts from hypotheses we used the models of Toulmin and Lawson. A literature review was made on the current literature and on theoretical bases that support the active methodologies.

This theoretical project-based thesis focuses on surface quality of art objects in the field of artwork. The theoretical section provides general insight into the problematics and it also offers concrete examples of artistic and architectural creations where texture serves an important role. It further introduces and elaborates a few instances of art lessons from special didactics focusing on texture utilization in its artistic activities. The project section of the thesis contains seven logically systematized art lessons which utilize various forms of experimental activities dealing with the subject of texture suitable for the primary school children.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a utilização da Aprendizagem Baseada em Projetos com a aplicação do método PBL (Problem Based Learnig) para estudos extracurriculares no Ensino Fundamental. Os estudos tiveram como base os PCN que prevêem conteúdos básicos de Física nas aulas de Ciências, mas de acordo com o currículo acabam tendo uma parcela menor de desenvolvimento em sala de aula. Partindo deste pressuposto planejou-se aplicar um Projeto que contribuísse sem causar impactos no planejamento do professor. Foram realizadas reuniões de acordo com a sequencia didática para a discussão e definição do Projeto. Quanto aos procedimentos técnicos foi realizada uma Pesquisa-Ação, analisando inicialmente o conhecimento prévio e após o Projeto verificaram-se os conhecimentos adquiridos. Com o auxílio das professoras os alunos verificaram o \"problema\" e organizaram-se em grupos cooperativos para o desafio de construir um carrinho de corrida com material reciclado propulsionado a ar. Sem utilizar água ou qualquer equipamento eletrônico os alunos iniciaram a pesquisa, discussão, coleta e separação dos materiais, sempre com o apoio da família e dos membros dos grupos. Pretendeu-se também responder as perguntas: a Aprendizagem Baseada em Projetos pode complementar o ensino de Ciências nas séries iniciais e contribuir para uma aprendizagem significativa? Dentro dos procedimentos metodológicos, aplicou-se uma Avaliação Diagnóstica Inicial para a análise dos conhecimentos prévios do aluno sobre os conteúdos, Mapa Conceitual e avaliação diagnóstica final para averiguar a evolução dos conhecimentos acerca dos conteúdos de Física e a argumentação científica desenvolvida. Ainda na fase de aplicação aconteceu uma \"corrida final\", na qual os alunos em grupos de seis integrantes participaram, registraram e discutiram os resultados obtidos por todos os grupos participantes. Preocupou-se com a análise e os registros de forma geral utilizando algumas técnicas avaliação, como por exemplo, registros escritos, depoimentos e explicações individuais dos fenômenos observados. Para verificar a evolução da argumentação científica e a construção dos conceitos a partir de hipóteses utilizaram-se os modelos de Toulmin e Lawson. Fez-se um levantamento bibliográfico sobre a literatura atual e de bases teóricas que sustentam as metodologias ativas. / The objective of this work was to verify the use of Project Based Learning with the application of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method for extracurricular studies in Elementary School. The studies were based on PCN (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais) predict basic contents of Physics in science classes, but according to the curriculum they end up having a smaller portion of development in the classroom. Starting from this assumption it was planned to apply a Project that contributed without causing impacts on the teacher\'s planning. Meetings were held according to the didactic sequence for the discussion and definition of the Project. As for the technical procedures, a Research-Action was carried out, initially analyzing the previous knowledge and after the Project verified the acquired knowledge. With the help of the teachers the students verified the \"problem\" and organized themselves in cooperative groups for the challenge of constructing a race car with recycled material propelled by air. Without using water or any electronic equipment, they began the research, discussion, collection and separation of materials, always with the support of the family and the members of the groups. It was also intended to answer the questions: Can Project-Based Learning complement science teaching in the initial grades and contribute to meaningful learning? Within the methodological procedures, an Initial Diagnostic Assessment was applied for the analysis of the student\'s previous knowledge about the contents, Conceptual Map and final diagnostic evaluation to ascertain the evolution of the knowledge about the contents of Physics and the scientific argument developed. Also in the application phase was a \"final race\", in which the students in groups of six members participated, registered and discussed the results obtained by all the participating groups. He worried about analysis and records in general using some evaluation techniques, such as written records, testimonials and individual explanations of the phenomena observed. In order to verify the evolution of the scientific argumentation and the construction of the concepts from hypotheses we used the models of Toulmin and Lawson. A literature review was made on the current literature and on theoretical bases that support the active methodologies.

This diploma thesis is focused on technological sights located in the Pilsen region. The selection contains only those technological sights that are suitable for primary schools. The theoretical section introduces terms project and project-based learning. It describes the realization of a project, its advantages and difficulties. It explores extensively the educational theme A human and His World, technology education and technological literacy. The end of the theoretical section deals with the term technological sight and also the characteristics of six selected technological sights in the Pilsen region. The practical section of the thesis involves a field research of technological sights, planning field trips, possibility to join a field trip to a selected project for primary school pupils and in the end also creating worksheets for field trips.

Training Packages form the basis upon which practitioners in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector in Australia develop their pedagogical processes. As workplaces adapt their practices to compete globally, demand for skilled and knowledgeable workers places pressure on institutional training providers such as TAFE to develop training programs that support the acquisition of higher order thinking skills in graduates. Using a competence based framework as a backdrop, the research centres on the notion of the place of Project Based Learning in a Training Package context. The research proposes that learning through projects is an effective means of integrating Training Package outcomes with an instructional model that engages learners in independent, flexible and reflective learning. The research was conducted retrospectively from a case study of an AQF Level 6 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Training Package Program at RMIT University TAFE. An Action Research approach underpins the investigation, resulting in the profiling of teaching, learning and assessment as areas in need of further examination. These defining themes are explored in the context of the Project Based Learning model developed at RMIT, with consideration given to the potential for broader application. The discussion concludes with a theoretical review of the new understandings of pedagogy. The study aims to establish that a constructive alignment exists between the behaviourist approach of Training Packages and the more constructivist theories behind Project Based Learning; rendering it a suitable instructional model that meets the needs of 21st century learners.

The Virtual Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Process Development Project provides the context for the two areas of the research presented in this dissertation. The first area, generally referred to as feedback in this dissertation, focuses on student learning and the interactions of students and instructors that take place in the project, specifically focused on characterizing feedback and determining the influence of feedback as student teams progress towards completing the project. The characteristics of feedback found in this project are presented within a situative perspective using the analytical framework of episodes. The characteristics include: a list and categorization of episode themes, the structure and flow of episodes during the coaching session, the sub-structure present within individual episodes, and the types of feedback present. This dissertation shows how these characteristics frame participation in a community of practice and can be used as tools to scaffold instructor feedback in project-based learning. Episodes analysis is also used to investigate how feedback on professional skills can help to enculturate students into a community of practice and influence their fluency with professional skills and engagement in more technical activities. The second area examines the spread of this innovative project from its home institution to other institutions. In this area an analysis of the spread of the Virtual CVD Process Development Project in the high school setting is presented. The project was found to provide versatility for instructors and afford student learning in the areas of motivation, cognition, and epistemological beliefs. These two areas inform each other. As the project is assessed at different institutions, it is continually improved and the sensitivity of different aspects of the project is explored, e.g., the aspects of the project that are crucial to maintain effectiveness are identified. One of these aspects is the feedback that takes place in the project. As the project is further examined at the home institution in depth, more can be learned about the best ways it can be delivered. This information informs scaffolding that then can be provided to faculty at other institutions such that they can attend to crucial aspects of the project in the most efficient, effective manner, improving not only the probability of successful adaptation, but also the likelihood that the project will further diffuse to other institutions. / Graduation date: 2013

The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate whether seventh grade students&rsquo / conditional and procedural knowledge acquisition in, attitude towards, active learning strategies in, and learning value of geometry improve differentially for students having different cognitive styles in project-based learning and (b) to examine how project-based learning affects them. Participants were 97 seventh-grade students in a private school in Ankara. The students were classified into three groups: Field dependent (N=31), field middle (N=35), and field independent (N=31), based on the raw scores of the participants from the Group Embedded Figures Test. Only one treatment (i.e., project-based learning) was conducted for the study, lasting 30 lesson hours. Pre-test and post-test design for the students having three different cognitive styles was utilized. A mixed methods design integrating both quantitative and qualitative data was used for this study. The data were collected through Conditional and Procedural Knowledge Tests, Active Learning Strategies in and Learning Value of Geometry Questionnaire, Geometry Attitude Scale, interview responses, and classroom observation field notes. The quantitative analyses were carried out by using Mixed Design (one between factor and one within factor) Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The results revealed that there is no significant interaction between time and group. There was a substantial main effect for time and follow up analyses for this effect showed that the students achieved large learning gains for all dependent variables. In addition, the main effect of group was not significant. According to interview responses and classroom observation field notes, those quantitative results were attributable to the influence of contextualizing, visualizing, and collaborating geometry concepts with their peers and teacher during benchmark lessons and developing and sharing artifacts for each of the cognitive style group.