This study focuses on the use of American Invention Kits from the Smithsonian Institute in conjunction with a 3D printer. In conjunction with a large dataset from a study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this innovative research focuses on the effect the digital fabrication curriculum unit has on gifted and talented students' knowledge and affinity toward the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students from two rural middle schools in north-central Texas (N = 190) took part in this quantitative study; the students were divided among four subgroups: gifted-contrast (n = 12), gifted-treatment (n = 8), nongifted-contrast (n = 76), and nongifted-treatment (n = 94). The surveys utilized include the STEM Semantics Survey, TIMSS-Limited, and a knowledge assessment for the specific curriculum unit focused on the solenoid. The STEM Semantics Survey is divided into five subsets. Thirty-two separate one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were performed across the surveys and subgroups. Statistically significant results were found on four comparisons. This research holds implications in the areas of advocating for gifted education, collecting field data, utilizing large datasets, and understanding rural schools.

After teaching in High school for six years, I was frustrated to see the institutional action on the issue of school violence. The creation of a climate conducive to teaching and learning has become a serious challenge to many educators. Through research, it became clear that enough has not yet been done. Therefore, an empirical investigation into this problem was necessary to determine the nature of violence in order to enhance better understanding of the phenomenon under study. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to the prevalence of violence in rural secondary schools in the Bushbuckridge (Bohlabela) district in Mpumalanga province. This research employed a qualitative research approach to answer the research question. The study aimed to provide an accurate, objective, representative and empirically sound body of data on the extent of violence within schools in the Ximhungwe circuit in Bohlabela district, Mpumalanga. The research design comprised a case study that included focus group interviews with six participants in each group. In addition, I employed participant observation and document analysis. The study focused on four rural secondary schools that were purposefully selected in the Ximhungwe circuit in Bohlabela district, Mpumalanga. Ethical issues were taken into consideration while conducting the sampling and the selection of learners was based on their accounts of frequent violence against learners or teachers, and because they were considered knowledgeable and informative about the phenomenon under study. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-08-22T12:15:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Zilda Gláucia Elias Franco.pdf: 5481301 bytes, checksum: 0d040d8807b6a230694da7ce383ca842 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T12:15:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Zilda Gláucia Elias Franco.pdf: 5481301 bytes, checksum: 0d040d8807b6a230694da7ce383ca842 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-03 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / This thesis, entitled A look at schools located in the Municipality of Humaitá (Southern Amazonas): in search of curricular justice, sought to build collective understandings about curricular practice in dialogue with teachers and managers of schools located in the field and with the managers of the network of the Municipality of Humaitá - Souther Amazonas, in the light of the concept of curricular justice. The study, linked to the Research Line Public Policies and Educational Reforms of the Postgraduate Program in Education: Curriculum of PUC/SP, was elaborated in the context of the research of the Group of Education and Research in Curricular Justice (GEPEJUC) of CNPq-PUC / SP and adopted as theoretical framework the proposal of Field Education from the concepts of Caldart (1997, 2008, 2009), Caldart et al. (2012), Souza (2012, 2016a, 2016b), Freire (1977, 1983, 2001, 2002), Arroyo (1982, 1999a, 2006, 2011, 2012), and curricular justice through the contributions of curriculum scholars (APPLE, 1989, 2017; TORRES SANTOMÉ, 2013; GIMENO SACRISTÁN, 2000; ARROYO, 1999b, 2007, 2011, 2012; PONCE, 2006, 2016, 2018; CONNELL, 1995; ESTÊVÃO, 2002, 2004), which grounded the dialogue with the material collected in the field research. We chose the methodology of participatory investigation in its articulation with education from Thiollent (2011), Chizzotti (2013), Diniz-Pereira and Zeichner (2011), Brandão and Streck (2006) and Brandão (1999). The methodological proposal materialized with the collaboration of the team of the Municipal Education Secretariat of Humaitá-AM, with 186 educators of the Field Education distributed among 58 schools, parents and students. We analyzed documents, semi-structured interviews, action-reflection scheduled moments with educators, and visits to the communities were carried out. We sought to make sensitive listening of the voices of the subjects that constituted the field of research in order to understand the reality. The study identified that the model of education practiced in schools is rural, it offers a curriculum that aims to ‘transport’ the urban context to the field schools, starting with the school calendar to the pedagogical model, which does not know, in its action and proposition, the characteristics and the needs of the communities, as well as of their subjects. In the context of this research, it was possible to understand that the construction of curricular justice is procedural, it is a daily confrontation of contradictions and presupposes the rise of awareness in the educational process. In the case of Humaitá (AM), it can be based on the affirmation of the conception and practice of Field Education, understanding that curricular justice is moving towards overcoming inequalities and respect for diversity. The knowledge produced from the practice of this participatory research aims to contribute to the education of the people from Humaita, in order to value their way of life, their knowledge and their cultural value in the construction of their identity / Esta tese, intitulada Um olhar sobre as escolas localizadas no campo do Município de Humaitá (Sul do Amazonas): em busca da justiça curricular, buscou construir compreensões coletivas sobre a prática curricular no diálogo com professores e gestores das escolas localizadas no campo e com os gestores da rede do Município de Humaitá - Sul do Amazonas, à luz do conceito de justiça curricular. O estudo, vinculado à Linha de Pesquisa Políticas Públicas e Reformas Educacionais do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação: Currículo da PUC/SP, foi elaborado no contexto das pesquisas do Grupo de Educação e Pesquisa em Justiça Curricular (GEPEJUC) do CNPq-PUC/SP e adotou como referencial teórico a proposta de Educação do Campo a partir dos conceitos de Caldart (1997, 2008, 2009), Caldart et al. (2012), Souza (2012, 2016a, 2016b), Freire (1977, 1983, 2001, 2002), Arroyo (1982, 1999a, 2006, 2011, 2012), e da justiça curricular por meio das contribuições dos estudiosos do currículo (APPLE, 1989, 2017; TORRES SANTOMÉ, 2013; GIMENO SACRISTÁN, 2000; ARROYO, 1999b, 2007, 2011, 2012; PONCE, 2006, 2016, 2018; CONNELL, 1995; ESTÊVÃO, 2002, 2004), que fundamentaram o diálogo com o material recolhido na pesquisa de campo. Optou-se pela metodologia da investigação participativa em sua articulação com a educação a partir de Thiollent (2011), Chizzotti (2013), Diniz-Pereira e Zeichner (2011), Brandão e Streck (2006) e Brandão (1999). A proposta metodológica concretizou-se com a parceria da equipe da Secretaria de Educação Municipal de Humaitá - AM, com 186 educadores da Educação do Campo distribuídos entre as 58 escolas, pais e educandos. Foram feitas análises de documentos, entrevistas semiestruturadas, momentos programados com os educadores de reflexão-ação, realização de visitas às comunidades. Buscou-se realizar escutas sensíveis das vozes dos sujeitos que constituíram o campo da pesquisa em busca de compreensão da realidade. O estudo identificou que o modelo de educação praticado nas escolas é rural, oferece um currículo que visa “transportar” o contexto urbano para as escolas do campo, a começar pelo calendário escolar até o modelo pedagógico, que desconhece, em sua ação e proposição, as características e as necessidades das comunidades, assim como a de seus sujeitos. Na tessitura desta pesquisa, pôde-se compreender que a construção da justiça curricular é processual, é enfrentamento cotidiano das contradições e pressupõe a ascensão da conscientização no processo educativo. No caso de Humaitá (AM), poderá dar-se a partir da afirmação da concepção e da prática da Educação do Campo, entendendo que a justiça curricular caminha na direção da superação das desigualdades e do respeito às diversidades. O conhecimento produzido a partir da prática desta pesquisa participativa pretende contribuir com a educação do povo humaitaense, de forma a valorizar seu modo de vida, seus saberes e seu valor cultural na construção da sua identidade

Seeking to fill a gap in the historiography, this study provides a closely-observed but contextualised social history of Scotland’s rural schools from the late nineteenth century through to the end of the twentieth century. Though particularly concerned with the period following the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, consideration is given to earlier developments to ensure a depth of understanding and an appreciation of the subtleties of local experience. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, and combining qualitative and quantitative analysis, the thesis draws together three layers of research: a detailed regional case study of the Highland Perthshire parishes of Fortingall, Kenmore and Killin; a quasi-random sample of sixty-six rural districts from across Scotland; and a national overview. In doing so, it challenges oft-made generalisations about rural life and provides a more nuanced picture of change and continuity in educational policy and practice across Scotland. Focusing in on the relationship between the small rural schools and their communities, the social dimensions of educational provision are explored in depth with special attention being paid to who taught, attended and supported the schools, and how they operated as educational and social spaces. To frame and guide discussion, three core themes – gender, culture and citizenship – are explored throughout and elements of social theory are drawn on to aid analysis and interpretation.

Patriarchal male power is a fundamental issue that explains the reason for gender-based violence (GBV) as well as societies acceptance of it. Social and cultural forces shape behaviour in society. A patriarchal mindset and power relations influence behaviour towards GBV as a means of controlling women in society. These societal norms are reflected in schools, which are supposed to be havens of safety but seem to allow for and perpetuate societal GBV, increasing girls’ risk of being sexually abused at school and making school unsafe sites. Even though extensive intervention and prevention strategies have been legislated and implemented, statistics indicate that the prevalence of GBV and HIV/AIDS have not decreased in adolescents. Policies and strategies are currently still failing to help youth be less vulnerable to GBV. This study worked with adolescents, aiming to place them at the centre of the problem and of the solution, by conducting research in two rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants were grade 9 learners (adolescents) attending these schools, who were given the opportunity to explore problems regarding GBV experienced in their schools and to find possible solutions that they can implement themselves in order to curb or address GBV in their schools. A qualitative approach was used, working in a critical paradigm, allowing the participants to be a voice of change in a socially destructive situation. A purposive sample of 30 learners (boys and girls) provided information-rich data. The methodology used was participatory video, and learners simulated examples of GBV at school as well as solutions to them. The research process of producing the participatory videos was an intervention in itself. Three themes emerged from the findings, indicating that: girls’ bodies are sites for GBV in unsafe schools; men who are stereotypically seen as the protectors of society are in fact the perpetrators of GBV through low-level sexual harassment, intimate partner violence and educator sexual misconduct; and learners have a sound understanding of how to address GBV in school and show agency by clearly indicating their disapproval, reporting misconduct, speaking out about the problem in assembly and forming support groups to provide invaluable assistance to each other. This has implications for dealing with learners’ safety at school, and recommendations are made regarding learners’ safety. These include involving the whole community, and endorsing a “safe school” plan with effective school policies and adequate safety and security measures to protect learners (and, more specifically, girls). In order to address patriarchy, recommendations include supportive educator involvement, guidelines for educator misconduct, school counsellor involvement, appropriate sex education and workshops on appropriate male behaviour. Although learners had a sound understanding of what can be done to address GBV in school, it is also recommended that parents, police and health care providers become more involved and that educational programmes, such as peer education, are incorporated. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 2003.

The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.

Multi-standard classrooms are a distinctive feature of many South African farm schools. This study adopts an ethnographic approach in order to explore how classroom life in one particular Eastern Cape multistandard farm school classroom is shaped by a set of circumstances which influence the nature of teaching and learning in that classroom. The research focuses on the extent to which the difficulties associated with teaching a multi-standard class dictate the teacher's approach to lesson planning and style of teaching and how the resultant pattern of interaction influences language learning within a second language context. Data from a variety of sources, obtained primarily through classroom observations, interviews and questionnaires, is presented. Findings tend to indicate that the demands made on the teachers and pupils in terms of large, multi-standard classes, second language medium of instruction and lack of teaching aids, encourages the use of rote learning techniques which are not conducive to language learning. The pattern of interaction that predominates is a teacher-led series of questions and prompts followed by a chorus response from the pupils. This pattern tends to undermine the communicative aspects of language learning by reducing natural interaction and results in pupil passivity as language learners.

An investigation of learners’ enrolment in Bela-Bela farm schools is a study focused on the challenges encountered by farm schools. These challenges result in the decline of learners’ enrolment. The researcher has put more emphasis on the history of farm schools, legislation and policy, and socio-economic conditions of farm societies. The research method is qualitative in nature and it includes literature study, observations and semi-structured interviews. It has been discovered from the data that families working on the farms migrate a lot, and this result in decline of learners’ enrolment in farm schools. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for improvements to assist in addressing problems faced by farm schools. / Further Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The general aim of this thesis is to illuminate the process of learning as it occurs in formal and informal contexts. The study focuses on South African scholars attending school in rural areas where the contrast between learning in formal and informal learning contexts is more pronounced than that in urban areas. The research draws on rural scholars' local knowledge of formal and informal learning contexts in order to gain a rich insight into how cognition is situated in different learning contexts. This is accomplished through investigating the structure of the respective learning tasks, the mediators involved, the task objectives and the means for achieving these objectives in the different learning contexts. The thesis draws on a socio-cultural approach to the study of cognitive development to probe the activity of learning in a formal and informal learning context. Through the use of a context sensitive methodological methods especially Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and techniques, it was possible to illuminate tacit local knowledge structures and to get participants to actively explicate their understandings related to learning in different contexts The research results illustrate the assertion that the activity of learning is fundamentally situated in the learning context from which it arises. Learning is framed by the community of practice which structures affordances for situated learning, through mediation, within zones of proximal development. Learning in a formal context such as the school is often abstract, rule-based, standardised and theory related. Learners also find it difficult to reflect on the learning tasks and the mediational means used in a formal learning context. In contrast, the learning which takes place in an informal setting is often practical, individualised, flexible and environment based. This learning is structured around everyday activities and is dynamically defined and supported. In a situation where a learner is exposed to dislocated learning contexts, the essential goal of educational initiatives is to bridge the gap between the two. This can be achieved through mediators creating effective zones of proximal development which facilitate the individuals adaptation between learning contexts. Exposing rural scholars' local knowledge of learning in formal and informal contexts allows for a fuller understanding of the cognitive development structured within formal and informal communities of practice. It is this understanding that is necessary to address the situation where learning contexts, drawing on different knowledge bases find ways of thinking, prove challenging and/or conflicting to the scholar.