I det sociokulturella perspektivet som vi har utgått ifrån är synsättet på lärandet att det utvecklas i sociala sammanhang där kommunikation är en central del. Lärandet sker i samspel mellan individer där en genom stöttning och vägledning utvecklar nuvarande kunskaper. I detta arbete har vi beskrivit arbetsmetoder som lärare använder sig av i sin undervisning för att främja kommunikationen i klassrummet. Eftersom kommunikation är en central del i det sociokulturella perspektivet blir detta en lämplig teori att utgå ifrån. Motivation och språkligt självförtroende är grundpelare för att främja kommunikativ interaktion i undervisningen. Dessa komponenter är av betydelse för att lära ett nytt språk eftersom kommunikation gynnar andraspråksinlärning, där målet är att kunna tala det nya språket. I arbetet intervjuades fem lärare där det framkom att komponenter som motivation, språkligt självförtroende och val av arbetssätt är alla centrala för att främja kommunikation. Enligt lärarna är par- och grupparbete nödvändigt eftersom elever lär sig ett nytt språk genom interaktion. / The sociocultural perspective, this essay theory, approach of learning is that it develops in social contexts where communication is a central part. Learning takes place in interaction between individuals where, through support and guiding, one develops current knowledge. In this essay, we have described methods that teachers use in their teaching to encourage communication in the classroom. Because communication is a central part of the sociocultural perspective, it is therefore an appropriate theory to use. When establishing communicative interaction, motivation and linguistic self-confidence are among the pillars. These components are important when learning a new language because communication favors language learning, where the goal is to be able to speak the new language. In this essay, we interviewed five teachers where it emerged that components such as motivation, linguistic self-confidence and choice of methods are all central parts to encourage communication. According to the teachers, pair-and group work is necessary for students because in order to learn a new language, you need to interact.

Thesis advisor: Diana Pullin / Parents are the primary educators of their children and the consistent teachers throughout their lives. However, with raised expectations through curriculum state standards and high stakes testing for students, teachers and schools, families are being left behind. A particular turning point in students' education is during the middle school years when intellectual, character, social and emotional transitions occur and habits are formed. Therefore, this qualitative, single case study uses data sources of interviews, observations and artifacts to determine the appropriate role of parents at the middle school level as perceived by administrators, teachers with administrative duties, teachers and parents. Additionally, this research sought to determine the unique factors that impede more effective partnerships between home and school and analyze the current situation using the sociocultural theory to determine if beliefs and values match the social structures in place at this particular school and provide implications for practice. Findings reveal the parent role is defined by consistent communication between home and school for unified adult expectations. Unique factors impeding parent participation at this level are based on this particular age of the students. Using sociocultural theory, it is evident that the school community culture prevails over individual beliefs and is impeded by two underlying sub cultures of rationalizations and assumptions, which allow participation to remain infrequent. There are additional overarching issues discussed that go beyond sociocultural theory. Finally, recommendations for practice are made for this particular school and the middle school level. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo explicitar como o trabalho com o blog, utilizando outras ferramentas tecnológicas como o e-mail, Google Docs, HQ digital online podem auxiliar aos alunos produzirem atividades na disciplina de Ciências do Ensino Fundamental do ciclo II, com a temática da sexualidade. As atividades buscaram estimular habilidades como reflexão, autonomia, pesquisa, raciocínio lógico, trabalhar de modo cooperativo e ler e escrever utilizando diferentes gêneros textuais. Busca ainda contemplar a participação ativa destes alunos na construção do seu aprendizado por meio das ferramentas tecnológicas citadas anteriormente. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho buscou-se abordar fundamentos teóricos socioculturais como os dos pesquisadores Vygostky (formação de conceitos espontâneos e científicos, zona de desenvolvimento proximal, funções psicológicas superiores e mediação simbólica), Bakhtin (enunciação, gêneros discursivos e polifonia) e Wertsch (teoria da ação mediada, ferramentas culturais, domínio e apropriação de conhecimentos). Para a elaboração da estrutura física do blog buscou-se apoiar na concepção de trabalho por projetos (desenvolvendo-se o tema da sexualidade) e na metodologia WebQuest (utilizando-se alguns elmentos da mesma como: pesquisa na internet, desenvolvimento de tarefas, divulgação das atividades realizadas pelos alunos, passo a passo de atividades). Conceitua e aborda historicamente as TIC e blogs na educação e no ensino de Ciências. Relaciona as TIC com o ensino de Ciências e a legislação educacional. Apresenta outras ferramentas tecnológicas que podem ser associadas ao uso do blog como: Windows Movie Maker, Youtube, Gmail, Google Docs, HQ digital online. O presente trabalho mostra como foi todo o processo de desenvolvimento de um blog (com o nome Aprender Ciências Sexualidade) feito por uma professora da rede pública em uma escola na cidade de São Paulo, mostrando como a mesma aplicou o uso deste blog com um grupo de alunos de uma 7ª série (8º ano, no atual ensino de 9 anos) e quais foram as principais atividades desenvolvidas por estes. A elaboração das orientações das atividades feitas pela professora para os alunos pode ser visualizada por meio de postagens e links no blog e as atividades realizadas pelos alunos por meio das postagens e links contidos nestas, também no blog. Esta pesquisa busca relacionar, analisar e discutir a elaboração do blog produzido pela professora e o uso do blog realizado por este grupo de alunos a partir dos pressupostos teóricos apontados anteriormente: teorias socioculturais, concepção de trabalho por projetos e metodologia WebQuest. / This dissertation aims to explain how the work with the blog, using other technology tools such as email, Google Docs, Digital HQ can help students produce activities in the discipline of Natural Science at Elementary School II with the theme of sexuality. The activities sought to encourage skills such as reflection, autonomy, research, logical reasoning, working cooperatively and to read and write using different text genres. Search still see the active participation of students in shaping their learning these technological tools mentioned above. For the development of the work sought to address theoretical foundations of sociocultural researchers as Vygotsky (formation of spontaneous and scientific concepts, zone of proximal development, higher psychological functions and symbolic mediation), Bakhtin (enunciation, genres and polyphony) and Wertsch (theory of action mediated, cultural tools, mastery and appropriation of knowledge). In developing the physical structure of the blog was sought to support the design work for projects (developing the theme of sexuality) and methodology WebQuest (using some elements the same as Web search, job development, dissemination activities performed by the students, step by step activities). Conceptualizes and discusses historically and blogs on ICT in education and science teaching. ICT relates to the teaching of science and education legislation. There are other technological tools that can be associated with the use of the blog as Windows Movie Maker, Youtube, Gmail, Google Docs and Digital HQ. This paper shows how the whole process of developing a blog (with the name \"Learning Sciences - Sexuality\") made by a teacher in a public school in São Paulo city, showing how it applied the use of this blog with a group of students from a 7th grade (thirteen and fourteen old) and what were the main activities developed by them. The preparation of guidelines for activities done by the teacher for students can be viewed through the blog posts and links, and activities undertaken by students through the posts and links contained in these, also on the blog. This research seeks to relate, analyze and discuss the preparation of the blog produced by the teacher and the use of the blog done by this group of students from the theoretical assumptions outlined earlier, sociocultural theories, design work for projects and methodology WebQuest.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar os argumentos apresentados por Bloor a favor de uma sociologia da matemática. Nesta perspectiva, cabe identificar no contexto sociocultural os aspectos imanentes e transcendentes que relacionam os objetos que constituem o conhecimento matemático com as práticas sociais. Investiremos, num primeiro momento, na leitura crítica dos três últimos capítulos do livro Knowledge and Social Imagery de David Bloor. O livro se propõe a uma investigação da natureza e conteúdo do conhecimento científico através do chamado programa forte em sociologia. Pretende-se confrontar as hipóteses e os argumentos dos autores que participam do debate e ao final apresentar alguma contribuição para a Filosofia da Educação Matemática. Um ponto que considero relevante tratar nesse trabalho é a orientação relativista sugerida pela proposta de Bloor, alvo das críticas mais pungentes. O caminho (método) que melhor se adequa a essa nossa intenção é a discussão crítica entre os autores, fundamentada apenas em fontes bibliográficas. Não é fruto de uma pesquisa empírica, mas de um exercício de reflexão de cunho teórico. Temos alguns indícios da possível relação da matemática com as questões socioculturais: o fenômeno da difusão cultural, a existência de certas práticas universais tais como contar, medir, jogar, localizar, etc, a concepção de que certos imperativos universais da matemática são constituídos a partir de formas de vida que participam de um jogo de linguagem, etc.. Seja qual for a explicação que relacione a matemática com as questões socioculturais, há conceitos que ultrapassam a simples determinação social. Nosso trabalho demonstra que esses conceitos existem, e embora divirjam da posição de David Bloor, não impossibilitam a existência de uma sociologia da matemática. / The purpose of this work is to make an analysis about the arguments in favour of a mathematics sociology. In order to reach this aim, it is necessary to identify the immanent and transcendent aspects in the cultural social context which make a relationship of the objects that form mathematical knowledge with social practices. Firstly, we are going to make a critical reading of three last chapters of \"Knowledge and Social Imagery\" by David Bloor. This book aims to investigate nature and contents of scientific knowledge by the so called Strong Program in Sociology whose principles include causality, impartiality, symmetry and reflexivity. The last three chapters are destined to mathematics. Secondly, we will make a confrontation between the hypothesis and the authors\' arguments in favour and against Bloor\'s outlook. Eventually, we will present some contributions to Mathematical Education Philosophy. Therefore, the way (method) that better suits to our purpose is the critical discussion among authors, based on bibliographical sources only. This is not result of empirical research, but a theoretical character reflexion. There are some elements of possible relationship between mathematics and cultural and social aspects: the cultural diffusion phenomenon, certain universal practices such as counting, measuring, playing, searching, etc, the understanding that certain universal mathematical imperatives are formed from living forms that participate in a language game, etc.. Whatever is the explanation that makes a relationship between mathematics and social cultural questions, there are concepts go beyond any social determination. Our task is to demonstrate that such concepts exists, and although they differ from David Bloor´s outlook, they do not make impossible the existence of a mathematics sociology.

This qualitative case study, set within the sociocultural field of education, examined how intervention music lessons over the duration of one school year may have shaped the development of two seven and eight year old children presenting with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The students in the context of this research were selected from mainstream classes due to the emotional and behavioural difficulties they had exhibited. Through analysis of field notes, student iPad diaries and formal and informal interviews, an exploration into the impact of active and collaborative music learning and teaching on the social, emotional and behavioural learning of these students took place. The music learning and teaching was based around Eun’s (2010, p.405) socioculturally informed instructional model, which offers eight interrelated principles for instruction, namely that they should be: mediated; discursive; collaborative; responsive; contextualized; activity-orientated; developmental; and integrated. In examining the social and emotional development of these children during the music lessons, the emergent findings suggested that the intervention classes positively benefitted the children’s development in three main thematic areas, namely in personal competence, task competence and social competence. Although both children responded to the intervention music lessons in strikingly different ways, key findings highlighted substantial increases for both children in their self-esteem, possibly due to their success and achievements in music. The second pertinent finding was that the duration of the intervention programme itself was an important factor, with substantial increases being made in their affective development by the late research phase. Overall, this study highlighted the prominence of achievement in student’s affective development and I suggest that utilizing music as a vehicle for accomplishment for children presenting with SEBD, is a potentially powerful and influential resource.

Neste trabalho relata-se a produção de um conjunto de oficinas, com foco na formação continuada de professores, mas também com o objetivo de atingir leigos interessados no assunto: Gravitação Universal. As oficinas foram ministradas como parte do OEI – Observatório Educativo Itinerante, em cinco módulos distintos mas relacionados. As atividades foram elaboradas à luz das ideias de Lev Vygotsky, sob uma perspectiva sociocultural da construção do conhecimento. O foco das atividades reside na evidenciação de processos de construção dos modelos explicativos para os movimentos do Sistema Solar e as interações gravitacionais entre os principais astros. As reflexões decorrentes da aplicação das atividades aponta: (1) que o material é versátil e utilizável em diferentes contextos; (2) os assuntos abordados em especial nos módulos 1 e 2, devido a sua complexidade conceitual, exigem mais tempo do que o inicialmente previsto; (3) as atividades podem ser extraídas do contexto da produção e utilizadas independentemente, desde haja uma contextualização inicial, (4) um diferencial em relação a outras produções similares, é que contém discussões detalhadas sobre o que se pode esperar como resultados e por quê, visando a auxiliar professores com lacunas em sua formação; e (5) a utilização do referencial mostrou-se adequada e produtiva, pois propiciou reflexões e identificação de caminhos explicativos tanto na elaboração do material quanto na análise das concepções dos participantes. / This study is about the production of a set of workshops focusing on Continuing Education for teachers and aiming to achieve general people who are interested in Universal Gravitation. Workshops were carried out as part of the Itinerant Educational Observatory (OEI) in five distinct sections which were related to each other. Activities were formulated based on Lev Vygotsky’s ideas through a sociocultural perspective of knowledge construction. The focus of activities is the disclosure of construction processes of explanatory models for the solar system motions and the gravitational interaction among main stars. Reflections resulting from the implementation of activities show that (1) material is versatile and useful in different contexts; (2) subjects addressed - mainly in modules 1 and 2 - require more time than the originally planned due to notion complexity; (3) activities can be extracted from production context and used independently since there is initial contextualization; (4) divergence regarding other similar productions is that they contain detailed discussions on why and what can be expected as results attempting to help teachers with educational gaps; and (5) references proved to be satisfactory and productive since they led to reflection and explanatory path identification in both preparation of material and analysis of participants’ conceptions.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo explicitar como o trabalho com o blog, utilizando outras ferramentas tecnológicas como o e-mail, Google Docs, HQ digital online podem auxiliar aos alunos produzirem atividades na disciplina de Ciências do Ensino Fundamental do ciclo II, com a temática da sexualidade. As atividades buscaram estimular habilidades como reflexão, autonomia, pesquisa, raciocínio lógico, trabalhar de modo cooperativo e ler e escrever utilizando diferentes gêneros textuais. Busca ainda contemplar a participação ativa destes alunos na construção do seu aprendizado por meio das ferramentas tecnológicas citadas anteriormente. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho buscou-se abordar fundamentos teóricos socioculturais como os dos pesquisadores Vygostky (formação de conceitos espontâneos e científicos, zona de desenvolvimento proximal, funções psicológicas superiores e mediação simbólica), Bakhtin (enunciação, gêneros discursivos e polifonia) e Wertsch (teoria da ação mediada, ferramentas culturais, domínio e apropriação de conhecimentos). Para a elaboração da estrutura física do blog buscou-se apoiar na concepção de trabalho por projetos (desenvolvendo-se o tema da sexualidade) e na metodologia WebQuest (utilizando-se alguns elmentos da mesma como: pesquisa na internet, desenvolvimento de tarefas, divulgação das atividades realizadas pelos alunos, passo a passo de atividades). Conceitua e aborda historicamente as TIC e blogs na educação e no ensino de Ciências. Relaciona as TIC com o ensino de Ciências e a legislação educacional. Apresenta outras ferramentas tecnológicas que podem ser associadas ao uso do blog como: Windows Movie Maker, Youtube, Gmail, Google Docs, HQ digital online. O presente trabalho mostra como foi todo o processo de desenvolvimento de um blog (com o nome Aprender Ciências Sexualidade) feito por uma professora da rede pública em uma escola na cidade de São Paulo, mostrando como a mesma aplicou o uso deste blog com um grupo de alunos de uma 7ª série (8º ano, no atual ensino de 9 anos) e quais foram as principais atividades desenvolvidas por estes. A elaboração das orientações das atividades feitas pela professora para os alunos pode ser visualizada por meio de postagens e links no blog e as atividades realizadas pelos alunos por meio das postagens e links contidos nestas, também no blog. Esta pesquisa busca relacionar, analisar e discutir a elaboração do blog produzido pela professora e o uso do blog realizado por este grupo de alunos a partir dos pressupostos teóricos apontados anteriormente: teorias socioculturais, concepção de trabalho por projetos e metodologia WebQuest. / This dissertation aims to explain how the work with the blog, using other technology tools such as email, Google Docs, Digital HQ can help students produce activities in the discipline of Natural Science at Elementary School II with the theme of sexuality. The activities sought to encourage skills such as reflection, autonomy, research, logical reasoning, working cooperatively and to read and write using different text genres. Search still see the active participation of students in shaping their learning these technological tools mentioned above. For the development of the work sought to address theoretical foundations of sociocultural researchers as Vygotsky (formation of spontaneous and scientific concepts, zone of proximal development, higher psychological functions and symbolic mediation), Bakhtin (enunciation, genres and polyphony) and Wertsch (theory of action mediated, cultural tools, mastery and appropriation of knowledge). In developing the physical structure of the blog was sought to support the design work for projects (developing the theme of sexuality) and methodology WebQuest (using some elements the same as Web search, job development, dissemination activities performed by the students, step by step activities). Conceptualizes and discusses historically and blogs on ICT in education and science teaching. ICT relates to the teaching of science and education legislation. There are other technological tools that can be associated with the use of the blog as Windows Movie Maker, Youtube, Gmail, Google Docs and Digital HQ. This paper shows how the whole process of developing a blog (with the name \"Learning Sciences - Sexuality\") made by a teacher in a public school in São Paulo city, showing how it applied the use of this blog with a group of students from a 7th grade (thirteen and fourteen old) and what were the main activities developed by them. The preparation of guidelines for activities done by the teacher for students can be viewed through the blog posts and links, and activities undertaken by students through the posts and links contained in these, also on the blog. This research seeks to relate, analyze and discuss the preparation of the blog produced by the teacher and the use of the blog done by this group of students from the theoretical assumptions outlined earlier, sociocultural theories, design work for projects and methodology WebQuest.

Given the fundamental role beliefs play in guiding what individuals think and do, it is important to understand teachers' beliefs and their development in order to facilitate professional growth, which in turn has the potential to promote effective teaching and learning. While research efforts have been devoted largely to investigating teachers' beliefs, it is surprising that, despite its significance, there is little published data concerning vocabulary teaching, not to mention how professional training contributes to teachers' change in relation to the language area. This thesis, therefore, seeks to investigate teachers' epistemological and pedagogical beliefs about vocabulary development, understand their relationship with actual practice, as well as exploring how they develop through a dialogic approach which emphasises interaction and self-reflection. The study reported herein is situated in the context of Hong Kong, where problems relating to the teaching and learning of English vocabulary have been repeatedly highlighted in the literature. It mainly involves six frontline teachers of English as a second language in a local secondary school selected using purposeful sampling. Of these six teachers, four participated in a teacher development programme which focused on dialogic reflection on beliefs and practices regarding vocabulary teaching, whereas the remaining ones did not. Adopting a case study research strategy, the research draws on four major sources of data, including lesson observations, semi-structured interviews, teachers' professional dialogues and reflective writing, to illuminate issues regarding vocabulary teaching and the process of change. The findings of the study reveal the need to promote teacher professional development regarding vocabulary teaching and develop teachers' awareness of their own and alternative beliefs and practices. They also provide empirical support for the notion that dialogic reflection helps foster teachers' change, and enable us to arrive at a better understanding of the complicated nature of teachers' cognitive and behavioural development. These shed new light on sociocultural theory, generate original insights into how dialogic interaction can be used as a mediational tool to facilitate and understand teacher change in beliefs and practice, as well as providing implications for second language education and teacher professional development.

abstract: The purpose of this action research study was to measure the transactional distance of computer science students who participated in an online virtual community after completing a college preparation program. Using data and results generated from previous cycles of research I developed and moderated an online virtual community designed to lessen transactional distance using a sequential exploratory mixed-methods research design. This study addressed the following research questions: 1. How and to what extent will participation in a virtual community influence the transactional distance between students and course content? 2. How and to what extent will participation in a virtual community influence the transactional distance between students and their instructors/teaching assistants? 3. How and to what extent will participation in a virtual community influence the transactional distance between students and other students in the same courses? The participants for this action research study included approximately 200 students enrolled in six online sections of an entry level computer programing course from various locations around the world. Also participating in the community were the online instructors who taught the course, teaching assistants, advisors, and the action researcher. Using the sociocultural, transactional distance, self-determination, and adult learning theories as a framework, the virtual community provided occasions for students and instructional team members to share experiences and support each other academically and socially. The community was designed to enable students to give and receive frequent feedback, increase autonomy and their sense of belonging, and provide additional opportunities for them to learn from each other. Through a descriptive analysis of the transactional distance survey results, I was able to determine that transactional distance between students and their teachers, and students the course content slightly increased, while the transactional distance between students and their classmates somewhat decreased. There was also an increase in average final grade and pass rate and a decrease in student withdrawal rate. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2018

Studies indicate that Latina/o immigrant youth engage in a wide range of sophisticated literacy practices outside of school that are often transnational, crossing various linguistic, cultural, and social spaces. Technology has further afforded immigrant youth the opportunity to develop transnational capabilities which are rare in the mainstream population, yet needed in the 21st century of global connectedness. However, Latino immigrant youth drop out of school at disproportional rates, suggesting that their literacy practices are not recognized or valued by the educational system. Using a New Literacy Studies perspective that recognizes multiple literacies that are meaningful within their sociocultural traditions, this collective case study investigated the range, form, and purpose of the out-of-school literacies of four Latina/o adolescent English Learners who are new arrivals. The qualitative methodology employed constructivist interviews, digital and actual artifacts, and observations. Findings demonstrated that the most prevalent out-of-school literacies the participants practice take place on the social networking site of Facebook, in their workplaces, and through the entertainment media sources of music and television. A cross-case analysis suggests that the literacy practices in these spaces have unique and purposeful roles for the individuals that allow them to connect to their home countries and maintain their Latina/o identities. Additionally, the participants use their out-of-school literacy practices to acquire English, support themselves, and establish a place to succeed. The five aforementioned spaces that their Facebook, workplace, and entertainment literacy practices fill are virtually absent from their in-school literacies. This study suggests literacy pedagogy and research must not continue to impose a narrow monolingual, monocultural, monoliterate, and monomodal view of Latina/o immigrant students which essentially divests them of their greatest resources. Their literacy practices demonstrate that they are transnational, transcultural, emergent bilinguals who competently engage in multimodal means of communication across multiple linguistic, cultural, social, and geographic borders. Educators must reconceptualize school-based literacy to account for the ways immigrant youth make meaning outside of school to provide them a more equitable education that will nurture their transnational skills needed in modern society.