District administrators face concerns over students dropping out of school without a high school diploma. District personnel in a Mississippi urban school district identified specific curricular, instructional, and co-curricular factors that prompted students to leave school. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study was to explore perceptions of principals, teachers, and counselors regarding factors that influenced students' disengagement and dropping out of school. Battin-Pearson's theory of academic mediation, which attributes poor academic performance and student-centered learning to students dropping out, framed this study. The research questions focused on how district personnel identified and monitored at-risk students and provided interventions to prevent them from disengaging and dropping out. A purposeful sample of 2 principals, 5 teachers, and 2 counselors, who had knowledge of dropout prevention strategies, volunteered and participated in semistructured interviews and classroom observations. Data were analyzed inductively using segment and thematic coding. Results indicated a multi-tiered system of support was used to identify and monitor at-risk students. Participants expressed a need to build cohesive and collaborative learning communities and relationships, provide student guidance and support, engage more with students, and provide targeted professional development (PD) for educators. Based on these findings, a 3-day PD was developed to address student engagement and dropout prevention. These endeavors may contribute to positive social change by providing educators with learner-centered strategies through a collaborative, flexible blended-learning PD aimed at identifying and assisting at-risk students, resulting in an increase in graduation rates and reduce in dropouts.

Southern U.S. teachers at suburban high schools can use Edmodo; however, teachers prefer traditional teacher-centered teaching methods. This quantitative correlative study explored teachers' technology acceptance in relation to teaching styles and experiences. Framing acceptance by Davis's technology acceptance model (TAM), research questions addressed the direct and moderating relationships between teaching style and the TAM variables related to using Edmodo and the direct and moderating relationships between teaching experiences and TAM variables. From 240 teachers at the high school, 45 completed an online survey (response rate of 18.75%). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression analyzed data. TAM could be verified for the entire sample; however, no significant direct relationship between teaching style and the TAM variables was found. Teaching style moderated the relationships within the TAM; these were stronger for teachers with a teacher-centered teaching style. No significant direct relationship existed between teaching experiences and TAM variables; a moderating effect on the relationships existed within the TAM. Among experienced teachers, ease of use was the strongest acceptance predictor, whereas perceived use was the strongest predictor among less experienced teachers. Results indicated teachers might develop a more student-centered teaching style, thus concentrating on technology's ease of use, rather than its potential utility. A policy recommendation could ensure teachers efficiently used technology to support student-centered learning. The application of the recommended policies might lead to teachers' more effective use of instructional technology, which might affect student learning and motivation.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: John Portelli.

Education systems are currently undergoing transformational changes throughout the world and one of these changes is a shift from a philosophy of positivist paradigm to constructivist paradigm of teaching. Accordingly, constructivists claim children actively construct their knowledge rather than absorb information spoken to them by teachers. Therefore, the constructivist teaching of Geography places emphasis on the fact that learners should think more, understand and responsible for their own learning. This study thus focused on the practice of constructivist methods in the teaching of Geography at preparatory secondary schools of Ethiopia. Geography is colourful and an outdoor oriented subject in which learners could get good opportunities to construct their knowledge through various in-and-out of school activities. Thus, constructivist methods are useful for Geography learners to develop their intellectual capacity for life-long learning and for generic skills such as critical thinking, information processing, problem solving, decision-making, etc. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the merits and reasons for teacher dominance in the pedagogy of Geography and to suggest learner-centered teaching strategies in the context of constructivist principles on learners’ learning activities to liberate them from passive learning pedagogy. The study was confined to six Higher Education Preparatory Secondary Schools out of 20 preparatory schools of the South Wollo Administrative Zone of Amhara state of Ethiopia. It employed mixed-method approaches (qual-quant) and descriptive survey design. The target population for this study was 1053 Social Science learners and 12 Geography departmental heads and teachers. Among 1053 learners 199 learners were sampled through random sampling technique. But all Geography teachers and departmental heads were taken as the main participants through purposive sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews, observation, documents and questionnaire were the main data collection instruments for the study. Data that were collected through interviews, observation and open-ended questionnaire were analysed inductively using narrations and descriptions through words, phrases and statements, whereas the data collected from documents were organised in the form of tables and analysed via percentage and mean. However, data that were collected through close-ended questionnaires were edited, coded, classified, tabulated and organised in the form of tables havebeen analysed through frequency, percentage and mean via SPSS software. Based on the analysed data, findings were depicted. The findings of the study revealed that Geography is a unique discipline and its syllabus was prepared in line with the country’s education policy which encourages constructivist approaches of teaching. However, majority of teachers frequently practice traditional teaching methods. Moreover, the study also identified that lack of teachers’ professional training about the practice of a variety of learner-centered methods and continuous assessment techniques, lack of experience about learner-centered teaching methods both on the part of teachers and learners, low interest and commitment on the part of teachers, teachers’ failure to utilise teaching materials, placing of less competent learners in the Social Science stream, learners’ low interest to learn and incapability to learn through learner-centered methods, learners’ low engagement in the teaching activities, learners’ disturbance, shortage of time, absence of plasma TV transmission and shortage of resources such as school facilities, instructional media, reference books, Geography room, department room, pedagogical center, lounge and scarcity of budget were considerable hindrances on the implementation of Geography syllabus through the constructivist approaches of teaching methods. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made to the concerned bodies to alleviate the hindrances and to encourage the practice of constructivist teaching methods and making the learners free from teachers’ dependency. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study focuses on the processes of primary maths teacher learning and how their identities and practices evolve in relation to participation in a primary maths focused in-service teacher education programme, called the Numeracy Inquiry Community of Leader Educators (NICLE).Additionally it investigates activities, relations and forms of participation within the Community of Practice (CoP) which enable or constrain evolving primary maths identities and practices and how these relate to the broader context. The study draws from the situative-participationists (Lave, 1996; Wenger, 1998; Sfard & Prusak, 2005; Wenger et al, 2002) theoretical framework supplemented by Bernstein’s (2000) pedagogic identity model. Using a qualitative educational interpretive approach I sampled 8 primary teachers drawn from NICLE and gathered data through participant observations, interactive interviews, document analysis and reflective journals. Analysing the key data themes that emerged from teacher learning stories, which I have called stelos, the study explains the nature of the primary maths teachers’ learning, transformation and participation experiences in NICLE using the synonyms reinvigoration and remediation and activation and relating these semantics to the teachers’ mathematical identities and histories. The study also explains the processes through which primary maths teacher identities evolve in relation to participation in an in-service CoP as ‘insiding’ and ‘outcropping’. Interpreting qualitative data from the empirical field indicates that teachers participating in NICLE mostly took-up into their maths classrooms key numeracy-domain concepts, resources and issues presented by primary maths experts which are informed by research and theory that link to practices. Teachers collaboratively and actively engaged in a range of activities that relate to classroom practices. Teacher learning was also enabled when teachers engaged in maths overlapping communities of practice, shared classroom experiences in friendly ways with fellow NICLE teachers and engaged with NICLE presenters who mutually respected and regarded them as professionals. Such affordances were said to enable teachers to engage learners in maths classes and improve their understanding of specific primary maths concepts. On the other hand teachers felt challenged by the travelling distance, limited time and also raised the tension of how to scale-up maths professional development initiatives to include schools from their community. The study makes a theoretical contribution by illustrating how Bernstein’s pedagogic identity model and its elaboration by Tyler (1999) provides analytical tools to interrogate macro educational changes and connect these to the micro processes and teacher identities.

The primary objective of medical school is the integral formation of a student, with competence in problem solving and capable of continuing education. Therefore, this student must present technical and scientific knowledge, values, skills and positive attitudes, in addition to actively participate in the construction of knowledge. Attitudes are rules that determine habitual actions even under different circumstances, and are required for mediation between competence and clinical practice. Studies show that learning influences behavior and the development of attitudes, which may impact on the quality of medical care. It is not well established how to teach attitudes, and in the literature are found few articles reporting on the influence of humanism in the development of attitudes. In this way, the experiences in this field of research are heterogeneous, which increases the difficulty in integrating humanistic themes to health education purposes. The humanistic psychology, with the pioneering of Carl Rogers, brought significant contributions to education through active and student-centered learning. This contrasts with the traditional learning, focused only on the professor, the content and the evaluation. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of Carl Rogers humanism concept through (1) the positive qualities of authenticity, appreciation, trust and empathy of the teacher and (2) the principles of significant learning in changing the attitudes of 7th semester undergraduate medical students from the Federal University of Santa Maria. The sample consisted of 42 students who participated in weekly meeting groups. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the attitudes before and after the Rogerian intervention during the second semester of 2014, to determine whether there has been a modification in attitudes in five dimensions, according to the National Curriculum Guidelines: Social, ambience, belief, knowledge and ethical. The results showed that the Rogerian intervention significantly influenced the development of positive attitudes within the belief dimension. There was increase in the attitude score in all dimensions, showing positive tendency between the beginning and end of the study. No student showed negative attitudes in all dimensions. The students whose profile showed positive attitudes in all dimensions were from the female gender, whose fathers and mothers had higher education degree. These students also used books and journals as complementary source of studies and dedicated a time equal to or greater than six hours per week to study. It can be concluded that Carl Rogers humanistic principles may be properly used without causing discomfort or threat to both the students and the teacher. The student-centered teaching is not a method or a theory, but a style in the teacher-student relationship, in which the formative aspect outweighs the informative one. Much of what Rogers proposed can be used for the development of positive attitudes in medical undergraduate students. / O objetivo primário da escola médica é a formação integral de um egresso competente na resolução de problemas, e capacitado para a educação continuada. Para tanto, este egresso deve apresentar conhecimentos técnico-científicos, valores, habilidades e atitudes positivas, além de participar ativamente na construção do saber. Atitudes são normas que determinam ações habituais em circunstâncias diferentes, e são necessárias para a mediação entre competência e prática clínica. Estudos demonstram que a aprendizagem influencia o comportamento e o desenvolvimento de atitudes, podendo impactar na qualidade do cuidado médico. Não está estabelecida a melhor forma de ensinar atitudes aos estudantes, e na literatura são encontrados poucos artigos relatando a influência do humanismo para o desenvolvimento de atitudes. Deste modo, as experiências neste campo de pesquisa são heterogêneas, o que aumenta a dificuldade na integração dos temas humanísticos aos propósitos do ensino em saúde. A psicologia humanista, tendo como pioneiro Carl Rogers, trouxe significativas contribuições para a educação, através da aprendizagem ativa e centrada no aluno. Esta aprendizagem contrasta com a forma tradicional, centrada apenas no professor, no conteúdo e na avaliação. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a influência da concepção humanista de Carl Rogers através (1) das qualidades positivas de autenticidade, valorização, confiança e empatia do professor e (2) dos princípios da aprendizagem significante na modificação das atitudes dos alunos do 7º semestre do curso de graduação em medicina da UFSM. A amostra foi constituída por 42 alunos, que participaram em grupos de encontro semanais. Foi aplicado um questionário para avaliação de atitudes antes e depois da intervenção rogeriana durante o 2º semestre letivo de 2014, para determinar se ocorreu modificação nas atitudes frente a cinco aspectos, de acordo com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais: Social, ambiência, crença, conhecimento e ética. Pode-se concluir que a intervenção rogeriana influenciou de modo significativo o desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas apenas na dimensão crença. Entretanto, foi observado um aumento no escore de atitudes em todas as dimensões, demonstrando tendência de positivação entre o início e o final da pesquisa. Nenhum aluno demonstrou atitudes negativas em qualquer uma das dimensões. O perfil de alunos com atitudes positivas em todas as dimensões foi do sexo feminino, com o pai e mãe com grau de escolaridade superior, que utilizavam livros e periódicos como fonte complementar de estudos e que dedicavam um tempo adicional de estudo igual ou superior a seis horas semanais. Os princípios humanistas de Rogers podem ser utilizados adequadamente em qualquer disciplina ou curso, sem causar desconforto ou ameaça tanto ao aluno quanto ao professor. O ensino centrado no aluno não é um método ou uma teoria, mas um estilo na relação entre o professor e seus alunos, onde o aspecto formativo supera o informativo. Muito do que Rogers propôs pode ser utilizado para o desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas em estudantes de graduação em medicina.

The introduction of outcomes based education (OBE) in the form of Curriculum 2005 (C2005), the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in post-apartheid South Africa resulted in a shift from a content-centred to a learner-centred view on education. This transition took place rapidly as the new government wanted to introduce a democratic education system after the divisive Bantu education system from Apartheid. However, after the changes were implemented, education in South Africa was theoretically outcomes based but practically many educators were still teaching in a content-centred manner. The research puts forward the proposal that drama-in-education (D-i-E) is a useful means by which to align the practical and theoretical goals of OBE within the context of South Africa's current RNCS. This hypothesis drives the main research question: "Can D-i-E be an effective teaching methodology to realise the goals of the RNCS and generate OBE learning environments in a South African high school?" D-i-E is a learner-centred teaching methodology and in practise it meets many of the goals and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes (CCFOs) of OBE. Some of these include the fact that learners can: • Practice problem-solving skills; • Engage with critical and creative thinking; • Grow cultural and aesthetic sensitivity; • Work effectively in groups; and ii. • Learn in inclusive environments that cater for different learning styles and levels. The research examines the use of D-i-E as an outcomes based methodology by which the RNCS could be implemented in the classroom. This is explored through the use of qualitative research in the form of a case study investigation at a South African high school. The case study was conducted with Grade 11 and Grade 12 Dramatic Arts learners and involves an analysis of a D-i-E approach to learning. The conclusion that D-i-E is an effective outcomes based teaching methodology which could assist educators in realising the RNCS was largely reached through participant observation of D-i-E classes and by analysing the learners' journals in which they reflected on D-i-E experiences. The learners' feedback about the experience was generally positive and they reflected that they found D-i-E beneficial because of the fact that it engaged them experientially. They also reflected that D-i-E provided them with a more meaningful and exciting way of learning. These findings are however only generalisable to the type of context (Dramatic Arts learners from a well-resourced girls' high school) in which the research was conducted. The findings provide detailed insight into a specific case study and may be beneficial to educators in South Africa who aim to make use of the same or similar methodologies in their classroom practice. D-i-E also supports many of the underlying tenants of OBE such as learner-centredness, learner diversity and inclusive learning, and can effectively aid educators in implementing the RNCS in an outcomes based way.

This interpretive case study was undertaken to investigate the nature of classroom tasks that teachers give to their learners and to gain insights into how they choose these tasks. It was carried out at two secondary schools in the Okahao circuit of the Omusati region in Namibia. The schools range from Grade 8 to Grade 12. This study focused mainly on teachers who teach Mathematics at senior secondary phase (Grade 11 and 12). The research participants were of four mathematics teachers – two from each school. The study was designed around two phases. Phase one consisted of video-recording of lessons, and phase two consisted of interviewing the teachers. The main purpose of the study was to ascertain the types and nature of tasks that teachers give to their learners and to gain insights into how they chose these tasks. The research adopted a combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study revealed that the participating teachers provided a near equal amount of lower level cognitive tasks and higher level cognitive tasks. It further revealed several factors that influence teachers when selecting the types of tasks they give to their learners. These factors include curriculum requirements, types of learners and their experiences, and learners’ contexts.

<p>The purpose of this project was to cultivate a series of professional development training sessions for secondary teachers to incorporate concepts of Critical Race Theory in their classrooms, through the use of social justice education, social emotional learning, and student-centered learning. The researcher examined material in favor and in opposition to the project topic to collect information on how to best serve educators and students. The researcher engaged with academic writing as well as with high school teachers and administrators about this project topic. This manuscript and attached training material is the result of the researcher’s findings and serves to answer the question of whether aspects of Critical Race Theory should be implemented in secondary classrooms as well as if so, how should teachers do so—all in hopes of better supporting more equitable and just education for high school educators and students. </p><br>

The master thesis deals with Drama-Based Science Teaching. The theoretical part of the work deals with the literature research on the topic. It presents basic information about dramatization methods, sets straight the record on some common misconceptions and categorizes dramatization methods. Furthermore the fundamental role of plays and simulations in the learning is discussed. Research also provides evidence that dramatization methods can be and should be included in science teaching. They are suitable e.g. for the implementation of key competencies and teaching of Cross-Curricular Subjects as defined by The Framework Educational Programme (for Secondary General Education). Finally, specific examples of dramatization methods are shown, and the benefits and pitfalls of these methods are discussed. Practical part describes a dramatization teaching material created by the author. The topic is alcohols with a focus on pupils' understanding the formation of methanol and ethanol and the difference between these two. This material was tested on the sample of about 150 high school pupils in Prague. There is also author's solution as well as several pupils' worksheets included. The impact of the activity on the pupils' knowledge was measured and evaluated. The shortcomings of the original version were...