Previous research shows that English teachers in Sweden struggle with the assessment of oral proficiency. The reasons for this are several but most of them have occurred in the gap between the intended and perceived curriculum. English teachers interpret the knowledge requirements within oral proficiency differently because of their pedagogical background and experience. This study investigates teachers’ interpretations of the intended presentation of interaction and fluency in the oral proficiency knowledge requirements. The study also investigates what methods and procedures the teachers use when assessing the two abilities and what views the teachers have on the syllabus and assessment support. Semi-structured interviews were organized with four different English teachers with extensive experience in teaching and assessing English in Sweden. The data from the interviews were analyzed through the use of qualitative content analysis in order to find potential links between results and earlier conducted research. The results suggest that the English teachers interpreted, valued, and assessed interaction and fluency differently in relation to the knowledge requirements. The teachers also promoted the knowledge requirements from the Oral National Test since these simplified the interpretation of aspects such as interaction and fluency. The teachers did not present the syllabus as poor or complex, but their exclusive use of Oral National Test knowledge requirements and assessment material suggested something else. Along with this result, all teachers criticized the assessment support that comes with the knowledge requirements in the syllabus. The assessment support was thus something several of the teachers mentioned as key along with the implementation of co-assessment for future reliability within oral proficiency assessment.

This project details the designing and implementation of an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Curriculum to prepare English learners to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (UVRMC) in Provo, Utah. UVRMC, which is owned by Intermountain Health Care (IHC), employs a group of about 40 non-native speakers of English. They work as housekeepers and have interest in learning English and consequently acquiring new skills they could use in better jobs to improve the quality of their lives. UVRMC would like these employees to obtain additional education in order to provide them with better employment opportunities. UVRMC allowed two graduate students at the Department of Linguistics and English Language at Brigham University to design and implement an ESP course to help UVRMC housekeepers improve their language skills in preparation to apply and participate in a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course offered through IHC University. This report covers the linguistic needs analysis of the participants, situational analysis of UVRMC in terms of the support given to the curriculum, the designing of goals and objectives, the syllabus, the teaching of the syllabus, some material development, and the assessment of language learning. It also describes the instruments used to obtain information during each step of the designing of the curriculum and its implementation, analyzes that information, presents results, assesses the curriculum's efficacy, and explains the implications for other ESP curricula in the field of nursing and other scientific fields.

Bakgrund Enligt lärare för en högskoleutbildning för en generell examen finns ett upplevt återkommande problem med att studenter som läser ett treårigt kandidatprogram inte förstår hur kurser hänger ihop med varandra och att kurser kan vara behörighetsgivande. Hur ser egentligen problemet ut ur studenters perspektiv? Kan det som lärare beskriver bekräftas av studenter? Hur ser de på sin programtid, hur tar de till sig information om sina studier och hur skulle de vilja få den informationen? Syfte Syftet med forskningsstudien är att bidra med kunskap om vilken typ av information studenter vid en högskoleutbildning behöver under sin programtid. Studiens två frågeställningar är: Vilken information behöver studenter för att de ska förstå sin egen programtid? Hur kan lärosäten utforma information för att stödja studenters förståelse för sin egen tid vid programmet? Metod Metoderna för insamlande av empiri var enkät, semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentanalys. De tre årskurserna på Informationsdesignprogrammet vid Högskolan Dalarna tillsammans med dokument som studiehandledningar, kursplaner, utbildningsplan och informationssidorna som finns tillgängliga för studenterna, har utgjort empirin för studien. Totalt utfördes sju intervjuer med studenter från dessa årskurser. Resultat Studien identifierade två huvudsakliga teman i relation till hur studenterna uppfattade programmet, ”Kontext/Identitet” och ”Förståelse/Relevans”. Återkommande uttryck för oförståelse av hur programmets innehåll hänger samman och en osäkerhet kring dess slutmål. Slutsatser Studenter behöver att utbildningens innehåll kopplas till programmets slutmål och mot kommande arbetsliv. Programmet upplevs som väldigt brett och svårt att greppa och att vissa kurser behöver en tydligare relevans för att öka förståelsen, engagemanget och motivationen. Studiehandledningen är ett centralt dokument som borde delvis standardiseras och innehålla specifik information. En interaktiv lösning över programmet med filtreringsfunktion behövs. / Background According to teachers for a higher education for a general degree, there is a perceived recurring problem that students who study a three-year bachelor's program do not understand how courses are connected to each other and that courses can be qualifying. What does the problem really look like from a student's perspective? Can what teachers describe be confirmed by students? How do they view their program time, how do they absorb information about their studies and how would they like to receive that information? Aim The purpose of the research study is to contribute knowledge about the type of information students in a higher education program need during their program time. The study's two questions are: What information do students need in order to understand their own program time? How can higher education institutions design information to support students' understanding of their own time in the program? Method The methods for collecting empirical data were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The three years of the Information Designprogram at Dalarna University, together with documents such as study guides, syllabi, study plan and the information pages that are available to the students, have formed the empirical basis for the study. A total of seven interviews were conducted with students from these year groups. Results The study identified two main themes in relation to how students perceived the program, "Context / Identity" and"Understanding / Relevance". Recurring expressions of misunderstanding of how the content of the program is connected and an uncertainty about its end goal. Conclusion Students need the content of the education to be linked to the final goals of the program and to future working life.The program is perceived as very broad and difficult to grasp and that some courses need a clearer relevance to increase understanding, commitment and motivation. The study guide is a central document that should be partially standardized and contain specific information. An interactive solution over the program with filtering function is needed.

This document study aims to facilitate an understanding of the differences between the grading criteria for English 5, 6, and 7 (in Swedish upper secondary school) before 2021 and after. It also aims to facilitate an awareness of reactions to the changes among actors within the educational system. The study investigates Swedish documents published online by The Swedish National Agency for Education as well as Swedish articles including reactions from teachers, a professor, and a chairperson of a teachers’ union. The first part of the studied material contains documents showing the old and the new grading criteria as well as documents containing explanations of why the changes were made, from The Swedish National Agency for Education. The other part of the material consists of four articles from four different journals for educators, with reactions from a total of seven different people. The method of the study was content analysis. The results from the study show that aspects of knowledge and details were removed from the grading criteria. For example, the knowledge criterion of students using different strategies when listening and reading was moved to core content. The major reason for changing the grading criteria was to make them clearer. Opinions from a few of the people in the study were that the changes will not matter because they were not big enough and that the changes have not made the grading criteria clearer. However, several people thought that the grading criteria have become clearer, and one person thinks that they will help teachers to carry out a better overall assessment. / Denna dokumentstudie syftar till att underlätta förståelsen av skillnaderna mellan betygskriterierna för engelska 5, 6, och 7 (i svensk gymnasieskola) före 2021 och därefter. Den syftar också till att underlätta en medvetenhet om reaktioner på förändringar bland aktörer inom utbildningssystemet. Studien undersöker svenska dokument publicerade på nätet av Skolverket samt svenska artiklar inklusive reaktioner från lärare, en professor och en ordförande i ett lärarförbund. Den första delen av det studerade materialet innehåller dokument som visar de gamla och de nya betygskriterierna samt dokument som innehåller förklaringar till varför förändringarna gjordes, från Skolverket. Den andra delen av materialet består av fyra artiklar från fyra olika tidskrifter för pedagoger, med reaktioner från totalt sju olika personer. Metoden för studien var innehållsanalys. Resultaten från studien visar att kunskapsaspekter och detaljer togs bort från betygskriterierna. Till exempel flyttades kunskapskriteriet om att elever ska använda olika strategier för att lyssna och läsa till centralt innehåll. Det främsta skälet till ändringarna av betygskriterierna var att göra dem tydligare. Åsikter från några av personerna i studien var att förändringarna inte kommer att spela någon roll eftersom de inte var tillräckligt stora och att förändringarna inte har gjort betygskriterierna tydligare. Samtidigt tyckte flera att betygskriterierna blivit tydligare och en person tror att de kommer att hjälpa lärare att göra en bättre helhetsbedömning.

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka vad gymnasielärare berättar om olika undervisningsmetodiker i och om hållbar utveckling i ämnet Teknik. I studien berättar lärare om hur undervisning i hållbar utveckling bedrivs och hur olika undervisningsmetoder presenteras. Huruvida läraren undervisar om hållbar utveckling utifrån styrdokument och de globala målen, är beroende av lärarens utbildning och kompetens, erfarenhet, helhetsförståelse, samt utrymme och angiven tid i ämnesplanen. Underlag för denna studie är sju slumpvis utvalda behöriga lärare i teknik på gymnasieskolor inom Stockholm. I analysdelen framkom det att lärarna genomför sin undervisning i hållbar utveckling på ett varierande sätt: från diskussioner i helklassundervisning till praktiska moment i form av projektarbeten. Undersökningen presenterar ett övergripande perspektiv på lärarnas valda undervisningsmetoder. En av de viktigaste ståndpunkterna för lärarna var att ge eleverna möjligheten att knyta an till naturen och omvärlden för att bygga förståelse för hållbar utveckling och ta ställning i aktuella frågor kring hållbart samhälle. / This study aims to examine high school teachers' teaching methodologies when they teach and about sustainable development in the subject Technology. The study describes how teaching in sustainable development is conducted and different teaching methods are presented. Whether the teacher teaches about sustainable development from governing documents and the global goals can vary based on the teacher's educationand competence, experience, holistic understanding, space and time in the syllabus, etc. As a basis for this study, seven randomly selected qualified teachers oftechnology at upper secondary schools in Stockholm. In the analysis part, it appeared that the teachers carry out their teaching in Sustainable Development in a varied way: discussions in whole-class teaching to practical elements in the form of project work. The survey presents an overall perspective of the teachers' chosen teaching methods. One of the most important positions for teachers was to give students the opportunity to connect with nature and the world around them to build an understanding of sustainable development and take a stand on current issues around sustainable society.

The current Swedish curriculum for the compulsory school came in 2022 and replaced the one from 2011. The curriculum and the subject Physical education and health (PEH) have been through multiple changes historically regarding the name of the subject, the text, content and objectives. Something that is relevant today is the diversity in Swedish schools where there are many different students with different backgrounds, experiences and expressions. Because of this it is interesting to compare and explore how inclusion is visible in the current curriculum and the previous ones.  The study aimed to compare curriculum from the years 1969, 1994 and 2022 in PEH for grades 7-9. The purpose is also to examine the thoughts and goals behind the changes in the curricula and relate them to an inclusion perspective. The study was a qualitative literature study which analyzes the curriculum, syllabus and their commentary material through a qualitative content analysis. Curriculum theory was used as a theoretical framework. In the results both similarities and differences were found from an inclusion perspective between the curricula and five categories were created. For example the results showed differences regarding the content of PEH where it goes from a content focused on competition and performance in specific sports while the latter two curricula was about movement and could include more various activities and interests. Differences in the language between the curricula was shown through concepts and words that have different consequences on inclusion.   The study concluded that there are many similarities between the curricula where there is an inclusive way of thinking in PEH even in the older curricula, especially with regard to their time and context. However inclusion increased through the curriculum changes.

The background in this study is that over the years analysis of grade 12 results in Ekurhuleni South District indicates that most secondary schools obtain 100% pass rate but not quality results isiZulu home language. IsiZulu home language quality results often range from 20% to 40%. The research findings point at two casual factors: (1) inside the classroom and (2) outside the classroom. Inside the classroom refers to quality of educators teaching isiZulu home language and outside the classroom refers to what is supposedly isiZulu home language’ yet a close analysis of the kind spoken in the township Zulu homes is in fact pidgin Zulu. In terms of quality evaluation this so called isiZulu home language can never pass quality assurance. The researcher recommends that educators of isiZulu home language be put through vigorous quality training in the teaching of isiZulu (HL). / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

There are numerous problems associated with the teaching of Euclidean geometry at secondary schools today. Students do not see the necessity of proving results which have been obtained intuitively. They do not comprehend that the validity of a deduction is independent of the 'truth' of the initial assumptions. They do not realise that they cannot reason from diagrams, because these may be misleading or inaccurate. Most importantly, they do not understand that Euclidean geometry is a particular interpretation of physical space and that there are alternative, equally valid interpretations. A possible means of addressing the above problems is tbe introduction of nonEuclidean geometry at school level. It is imperative to identify those students who have the pre-requisite knowledge and skills. A number of interesting teaching strategies, such as debates, discussions, investigations, and oral and written presentations, can be used to introduce and develop the content matter. / Mathematics Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The supposition exists that the Transvaal Education Department's Senior Primary Class Music syllabus is not being implemented in all aspects and that this is connected to teacher training. An empirical investigation was launched using three questionnaires and a classroom field study. Two questionnaires, completed by Class Music teachers, were used to assess to what extent the school syllabus was being followed. Teachers also had to provide information about their training in Class Music teaching. The third questionnaire offered a structured interview with school principals. The actualisation of Class Music, extra curricular music activities, the role of the teacher and teacher training were examined. Lessons for standard two pupils at twenty schools, were presented for an in-depth investigation. The results were tabulated, summarised in bar graphs and interpretations rendered. According to the findings, recommendations with regard to curriculum, the implementation of the syllabus, and tertiary Class Music training were made. / Daar is vermoed dat die seniorprimere Klasmusieksillabus van die Transvaalse Onderwysdepartement gedeeltelik gelmplementeer word en dat df t verband hou met onderwysersopleiding. In die lig hiervan is 'n empiriese ondersoek geloods deur middel van drie vraelyste en deur veldwerk. In die twee vraelyste wat deur Klasmusiekonderwysers voltooi is, is nagevors in watter mate die skoolsillabus gelmplementeer word. Verder het die onderwysers hulle Klasmusiekopleiding in hierdie verband aangetoon. Die derde vraelys vorm die raamwerk vir 'n gestruktureerde onderhoud met skoolhoofde. Die realisering van Klasmusiek, buite-kurrikulere musiekaktiwiteit en die rol van die onderwyser en onderwysopleiding is nagegaan. In 'n diepte-ondersoek is lesse by twintig skole vir standerdtweeleerlinge aangebied. Die resultate word in tabelle uiteengesit en in staafdiagramme saamgevat, terwyl waarnemings weergegee word. Op grondhiervan word aanbevelings gemaak oor kurrikulering, sillabusimplementering en tersiere Klasmusiekopleiding. / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.Mus

Contemporary Italian philosopher, Gianni Vattimo (1991), has described ‘the end of history’ as a motif of our times. While neo-liberal conservatives such as Francis Fukuyama (1992) celebrated triumphantly, and perhaps rather prematurely after the fall of the Berlin Wall, ‘the end of history’ in the ‘inevitable’ global acceptance of the ideologies of free market capitalism and liberal democracy, methodological postmodernists (including Barthes, Derrida, Baudrillard, Lyotard, and Foucault), mobilised ‘the end of history’ throughout the later half of the twentieth century as a symbol of a crisis of confidence in the discourse of modernity, and its realist epistemologies. This loss of faith in the adequacy of representation has been seen by many positivist and empiricist historians as a threat to the discipline of history, with its desire to recover and reconstruct ����the truth���� of the past. It is argued by defenders of ‘traditional’ history (from Appleby, Hunt, & Jacob, 1994; R. J. Evans, 1997; Marwick, 2001; and Windschuttle, 1996; to Zagorin, 1999), and some postmodernists (most notably, Jenkins, 1999), that if we accept postmodern social theory, historical research and writing will become untenable. This study re-examines the nature of the alleged ‘threat’ to history posed by postmodernism, and explores the implications of postmodern social theory for History as curriculum. Situated within a broadly-conceived critical-reconceptualist trend in curriculum inquiry, and deploying a form of historically and philosophically oriented ‘deconstructive hermeneutics’, the study explores past attempts to mount, and future possibilities for, a curricular response to the problem of historical representation. The analysis begins with an investigation of ‘end of history’ discourse in contemporary theory. It then proceeds through a critical exploration of the social meliorist changes to, and cultural politics surrounding, the History curriculum in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, from the Bicentennial to the Millennium (1988-2000), a period that marked curriculum as a site of contestation in a series of highly public ‘history wars’ over representations of the nation’s past (Macintyre & Clark, 2003). It concludes with a discussion of the missed opportunities for ‘critical practice’ within the NSW History curriculum. Synthesising insights into the ‘nature of history’ derived from contemporary academic debate, it is argued that what has remained uncontested in the struggle for ‘critical histories’ during the period under study, are the representational practices of history itself. The study closes with an assessment of the (im)possibility of History curriculum after ‘the end of history’. I argue that if History curriculum is to be a critical/transformative enterprise, then it must attend to the problem of historical representation. / PhD Doctorate