Teacher Support Teams have recently been established at all schools within the Republic of South Africa. Their success, however, has been mixed and some have ceased to function at all. It has therefore been the purpose of this research project to evaluate the current status of implementation at a sample of schools within one circuit of the Ilembe district within the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education. This study therefore reports on the degree of success experienced by schools in the operation of Teacher Support Teams as they have grappled with the harsh realities of the communities that they serve. Many problems and obstacles serve to impede their progress and it is the intention of this study to learn from these experiences. In so doing, one is in a position to provide added and valued support to such schools. Lastly, the research aims to assess whether there are significant differences between the experiences and the nature of interventions between primary and secondary schools. A survey methodology was conducted that utilised a standardised questionnaire and thereafter, a semi-structured interview. Both quantitative and qualitative data provided an insight into the issues confronting Teacher Support Teams, and thereby allowed for recommendations to follow that could assist in future advocacy programmes. A critique of current theoretical frameworks is provided, followed by a more pragmatic approach that is suggested as an alternative to better suit the context of South African schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Title from file title page. Dana Fox, committee chair; Steven Whatley, Joyce Many, Amy Flint, committee members. Electronic text (145 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed August 8, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-140).

This ethnographic study describes events and interactions that occurred between a group of teachers involved in a Teachers' Study Group in order to examine the process of transformation and essential transformative conditions. Data collected over a two year period includes field notes from participant observation, audio tape transcriptions, video-tapes, interviews, and written reflections by teachers and the researcher. An analysis of reflective dialogue and assessments by participants determined the transformations, the process of transformative learning that occurred for the participants and the formation of the collective group. Findings from an integrative analysis of discourse determined transformative events and conditions which were socially constructed and facilitated the transformation of individual teachers and the group as a whole. The paradigms underlying research and implementation models on teacher learning and change was examined and challenged. Two major directions were taken in this study. First, the transformation of an individual teacher as she engaged in inquiry through the cyclical progressions of the study group process is presented in a case study. This case study focuses on the construction of meanings and ideologies and the internalization of these meanings and their effects on learning, change and transformation for the teacher. Second, the process of transformation within the context of the study group is explored. This is presented as a case study which examines the transformation of the group showing how the participants constructed "transformative social events" whereby they could "live" and experience transformative learning through critical personal and collective reflection. The data suggests that transformative learning occurs through the process of face-to-face interaction between participants (teachers and researcher) in social contexts designed for the purpose of reflection, learning, and change. In order to understand the process of transformation, it is essential to examine the interrelationship between context and activities that participants use to constitute the culturally, socially, and historically organized social worlds they inhabit. From this view the relationship between context and product (ie. language) is considered a process that emerges and changes. Participants are situated within contexts which are capable of rapid and dynamic change as the event they are engaged in unfold.

This thesis comprises four articles and a summarizing text. The articles build on three sets of data regarding various aspects of the teaching profession. One objective is to illustrate and discuss what may make teaching appear to be a complex and intensive profession, as well as what conditions are necessary to make the relationship between teachers and pupils appear to be characterized by asymmetry. A second objective is to discuss which changes to working conditions could in turn lead to changes to the apparent complications in teachers’ working conditions. Using a systemic approach as the point of departure, different mechanisms that may contribute to the constitution of teachers’ identity and role are discussed. On the one hand the systemic analysis moves from a biological point of view, via a cultural, a psychological and a societal point of view, to explain and comprehend how groups can develop asymmetrical relationships. On the other hand, curriculum changes, as well as changes in the school system over the last twenty years and the synchronous nature of teacher work, are used in discussing the complex and intensive character of teaching. Abduction makes it possible to explain the complex and intensive character of the teaching profession, as well as the asymmetric relationship between teachers and pupils, using these mechanisms. It is also proposed that interplay exists between these two aspects. A third result is the proposal that many of these problems may be explained by the extensive reforms that have burdened teachers and schools since the end of the last century. In conclusion, changes in teachers’ attitudes towards innovation, their approach to knowledge, the relationship with the pupils, and the teachers’ mission, are suggested as possible means of modifying the situation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lewis & Clark College, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-175).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.95-101).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-206).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 443-452).

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Orientador: Lília Santos Abreu-Tardelli / Resumo: Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a dimensão interpessoal do trabalho de uma professora de língua portuguesa de escola pública a fim de averiguar as influências das relações entre a professora e os outros no agir da docente. Para isso: (i) analisamos a relação entre a docente e os agentes com quem interage diretamente em situação de trabalho, identificando, primeiramente, todos os agentes envolvidos e, em seguida, verificando as interpretações que a professora faz sobre o agir dos outros e sobre seu próprio agir; (ii) investigamos os conflitos e os agentes presentes nos temas escolhidos durante as entrevistas individuais com a docente para serem levados ao coletivo de trabalho; e (iii) analisamos os resultados oriundos das relações entre a docente e os agentes envolvidos e suas influências no agir da professora. Este trabalho, de cunho qualitativo, assume o quadro teórico-metodológico adotado pelo grupo ALTERCNPq (Análise de Linguagem, Trabalho Educacional e suas Relações) as quais se fundamentam no Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo (BRONCKART, 1999, 2006, 2008; MACHADO e BRONCKART, 2009), na Clínica da Atividade (CLOT, 2006a, 2006b 2010; 2015; CLOT et al. 2011; CLOT e GOLLAC, 2017) e na Ergonomia da Atividade Francesa (AMIGUES, 2004; FAÏTA, 2004). O estudo também recorre aos estudos de Canguilhem (1943/2009) sobre saúde e aos aportes da Clínica da Atividade e da Psicopatologia do Trabalho (LE GUILLANT, 2006) para interpretar os resultados das análises realizadas e reflet... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study’s main aim is to analyze the interpersonal dimension of a public school Portuguese teacher’s work, in order to examine the influences of the relations between the teacher and the Others in her acting. In order to do so: (i) we analyzed the relation between the teacher and the agents with whom she interacts at work, by identifying, firstly, all the agents involved and, then, by verifying the interpretations that a teacher makes about the Others’ acting and her own acting; (ii) we investigated the conflicts and the agents present in the topics chosen in the one-to-one interviews conducted with the teacher, which were meant to be later discussed with the work collective; and (iii) we analyzed the results from the relations between the teacher and the agents involved, as well as their influences on the teacher’s acting. This qualitative study adopts the theoretical and methodological approach developed by the group ALTER-CNPq (Analysis of Language, Educational Work and their Relations), which is based on the Socio-discursive Interactionism (BRONCKART, 1999, 2006, 2008; MACHADO and BRONCKART, 2009), on the Activity Clinic (CLOT, 2006a, 2006b, 2010; 2015; CLOT et al. 2011, CLOT and GOLLAC, 2017) and on the French Activity Ergonomics (AMIGUES, 2004; FAÏTA, 2004). This study also resorts to the theoretical framework of Canguilhem’s heath studies (1943/2009), of the Activity Clinic and of the Psychopathology of Work (LE GUILLANT, 2006) to interpret the results of the analys... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Résumé: Cette recherche a pour but d’analyser la dimension interpersonnelle du travail d’une enseignante de langue portugaise, travailleuse dans le réseau public d’enseignement de l’état de São Paulo, pour vérifier les influences des relations entre l’enseignante et l’autrui dans son agir. Pour cela : (i) nous avons analysé la relation entre l’enseignante et les agents avec lesquels elle interagit en situation de travail, en identifiant, premièrement, tous les agents concernés et, ensuite, en vérifiant les interprétations que l’enseignante fait sur l’agir de l’autrui et sur son propre agir ; (ii) nous avons examiné les conflits et les agents présents dans les thèmes choisis pendant les enquêtes individuelles faites avec l’enseignante qui ont été mené au collectif de travail; et (iii) nous avons analysé les résultats issus des relations entre l’enseignante et les agents concernés et les influences de ces résultats à l’agir de l’enseignante. De cette façon, cette recherche qualitative prend en compte les prémisses théoriques et méthodologiques adoptées par le groupe ALTER-CNPq (Analyse du Langage, du Travail Éducationnel et de ses Relations) qui sont fondées sur l’Interactionnisme Socio-discursif (BRONCKART, 1999, 2006, 2008; MACHADO et BRONCKART, 2009), sur la Clinique de l’Activité (CLOT, 2006a, 2006b, 2010, 2015; CLOT et al. 2011, CLOT et GOLLAC, 2017) et sur l’Ergonomie de l’Activité francophone (AMIGUES, 2004; FAÏTA, 2004). Cette étude fait également appel aux apports théoriques d... (Résumé complet accès életronique ci-dessous) / Doutor