Compared to other subjects, Learning Area Technology teaching is a relatively new knowledge area world-wide, especially in the South African school curriculum, and it consequently presents new challenges. One of these challenges is the fact that no previous tertiary training programmes exist for the Learning Area Technology; thus new ones have to be developed. Since limited research has been done regarding Learning Area Technology teaching, teachers of Technology are forced to base their professional teaching and learning practices on approaches from other fields of knowledge and adapt these. This is not necessarily ideal for Learning Area Technology teaching in the South African context. The following question can thus be posed: To which extent do existing pre-service training programmes develop the essential competences and skills required for the effective teaching of the Learning Area Technology? Against the background of this overarching aim of the study, this research attempted to find answers to the following research questions: • What are the competences a qualified Learning Area Technology teacher should possess? • What is the nature of Learning Area Technology teacher training in South Africa? • What is lacking in training programmes for pre-service Learning Area Technology teachers in South Africa? To provide answers to these questions, a literature study as well as an empirical study was conducted. To achieve the aim of the empirical study a phenomenological approach was applied in executing an exploratory qualitative study. A random sample was drawn from available tertiary institutions training pre-service Technology teachers in the Learning Area Technology. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with lecturers to enable the researcher to comprehend and interpret experiences and realities in terms of the research question. Findings from the literature study on the competences a qualified technology Teacher should possess indicate that a Technology teacher, upon completion of studies, should posses the following competences to present the Learning Area Technology as a subject specialist: indepth subject knowledge of the various knowledge areas for the Learning Area Technology; suitable pedagogical content knowledge to be able to transform technological knowledge to teachable matter; technological skills in technological processes and techniques; and positive values and attitudes which can be integrated successfully during various learning opportunities. It is also imperative that pre-service Learning Area Technology teachers possess knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies to accomplish critical, creative and problem-solving skills among learners. The empirical research was aimed at establishing the nature of pre-service training programmes in South Africa, as well as identifying shortcomings in the training of pre-service Technology teachers. Data analyses regarding the nature of pre-service training of Learning Area Technology teachers-.enabled the researcher to identify particular shortcomings in preservice training programmes in South Africa. The following shortcomings were identified: insufficient subject knowledge and technological subject skills; limited subject specific pedagogical knowledge; lack of real life situations in learning opportunities; and a lack of modelling of teaching strategies during facilitation of the Learning Area Technology. Based on the findings of the research which was also related to the literature, specific recommendations were made in order to improve the quality of pre-service training for the Learning Area Technology. Recommendations on the identified shortcomings include the following: the training of Learning Area Technology teachers as subject specialists by establishing standards appropriate for tertiary training in order to enhance the development of subject knowledge; the development of subject specific pedagogical content knowledge by implementing micro lessons; revision of time planning and facilities for the practising of technological skills; and sufficient opportunities to practise, analyse and reflect on teaching processes to develop proper and appropriate teaching strategies. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Compared to other subjects, Learning Area Technology teaching is a relatively new knowledge area world-wide, especially in the South African school curriculum, and it consequently presents new challenges. One of these challenges is the fact that no previous tertiary training programmes exist for the Learning Area Technology; thus new ones have to be developed. Since limited research has been done regarding Learning Area Technology teaching, teachers of Technology are forced to base their professional teaching and learning practices on approaches from other fields of knowledge and adapt these. This is not necessarily ideal for Learning Area Technology teaching in the South African context. The following question can thus be posed: To which extent do existing pre-service training programmes develop the essential competences and skills required for the effective teaching of the Learning Area Technology? Against the background of this overarching aim of the study, this research attempted to find answers to the following research questions: • What are the competences a qualified Learning Area Technology teacher should possess? • What is the nature of Learning Area Technology teacher training in South Africa? • What is lacking in training programmes for pre-service Learning Area Technology teachers in South Africa? To provide answers to these questions, a literature study as well as an empirical study was conducted. To achieve the aim of the empirical study a phenomenological approach was applied in executing an exploratory qualitative study. A random sample was drawn from available tertiary institutions training pre-service Technology teachers in the Learning Area Technology. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with lecturers to enable the researcher to comprehend and interpret experiences and realities in terms of the research question. Findings from the literature study on the competences a qualified technology Teacher should possess indicate that a Technology teacher, upon completion of studies, should posses the following competences to present the Learning Area Technology as a subject specialist: indepth subject knowledge of the various knowledge areas for the Learning Area Technology; suitable pedagogical content knowledge to be able to transform technological knowledge to teachable matter; technological skills in technological processes and techniques; and positive values and attitudes which can be integrated successfully during various learning opportunities. It is also imperative that pre-service Learning Area Technology teachers possess knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies to accomplish critical, creative and problem-solving skills among learners. The empirical research was aimed at establishing the nature of pre-service training programmes in South Africa, as well as identifying shortcomings in the training of pre-service Technology teachers. Data analyses regarding the nature of pre-service training of Learning Area Technology teachers-.enabled the researcher to identify particular shortcomings in preservice training programmes in South Africa. The following shortcomings were identified: insufficient subject knowledge and technological subject skills; limited subject specific pedagogical knowledge; lack of real life situations in learning opportunities; and a lack of modelling of teaching strategies during facilitation of the Learning Area Technology. Based on the findings of the research which was also related to the literature, specific recommendations were made in order to improve the quality of pre-service training for the Learning Area Technology. Recommendations on the identified shortcomings include the following: the training of Learning Area Technology teachers as subject specialists by establishing standards appropriate for tertiary training in order to enhance the development of subject knowledge; the development of subject specific pedagogical content knowledge by implementing micro lessons; revision of time planning and facilities for the practising of technological skills; and sufficient opportunities to practise, analyse and reflect on teaching processes to develop proper and appropriate teaching strategies. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Sammanfattning Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka vad lärare har för tankar om hälsa och hur deras tankar påverkar undervisningen inom ämnet idrott och hälsa.  De huvudfrågorna som har ställts i den här studien var: Vad är lärarnas tankar om hälsa? Vad lär idrottslärarna ut om hälsa under idrott och hälsa lektionerna? På vilka sätt görs hälsoundervisningen meningsfull inom idrottsämnet? Hur kan idrottslärare utveckla området hälsa inom idrottsämnet i skolan?  Metod Ansatsen är den kvalitativa där det utvalda verktyget är intervju med öppna frågor. Utöver de huvudfrågorna skapades det underfrågor för att föra diskussionen.  Lärare som är yrkeserfarna och utbildade inom idrottsämnet hade eftersökts.  Dessa egenskaper var ett krav eftersom frågeställningarna berör hälsa inom ämnet idrott och hälsa. Intervjuerna utfördes antingen på plats eller via telefon och intervjufrågorna skickades i förväg.  Samtalen spelades in och transkriberades elektroniskt.  Alla lärarnas svar samlades under respektive fråga för att underlätta analysen.  Svaren relaterades till den salutogena modellen. Resultat Sex tillfrågade lärare från Stor-Stockholm och sydöstra Sverige deltog. Idrottslärares tankar om hälsa handlade generellt om att ha en fysisk och psykisk hälsa så att man orkar med sin vardag mentalt. När lärarna jämför den gamla läroplanen Lpo-94 och den nya Lgr-11 så upplever de att de nu har en tydligare läroplan där det ställs högre krav på att hälsoaspekten är med i undervisningen. Lärarna var tidigt ute med att förklara vad som var genomförbart med nuvarande resurser. För att kunna genomföra lektioner som friluftsliv, åka skidor, skridskor och simma krävs att lektionstiden omstruktureras till något nytt. Lärarna ser att de skapar meningsfullhet i sin undervisning genom att upplysa sina elever utefter sina egna kunskaper och ge eleverna ett livslångt intresse för ett aktivt liv med många möjligheter att röra på sig. Slutsats Under mina år på lärarutbildningen har jag undersökt begreppet hälsa och hur det kan användas både ur elevernas och i det här tillfället lärarnas synvinkel. I enlighet med salutogena modellen och andra forskning, för att göra min egen undervisning så begriplig, hanterbar och meningsfull för mig själv och mina elever så gäller det att ta till vara andra lärares erfarenheter och kontinuerligt utveckla mig själv. / Abstract Purpose and Research Questions The purpose of this study is to investigate how teachers view health and how their views influence the subject area of Physical and Health Education in schools.  The main research questions that I asked in support of this purpose are: How do teachers view health? What do teachers teach in the subject area? How do teachers inspire and create meaning in the subject area? How can teachers develop the instruction of health in the subject area of Physical and Health Education? Method The method of analysis was qualitative and the chosen tool of investigation was interview with open questions. Questions, in addition to the main research questions, were designed to facilitate discussion during the interview.  Experienced teachers educated in at least Physical Education were targeted for interview. The interviews took place either at the place of work or by telephone and interview questions were made available beforehand. The interviews were digitally recorded and electronically transcribed.  The answers from each teacher to the same question were compiled and compared. The answers were then analysed in relation to the Salutogena Model. Results Six teachers who were approached, from Stockholm and Southeast Sweden volunteered to participate. The teachers were in general agreement that they viewed health as having both a physical and psychological component and that both need to be addressed to have sustainable health.  Upon comparison of the older curriculum (Lpo-94) with the most recent (Lgr-11), the teachers believed that they now have clearer guidelines on what to teach in health education and also that there are higher expectations both on the student and teacher now compared to before.  The teachers were quick to point out development opportunities within their field. Not least, they recommend that lecture hours need restructuring in order to facilitate meaningful outdoor education. The teachers generally believe that they create a meaningful environment for students by individually highlighting for each student their particular strengths and how they can apply those to foster a lifelong interest for an active lifestyle. Conclusion During my years in this Education degree, I have investigated the definition of health and how it can be used by students, and in the present study, teachers. In agreement with the Salutogena Model and other research in the area, I have learned from the present study that it is vital that I utilize the experience of other teachers, in addition to continuously developing myself in order for my lessons to be as understandable, useable and meaningful as possible for students. / <p>Studiegång Idrott, fritidskultur och hälsa skolår F-6. Ht 2013</p>

The aim of this study was to investigate teachers’ perspectives on how they want to be supervised with a view to critiquing existing practices in light of teacher experience, viewpoint and professional aspirations. Documents used in the supervisory cycle in the setting of the study were analyzed to develop a broader understanding regarding the issues that comprise the supervisory activities and the supervisory criteria as documented by the educational organization that was the setting of this study. In addition, a total of eleven preparatory year EFL teachers in a university in Saudi Arabia were interviewed. The study used qualitative methods, with the data subjected to rigorous analysis that employed an analytical approach informed by the principles of grounded theory. The ideas gathered from the qualitative analysis of the interview data - complemented by the insights developed from document analysis - led to the emergence of two themes under which teachers’ expectations and ideas were grouped: 1) the professional aspect and 2) the social aspect. Under the professional aspect, teachers discussed their ideas regarding activities and concepts directly related to teaching practice and professional activities of teachers. The second theme, the social aspect, covers concepts which are related to the way the organization deals with teachers. Analysis of teachers’ interview data showed that there was some level of commonality between the ideas and expectations of teachers regarding some of the general points related to how they want to be supervised. However, there was considerable disparity in their priorities and their expectations regarding the overall approach of the supervisory system, to the extent that at times the expectations and priorities of some teachers were incompatible with and mutually exclusive of the expectations of the other teachers. This led to the conclusion that a multi-streamed supervisory system would provide for the needs of teachers with different expectations, priorities and needs. Such a system would have different streams with different activities for beginning and veteran teachers, with one or two more streams in between for teachers who do not fit in either stream. A multi-streamed system could allow the teachers the opportunity to articulate their needs and expectations and it does not impose a ‘one-size-fits-all’ system on all the teachers. Furthermore, it was recommended that supervisors should draw on the literature on professional life cycles and consider variables related to the workplace (regulations, management style, social expectations etc.) and to teachers’ personal lives (family, cumulative life experiences, individual disposition etc.) so that they can make informed decisions when assigning teachers to different streams within a multi-streamed supervisory system.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-06-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:32:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_rmr_me_mar.pdf: 912708 bytes, checksum: 3982e30ad11275a474c27b57efa6a79d (MD5) / Estudos recentes mostram que nem sempre é possível para o professor colocar suas crenças em prática. Tendo em vista tal perspectiva, nesta dissertação, parti do pressuposto que fatores contextuais são um dos grandes responsáveis pela dissonância entre as crenças e as práticas pedagógicas dos professores de línguas estrangeiras. Meus objetivos foram (a) explicitar e analisar minhas crenças e as da professora participante sobre o ensino de línguas estrangeiras; (b) detectar e analisar quais são nossas práticas pedagógicas; (c) por meio desse processo de interlocução, buscar possíveis relações entre o que acreditamos e o que fazemos em sala de aula; (d) produzir conhecimentos que possam contribuir para a formação continuada de professores de língua inglesa e para intervenções mais adequadas, segundo seus contextos de ensino. As perguntas que orientaram esta dissertação foram: (1) quais são as crenças sobre o processo de ensino-aprendizagem de língua estrangeira de duas professoras de língua inglesa da rede pública de ensino? (2) quais as possíveis relações que se estabelecem entre essas crenças e as práticas pedagógicas das duas participantes? O arcabouço teórico deste estudo se fundamenta em um conceito de língua como instrumento de interação e nos estudos sobre crenças. O arcabouço metodológico se fundamenta na Pesquisa Narrativa, por meio da qual escrevo textos de pesquisa, tentando tecer significados acerca de nossas crenças e práticas a partir do material documentário coletado - (a) as histórias de nossa prática pedagógica narradas por mim e pela professora participante, (b) encontros reflexivos, (c) entrevista semiestruturada, (d) filmagem de aulas e (e) observações de aulas. Baseada nos princípios da Hermenêutica, a análise do material documentário objetivou confrontar nossos discursos e ações como professoras de línguas... / Recent studies on teachers’ beliefs show that they are not necessarily expressed in their pedagogical practice. This dissertation is grounded on such perspective and on the presupposition that contextual factors are mainly responsible for the discontinuity between foreign language teachers’ beliefs and their work in the classroom. The objectives of this study were: (a) to make explicit and to analyze my own beliefs regarding foreign language teaching and those of my participant teacher; (b) to detect and to analyze our pedagogical practices; (c) by means of shared reflection, to search for possible relationships between what we believe in and what we do in our classrooms; (d) to produce knowledge as to contribute with the continuing development of teachers of English and adequate intervention in their respective teaching contexts. The research questions that guided my inquiry were the following: (a) what are the beliefs regarding the teaching/learning processes of two public schools teachers of English? (b) what possible relationships can be traced between the beliefs and the pedagogical practice of both participants? The theoretical framework of this study is grounded on a concept of language as an instrument of interaction and on the studies about teachers’ beliefs. The methodological framework draws on the principles of Narrative Inquiry in which I write research texts trying to weave meanings about our beliefs and practices based on the documentary materials that were collected – a) the stories that were told by me and my participant; (b) reflective conversations; (c) semi-structured interviews; (d) video-taped classes; and (e) classroom observation. The analysis of the documentary material was based on hermeneutic principles and aimed at confronting our discourses and actions as foreign language teachers...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-12-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:04:14Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 dias_e_dr_sjrp.pdf: 1760947 bytes, checksum: 0f7357e2dc863bc44195245f11fa3f58 (MD5) / Esta tese apresenta um estudo longitudinal de pesquisa aplicada, qualitativo-interpretativista, inserida no projeto “Exame de Proficiência para Professores de Língua Estrangeira (EPPLE): definição de construto, tarefas e parâmetros para avaliação em contextos brasileiros” (UNESP, DLEM, 2008-2011). Investigo, por meio da aplicação do piloto de um teste oral, o TEPOLI (Teste de Proficiência Oral em Língua Inglesa), a problemática da proficiência oral de alunos de Inglês como Língua Estrangeira (ILE) em um curso de Licenciatura em Letras de uma faculdade particular do interior do estado de São Paulo, em período noturno, durante quatro anos. Com vistas a melhorar a deficitária formação do futuro professor de ILE, principalmente em relação à proficiência oral em língua inglesa (POLI), o teste oral foi aplicado para alunos do 2° ao 4° ano, a fim de: 1) caracterizar a POLI desses alunos; 2) estabelecer critérios para a POLI diante das expectativas profissionais específicas para o contexto brasileiro; e 3) através do efeito retroativo do teste, discutir e reculturar expectativas, crenças e culturas de ensino/aprendizagem e de avaliação e, ainda, aprimorar a POLI desses alunos, na aprendizagem durante o referido curso, ao retomar os desvios linguísticos detectados pelo TEPOLI. A análise dos dados, coletados por meio de gravações de aulas e dos testes orais em vídeo, ambos transcritos, de sessões de visionamento e reflexivas, além de conversas informais e questionários, revelou discrepâncias existentes entre as expectativas do aluno em relação ao ensino de ILE (cultura de aprender) e o que o professor espera desse aluno (cultura de ensinar), e consequentes problemas na formação da competência linguística, principalmente no que tange à POLI dos alunos. Os testes também foram compilados em um... / This thesis presents a longitudinal study of applied research, based on qualitative-interpretive strategies, as part of the project “EPPLE - EFL Teachers’ Language Proficiency Examination (LPT-EFLT)”: definition of construct, tasks and patterns for assessment in Brazilian contexts.” (UNESP, DLEM, 2008-2011). By using a pilot version of an oral test, labeled as TEPOLI (Test of Oral Proficiency in English), it aims at investigating the problems concerning English as Foreign Language (EFL) students’ oral proficiency in a context of evening classes in a private English Language and Literature undergraduate course (henceforth Letters course) in the northern region of the state of Sao Paulo, in Brazil, from its first to its fourth year. Looking forward to improving the future EFL teachers’ profile, concerning specially their oral proficiency in the English language (OPEL), the test was taken by students of the Letters course, from the second to the fourth year of the university course, in order to: 1) analyse students’ OPEL; 2) establish criteria for OPEL according to specific professional expectations in Brazilian contexts; and 3) through the washback effect of a test, discuss and reculture expectations, beliefs and teaching-learning cultures, as well as improve students’ OPEL during the learning process by returning to linguistic deviations detected by the TEPOLI test. The analysis of all data collected by means of class recordings and videos of the oral tests, all of which were transcribed, reflexive vision sessions, informal conversations and questionnaires, reveals discrepancies between the student’s expectations about the students’ learning culture and the teacher’s expectations about the students (teaching culture) and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:39:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5920.pdf: 1305848 bytes, checksum: a273a7aa74ee99e31607cc97add93ae0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-18 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The main aim of this dissertation was to understand the perceptions of the educators involved in an investigation about the possibilities and importance of the use of visual culture images in the educational process within basic school spaces. The nature of the research was qualitative and exploratory. The empirical part was started by an extension course, a partnership between the Federal University of São Carlos and the local state school educational bureau, named: Image reading for medium and high school. Teachers lecturing at the four main areas of the national curriculum participated in the course. There were also school principals and pedagogical coordinators. From this group of educators, seven were selected to participate more directly of the investigation. The data collected were analyzed by the content analyses methodology, in which some aspects stood out, the ones we considered the obtained results: the cognitive development of the students and the application of specific school content has been one of the main image work objectives in the participants classrooms; such utilization occurs as a critical pedagogy strategy, directed mainly to perceptions of media influence; the school books available images have not been explored in all their possibilities, as knowledge facilitators and articulators towards critical attitudes; there is a content theorization need in critical perspectives, besides the thought diversity, fostered by collective appreciations of several images and artifact belonging to the visual culture, allowing the comprehension of plural thought importance and the difference concept, which may produce new basis to build a more democratic and inclusive basic school. / Esta dissertação teve como objetivo principal compreender a percepção dos(as) educadores(as) participantes da pesquisa a respeito das possibilidades e da importância da utilização de imagens da cultura visual no processo educativo em espaços escolares. A investigação, de natureza qualitativa e exploratória, foi dividida em duas partes: uma bibliográfica e outra empírica. A parte empírica iniciou-se com um curso de extensão, parceria estabelecida entre a Universidade Federal de São Carlos e a Diretoria de Ensino de São Carlos, denominado: Leitura de Imagens nos Ensinos Fundamental e Médio. Participaram da formação professores(as) das quatro áreas do conhecimento, de diferentes disciplinas, e membros da equipe gestora das escolas públicas estaduais; desse grupo de educadores(as), sete foram selecionados(as) para participar da pesquisa. Os dados coletados foram analisados utilizando-se a metodologia de análise de conteúdo, cabendo destaque para alguns aspectos, a título de resultados obtidos, a saber: o desenvolvimento cognitivo dos(as) alunos(as) e a aplicação de conteúdos disciplinares específicos têm sido um dos principais objetivos do trabalho com imagens em sala de aula; a sua utilização se dá como estratégia pedagógica crítica, direcionada principalmente à percepção das influências exercidas pela mídia; as imagens disponíveis nos materiais didáticos utilizados nas escolas acabavam não sendo utilizadas em todas as suas possibilidades, quer como facilitadoras e articuladoras de conhecimentos, ou como motivadoras para uma compreensão e desenvolvimento de uma atitude crítica; existe a necessidade de problematização de conteúdos com perspectivas de leituras críticas; além disso, a diversidade de pensamentos, propiciada por apreciações coletivas de diversas imagens e artefatos pertencentes à cultura visual, permite a compreensão da importância do pensamento plural e do conceito de diferença, o que pode produzir novas bases sobre as quais se podem constituir uma escola mais democrática e mais inclusiva.

abstract: This action research project engages questions about the relationship of teacher evaluation and teacher learning, joining the national conversation of accountability and teacher quality. It provides a solid philosophical foundation for changes in teacher evaluation and staff development, and analyzes past and current methods and trends in teacher evaluation. Set in the context of a suburban elementary charter school, the problems of traditional evaluation methods are confronted. The innovation proposed and implemented is Teacher Evaluation for Learning, Accountability, and Recognition (TELAR), a teacher evaluation system designed to support learning and accountability. TELAR includes multiple data points and perspectives, ongoing feedback and support, an evaluation instrument centered on collective values and a shared vision for professional work, and an emphasis on teacher reflection and self-assessment. This mixed-methods study employs both qualitative and quantitative measures to provide an enriched understanding of the current problem and the impact of the change effort. Results suggest that TELAR 1) helps teachers re-define their role as professionals in their own evaluation, positively increasing perceptions of value, 2) promotes a culture of learning through a focus on shared values for professional work, a spirit of support and teamwork, and continuous improvement; and 3) empowers teachers to assess their own practice, self-diagnose areas for growth, and generate goals through a continuous process of feedback, reflection, conversation, and support. Implications for practice and future studies are presented. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2013

abstract: ABSTRACT Counselors at a public community college who teach a first-year college success course to developmental education students do not have effective opportunities or a systematic method to develop their teaching practice. Moreover, like a majority of community college and university instructors, many counselors do not have formal training in instruction. Since the retention and persistence rates of developmental education students are low when compared to non-developmental education students, and the purpose of the college success course is to increase developmental education student success, it is imperative that instructors of the college success course are well-trained to provide high quality learning experiences. The researcher implemented the Lesson Study (LS) professional learning experience in order to increase the collaboration amongst counselors in their efforts to improve their teaching practice as well as improve the quality of the learning experience for developmental education students, consequently potentially improving their retention and persistence. The researcher facilitated a mixed-method study to explore how instructors made meaning of their teaching practice as well as what changes they made to their instructional practice while engaging in LS. The researcher utilized qualitative means to analyze the following data: (1) instructors' weekly reflective journals, (2) semi-structured interviews with instructors after each cycle of LS, (3) video recordings of LS debrief meetings, and (4) video recordings of LS planning meetings. The researcher utilized quantitative means to analyze the following data: (1) pre/post instructor surveys on self-efficacy, and (2) 1,235 student questionnaires regarding LS lessons and non-LS lessons. Analysis of the qualitative data demonstrated that how counselors made meaning of their LS experience seemed to correlate with positive features attributed to the practice of LS in the research literature such as increased collaboration and in-depth reflection as well as positive changes in instructional practices and an increased focus on learning from practice. In addition, analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data showed that lessons created through LS produced a higher quality learning experience for students than lessons that were not created through LS. Moreover, the analysis of the data showed an increase in instructors' efficacy for teaching. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Leadership and Innovation 2014

A pesquisa tem por objetivo, compreender as possibilidades e os desafios da prática pedagógica do professor-tutor no curso Veredas, destinado à habilitação de professores das séries iniciais do ensino fundamental, na modalidade de Educação a Distância EaD). O estudo da prática do tutor no Veredas se deu por meio de pesquisa de campo, na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (AFOR UFU), em Uberlândia, MG, no período de janeiro de 2003 a julho de 2005. Para melhor compreender de que modo e em que condições o tutor desenvolveu sua função de mediação pedagógica na formação de professores e qual a percepção dos tutores acerca da própria prática, observamos as atividades dos tutores nos encontros presenciais do curso. Realizamos entrevista semiestruturada com tutores e coordenadores, grupo focal com cursistas e análise documental. Participaram da pesquisa, dez tutores e trinta cursistas do total de 42 tutores e 630 professores cursistas. Os resultados mostraram que o Veredas apresentou avanços e inovação no que diz respeito à formação superior de professores das séries iniciais do ensino fundamental em EaD. Entretanto, a pesquisa aponta aspectos que precisam ser corrigidos e aperfeiçoados para melhor atender às necessidades de cursistas e tutores. Esses aspectos envolvem desde o processo seletivo dos tutores, as condições de trabalho até a criação de espaços autoformativos e formativos para o desempenho das funções que exercem. A EaD requer um professor-tutor capaz de refletir e pesquisar a própria prática, com vistas a transformá-la e ressignificá-la. O discurso e prática dos tutores são mesclados por inconsistentes concepções de educação, EaD, professor-tutor, ensino e aprendizagem. Transitam entre abordagens tradicionais, construtivistas e sociointeracionistas e explicitam reduzidos conhecimentos acerca destes elementos e da modalidade à distância. Na maior parte dos encontros presenciais, os tutores se mostram confusos, inseguros, carentes de orientações e de apoio didático-pedagógico, metodológico, tecnológico e administrativo. Apresentaram dificuldades com o planejamento, a coordenação de atividades interativas, colaborativas e significativas, orientações do estágio, monografia e memorial. Demonstraram fragilidades teórico-prática sobre os diversos saberes, competências e habilidades que envolvem a docência, na perspectiva crítico-reflexiva-investigativa em EaD. Consideramos que ficou comprometida a mediação pedagógica e a orientação acadêmica, no sentido de desenvolver nos cursistas práticas reflexivas, interativas e cooperativas, a articulação teoria-prática, autogestão e autonomia no aprendizado. Tal cenário confirma e explicita a urgência e necessidade de autoformação, de formação contínua do professor-tutor em serviço para dar conta de uma formação superior de professores qualificada em EaD. / The purpose of this paper is to comprehend the possibilities and the challenges of the pedagogic practice of a teacher-tutor in the Veredas course, aimed at enabling teachers in the initial grades of elementary schools, Distance Education System (EaD). The study of the tutor practice in Veredas course was through a field research in the Federal University of Uberlândia (AFOR UFU) in the city of Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, from January 2003 through July 2005. To better comprehend how and in what conditions the tutor developed his/her job of pedagogic mediation in the teachers development and the perceptions of the tutors concerning their own practice, we observed the activities of the tutors in the physical on site meetings during the course. We performed semistructured interviews with tutors and coordinators, focus group with students and document analysis. Some ten tutors and thirty students, out of 42 tutors and 630 student teachers, participated in the research. The results demonstrated that the Veredas course showed advancement and innovation concerning the development of the under graduate course of the initial grade teachers of elementary schools in distance education. However, the research shows aspects that need to be corrected and improved to better suit the needs of the teacher students and tutors. These aspects entangle since the selection procedure of the tutors, the working conditions up to the creation of self-formative and formative spaces to perform their tasks. Distance education requires a teacher-tutor that is able to reflect and research his/her own practice aiming at changing them and giving them a new meaning. The speech and practice of the tutors are mixed with inconsistent conceptions of education, distance education, teacher-tutor, teaching, and learning. They use traditional approach, constructivism, and social-interactionism and show little knowledge concerning these aspects as well as the distance education. In most part of the on site meetings, the tutors seemed confused, insecure, with lack of directions and lack of didactic-pedagogic, methodological, technological, and administrative support. They showed difficulty with the planning and the coordination of the interactive collaborative and significative tasks, internship orientation, dissertation, and the other reflective papers about practices. They also showed little theoretical-practical knowledge concerning various subjects, competence and abilities which entangle the teaching in a critic-reflective-investigative perspective in distance education. We conclude that the pedagogic mediation and academic orientation have been compromised in the way to develop in the teacher students reflective, interactive and cooperative practices, the theoretical-practical articulation, self management and autonomy in the learning process. Such scenario confirms and unveils the urgent need of self-development, continuous development of the working teacher-tutor to be able to carry out the task of majoring teachers in distance education.