Med utgångspunkt i att läroplanen (Lgr11) beskriver att skolans uppdrag är att främja eleverna att bli initiativtagande, ansvarstagande, självständiga och aktiva samhällsmedborgare (Skolverket, 2019). Studiens syfte är att synliggöra hur några utvalda, verksamma lärare uppfattar och implementerar critical literacy i praktiken genom sin undervisning. Detta genom att titta på hur lärarna arbetar med olika texttyper men också genom att granska hur critical literacy-aspekterna makt, genus, klass och etnicitet blir synliga i dessa lärares undervisning. Studiens syfte är att synliggöra hur några verksamma lärare uppfattar och implementerar critical literacy i praktiken. Med följande frågeställningar ämnas syftet uppnås:  1.     Hur beskriver de intervjuade lärarna att de arbetar med critical literacy i sin undervisning när de arbetar med olika texttyper? 2.     Hur beskriver lärarna att de arbetar med aspekterna makt, genus, klass och etnicitet utifrån ett critical literacy-perspektiv? Studien är kvalitativ med datainsamling gjord genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju verksamma lärare i årskurs F – 3. Lärarnas uppfattningar undersöktes utifrån en fenomenografisk ansats och analyserades genom en tematisk analys. Studien genomsyras av den sociokulturella teorin. Resultatet av studien pekar på att de intervjuade lärarna arbetar med få texttyper då endast berättande- och faktatexter användes i undervisningen. En central del av kriterierna för critical literacy handlar om att arbeta med flera olika texttyper. Genom lärarnas uppfattningar av aspekterna makt, genus, klass och etnicitet, landade studiens slutsats i att lärarna har bristfälliga kunskaper om fenomenet critical literacy. Därmed synliggjorde inte de deltagande lärarna i studien aspekterna enligt critical literacyperspektivet i sin undervisning. Trots bristfälliga kunskaper visar slutsatsen att lärarna arbetar kring makt, genus, klass och etnicitet i sin undervisning. / Based on the fact that the curriculum (Lgr11) describes how the mission of the school is to promote the pupils to take initiative, responsibility, to become independent as well as active citizens (Skolverket, 2019). The aim of the study was to make visible how a few selected, active teachers embrace and implement critical literacy in practice through their teaching. This through viewing in what way the teachers work with different kinds of texts but also through examining how the aspects of critical literacy; power, gender, class and ethnicity are made visible through the teaching of these teachers. The aim of the study is to make visible how active teachers perceive and implement critical literacy in practice through their teaching. With the following questions at issue the aim of the study should be reached: 1.     How do the participating teachers describe their critical literacy teaching when working with different types of texts? 2.     How do the teachers describe their work with the aspects; power, gender, class and ethnicity from a critical literacy perspective? The study is qualitative with data collection made through semi-structured interviews with seven active teachers in grade F-3. The perception of the teachers was examined on the basis of a phylogeographic approach, and later analysed by a thematic analysis. The study is permeated by the sociocultural theory. The result of the study points out that the interviewed teachers work with few kinds of texts as only narrative- and factual texts were used in teaching. A central part of the criterial for critical literacy is about working with different types of texts, not as few as presented. Through the perception of the teachers of the aspects power, gender, class and ethnicity, the study showed that the teachers have insufficient knowledge of the phenomenon of critical literacy. Therefor the aspects of critical literacy were not made visible by the participating teachers. However, despite poor knowledge next to obliviousness the conclusion just as well shows that the teachers work with power, gender, class and ethnicity in their teaching.

The aim of this study was to compare practices of assessment with theory. Three teachers on the upper secondary level in English were interviewed. This study contains three research questions, namely, how do teachers work with assessment? To what extent do teachers work with formative assessment in the subject English? In what way do teachers’ perception and experiences of formative assessment relate to current research in the field? The results indicate that formative assessment is an established method in the classroom, which differed from a collegial aspect since most collegial collaborations relate to summative assessment. Teachers used formative assessment to a varied extent and in various ways, which entail a high usage of mapping, defining goals, formal and interactive feedback from teacher to student. The results also indicate small or non-existent usage of peer-assessment, feedback from student to teacher and, self-assessment. The analysis showed that some perceptions between teachers were contradictive, but support from each viewpoint could be found in recent studies. Finally, the results of my study pointed to that formative assessment in practice and theory is a quite ambiguous research field. Some other interesting findings which were not a part of this study’s aim showed that all teachers mention how distance studies due to the coronavirus make summative assessment more challenging. In comparison to summative assessment, formative assessment can somewhat proceed as normal whereas teachers give students formal feedback, but the teachers highlight that the interactive part of feedback disappears. Teachers gave examples of interactive feedback as when students ask for and receive direct feedback in the classroom when working on a written assignment. Teachers reported that students perform better in oral production ever since school had to switch to digital learning, which is also another interesting finding. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka lärares bedömningspraktik för att kunna jämföra dessa med forskningsläget. Tre lärare i engelska på gymnasienivå intervjuades. Studien ämnar sig åt att besvara tre frågeställningar: hur arbetar lärare med bedömning? I vilken utsträckning använder engelsklärare sig av formativ bedömning? Vilka kopplingar finns mellan lärares uppfattningar av formativ bedömning och forskningsläget? Resultaten visar på att formativ bedömning är en etablerad metod på klassrumsnivå, däremot tillbringar lärarna ur ett kollegialt perspektiv huvudsakligen åt summativ bedömning. Lärare använde formativ bedömning i varierande grad och på varierande vis, det visade sig att lärare frekvent använder sig av kartläggning av elevers kunskaper, synliggörande av mål och formell samt interaktiv återkoppling från lärare till elev. Resultaten visar på att kamratbedömning, återkoppling från elev till lärare och främjande av egenbedömning används i mycket liten eller ingen utsträckning. Analysen påvisade att lärarnas uppfattningar skiljdes åt sinsemellan men det visade finnas belägg för varje synsätt i forskningen. Slutligen påvisar denna studie på att formativ bedömning i jämförelse av praktik och teori är tvetydig. Några andra intressanta resultat genererades från studien även fast det var en del av studiens syfte. Lärarna beskriver att distansundervisningen som råder på grund av coronaviruset försvårat den summativa bedömningen. I jämförelse med den summativa bedömningen, kan den formativa bedömningen fortsätta som normalt där lärare kan ge elever formell feedback men lärarna understryker att den interaktiva delen av feedback försvinner. Lärarna gav exempel på interaktiv feedback, ett exempel är när elever frågar och får direkt feedback i klassrummet när de arbetar med en skrivuppgift. Lärarna i denna studie beskrev även att elever presterar bättre i muntliga förmågor i engelska sedan undervisningen har skiftat till distansundervisningen, vilket också är en intressant iakttagelse.

This research study explored the impact of group music therapy at a school for intellectually impaired learners in Namibia. The research project generated qualitative data through individual interviews of two teachers at a school for intellectually impaired learners. Interviews were conducted with each teacher before and after participating in ten group music therapy sessions with their learners. The data was compared and discussed in terms of the teachers’ experience of the impact of group music therapy on (i) their perceptions of their learners and how this influenced their teaching approach, and (ii) their perception of music therapy as a profession. Results generated from the interviews indicated that, through participation in music therapy sessions, learners experienced and explored their individual capabilities through the medium of music. Teachers observed their learners’ potential in new areas and in this way obtained a more holistic view of their learners. As a result of noting learners’ diverse abilities, teachers also adapted their teaching approaches to work in a more learner-centred way. This complemented their classroom approach based on the Namibian educational policy of learner-centred education in which learners’ individual competencies are to be developed, requiring teachers’ sensitivity towards their learners’ needs and abilities. Findings of this study further indicated a more in-depth understanding of music therapy as an intervention by the teachers after participating in sessions with their learners. This suggests that first-hand experience provides an effective way of understanding the music therapy profession and the possibilities that it may hold in a special school for intellectually impaired learners. Findings further highlighted some challenges that may need to be overcome when implementing a music therapy programme in a special school. Copyright / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Music / unrestricted

The purpose with this study is to contribute with more knowledge about how teachers perceive and use inquiry-based teaching alongside learning materials in their teaching within the science subjects in primary school. We used qualitative, semi structured interviews with a phenomenographic research approach to get a view of teachers’ perceptions about inquiry-based teaching as a phenomenon and how it interacts with learning materials.The study shows that every teacher is using an inquiry-based teaching but in various ways. Inquiry-based teaching was described as a positive part of the education where the pupils get to experiment and use practical work. Most of the teachers thought that the inquiry-based teaching comes with some challenges. The teachers meant that it is time consuming, and it requires access to material. The planning of the education where the inquiry-based teaching is centered demands a studious planning. It showed to exist differences in the purpose of using inquiry-based teaching because some of the teachers meant that inquiry-based teaching creates interest for the science subjects. Some of the teachers described that inquiry-based teaching adds to the pupils conceptional understanding and the other teachers believes that inquiry-based teaching develops the pupil’s knowledge about doing science inquiries. Learning materials were considered as a complement to the inquiry-based teaching. They explained that one cannot exist without the other. Through the theory the pupils are learning about the practical aspects and through the practical aspects the pupils can develop a deeper understanding for the theory.

Syftet med denna studie är att bidra med ökad kunskap om hur lärare som undervisar i årskurs F-3, ser på och använder sig av estetiska lärprocesser i ämnet svenska. Hur begreppet definieras, hur det används i klassrummet samt vilka utmaningar som möjligen kan återfinnas i det estetiska arbetet skildras därför. Studien har genomförts med stöd av kvalitativa intervjuer, detta för att få fram vad lärarna har för egna uppfattningar om det berörda ämnet. De teorier som ligger till grund för detta arbete är det sociokulturella perspektivet på lärande samt pragmatismen. Fenomenografin är den valda ansatsen för studiens bearbetning, tolkning och analys av den empiri som insamlats. Resultatet visar att respondenternas uppfattningar i många fall stämmer överens med tidigare forskning som genomförts. Estetiska lärprocesser uppfattas av lärarna i studien som ett extra uttryckssätt för eleverna och ett arbetssätt som möjliggör att de får använda alla sina sinnen. Det i sin tur leder till att eleverna kan befästa ny kunskap på ett enklare sätt. Estetiska lärprocesser i ämnet svenska används för att ge en variation i undervisningen och vilka estetiska former som nyttjas, beror på vilken årskurs som lärarna undervisar inom samt vilket intresse de själva har för detta ämne. De utmaningar som framkommit handlar främst om tiden det tar för lärarna att plocka fram, genomföra och städa undan efter många estetiska lektioner. Även för små eller delade lokaler anses som ett hinder, då detta medför att lärarna ofta inte kan genomföra de aktiviteter som annars hade varit önskvärda. Osäkerheten är den sista utmaningen som framkommit ur resultatet, de estetiska former som ofta väljs bort i svenskundervisningen är också de som lärarna själva känner en osäkerhet kring. / The purpose of this study is to contribute with increased knowledge of how teachers who teach Swedish in grade F-3, think about and work with aesthetic learning processes in the classroom. How does the teachers define this concept, how do they use it in the classroom and which challenges can be fund? These are the questions that will be answered. This study has been conducted through qualitative interviews to gain information about the teachers’ perceptions. The study is based on the sociocultural learning perspective and on the theory of pragmatism. A phenomenographic research approach was taken to process, interpret and analyze the result from this study. The results show that the teachers' perceptions are in many cases consistent with previous research. The teachers deem the aesthetic learning processes to be an extra means of expression for the pupils, as well as a working method that makes it possible for them to use all their senses. This makes it easier for the pupils to learn new things. Aesthetic learning processes are used to provide a variation in the education and which kind of aesthetics that are being used, depends on how old the pupils are and the teacher’s own interest in this subject. The challenges that have been found in this study are mainly about the time it takes for the teachers to prepare, implement, and clean after many of the aesthetic lessons. Too small or shared rooms in the school buildings are also considered an obstacle to overcome for the teachers, as this means that they often cannot carry out the activities that otherwise would have been desirable. Insecurity is the last challenge that emerged from the results. The teachers deem that the aesthetics that are often rejected in the classroom, are those that the teachers themselves feel some insecurity about using.

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This study has a fourfold focus. Firstly, the study aims to fill a gap in research regarding teachers and principals’ perceptions on transition work and collaboration in school years K-3 and 4-6 in the subject of English. Secondly, the study explores how these views affect students' academic achievement in the subject. Thirdly, the gathered data is compared to previous research and Swedish national governing documents and guidelines on the matter. Lastly, the study collected suggestions for improvements with regards to transition work and collaboration based on previous research and our respondents’ views.    The basis for the study is data collected from 42 teacher and 10 school principal respondents who answered qualitative and quantitative questions regarding the issue. The findings indicate that teachers and principals' views do not always align regarding transition work. The study shows a great discrepancy in how Swedish schools collaborate around transition, where some Swedish teachers report well-functioning transition work and collaboration and some report the complete opposite. Furthermore, the findings indicate that students' academic performance is affected by the quality of teachers transition and collaboration work. Lastly, the study identifies some key factors that are necessary for well-functioning transition and collaboration work to transpire. / Denna studie har ett fyrfaldigt fokus. Först ämnar den att fylla ett hål i forskning som behandlar lärares och rektorers uppfattningar om övergångsarbete och samarbete mellan skolåren F-3 och 4-6 i Engelskämnet. Sedan utforskar studien hur dessa uppfattningar påverkar elevers akademiska prestationer i ämnet. I tredje hand jämförs den samlade datan med vad tidigare forskning, Svenska styrdokument och riktlinjer säger i frågan. Till sist sammanställer studien förslag på förbättringar på övergångsarbetet och samarbetet baserat på respondenternas bidrag och tidigare forskning. Forskningsunderlaget utgörs av data som samlats från 42 lärare och 10 rektorer som svarat på kvalitativa så väl som kvantitativa frågor om ämnet. Fynden indikerar att lärares och rektorers syn på övergångsarbete inte alltid överensstämmer. Studien visar vidare en grav diskrepans mellan svenska skolor i hur de samarbetar kring elevers övergång mellan låg- och mellanstadiet, där några av lärarna rapporterar ett väl fungerande samarbete och andra det helt motsatta. Fynden indikerar även att elevers akademiska prestationer kan påverkas av kvalitén på lärarnas samarbete och övergångsarbete. Slutligen identifierar studien några nyckelfaktorer som är nödvändiga för att skapa ett väl fungerande övergångsarbete och sammarbete.

At 2 primary schools in Western Jamaica, students at the Grade 1 level lacked basic literacy skills of comprehension, letter recognition, letter sounds, and oral communication. The purpose of this qualitative evaluation study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the Jolly Phonics program implemented to improve students' literacy in Grades 1-3. Guided by Engestrom's activity theory, the effectiveness of the Jolly Phonics approach was examined based on the sociocultural learning theories of Vygotsky, Dewey, and Piaget. The research questions focused on teachers' perceptions of the program's impact on students' literacy improvement and of the strategies used in the Jolly Phonics program. Data collection involved individual interviews with 8 teachers from 2 selected primary schools with a representation of at least 2 teachers from each grade level. Using open coding and thematic analysis, emerging minor and major themes were identified. Themes included (a) positive impact on curriculum and instructional delivery; (b) focus on all students who lacked basic literacy skills; (c) development of phonetic awareness, writing, comprehension, and listening skills; (d) workshops that are stimulating and informative; (e) support from teachers and administrators; and (g) greater focus placed at the lower grades. Overall, the findings indicated that the Jolly Phonics program had a positive impact on struggling readers in Grades 1-3. Implications for positive social change include providing the local district with research-based findings on teachers' perceptions of the impact of and strategies used in the Jolly Phonics Program. The findings can be used to support programming decisions and professional development to improve literacy skills of early and struggling readers.

In this confirmatory factor analysis, factors previously identified to explain the variability in Middle School Mathematics Teachers’ perception of the Common Core State Standards of Mathematics were considered as factors hypothesized to effect high school math teachers’ perceptions of challenging math tasks (CMTs). The factor of student characterization (i.e., disposition, academic preparation, and student behavior) was additionally considered as a factor hypothesized to explain teachers’ perceptions of CMTs, as well as site-based variables (i.e., curriculum, assessment and evaluation, professional development, and collaboration). In addition, teachers’ understanding of the importance of the mathematical practice standards and teacher familiarity with enacting CMTs were factors considered in the model. The original septenary factor structure was modified and good model fit was achieved. In addition to the confirmatory factor analysis model which provides a structure for considering teachers perceptions of CMTs, descriptive statistics are presented from the survey developed that captured teachers’ perceptions of CMTs relative to their sites.

Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to identify teachers’ perceptions towards learners with special needs, using rural schools, Kgakotlou Circuit in Limpopo Province. The study made use of the qualitative research approach where a case study design was adopted. The population of the study was formed by teachers from five rural schools in Kgakotlou Circuit. For instance: All five schools, sampled through purposive sampling technique, participated in semi-structured and two schools participated in focus-group interview. All nine teachers were able to participate in semi-structured interview whereas only four teachers took part in the focus-group interview. From the in-depth interview a lot of information regarding areas that seem to influence teachers’ perceptions was gathered. The data provided insights to the way teachers understand inclusion, and the supports that they require in practice and how they meet classroom challenges in practice. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that teachers’ negative and positive perceptions on inclusion of learners with special needs have a significant effect on their education. The results also showed that negative perceptions influence learners’ academic performance. The study recommends that the department of education should organise an in-service training for teachers on inclusion. Keywords: inclusion in education, teachers’ perceptions, learners with special needs