Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is in the midst of a mathematics and science education crisis that challenges all key role-players. The Institute for Mathematics and Science Teaching at the University of Stellenbosch (IMSTUS), was involved in several university-school partnership (systemic intervention) projects that sought to provide continuing professional development to mathematics and science teachers and to help them make a greater impact on the learners that they teach. One of these intervention projects was the Sciences and Mathematics Initiative for Learners and EducatorS (SMILES) that targeted mathematics and science teachers and learners in under-resourced schools in the Western Cape. The effects of an intervention aimed at supporting and enhancing teacher professional development will only be seen in the learners once teachers have accepted and mastered the pedagogies proposed. Professional development that does not “enthuse, support, train and renew, and encourage” will probably fail. When considering this, the question that must be asked is whether the SMILES project was in fact enthusing, supporting, training, renewing and encouraging. The purposes and aims of the SMILES project with specific reference to professional development of science teachers were to enhance teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge and address the critical issues confronting science education of which three are: constructivist teaching, understanding the nature of science, and scientific argumentation. The characteristics of effective professional development, the core features of professional development and the theoretical constructs to evaluate professional development of teachers were used in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the model used in the SMILES project. A concurrent version of the mixed method approach was adopted for the collection and analysis of the data. Although causality is always difficult to prove in a school setting because of the many variables that affect student performance, improved student achievement is the ultimate litmus test for teacher professional development effectiveness. Analysis of the National Senior Certificate results of the project schools compared with the National and Provincial results indicated that the project schools on the whole fared better than the National results. The project schools outperformed the national and provincial results for Life Sciences in 2011, 2012 and 2013 by at least four percentage points. The highest result achieved was 85,5% in 2011. In 2012 and 2013 these results were 82,7% and 83,0% respectively. In Physical Sciences the project schools started with results below that achieved nationally (34,7%) and then ended up with a pass percentage within half a percentage point of the provincial result (72,1%). The Mathematics results were not as positive. The project schools started by achieving a 63,4% pass rate and ended with a percentage pass rate of 63,3% having initially taking a dip down to 51,3%. At the end of the intervention the Mathematics results were better than the national results but were 10% lower than the Provincial average. Although it is difficult to pin down the results solely to the effects of the intervention, the comparison with provincial and national results reasonably controls for most of the extraneous variables including variations in enrolments in these subjects. On the affective side it is almost certain that the attitude of the learners and the teachers toward their respective subjects improved during the tenure of the project. This could have had a positive effect on the National Senior Certificate results achieved by the project schools. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is midde in 'n wiskunde en wetenskap onderwyskrisis wat alle sleutelrolspelers uitdaag. Die Instituut vir Wiskunde en Wetenskaponderwys aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (IWWOUS), was betrokke by verskeie universiteit-skool vennootskapsprojekte (sistemiese intervensie) wat gepoog het om voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling te bied aan wiskunde en wetenskap onderwysers en hulle te help om 'n groter impak op die leerders wat hulle onderrig, te maak. Een van hierdie intervensie-projekte was die Wetenskappe en Wiskunde-inisiatief vir leerders en opvoeders (SMILES) wat wiskunde en wetenskap onderwysers en leerders, in hulpbronarm skole in die Wes-Kaap, geteiken het. Die impak van 'n intervensie wat daarop gemik is om onderwyser professionele ontwikkeling te ondersteun en bevorder, sal eers in die leerders waargeneem kan word, wanneer onderwysers die voorgestelde pedagogieë aanvaar en bemeester. Professionele ontwikkeling wat nie "begeester, ondersteun, oplei en vernuwe asook aanmoedig” nie, sal waarskynlik misluk. Hierdie stelling in ag genome, is die vraag wat gevra moet word, of die SMILES-projek werklik onderwysers begeester, ondersteun, opgelei, vernuwe en aangemoedig het. Die doelstellings en doelwitte van die SMILES projek, met spesifieke verwysing na die professionele ontwikkeling van Wetenskap-onderwysers, was om onderwysers se pedagogiese inhoudelike kennis te versterk en om kritieke kwessies waarmee wetenskap-onderwys gekonfronteer word, aan te spreek. Drie van hierdie kwessies is, konstruktivistiese onderrig, begrip van die aard van wetenskap en wetenskaplike argumentering. Die eienskappe van effektiewe professionele ontwikkeling, die kern kenmerke van die professionele ontwikkeling en die teoretiese konstrukte om professionele ontwikkeling van onderwysers te evalueer, is in hierdie studie gebruik om die doeltreffendheid van die model wat in die SMILES-projek gevolg is, te evalueer. 'n Gelyklopend gemengde-metode benadering is gevolg vir die insameling en ontleding van die data. Hoewel oorsaaklikheid altyd moeilik is om in 'n skoolopset te bewys, as gevolg van die baie veranderlikes wat studente se prestasie beïnvloed, is verbeterde studente prestasie die uiteindelike lakmoestoets vir doeltreffendheid van professionele onderwyser-ontwikkeling. Ontleding van die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat-uitslae van die projek-skole, in vergelyking met die nasionale en provinsiale resultate, dui daarop dat die projek-skole oor die algemeen beter gevaar het as die nasionale uitslae. Die projek-skole het die nasionale en provinsiale skole se resultate vir Lewenswetenskappe in 2011, 2012 en 2013 met ten minste vier persentasie punte oortref. Die hoogste resultaat behaal was 85,5% in 2011. In 2012 en 2013 was hierdie uitslae onderskeidelik 82,7% en 83,0%. In Fisiese Wetenskappe het die projek-skole met resultate onder wat nasionaal behaal was (34,7%) begin, en geëindig met ʼn uiteindelike slaagpersentasie binne 'n halwe persentasiepunt van die provinsiale resultate (72,1%). Die wiskunde-uitslae was nie so positief nie. Die projek-skole het begin met 'n 63,4% slaagsyfer en geëindig met 'n slaagpersentasie van 63,3% na ʼn aanvanklike insinking na 51,3%. Aan die einde van die intervensie was hul Wiskunde-resultate beter as die nasionale resultate, maar 10% laer as die provinsiale gemiddelde. Alhoewel dit moeilik is om die resultate slegs vas te pen aan die gevolg van die intervensie, dien die vergelyking met provinsiale en nasionale resultate as redelike kontroles vir meeste van die eksterne veranderlikes insluitend variasies in inskrywings in hierdie vakke. Op die affektiewe vlak is dit byna seker dat die gesindheid van die leerders en die onderwysers ten opsigte van hul onderskeie vakke verbeter het tydens die projek. Dit kon moontlik 'n positiewe uitwerking op die projek-skole se Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat resultate gehad het.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The purpose of this study was to analyze the development of preservice teachers' beliefs in regard to diversity concepts and issues. The current study finds a positive development in preservice teacher candidates' professional beliefs about diversity as shown through observations, interviews, and document analysis at the beginning and end of upper division coursework in an elementary education degree program that infuses diversity throughout the program. Reflection is at the core of the goals of the college of education in which this program resides. Findings from this study revealed that through reflection and discourse, a majority of the senior students did show development in their professional beliefs about diversity concepts and issues. These findings may add to literature on program evaluation in the study of diversity concepts and infusion throughout upper division coursework. This study was limited due to an extremely low response rate and other spurious factors. / by Cynthia R. Schaub. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

submitted by Kwong Yee Fan, Edmond. / Added t.p. in Chinese and English. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-145). / Abstract --- p.ii / Chapter / Chapter I --- Introduction / Background of Study --- p.1 / Purposes of Study and Statement of Problem --- p.3 / Scope of Study --- p.5 / Significance of Study --- p.6 / Chapter II --- Literature Review and Theoretical Framework / Purposes of Instructional Supervision --- p.9 / Role and Responsibilities of Instructional Supervisor --- p.11 / Colleagues as Professional Development Resources --- p.14 / Orientations to Clinical Supervision --- p.17 / Clinical Supervision Models --- p.21 / Imperatives in Clinical Supervisory Approach --- p.26 / Theoretical Framework --- p.29 / Chapter III --- Methodology / Research Design --- p.36 / Role of Researcher --- p.37 / Sampling --- p.38 / Data Collection and Instruments --- p.39 / Data Analysis Method --- p.42 / Chapter IV --- Findings / School Profile --- p.48 / Administrative Hierarchy and Staff Relationships--Teachers' Perspectives --- p.50 / English Language Panel Practices --- p.54 / Economics and E.P.A. Panel Practices --- p.76 / Integrated Science Panel Practices --- p.100 / Chapter V --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.124 / Chapter VI --- Limitations of Study --- p.140 / Chapter VII --- Bibliography --- p.142 / Chapter VIII --- Appendices --- p.146

by Leung Chi-mei, Doris. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-86). / by Leung Chi-mei, Doris. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LISTS OF TABLES --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Background of the Study --- p.1 / Purpose of the Study --- p.3 / Significance of the Study --- p.4 / Hypotheses --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Review of Literature --- p.6 / Definition of Cooperative Learning --- p.6 / Basic Elements in Cooperative Learning --- p.7 / Positive Interdependence --- p.7 / Face to Face Promotive Interaction --- p.8 / Individual Accountability --- p.8 / Small Group Skills --- p.9 / Group Processing --- p.9 / Theoretical Basis --- p.10 / Motivational Aspect for Cooperative Learning --- p.10 / Cognitive Aspect for Cooperative Learning --- p.13 / Research on Basic Elements of Cooperative Learning --- p.17 / Research on Using Cooperative Learning in Higher Education --- p.24 / Negative Comments on Cooperative Learning --- p.28 / Summary --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.31 / Design of Study --- p.31 / Sample --- p.33 / Treatment --- p.34 / Schedule of the Research Study Procedures --- p.39 / Variables --- p.41 / Instrumentation --- p.42 / Data Analysis Procedures --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.46 / Reliability of Instrument --- p.46 / Test for the Null Hypotheses --- p.47 / Hypothesis One --- p.47 / Hypothesis Two --- p.53 / Hypothesis Three --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and Limitations --- p.64 / Discussion --- p.64 / Students' Achievement Measurements --- p.64 / Ability Level of Student --- p.67 / Instructional Strategy and Ability Level of Student --- p.67 / Students' Attitudes towards Instructional Media and Learning Conditions --- p.70 / Limitations of the Study --- p.71 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions and Recommendations --- p.73 / Conclusions --- p.73 / Recommendations --- p.75 / For Practice --- p.75 / For Future Research --- p.76 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.78 / APPENDIX A Course Syllabus of First Year Units of Educational Technology --- p.87 / APPENDIX B Lesson Plan for Cooperative Learning --- p.101 / APPENDIX C Frequency of Media Use --- p.119 / APPENDIX D Attitude Inventory --- p.120 / APPENDIX E Instructional Media Rating Form --- p.122 / APPENDIX F Item-total Statistics of Part I of the Attitude Inventory (N=95) --- p.123 / APPENDIX G Item-total Statistics of Part II of the Attitude Inventory (N-95) --- p.124

The purpose of this project is to develop a confluent interdisciplinary unit for use by other teachers. Confluent education focuses on teaching the affective and cognitive domains in a seamless approach in which the education of both domains are part of the objectives in the lessons. Includes lesson plans.

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships between the School of Education and the rest of the university by means of the course demands placed by elementary education majors and graduate education students on other academic departments during the fall terms of 1972 and 1973. It also examined the course demands placed on the School of Education by other major groups for this period. The Induced Course Load Matrix (ICLM) was the vehicle used in this examination. The hypothesis tested were 1) that elementary education majors and graduate education students placed equal course demands on the other academic departments, 2) that other major groups place equal course demands on the School of Education, and 3), that course demands by these three groups were consistent over time. Results indicated that elementary education majors and graduate education students did not place equal demands on other academic departments. Elementary education majors place the greatest course demands, as might be expected, on departments where there are course requirements such as Psychology, English, General Science, Mathematics and Speech. However, this group also placed heavy course demands on the History Department even though there are no required courses. Graduate education students placed course demands on other academic departments similar to elementary education majors, especially in the Departments of Psychology, English and History.

The public school teacher population of the United States is predominantly White, while the demographics of P-12 student population continue to grow increasingly diverse. Across the nation, there has been a call for the recruitment and retention of culturally and linguistically diverse teachers. The state of Oregon passed the Oregon Educator Equity Act, originally called the Oregon Minority Teacher Act, in 1991, and with recent renewed attention, the preparation of more culturally and linguistically diverse teachers in the state has gained prominence. Refocused consideration to the lack of diversity in the teaching workforce is overdue, as evidenced by the low numbers of African Americans found in Oregon's teacher workforce. Moreover, the experiences of African American teachers are underexplored. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the factors that contributed to the successful recruitment of African American teachers, specifically graduates of a teacher pipeline program. Employing an assets-based framework, a qualitative multiple-case design was used; data analyses included open coding of interview data, a constant comparison analysis of individual cases, and cross-case analysis. The predominant themes that contributed to the success of participants in this study included, belonging, accountability, and commitment to equity. While these findings, consistent with much of the literature on achievement of students of color, are not new, this study adds African American teacher voices to the existing research on the diversification of the teacher workforce. Additionally, this dissertation highlights successful efforts made toward recruitment of teachers of color with an Oregon lens.

The primary question for this dissertation was: Does online professional development increase novice itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual impairments' (TVI) efficacy for assessing learning and literacy media for students with multiple disabilities including visual impairments? The literature suggested novice TVIs might experience low efficacy when implementing strategies unique to their job after leaving teacher-training programs. Working in an itinerant position can intensify perceptions of low efficacy. One area of low efficacy was conducting and reporting on the assessment of learning and literacy media (ALLM). Using a quasi-experimental pre/post-design, data were collected from pre/postintervention knowledge questionnaires about the assessment process and pre/postintervention written ALLM reports. Eleven participants with 1-5 years of experience as TVIs were divided into control and intervention groups. Four online modules were delivered to the intervention group. The data were analyzed using two dependent and two independent sample t tests. The results indicated the change scores between the control groups pre- and post-submissions did not improve. The change scores between the intervention groups pre- and post-submissions did significantly improve after participation in the online modules. The change scores overall between the intervention and control groups' pre/post submissions were statistically significant. The intervention group completed an acceptability rating scale regarding the feasibility of the modules and the results had an average score of 3.5 (4 = strongly agree). The primary limitation of this study was the small sample size and, therefore, did not allow for generalization.