Thesis (Ed. D.)--Graduate School of Education, Oral Roberts University, 2004. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-142).

Thesis (PhD)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David Yopp. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-209).

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-63). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-175). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.) in Communication--University of Maine, 2003. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-88).

No description available.

The purpose of this mixed method study was to better understand undergraduate students' perceptions of international teaching assistants (ITAs) at a major research institution. For the purpose of this inquiry data were collected from surveying a sample of 436 of undergraduate students from different colleges and at different class levels. Survey data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Through the qualitative analysis of the open-ended survey data, undergraduate students' perceptions were derived from their responses, which resulted in themes both established in previous research (e.g., language), and original ideas (e.g., learning to understand ITAs language). Qualitative analysis of the survey data revealed that undergraduate students' perceptions of ITAs were varied and complex. For example, one perception identified was the connection of language to pedagogic difficulties, while another perception focused on the interactive construct of communication. Further, the quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between these two relational perceptions and undergraduate students who reported having experienced problems with ITAs in their classes. More specifically, students who indicated that they did not have problematic experience with ITAs were not very likely to articulate perceptions that were relational, whereas more students that did report having a problem in courses taught by ITAs articulated perceptions that involved an interaction (e.g., communication and language as a barrier interfering with pedagogic performance of ITAs). The findings from this study thus provide a critical understanding of undergraduate students' perceptions from their perspectives. In addition, the finding that language-pedagogy and communication were connected by undergraduate students who had encountered problems with ITAs, suggests that instead of ITA education programs addressing the challenges of accommodating the needs of individual departments and/or colleges in a university (Jia & Bergerson, 2008), ITA education would benefit more from focusing on language in relation to pedagogy.

The study (paper 1) sets out to explore TAs perceptions of their practice by investigating the incidence of scaffolding present in their work with students. A mixed- methods approach to data collection involved a focus group of 12 TAs, and structured classroom observations followed by semi-structured interviews of 7 TAs. This allowed the researcher to discuss what was observed as well as discover their views on their and other TAs’ practise. Varying degrees of mediation were observed: scaffolding, acceptance but challenging pupil’s response, bridging, exploring systematic thinking, and using process oriented questions. Very rarely did TAs give answers to problems in isolation. TAs often were responsible for supporting students in regulating their behaviour, and indicated that their focus was not solely on students academic attainment but more so on their emotional and social development as well. Implications for practise within the school system are explored. Following findings from paper 1, this study (paper 2) sets out to further explore the roles of TAs from the perspectives of students and parents. TAs indicated that a significant aspect to their role was developing the social and emotional wellbeing of the students they supported. This paper explores to what aspect those views were shared and valued by students and parents. A mixed-methods approach to data collection involved a focus group of 3 students, 21 parental questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews of 7 TAs. 64% of parents indicated that TAs provide social and emotional support to their students, and 95% of parents indicated that the role was important in supporting their children in having successful school experiences. Students indicated that TAs knowing them well was one of the most important aspects needed to support them. The theme of ‘student nurture’ is explored, as TAs perceive this to be one of the main aspects of their role. Implications for practise within the school system are explored.

This thesis describes an investigation into the outcomes of a developmental project focussed on improving the word reading skills of a group of (n=77) secondary school students across five different school settings in a South West of England Local Authority. The 'Plymouth Precision Teaching Project' was conducted during the 2007/8 academic year commencing in September 2007 through to April 2008. The project involved the delivery of regular Precision Teaching (PT) programmes across two cohorts (1 and 2) of students by Teaching Assistants (TAs) in each school who themselves received ongoing training and support throughout the project. This thesis reports on three inter-connected aspects of research stemming from the project: Aspect One considered the impact of PT interventions delivered by trained TAs on groups of secondary school students with literacy learning needs through a quasi-experimental design. Aspect Two investigated the adaptations made by TAs within PT programmes to improve student word reading skills; from here a framework for systematic teaching adaptations was formulated, trialled and reviewed. Aspect Three drew on the experiences of school staff and their learning throughout the initiative. The value of participating in the research was investigated through exploring TAs’ reflections on the development of their understanding of the processes and practices surrounding ‘teaching and learning’. Outcomes of the research point to the continuing contribution of PT to addressing basic reading skill needs through heightened structure to intervention delivery, promotion and scrutiny of ‘treatment fidelity’ and an ongoing, systemic approach to the development of staff skills. This thesis also emphasises the mutual benefits that a collaborative project such as this can bring about; not only can staff contribute to the development of intervention approaches and provide high-quality interventions, but they can also develop their professional knowledge too. As a venture networking schools, a local authority educational psychology service and a university department, it is suggested this thesis reflects a description of the ground modernised educational psychology services should seek to occupy more and more.