M.Ed. / The importance of a multicultural curriculum for communities with a multiracial, ethnic and diverse constititution cannot be overemphasised in a modern approach to education. In the South African context their exists an urgent need for a mathematics curriculum which is able to accommodate the specific cultural background of every individual. The reality of cultural diversity in South Africa emphasises the importance of the implementation of a multicultural approach to the teaching of Mathematics. Mathematics is a social process which constitutes a fundamental part of education. It remains a dynamic and living cultural product, while remaining part and parcel of the social construction of a community. The recognition of this reality creates a viable foundation for a multicultural approach to the teaching of Mathematics. The Mathematics curriculum can be implemented to emphasise a person's own culture and to provide information regarding a community, as well as that which is relevant to its multicultural character. Pupils represent diverse cultural-, class- and linguistic backgrounds. Other aspects which have to be considered in the creation of a multicultural curriculum are the different approaches, points of view and thinking patterns of pupils. In addition to this, there remains a difference between the levels of education of parents as well as the premium they place on literacy. The degree in which multicultural education will realise, however, depends mainly on the teacher's attitude and classroom skills. The primary aim of this study is to conduct a research into the different ways in which a teacher can forge a constructive link with children from diverse ethnic communities, via his/her own perceptions, educational aims and strategies, usage of language in the classroom, as well as classroom skills and techniques. Themes and practical examples which also exhibits multicultural characteristics, are included and can be implemented by the teacher in his/her own classroom techniques. Teachers have a professional responsibility to remove all elements of prejudice from the classroom, as well as to acknowledge and respect the diversity of cultures.

M.Ed. / South Africa has already moved into a post-apartheid society, but its education system is till to date not yet fully transformed. Though the names of the various former education departments in the existing provinces have changed, because of the change in government, the integration is not completed yet. As a result, former "white" education departments and the former Department of Education and Training (DET) have been formally integrated, but in reality they are still separate. There are a number of differences among the schools of the different departments. For example, the schools which were previously controlled by the Transvaal Education Department (TED) are still maintaining the status quo in terms of curricula, syllabi, governance, appraisal and many other issues. Similarly all the schools which were previously controlled by the DET, also maintain their status quo regarding curricula, syllabi and governance. To just prove a point: in the black schools, governing bodies are presently transformed where all stakeholders are involved, whereas in the white schools, learners are excluded from governance; the names also differ: some are known as PTSA's (Parents, Teachers, and Students Associations) and others just management councils. The question is whether a new education dispensation can respond to broad social, economical and political goals, without continuing to be just political - that is, controlled by a particular ideology, not necessarily supported by all members of the society the education system serves. This is our past and present experience. This study hopes to contribute to the search for that common purpose, by considering the process by which we in South Africa Might prepare ourselves for that future education, and contribute to it in a way that is consistent with its long-term goals. There are several crises in education that are affecting the teaching and learning process directly or indirectly countrywide, but particularly in the schools previously controlled by the DET as well as former TBVC (Transkei/Bophuthatswana/Venda/Ciskei) states' schools. There have been genuine attempts on the part of government to resolve the education crises through negotiations with communities, political structures, religious structures, non-government organisations, teacher unions and student organisations. In spite of all these efforts, very little progress has been made so far. Tensions are still rife between the education authorities and the different stakeholders or structures. In the various schools now under the jurisdiction of provincial education departments, the picture is one of continuing deterioration in the relationships between the department and its teachers and pupils. The serious disruptions and ups and downs in attendance, especially in the rural schools, resulted in the total breakdown of the teaching-learning environment in most schools. Teachers are dispirited, pupils are restless, demotivated and disturbed by what is going on around them. The general environment is not conducive to learning at all. Regular learning habits have broken down, and discipline is loose or non-existent. Discipline has collapsed as a result of the abolition of corporal punishment in the schools by the government. The problem is that no alternative forms of punishment have been put into place to maintain discipline in the schools. These measures taken by the government have negative implications. There is now little respect for teachers as well as education authorities. Even where it is warranted - and sometimes it is not warranted - many teachers have given up trying to survive in the classroom. Those who try to impose punishment, are threatened or assaulted by students. Teachers, on the other hand, are also insubordinate to their immediate superiors or authorities. Lawlessness is the order of the day in the schools. Departmental professional supervision is meagre and some schools are "no-go areas" for departmental officials and inspectors of education. A further disturbing factor is the influence in education of the young people not in school. The drop-outs become street children who engage themselves in criminal activities such as burglary, car hijackings, alcohol and drug abuse. The generally negative image of the teacher, held even among teachers themselves, contributes to the breakdown of the positive learning environment. They are under pressure, criticised from all sides for inadequacies or inefficiency - for which they are often not to blame - and treated by the government not as professionals, but instruments of policy. It is not surprising, therefore, that the morale, confidence and self-image of many are at low ebb. Both public and civil servants, including teachers, are from time to time engaged in strikes or meetings during school hours, hence the pupils' interest in school attendance and learning has lessened. The impact of the transformation process is confusing the minds of educators, pupils, the general public and the authorities. Pupils do not regard their teachers as their leaders and educators anymore, but as government stooges. Teachers, on the other hand, are also negative towards the authorities, because their plight for recognition as professionals is not addressed or receiving immediate attention. They are continuously demanding, amongst other things, autonomy in. their teaching profession, like all other professions. Furthermore, the conditions of service do not motivate teachers to dedicate themselves to their work. The enrolment in the schools had risen tremendously after the general elections of 1994, due to the free education call campaign made by the new government (see Table 5). The facilities available can therefore not cope with the demands of the resultant overcrowding. The schools are now understaffed, overcrowded, there are shortages of learning materials, furniture, classrooms and teaching aids (see Table 4). The culture of teaching and learning is far from being restored, if till to date some pupils are taught in the open air or in shacks. The teacher-pupil ratio is abnormally high, it ranges from 1:50 to 100 in most of the rural schools. As a result, teachers resort to teaching without evaluating pupils regularly. Both the national and provincial education departments' authority and influence are from time to time challenged by community groupings, teachers' associations, students' organisations, young people outside the schools, parents, churches, trade unions, the business community, political parties and economic forces. There is a growing realisation that there is no certainty that the democratic changes in government and political structures would necessarily lead to democracy in education. Broad agreement has to be sought and negotiated in South Africa and a commitment found to a common purpose in education and society. Without this, questions of control, power and excess ideological baggage, will continue to dominate education to its detriment and that of its users. In spite of all the circumstances and difficulties described above, the education authorities, parents, political parties and the general public expect good results at the end of every academic year. The people who are to produce good examination results are the educators and teachers whose status and professionalism have collapsed completely.

Orientador: Matilde V. R. Scaramucci / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T02:18:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Batista_LuisOtavio_M.pdf: 817541 bytes, checksum: 159a1d17011af2d43b87b3e64b574e20 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: O cenário para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa colaborativa foi um curso reflexivo cujo foco principal foi a avaliação em Língua Estrangeira. Entretanto, dada a relação existente entre ensino e avaliação, foram tratados também o planejamento, o material didático e o método. Além disso, foi abordado o papel desempenhado pelo professor formador nesse contexto. Para a fundamentação do trabalho, utilizaram-se estudos sobre a formação do profissional reflexivo (Dewey, 1933; Schön, 1983; Wallace, 1995; Nóvoa, 1995; Vieira Abrahão, 2000/2001; Gimenez, 1998), e estudos sobre a avaliação (Scaramucci, 1993, 1995, 1997; Hoffmann, 1993), entre outros. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: diários dos professores, sessões reflexivas, entrevistas, questionários e diário do professor formador. Os resultados mostraram que os professores desenvolveram um processo reflexivo com base em três elementos: crenças sobre os processos de ensino/aprendizagem e de avaliação, experiência como aprendizes e como profissionais da área de línguas e conhecimento adquirido no curso. Em relação ao papel do professor formador, os resultados evidenciaram que esse afeta ou é afetado nesse contexto de formação, pois também tem que refletir sobre a própria prática enquanto formador. Palavras-chave: pesquisa colaborativa, processo reflexivo, prática de ensino e avaliação de rendimento / Abstract: The setting for the development of this collaborative research was a reflective course which focused on the assessment in foreign language. However, it is impossible to treat assessment without relating it to teaching and, therefore this research concentrates on how teachers deal with planning, teaching materials and methods. Besides, this research investigates the role of the tutor in this context. In relation to Teacher Education were used studies from Dewey (1933) ; Schön (1983), Wallace (1991), Nóvoa (1995), Vieira Abrahão (2000/2001), Gimenez (1998). In terms of Assessment were used studies from Scaramucci (1993, 1995, 1997), Hoffmann (1993), among others. In order to achieve our objectives it was used and analyzed tools, such as: teachers'diaries, reflective conversations, interviews, questionnaires and tutor's diary. The results demonstrated that teachers developed a reflective process based on three elements: beliefs on teaching/learning and assessment processes; knowledge acquired in the reflective course and the experience as learners and professionals in the language area. Considering tutor¿s role, the results showed that he shapes or is shaped by the course offered since he had to reflect on his own practice as tutor / Mestrado / Ensino-Aprendizagem de Segunda Lingua e Lingua Estrangeira / Mestre em Linguística Aplicada

The purpose of this study was to measure the perceptions of teachers regarding their most recent evaluation experience and to determine whether teachers perceive any significant relationships between attributes of teacher evaluation and its quality and impact on teacher growth. The study also considered whether there are significant differences between elementary and secondary teachers, as well as between classroom and nonclassroom teachers, in their perceptions of evaluation. The suburban school district in this study serves approximately 22,000 students. The subjects included 402 elementary and secondary teachers who were randomly selected from 1,081 permanent teachers. The Teacher Evaluation Profile (TEP) instrument was used to measure teachers' perceptions of their most recent evaluation experience. The 44 items on the questionnaire were examined based on the following five categories of evaluation: (a) teacher attributes; (b) evaluator attributes; (c) evaluation procedures; (d) evaluation feedback; and (e) evaluation context. A total of 284 respondents, or 71 percent of the teachers surveyed, returned a completed questionnaire. Data were reported in terms of frequency distributions, means, and standard deviations. Data analysis consisted of correlational analyses and an analysis of variance. The results of this study suggested that teachers judge the quality of their evaluation based on the attributes of the person who evaluates them and the feedback they receive. The quality of evaluation appears to be determined by the following attributes of effective feedback: the merit of the ideas and suggestions contained in the feedback, the depth of information provided, the specificity of information provided, and the amount of information received. Teachers appreciate an evaluator who gives useful suggestions for improvement, has a persuasive rationale for suggestions, and is a credible source of feedback. None of the attributes on the TEP had a significant relationship to the overall impact of evaluation on teacher growth. The results indicated that significant differences exist between elementary and secondary teachers, as well as between classroom and nonclassroom teachers, in their perceptions of evaluation. Recommendations were made for establishing a teacher evaluation system that is supportive of professional growth.

The research study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the instructional methods, particularly the lecture-discussion instructional method as a teaching and learning method at grade 7 level, in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe. The subject taught being English language. The experimental method (quasi-experimental) used at the twenty chosen schools was the pre-test and post test group method. It was found that the lecture-discussion instructional method produced better results in more cases than the discussion method alone. It was also found that work produced by the lecture-discussion instructional method was more refined than work produced by the discussion method alone. Guided learners were more work focused than learners discussing alone without a teacher. Average and below average learners did not enjoy learning without the presence of the teacher talk. The learners, during teacher absence, seemed hesitant and confused at times. The lecture-discussion method seems to cater for all the learners and their learning styles. The importance of the teacher in the class was clearly demonstrated by the work and results produced by the learners at the twenty selected primary schools in Shurugwi district, Midlands province, Zimbabwe. All the learners that received treatment from the experiment produced better results than their control groups that did not receive the treatment. However, conclusions and generalisations can not be made because the samples used and the areas covered were too small in size. The learners studied were too few to make meaningful generalisations and conclusions for the country. Further researches should be carried out in future. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment describes an evaluation by experts of an on-line course in Clinical Immunology offered to medical registrars and scientists as a supplement to a practical rotation. Because of a lack of agreement on what constitutes quality in e-learning and to avoid the customary focus on usability evaluation, an open-ended, interpretivist approach was used here which, while not entirely novel, was unusual in an e-learning environment. For this project it was decided to evaluate both content (subject matter) as well as instructional value using two groups of peers from various academic institutions, clinical immunology experts and e-learning experts. Feedback was obtained through participation in a focus group or in writing. Replies were much easier to obtain from the e-learning group. Five out of seven e-learning experts provided a response, versus three out of twenty subject matter experts. Eventually most of the feedback was obtained from colleagues from the home institution. Both groups made valuable, somewhat overlapping suggestions. Subject matter experts indicated that the course materials were of good quality and adequate on a postgraduate level. E-learning experts expressed concern about the ability of the course to facilitate learning and identified also some usability issues. Some of the findings may well apply to other settings. A number of five evaluators in each group appeared to give a good coverage within an open-ended approach. Expert peer review offered insights that neither student feedback nor self-reflection could. Rather than imposing evaluative criteria on the experts through the use of fixed checklists, the open-ended approach allowed them to cumulatively develop their own framework tailor-made for the course. The choice of subject matter plus e-learning experts may be helpful in similar situations of evaluating on-line courses where dual expertise is not readily available. The open-ended interpretivist approach can be used for formative evaluation only and may work well for courses that are still in development or where an amount of uncertainty about teaching effectiveness exists. Future efforts will likely focus on implementing the recommendations, identifying sustainable ways of quality review for the current course and similar open-ended evaluation of other courses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die evaluering deur kundiges van ’n aanlyn-kursus in Kliniese Immunologie word in hierdie opdrag bespreek. Hierdie kursus word bykomend tot ‘n praktiese rotasie vir kliniese assistente (medies) en wetenskaplikes aangebied. Aangesien daar nie eenstemmigheid is oor wat gehalte in e-leer behels nie, en om die gebruiklike fokus op die evaluering van gebruiksmoontlikhede te vermy, is ’n interpreterende benadering in hierdie geval gebruik. Alhoewel hierdie benadering nie heeltemal nuut is nie, is die gebruik daarvan ongewoon in die eleer- omgewing. Daar is besluit om vakinhoud sowel as onderrigwaarde in hierdie projek te evalueer. Twee ewe-kniegroepe van verskillende akademiese inrigtings, kundiges in kliniese immunologie sowel as kundiges in e-leer is gebruik. Terugvoer is ontvang deur die deelname aan fokusgroeponderhoude of deur skriftelike terugvoer. Terugvoer is makliker van die e-leergroep verkry. Vyf uit die sewe e-leerkundiges het gerespondeer teenoor drie uit die twintig vakkundiges. Uiteindelik is die meeste terugvoer verkry van kollegas van die tuisinstelling. Beide groepe het waardevolle, maar dikwels oorvleuelende aanbevelings gemaak. Die vakkundiges het aangedui dat die kursusmateriaal van ’n goeie gehalte en geskik op ’n nagraadse vlak is. Die eleerkundiges het hul kommer uitgespreek oor die vermoë van die kursus om leer te fasiliteer en het ook ’n aantal kwessies ten opsigte van bruikbaarheid uitgewys. Sommige van die bevindinge kan moontlik ook in ander kontekste van toepassing wees. Dit het geblyk dat ongeveer vyf evalueerders in elke groep ’n goeie verslag met die oopvrae-benadering gegee het. Vakkundige ewe-kniebespreking het insigte opgelewer wat nie moontlik was met studente-terugvoer of selfrefleksie nie. In plaas daarvan dat evaluerende kriteria deur vaste vraelyste op die kundiges afgedwing is, het die oopvrae-benadering hulle die geleentheid gebied om kummulatief hul eie toepaslike raamwerk vir hierdie spesifieke kursus te ontwikkel. Die keuse van vakkundiges en e-leerkundiges mag nuttig wees in soortgelyke situasies waar aanlynkursusse geëvalueer word en die tweeledige kundigheid nie geredelik beskikbaar is nie. Die oopvraeinterpreterende benadering kan slegs vir formatiewe evaluering gebruik word en mag moontlik goed werk vir kursusse wat nog ontwikkel word en waar daar heelwat onsekerheid oor die doeltreffendheid van die onderrig bestaan. Verdere ontwikkeling sal waarskynlik fokus op die implementering van die aanbevelings, die identifisering van volhoubare maniere van gehalte-beoordeling vir die huidige kursus en soortgelyke oopvrae-evaluering van ander kursusse.

Annexure is transcription of in-depth interviews. / Dissertation (DPhil) -- Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the era of globalisation, demands for increased productivity and multiple skills present challenges to adult educators in their role of facilitating empowerment in individuals. The proposed link between productivity and empowerment has stimulated interest in the concept by management and there has to be accountability to ensure that the needs of individuals and organisations are balanced. The aim of designing a standardised measuring instrument comprised the first phase of this research. The questionnaire was compiled based on the outcomes of empowerment identified in the literature on three levels (Micro-level, Interface level and Macro-level). After exploratory testing, the summated ratings method was applied in order to reduce and standardise the questionnaire. This instrument was tested for validity and the questionnaire of 61 statements was retained for the experiment. The experiment was conducted in the second phase to measure the effects of an intervention on the empowerment of workers. The questionnaire was applied in the Pre-, Post- and Postpost- test design in eight companies in the Western Cape where the life-skills training programme FREE TO GROW was implemented. Qualitative data collected identified the outcomes of empowerment and also validated the measuring instrument. Statistical procedures applied identified the patterns of empowerment in respondents. The respondents in the experiment were mainly females and the mean age was 33.9 years. The majority were Afrikaans and most classified themselves as part of the Coloured ethnic group. The FREE TO GROW training programme succeeded in achieving the objective of empowerment because it was found that there was a statistically significant improvement in the empowerment status of workers both in the short and long term. Most of the total group was empowered on the Interface level prior to the course and on the Micro-level after the course and in the long term. The males were more empowered on the Macro-level before the course, but had increased sustained Interface-level empowerment. The females benefited most on the Micro-level directly after the course and in the long term. Before the course the Coloured group was more empowered on the Micro-level compared to the whites, but they benefited most on the Interface level directly after the course. The Coloured group and females had statistically significant higher scores on the Interface level in the long term. In terms of the patterns of empowerment, it was found that the Micro-level issues were dominant prior to the course with a greater spread of perception of the other aspects of empowerment over time. Before the course, the respondents tended to react to personal and family issues where no action was needed. They were motivated to achieve their goals and had a desire for control over aspects affecting them. Directly after the course they had a more positive view of life, a sense of personal responsibility, and an ability to cope. They were prepared to take the initiative, were more ambitious and felt confident of their abilities in the workplace. In the long term their experience of empowerment was more balanced and they felt good about themselves, were more assertive, able to think critically and more involved in issues external to themselves. The measuring instrument designed in this study measured the outcomes of empowerment on three levels and helped to identify the patterns that emerged over the course of an intervention. A standardised empowerment questionnaire can increase accountability, assist in balancing the needs of individuals and management, and can provide insights to educationalists seeking to empower adults. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:In die era van globalisering stel die vraag na verhoogde produktiwiteit en veelvuldige vaardighede groot uitdagings aan opvoedkundiges betrokke by volwassene-onderrig in hul rol as fasiliteerders van bemagtiging by individue. Die voorgestelde verb and tussen produktiwiteit en bemagtiging het bestuur se belangstelling in die konsep aangewakker en toerekenbaarheid is noodsaaklik ten einde te verseker dat die behoeftes van individue en organisasies in balans is. Die eerste fase van hierdie navorsing het die ontwerp van 'n gestandaardiseerde meetinstrument ten doel gehad. Die vraelys is saamgestel op grond van die uitkomste van bemagtiging op drie vlakke (Mikrovlak, Interpersoonlike-vlak en Makrovlak) soos in die literatuur geYdentifiseer. Na ondersoekende toetsing is die vraelys verkort en gestandaardiseer. Hierdie instrument is vir geldigheid getoets en die vraelys van 61 stellings is vir die eksperiment behou. In die tweede fase is die eksperiment uitgevoer om die uitwerking van 'n intervensie op die bemagtiging van werkers te meet. Die vraelys is in die voor- en na-toets en mi die na-toets in agt maatskappye in die Wes-Kaap toegepas waar die opleidingsprogram In lewensvaardighede, "FREE TO GROW', geYmplementeer is. Kwalitatiewe data wat ingesamel is het die resultate van bemagtiging geYdentifiseer en ook die geldigheid van die meetinstrument bekragtig. Statistiese prosedures wat toegepas is het die bemagtigingspatrone by respondente geYdentifiseer. Die respondente in die eksperiment was hoofsaaklik vroue en die gemiddelde ouderdom was 33.9 jaar. Die meeste was Afrikaanssprekend en het hulself as lede van die Kleurling etniese groep geklassifiseer. Die "FREE TO GROW' opleidingsprogram het daarin geslaag om die doelwit van bemagtiging te bereik, omdat daar op kort- en lang termyn 'n statisties beduidende verbetering in die bemagtigingstatus van werkers gevind is. Die meeste van die totale groep is voor die kursus op die Interpersoonlike-vlak bemagtig en na die kursus en op die lang termyn op die Mikrovlak. Die mans is voor die kursus meer op die Makrovlak bemagtig, maar het groter volgehoue Interpersoonlike-vlak bemagtiging getoon. Die vroue het onmiddellik na die kursus en op die lang termyn die meeste op die Mikrovlak gebaat. Voor die kursus was die Kleurlinggroep meer op die Mikrovlak bemagtig in vergelyking met die blankes, maar hulle het onmiddellik na die kursus die meeste op die Interpersoonlike-vlak gebaat. Die Kleurlinggroep en die vroue het op lang termyn statisties beduidend hoer tellings op die Interpersoonlike-vlak behaal. Wat bemagtigingpatrone betref, is bevind dat die Mikrovlak-kwessies voor die kursus oorheersend was, met 'n groter verspreiding van persepsie van die ander aspekte van bemagtiging oor tyd. Voor die kursus was die respondente geneig om op persoonlike en gesinsaangeleenthede te reageer wat geen aksies vereis het nie. Hulle was gemotiveer om hul doelwitte te bereik en het beheer verlang oor aspekte wat hulle geraak het. Onmiddellik na die kursus het hulle 'n meer positiewe uitkyk op die lewe en 'n persoonlike verantwoordelikheidsin gehad, en getoon dat hulle probleme kon hanteer. Hulle was bereid om die insiatief te neem, was meer ambisieus en het vertroue gehad in hul vermoens in die werkplek. Op die lang termyn was hul ervaring van bemagtiging meer gebalanseerd en hulle het goed gevoel oor hulself, was meer assertief, in staat tot kritiese denke en meer betrokke by aangeleenthede buite hulself. Die meetinstrument wat in hierdie studie ontwerp is, het die uitkoms van bemagtiging op drie vlakke gemeet en gehelp om die patrone wat oor die verloop van 'n intervensie na yore gekom het, te identifiseer. 'n Gestandaardiseerde bemagtigingsvraelys kan toerekenbaarheid verhoog, help om die behoeftes van individue en bestuur te balanseer, en insig bied aan opvoedkundiges wat poog om volwassenes te bemagtig.

Freshmen at Sul Ross State University are required to take tests which are used for placement purposes. One of the tests given is the Nelson-Denny Reading Test which measures comprehension, vocabulary, and reading rate. The scores are used with American College Test or Standard Achievement Test scores to place students in either remedial or regular freshman English. Remedial students, who score below the tenth-grade competency level, are placed in English 1300. Regular students are placed in English 1301 or 1302. Twelve studies were found which had been done in this area since 1980. One was directly related to this study. The Anglo and Hispanic population of the freshman class of 1987 was tested. Blacks were not included as they comprised less than 9 percent of the freshman class. There were 69 students in the experimental group and 162 in the control group. A pretest-posttest design was used. A three-way analysis of variance set up data for statistical testing. The Alpha level was set at .05. The findings indicate a significant difference for Hypothesis 1, which predicted no significant difference in the posttest performance of students required to take English 1300 and the pretest performance of students who were not. Therefore it was rejected. Because statistical testing yielded no significant difference for Hypothesis 2 — there will be no significant difference in posttest performance of Hispanic and Anglo students who were enrolled in English 1300, and Hypothesis 3—there will be no significant difference in the posttest performance of males and females who enrolled in English 1300, they were retained. Results indicate that while there is a significant difference between the means of the remedial students' posttest scores and means of the regular students' pretest scores, the program raises the performance of remedial students to a level accepted by Sul Ross State University. Therefore, the program is considered successful.

The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership characteristics of respiratory care program directors and determine the relationship between the director's leadership style, effectiveness, faculty satisfaction, extra effort, and program outcomes. Differences between the directors' perceived leadership style and faculties' perception of the directors' leadership style were also examined. Directors' leadership styles were measured by the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Director, faculty and program information was measured with a researcher-designed questionnaire. CoARC accredited program directors (n=321) and their full and part-time faculty (n=172) received an e-mail and a web link to obtain demographic information. All participants received an e-mail from Mind Garden, Inc. with a web link to complete the MLQ. Regression analysis and t tests were used to analyze the data. The results found a significant relationship between faculty satisfaction, extra effort, and perceived director effectiveness and each of the predictors transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant leadership behaviors. There was no relationship between program director leadership style and program outcomes. This study found no difference between the directors' and the faculty's perception of the directors' transformational and transactional leadership behaviors. However, there was a significant difference between the directors' and the faculties' perception of the directors' passive/avoidant behavior. / by Nancy L. Weissman. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

No ensino centrado no aluno, o foco da instrução é transferido do professor para o estudante. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar os efeitos do ambiente proporcionado em uma disciplina de Bioquímica para expectativas, motivação, estratégias de aprendizagem, avaliação da eficiência do ensino, participação, frequência e desempenho. Nesse cenário, são utilizadas duas principais dinâmicas: período de estudo (PE) e grupo de discussão (GD). A coleta dos dados envolveu a aplicação de questionários, testes de desempenho e entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise dos dados reuniu as abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa. Os resultados obtidos para expectativas e atendimento das expectativas mostraram predomínio do nível mais alto da escala de Likert para todas as afirmações sobre aspectos gerais e método de ensino. A comparação entre estes instrumentos indicou que a maioria dos alunos teve suas expectativas atendidas ou superadas na disciplina de Bioquímica. Além disso, verificou-se que as expectativas para carga de trabalho foram maiores do que a carga de trabalho percebida e as expectativas de desempenho também foram maiores do que o desempenho efetivo na disciplina. Os resultados sobre motivação indicaram que a disciplina contribuiu para os alunos apresentarem valores altos para motivação intrínseca, autoeficácia, estratégias de aprendizagem ativa e valor da aprendizagem científica. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que os alunos estavam mais ou igualmente motivados na disciplina de Bioquímica quando em comparação a outras disciplinas do primeiro ano. Os padrões obtidos evidenciam o papel do PE e GD para estimular a participação ativa e autônoma dos alunos e contribuir para que eles se mantivessem motivados e engajados no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Em relação às estratégias de aprendizagem, os resultados indicaram que as estratégias colaborativas foram efetivas para aprender Bioquímica: foram frequentes e tiveram avaliação positiva as estratégias de explicação para o grupo e discussão. As respostas sobre a eficiência do ensino mostraram que 80% dos estudantes acharam que o ensino foi eficiente. Nos resultados sobre a participação e frequência verificou-se que a maioria indicou altos valores para essas variáveis, porém mais de 25% assinalaram participação menor ou igual a 5 (escala 1-10) e 32% apresentaram número elevado de faltas. Este é um dado relevante porque a falta em uma disciplina com método ativo exclui a oportunidade de colaborar com os pares. A principal justificativa para a baixa assiduidade foi a sobrecarga de trabalho gerada por outras disciplinas. Em relação ao desempenho, 37% dos estudantes foram reprovados, porcentagem maior do que em anos anteriores. Para entender os motivos que resultaram no desempenho insatisfatório, comparou-se os grupos de aprovados e reprovados em função das variáveis investigadas nesta pesquisa. Os resultados revelaram que os estudantes que tiveram alta participação e/ou alta frequência apresentaram maior desempenho do que aqueles que tiveram baixa participação e/ou baixa frequência. Entrevistas realizadas para compreender com mais detalhes o baixo desempenho destes alunos permitiram confirmar os padrões da análise quantitativa: a sobrecarga de créditos comprometeu a participação e frequência dos alunos em Bioquímica. A apreciação conjunta dos resultados confirmou o efeito positivo dessa abordagem inovadora para as variáveis investigadas, apesar de influência significativa de fatores externos. / On student-centered teaching, the focus is shifted from the teacher to the student. The purpose of this survey was to verify the effects of the environment provided on a Biochemistry course for expectations, motivation, learning strategies, evaluation of the teaching efficiency, participation, attendance and performance. In this scenario, two core dynamics are applied: study periods (SP) and discussion groups (DG). The data gathering involved the use of questionnaires, performance tests and semi-structured interviews. The data analysis gathered both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results obtained for expectations and meeting of expectations showed prominence of the highest level of the Likert scale for all statements on general aspects and teaching method. The comparison between these instruments indicated that most students had their expectations met or exceeded in the Biochemistry course. Not only that, it was verified that the expectations for workload were greater than the perceived workload and the expectations of performance were also greater than the effective performance in the course. The results on motivation indicated that the course contributed to the students´ high levels of intrinsic motivation, self-efficiency, active learning strategies and the value of scientific learning. In addition, it was verified that the students were more or equally motivated on the Biochemistry course compared to other courses in the first year. The patterns obtained show the role of SP and DG in stimulating the active and autonomous participation of the students and contributing to their continued motivation and interest in the process of teaching and learning. Regarding the learning strategies, the results indicated that the collaborative strategies were effective in learning Biochemistry: the strategies of explanation for the group and discussion were frequent and well received. The responses on teaching efficiency showed that 80% of the students thought the teaching was efficient. The results for participation and attendance showed that the majority had high levels for those variables, however more than 25% indicated participation less than or equal to 5 (in a 1-10 scale) and 32% presented a high rate of absenteeism. This is a relevant data because absenteeism in a course with active methods excludes the opportunity to collaborate with peers. The main justification for the low participation is the work overload generated by other courses. Regarding performance, 37% of the students failed, a higher percentage than in previous years. In order to understand the reasons that resulted in the subpar performance, a comparison was made between the approved and unapproved group in regard to the variables investigated in this survey. The results revealed that the students with high participation and/or high attendance displayed higher performance than those with low participation and/or low attendance. Interviews held to understand in greater detail the poor performance of these students made possible to confirm the patterns of quantitative analysis: the classes overload compromised the participation and attendance of students in Biochemistry course. The joint assessment of the results confirmed the positive effect of this innovative approach to the investigated variables, despite the significant influence of external factors.