Learning via apprenticeship is widely regarded as a powerful mechanism. To examine the role of apprenticeship learning and practice in developing argumentive thinking and writing, young adolescents (n = 64) participated in a four-week dialogic argumentation activity. They drew on available evidence and engaged 20 daily sessions in one-to-one electronic dialogues on contemporary social issues, anonymously, with a series of opposing-side partners. To assess the proposition that adolescents' argumentation skill advances via apprenticeship with a more skilled partner, in an experimental (but not control) discourse condition, a skilled adult arguer replaced a peer in half of the dialogues. Effects on students were evaluated in the dialogue and individual writing contexts. In the dialogue context, performance in initial peer dialogues during the first day of the workshop and in a final dialogic assessment on a new topic were evaluated. In the individual writing context, performance on the last workshop-debate-topic essay and non-workshop-debate topic essay were evaluated. Data were analyzed according to previously identified and well-validated coding schemes on counterargument and argument strategies. Although all participants showed skill gains, students in the experimental condition advanced in argumentive reasoning more rapidly than those in the peer-only control condition. Specifically, the strongest counterargument strategy (counter-undermine) appeared in greater proportions of idea units in the dialogues of students in the experimental condition, compared to those in the comparison condition. Only “weaken-other” improvements in dialogue reached significance in transferring to essays. These findings extend upon and support previous work on the power of dialogic engagement and engagement with more competent others as a mechanism of apprenticeship learning. Pedagogical and social implications are discussed.

Despite the fact acceleration has been studied thoroughly as an educational practice for the gifted, early entrance to college specifically has been overlooked. Not only this, but a large portion of this research pertains to early college entrance programs, which provide resources that many early college entrants may not have. The lived experiences and perceptions of radically early college entrants (three or more years advanced) were explored through interviews and heuristic inquiry. The interviews addressed affective aspects of early college foremost, with additional discussion of academic experiences, college choice, and career outcomes. Findings support that radically early college entrants are happy with their choice overall, though more specific findings elaborate on the benefits and limitations of early college, possible regrets, and the social issues this population faces.

We have become increasingly dependent on our smartphones and use them for entertainment, navigation, to shop, and to connect among other tasks. For many, the camera on the smartphone has replaced a dedicated digital camera, especially for the adolescent. With advances in smartphone technology, it is has become increasingly difficult to determine differences between smartphone camera and digital camera photographs. To date there is little research on the differences between photographs taken by smartphone and digital cameras, particularly among adolescents, who are avid photographers.This study used a qualitative task-based research method to investigate differences in photographs taken by adolescents using both types of cameras. Twenty-three adolescents ages 15 to 17 attending a regularly scheduled high school photography class participated in the study. The students were invited to capture a typical day in their life, first using their digital camera or smartphone camera and then switching to the other type of camera. Data were collected by way of written reflections, student interviews, and the participants’ photographs. The three data sources were coded, analyzed, and triangulated to provide results for this study. Results suggest that, for these particular participants, marginal differences exist between the photographs taken with a smartphone camera and a digital camera. Analysis also suggests there were minimal differences across specific categories of focus, color balance, and thoughtfully captured images between the smartphone and the digital camera photographs for this population of students. The study concludes that teenagers ultimately use whatever capturing device is available to them, suggesting that it is the photographer who controls the quality of a photograph—not the capturing device. Educational implications of the study focus on the use of technology in the art classroom, and suggestions are offered for photographic curricula based on the results of this study. In addition, an examination of different pedagogical styles, such as reciprocal and remote teaching and learning models, finds them particularly appropriate in supporting photography education for adolescents.

In the field of gifted education, there is little research on the perceptions of high school teachers of the gifted about giftedness, good gifted education practices, and the nature and needs of gifted learners. The purpose of this study was to form a deeper understanding of how those educators who guide gifted learners out of high school and into adulthood perceive giftedness and gifted education. This qualitative study, conducted in two phases, took place in a large suburban school district with three large high school systems and was focused on the responses of high school teachers to assess their attitudes, feelings, and opinions about the nature and needs of gifted learners using a grounded theory model of analysis. Data collected from the 11 participants in the first phase of the analysis was combined with that collected from the 13 participants in phase two and validated throughout with continual comparison through memoing. Participants reported a general lack of engagement with scholarly work in the gifted education field as well as a dependence on the school district for effective training in classroom practice. Evidence also suggested a view of giftedness among the participants as an inherent quality of some people who needed to be properly trained in the instructional environment. Implications from this study suggest further research, both qualitative and quantitative, needs to focus on clarifying the perception of giftedness among high school teachers as well as how the delivery of effective training to those teachers can be implemented.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / The development of leadership potential in adolescents cannot be approached in a haphazard manner. It ought to occur on the basis of a dynamic development model within a structured space. Such a model should not only prepare adolescents for their current leadership role, but also, and more particularly, its very nature should be more career-oriented. The question of what model will strive to equip adolescents with greater entrepreneurially-orientated leadership knowledge, therefore justifiably calls for closer investigation. In this study, an attempt has been made to find a suitable model to meet these needs. With this in mind, a study of the literature on the phenomenon of successful leadership was undertaken. Various relevant aspects that incorporate organisationally-structured management, were also examined. This enabled the researcher to develop a practice-oriented model from a study of the literature. In the implementation of the research design, use was made of qualitative research methods and techniques in order to collect and analyse relevant data. The study entailed 'action research' in which two independant groups were involved. For this purpose, the research results of the second cycle were concentrated on in order to reach findings and draw conclusions, and to make recommendations. This research ultimately revealed that adolescents have a deep need for entrepreneurially-oriented leadership development content. Individual participants also derived significant benefits from the implementation of the model. Owing to the success achieved with this research study, the management team of the school involved has decided to establish a full-time entrepreneurship centre for its pupils. This study can therefore be regarded as a contribution towards meeting the need for similar models in South African schools, in a practical and viable way. / Die ontwikkeling van adolessente se leierspotensiaal is nie iets wat lukraak aangepak kan word nie. Dit behoort aan die hand van 'n dinamiese ontwikkelingsmodel binne 'n gestruktureerde ruimte te geskied. Sodanige model behoort adolessente nie alleen vir hul huidige leierskaprol voor te berei nie, maar behoort in besonder ook 'n meer beroepsgerigte karakter te openbaar. Daar kan dus tereg gevra word hoe die model behoort te lyk wat daarna streef om adolessente met groter entrepreneursgerigte leierskapskennis toe te rus. In hierdie studie is gepoog om vas te stel of 'n geskikte model gevind kan word wat aan bogenoemde behoefte voldoen. Met die oog hierop, is 'n literatuurstudie oor die verskynsel van suksesvolle leierskap onderneem. Daarbenewens is verskeie toepaslike aspekte waarbinne die bestuurswese hom in 'n organisatoriese struktuur vergestalt, ook van nader beskou. Dit het die navorser in staat gestel om 'n praktykgerigte model vanuit 'n literatuurstudie te ontwikkel. Tydens die implementering van die navorsingsontwerp, is van kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes en -tegnieke gebruik gemaak om relevante data in te samel en te analiseer. Die studie het voorts die vorm van aksienavorsing aangeneem waarby twee onafhanklike groepe betrek is. Vir die doeleindes is daar op die navorsingsresultate van die tweede siklus gekonsentreer om bevindinge, gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings te maak. Hierdie navorsing het uiteindelik getoon dat adolessente 'n groot behoefte aan entrepreneursgerigte leierontwikkelingsinhoude toon, terwyl individuele deelnemers baie baat by die implementering van sodanige model gevind het. Op grond van die sukses wat met hierdie navorsingstudie behaal is, het die bestuurspan van die betrokke skool besluit om 'n voltydse entrepreneurskapsentrum vir sy leerlinge tot stand te bring. Hierdie studie kan derhalwe beskou word as 'n bydrae om die behoefte aan soortgelyke modelle in Suid-Afrikaanse skole op 'n prakties-uitvoerbare wyse te vervul. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Thesis (MEd.) -- Stellenbosch University, 1993. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this investigation was to determine the needs and problems of Standard six pupils in schools controlled by the Department of Education and Culture (Administration: House of Representatives) and the extent to which these are being addressed by existing educational structures. The investigatior: consists of two parts, a literature study and an empirical investigation. The literature study consists of an examination of South African and international research relevant to the investigation. An analysis of South African and international school guidance programmes aimed at meeting the needs and solving possible problems is included and an overview is given of the role that the school, both nationally and internationally, can, is and should be playing to meet these needs and help solve these problems. The empirical investigation examined standard six pupils' problems and needs concerning extra-mural activities, relationships with peers and older pupils, teachers and parents and personal adjustment. A questionnaire to determine these needs and problems was administered to a representative random sample of secondary school pupils in the Cape Peninsula. To determine what is being done to address these needs and problems, a second questionnaire was sent to the 58 dual-medium state controlled schools in thE~ Cape Peninsula for standard Six guidance teachers. A third questionnaire was sent to the Department of Education and culture (Administration: House of Representatives) to determine whether the Department agreed that the school guidance programme for Standard six pupils had been adequately applied by the school guidance teachers. Both South African and internati.onal research indicates that many adolescents experience adjustment problems on entering secondary school. Education authorities worldwide address these problems in various ways. In South l~frica, guidance and counselling services are available through elll the education departments, but their effectiveness and implementation need to be clarified because uniform control is not being exercised. The present research showed that most of the secondary schools in the survey do not have an orientation programme to assist pupils to bridge the gap between the primary and the secondary schools. Although this research does not offer conclusive evidence that Standard Six pupils are adversely affected by their present circumstances, the following needs were established: pupils • need to belong, supported by their opinion that extra-mural activities should be compulsory pupils' need for parent~; to be more lnvolved in school activities pupils' need for satisfactory relationships with teachers pupils' need for satisfactory peer relationships. Bas~~ on the~e findings, a number of recommendations have been made. These include: a sound orientation programme and the Careful selection of teachers who are sensitive to the needs of standard six 1Jupils an extra-mural programme where teachers and senior pupils can play a significant role to enhance the formation of constructive social groups and engender a sense of belonging a guidance programme incorporating group work and which teaches coping and problem-solving skills one non-racial education department with equal financing for all pupils and a uniform system of examination and certifica.tion the establishment of "mini-schools" or "middle schools" and the adoption of extended support for pupils to reduce adjustment problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die behoeftes en probleme van Standerd Ses-Ieerlinge in skole onder die Departement van Onderwys en Kultuur (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) te bepaal asook die mate waarin hierdie behoeftes en probleme deur bestaande onderwysstrukture aangespreek word. Die ondersoek bestaan uit twee dele, 'n literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek. Die literatuurstudie bestaan uit 'n ondersoek van relevante suidAfrikaanse en internasionale navorsing. Dit sluit ook in 'n ontleding van beide Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale skoolvoorligtingsprogramme wat op behoeftebevrediging asook probleemoplossing gemik is. 'n Oorsig word ook gegee van die rol wat die skool, op nasionale asook internasionale vIak, kan, moet en reeds speel om behoeftebevrediging teweeg te bring. Die empiriese ondersoek het standerd Ses-leerlinge se behoeftes en probleme met betrekking tot hul houding jeens die skool, akademiese prestasie, buitemuurse aktiwiteite, verhouding met die portuurgroep en ouer leerlinge, onderwysers en ouers, en persoonlike aanpassing ondersoek. 'n Vraelys om hierdie behoeftes en probleme vas te stel is deur 'n verteenwoordigende ewekansige monster van sekondêre skool leerlinge in die Kaapse Skiereiland ingevul. Om vas te stel wat reeds gedoen word om hierdie behoeftes en probleme aan te spreek, is vraelyste aan standerd Sesvoorligtingonderwysers van die 58 dubbelmedium staatsbeheerde skole in die Kaapse Skiereiland gestuur. 'n Derde vraely- is aan die Departement van Onderwys (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) gestuur met die doel om vas te stel of die skoolvoorligtingsprogram vir standerd sesleerlinge doeltreffend aangewend is deur die skoolvoorligtingsonderwysers. Beide suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale navorsing toon dat baie adolessente aanpassingsprobleme ondervind by toetrede tot die sekondAre skool. Onderwysowerhede wêreldwyd spreek hierdie probleme verskillend aan. In suid-Afrika is voorligtings- en raadgewende dienste deur middel van al die onderwysdepartemente beskikbaar, maar hul effektiwiteit en implementering moet ondersoek word aangesien eenvormige kontrole nie uitgeoefen word nie. Die onderhawige navorsing het getoon dat die meeste sekondere skole in die opname nie oor 'n orienteringsprogram beskik om leerlinge te help om die gaping tussen die primere en die sekondere skool te oorbrug nie. Alhoewel hierdie ondersoek nie afdoende bewys lewer dat Standerd Ses-leerlinge deur hul huidige omstandighede benadeel word nie, is die volgende behoeftes vasgestel: - leerlinge se behoefte om in te skakel, wat ondersteun word deur hul mening dat buitemuurse aktiwiteite verpligtend behoort te wees - leerlinge se behoefte dat ouers meer betrokke moet wees by skoolaktiwiteite - leerlinge se behoefte aan bevredigende verhoudings met hul onderwysers - leerlinge se behoefte aan In bevredigende verhouding met hul portuurgroep. 'n Aantal aanbevelings is op grond van hierdie bevindinge gedoen. Dit sluit in: - 'n goeie orienteringsprogram en die omsigtige seleksie van onderwysers wat sensitief is vir die behoeftes van Standerd Ses-leerlinge - 'n buitemuurseprogram waar onderwysers en senior leerlinge 'n doeltreffende rol kan speel om konstruktiewe sosiale groepe te bevorder sowel as In gevoel van samehorigheid - 'n voorligtingsprogram wat groepwerk insluit en wat lewens-en probleemoplossingsvaardighede onderrig - een nie-rassige onderwysdepartement met gelyke finansiering vir aIle leerlinge asook In uniforme eksamen- en sertifiseringstelsel - die oprig van "miniskole" of "middelskole" en die daarstel van aanvullende ondersteuning vir leerlinge om aanpassingsprobleme te verminder

Thesis (MEd(Psych))-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gifted children represent an important component of a nation's intellectual capital, with the resources to find innovative solutions to scientific and social challenges. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994, limited attention has been paid to gifted education as a research focus. To ensure quality education for all learners, current educational policy supports inclusive education. However, there is a gap between the policies which have been developed and their implementation at grassroots level in the school and classroom. In particular, several recent South African studies on gifted education suggest that gifted learners are at the end of the queue for educational provision. In this qualitative and collective instrumental case study, framed within an interpretive paradigm, I set out to explore the lived experiences of academically gifted Grade 11 learners. I wanted to gain an insight into how it felt to be gifted, and how their experiences played out in the various systems in their respective contexts. A further aim was to assess their specific academic support needs, in order to make a contribution to designing quality education for this particular group. The expression of giftedness is viewed as dependent on the interactions of the child with his or her environment, so Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological model was taken as the theoretical framework for the study. I chose a descriptive multiple case study design, using purposive sampling to select six participants, three from each of two schools in sharply contrasting socio-economic backgrounds in a large rural town. I used three methods of data collection, semi-structured individual interviews, a semi-structured focus group interview, and collages. Qualitative content analysis was used for both phases of data analysis, within-case analysis and cross-case analysis. The findings showed that gifted learners from both affluent and disadvantaged backgrounds faced similar challenges in developing their potential. They often felt neglected and academically under-stimulated. They identified specific deficiencies in both their schools and communities which needed to be addressed to ensure optimal learning opportunities. Despite the similarity of their experiences, the learners from the school in the disadvantaged community had to combat greater challenges than those from an affluent background. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Begaafde kinders verteenwoordig 'n baie belankrike komponent van 'n nasie se intellektuele kapitaal. Hulle beskik oor innerlike bronne om innoverende oplossings vir wetenskaplike asook sosiale uitdagings te bied. Vanaf die aanvang van demokrasie in 1994 in Suid-Afrika, is beperkte aandag aan begaafdekindonderwys as navorsingsfokus gegee. Die huidige onderwysbeleid ondersteun inklusiewe onderwys om sodoende kwaliteit onderrig aan alle leerders te verseker. Daar blyk egter 'n gaping te wees tussen beleidsontwikkeling en die inplementering daarvan op grondvlak, in skole en klaskamers. Verskeie onlangse Suid-Afrikaanse studies oor begaafdekindonderwys dui in die besonder daarop dat begaafde leerders agter in die ry staan as dit kom by voldoende onderwysvoorsiening. In hierdie kwalitatiewe, kollektiewe en instrumentele gevallestudie, ingebed binne die raamwerk van 'n interpretatiewe paradigma, het ek my beywer om die beleefde ervaringe van akademies begaafde Graad 11 leerders te ondersoek. Ek wou insig bekom oor hoe hulle, hulle eie begaafdheid ervaar, asook hoe dit uitspeel in die verskillende sisteme binne hulle onderskeie kontekste. 'n Verdere doelwit van hierdie studie was ook om spesifiek hulle akademiese ondersteuningsbehoeftes te evalueer ten einde sodoende 'n bydrae te lewer ten opsigte van die ontwerp van kwaliteit onderrig vir hierdie spesifieke groep. Die interaksies tussen die kind en sy of haar omgewing speel 'n belangrike rol in die uitdrukking van begaafdheid. Om hierdie rede is Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese model as teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie aangewend. Ek het 'n beskrywende, veelvuldige gevallestudie-ontwerp gekies en doelmatigheid-steekproefneming aangewend om die ses deelnemers, drie van twee skole in sterk kontrasterende sosio-ekonomiese agtergronde in 'n groot plattelandse dorp, te selekteer. Ek het drie metodes, naamlik semi-gestruktureerde individuele onderhoude, 'n semi-gestruktureerde fokusgroep-onderhoud asook collages, ingespan om data in te samel. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is gebruik vir beide data-analisefases, naamlik binne-geval-analise en kruis-geval-analise. Die bevindinge het getoon dat begaafde leerders van beide welvarende en benadeelde agtergronde soortgelyke uitdagings ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van hul potensiaal in die gesig staar. Hulle het dikwels verwaarloos en akademies onder-gestimuleer, gevoel. Hulle het spesifieke leemtes in beide hulle skole en gemeenskappe geïdentifiseer wat aangespreek moet word om optimale leergeleenthede te verseker. Ten spyte van die ooreenkomste in hul ervarings, moes die leerders van die skool in die agtergeblewe gemeenskap groter uitdagings die hoof bied as die leerders van die meer gegoede agtergrond.

This study is a historical analysis of the significant events that led to the creation and evolution of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS), from 1987 through 1992, and a description of the key individuals contributing to the development of the program. Included is a historical review of early college entrance and acceleration practices in the American educational system. In addition, the development of residential programs for mathematically and scientifically precocious high school-aged youths is offered. On June 23, 1987, the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science was established by the 70th Texas Legislature. Though fourth in a line of special programs created for mathematically and scientifically able high school-aged youths, the TAMS model significantly deviated from its predecessors. Only the accelerative TAMS model would offer a college curriculum taught by college faculty and the opportunity to concurrently complete the last two years of high school and the first two years of college. From the inception of the program in 1987 through 1992, changes would occur. From 1987 through the summer of 1988, the development of the curriculum, student life program, and admissions process took place. From 1988 through 1989 the inaugural class was introduced to the program, and legislative funding was approved in the 71st Texas Legislative Session. From 1989 through 1992, the program further expanded to an enrollment of 335 students who were assisted by more than thirty full and part-time staff members. The academic, admissions, and student life components further evolved to better identify, recruit, and nurture the intellectual and emotional development of these gifted adolescents. In 1992 the TAMS program was selected for the "Texas Excellence in Higher Education Award," for outstanding contributions to higher education within the state of Texas. In addition, one nationally acclaimed authority on programs for gifted youth, Julian Stanley, hailed the TAMS model superior in approach to all other similar existing schools. From 1987 through 1992, the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science metamorphisized to become an award winning, nationally acclaimed accelerative model for mathematically and scientifically gifted high school-aged youth.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of students' self-concept and their perceptions of family environment in the psychosocial adjustment and academic achievement of accelerated college students in a residential program. A secondary purpose was to investigate the differential role of those factors for students of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

There has been a dramatic increase in the utilization of technology within the fields of education and rehabilitation in the past two decades. Two studies focused on technology intended to assist a total of seven young adults with developmental disabilities to increase independence, decrease the need for paid supports, and improve task performance. Participants completed food preparation tasks in an employee break room, adhering to an industry specific protocol, while using a task application on an iPad that provided audio and video prompts. A multiple baseline across participants was used to show effects of the intervention on task performance and reliance on prompts. Results indicated that using an application on an iPad to video model tasks was effective in improving and maintaining accurate skill performance, while reducing the need for prompts. Participants in both study one and study two demonstrated mastery of task performance using the iPad application. In study one, three of the four participants faded the use of prompts, whereas only one of the three participants demonstrated independence in study two. Implications for future research are discussed. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection