xiii, 105 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / In this study I examined whether priming salient characteristics in martial arts students' martial arts identity would influence their motivation to learn conflict resolution skills. Through a factorial, between-subjects experimental design I evaluated the effects of priming three different characteristics of a martial arts identity on 242 martial arts students, including 'peace' and 'competition' characteristics (experimental conditions) and an exercise" characteristic (control condition). I also examined whether the strength of the specific martial arts identity primed would moderate this relationship and assessed the impact of the conditions on participants' value and self-efficacy for conflict resolution skills, as these are theoretically related to motivation to learn. By using both multivariate analyses of covariance and binary logistical analysis, I assessed for outcome differences among the conditions. Results demonstrated that participants primed with the notion that `peaceful' characteristics were related to a martial arts identity were significantly more likely to want additional training in conflict resolution skills in comparison to participants primed with the notion that `competitive' characteristics were related to a martial arts identity. When experimental conditions were compared to the control condition, effects differed by sex. The peace prime significantly predicted that men would want additional training in conflict resolution skills, but not women. The competition prime significantly predicted that women would not want additional training in conflict resolution skills, but this was not true for men. Contrary to hypotheses, strength of identity was not a significant moderator of these relationships, and significant differences between experimental and control conditions were not found for the outcome measures of participant value and self-efficacy of conflict resolution skills. Ceiling effects and measurement issues may explain the lack of significant findings on a continuous measure of motivation to learn, but the dichotomous motivation to learn outcome variable was significantly influenced by the prime conditions in the hypothesized directions. Results of this study have the potential to improve the content and delivery of conflict resolution training with the purpose of improving participant participation and engagement. Study results, strengths, limitations, and implications for future research and practice are discussed. / Committee in charge: Benedict McWhirter, Chairperson, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Ellen McWhirter, Member, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Lauren Lindstrom, Member, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Thomas Dishion, Outside Member, Psychology

abstract: This action research study (a) explored how institutionally labeled “at-risk” Latina/o students described their experiences in an opportunity to learn environment within an academic intervention program, (b) examined how these students experienced caring relationships with their teachers in an opportunity to learn environment when compared to their other core academic classes, and (c) investigated how school leaders created conditions to further support these students’ academic success on a larger scale. This action research study utilized a sequential phenomenological qualitative approach. Critical Race Theory, Critical Pedagogy, and Care theory served as the theoretical frameworks for this study. The blending of these theories worked to push Latina/o students’ narrative reflections to emerge as constitutive and instructive voices speaking back against the inequalities in the educational setting, and offered counterstories about the caring dynamics of Latina/o students in the classroom. Participants included high school students identified as “at-risk” and in an academic intervention class / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2016

A tese analisa como a Pedagogia de Projetos interfere na aprendizagem dos alunos e da professora e nas práticas pedagógicas de Geografia. Nesse trabalho, utilizo a metáfora da organização de um projeto para construir a pesquisa. Inicio construindo a mobilização em um capítulo em que explico o sentido de escolher o portfólio como instrumento para coleta de dados e encaminho a discussão dos referenciais teóricos a partir dos quais fundamentei o estudo − as ideias de Hernandez, Levy, Maturana, Villas Boas, Callai e Cavalcanti. Em seguida, examino a prática do trabalho com Pedagogia de Projetos e as desestabilizações que esse trabalho produziu em minhas certezas, destacando a leitura e escrita como inibidores do ensinar Geografia, as fragilidades pedagógicas camufladas pela indisciplina e os questionamentos sobre ensinar ou aprender a Geografia. Ainda nesse capítulo, destaco a Pedagogia de Projetos e suas articulações com a Geografia, bem como as aprendizagens produzidas no movimento das interações com os portfólios dos alunos e os bilhetes da professora. No capítulo final, estabeleço uma conversa com os pensamentos que me produziram, para examinar os deslocamentos pedagógicos gerados pelos projetos de pesquisa, às vezes impulsionando, outras vezes inibindo as ações do professor. O caminho dessa investigação não se constituiu de forma linear. Como na lógica dos projetos de pesquisa, foram construídas redes, exibidas no emaranhado de idas e vindas que articularam os achados coletados nos diferentes instrumentos: portfólios dos alunos e da professora pesquisadora, cadernos informais de registro de conversas com colegas e outros professores, relatórios de pesquisa dos alunos e os planejamentos, tanto da proposta, quanto das aulas. A execução da Pedagogia de Projetos gerou deslocamentos em dois sentidos: aqueles que pontuaram sua validade e alcance em relação à contemporaneidade e os que criaram desestabilizações à efetivação da proposta, imobilizando algumas ações. Esses deslocamentos produziram três eixos que merecem ser destacados como aprendizagens emanadas da pesquisa: a formação, o ensinar e aprender Geografia e as práticas contemporâneas. Os escritos no portfólio produziram um processo reflexivo importante para reorganizar as ações pedagógicas, compreender as atitudes dos alunos, repensar minhas certezas em relação à Pedagogia de Projetos e estabelecer estratégias de atuação na escola, definindo avanços e recuos. / This thesis analyzes the way that Project Pedagogy interferes in both students‟ and a teacher‟s learning as well as in the pedagogical practices in Geography. In this work, I used the metaphor of the organization of a project to construct the research. I started constructing mobilization, in a chapter that explains the meaning of choosing the portfolio as an instrument for data collection, and discusses the theoretical references on which I grounded this study, i.e. ideas by Hernandez, Levy, Maturana, Villas Boas, Callai and Cavalcanti. Next, I examined the practice of working with Project Pedagogy and the destabilizations it caused in my certainties. I highlighted both reading and writing as inhibitors of Geography teaching, the pedagogical fragilities camouflaged by indiscipline, and questionings about teaching or learning Geography. Still in this chapter, I highlighted the work with projects and its articulations with Geography, as well as learning produced through the interactions with the students‟ portfolios and the teacher‟s notes. In the final chapter, I established a conversation with the thoughts that produced me, in order to examine the pedagogical displacements generated by the projects, sometimes stimulating, sometimes inhibiting the teacher‟s actions. The path of this investigation was not linearly traced. As with the project logic, networks were built, exhibited in a web of movements forward and backward that articulated the findings obtained through different instruments: students‟ and researcher-teacher‟s portfolios, informal notebooks where conversations with classmates and other teachers were recorded, students‟ research reports, and plans of both the proposal and classes. The practice of project pedagogy caused displacements in two senses: those that claimed its validity and reach in relation to contemporaneity, and those that generated destabilizations in the proposal, thus immobilizing some actions. These displacements produced three axes that are worth mentioning as learning stemming from the research: education; teaching and learning geography; and contemporary practices. The portfolio writings produced an important reflexive process to reorganize pedagogical actions, understand students‟ attitudes, rethink my certainties in relation to the project pedagogy, and establish strategies for action at school, by defining advances and drawbacks.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O tema central deste trabalho à o conceito e a prÃtica do aprender a aprender na EducaÃÃo de Jovens e Adultos (EJA), procedendo-se à investigaÃÃo, à anÃlise e à descriÃÃo do modo de como esse processo à compreendido e vivenciado pelas docentes e pelos estudantes, da alfabetizaÃÃo à quarta sÃrie, em escolas municipais que atuam na EJA. Dada a complexidade do tema, este estudo apoia-se numa base metodolÃgica multirreferencial, valorizando tanto os conhecimentos sistematizados por autores de diversas linhas de pensamento e Ãreas cientÃficas - Psicologia, Pedagogia, Sociologia, Filosofia, HistÃria -, como os dos sujeitos pesquisados - professores e alunos da EJA -, situados em suas circunstÃncias de vida e de aprendizagem. Os dados revelam que o aprender a aprender, na prÃtica das escolas municipais, mescla as necessidades particulares de cada professora, as convicÃÃes pedagÃgicas delas, as improvisaÃÃes que se fazem necessÃrias para o ajuste das aulas na realidade da EJA, o que foi deliberadamente ensinado e o que foi descoberto pelos alunos e alunas na e fora da escola. As contribuiÃÃes teÃricas das ciÃncias podem atuar como auxiliares dos educadores nesse processo, mas nÃo lhe oferecem receitas a seguir. Como conclusÃo, esta pesquisa apresenta que o aprender a aprender nÃo seguiu nem segue um Ãnico mÃtodo que possa ser sistematicamente descrito e reproduzido. Toda informaÃÃo que chega ao indivÃduo ajuda-o no traÃado de sua aprendizagem. Fora da escola essa prÃtica à corrente vivida por todas as pessoas, desde o nascimento. / The theme of this paper is the concept and practice of learning to learn for Youth and Adults Education (EJA), carrying out research, analysis and description of the method of how this process is understood and experienced by teachers and students of literacy to fourth grade in public schools that operate in Youth and Adults Education (EJA), Given the complexity of the issue, this study is based on a methodological multi-referenced basis for, highlighting both the knowledge documented by authors from various schools of thought and science - Psychology, Education, Sociology, Philosophy, History â and that of research subjects, teachers and students of adult education as located in their circumstances of life and learning. The data shows that learning to learn in municipal schools practice combines the needs of each teacher, their teaching beliefs, and the improvisations that are necessary to fit the classes in the reality of adult education, which was deliberately taught and which was discovered by pupils and students in and out of school. The theoretical contributions of the sciences can act as auxiliaries to educators in this process, but does not offer recipes to follow. In conclusion, this research shows that learning to learn has not and does not follow a single method that can be systematically described and reproduced. Any and all information that reaches the student helps their learning. Both in and outside of the school this practice is the wide experience of all people,from birth.

The project was concerned with action research aimed at improving the range and effectiveness of reading-to-learn. Students (Advanced Level and Undergraduates) report reading-to-learn problems but they are only vaguely aware of the cognitive organisation (intuitive tactics and strategy) which underlies and structures their reading behaviour. The research emphasis was therefore primarily learner oriented. 2. This approach clarified such issues as: (i) Learner interpretation of instructional directives to learn for specific tasks. (ii) Learner methods of translating the task definition into an operational plan for reading. (iii) The systematic relationship between the tactics and strategies of reading (the time-structure of reading behaviour), and the variety of reading outcomes, within sentence, paragraph and chapter sized texts. (iv) Training procedures (incorporating feedback of performance) by which a student can explore now tactics of reading-for-learning. 3. This approach has required the development of three now techniques: a) A method for recording reading behaviour. b) A method by which the ‘structure of a text’ can be systematically described. c) A system of training procedures for encouraging students to develop more effective methods of reading-for-learning. 4. The empirical data showed that there were two related aspects in developing more effective reading-for-learning; the first was to develop a clearer definition of instructional directives and the second was the ability to translate these into effective operational plans. As a result of individual differences in cognitive structure and skill, students differ in their operational task definition in relation to specific learning outcomes. The plans of a 'beginner' or an 'expert' may bring about the same outcome but they differ considerably. Students also differ in their training needs within a training procedure for reading-to-learn effectively. This emphasises the need to level a hierarchically organised learner-controlled programme of self-diagnosis and training. 5. The theoretical outcome of the research was a tentative model of the student learning by reading. This model is based on the concept of a dynamic interaction between the learner's cognitive structure and skill, the learner's task definition and how this becomes operational, and the syntactic and semantic structure of the text. The model can be considered as a hierarchically organised multi-level description of the reading process. The reading strategy formed of the tactics and the learning outcome, represent the observables of this interaction. The model was influenced by the theories of J. Bruner, G. Miller, N. Chomsky and R. Gagné. 6. The research was directed towards the identification of strategies and outcomes of reading-to-learn, with the double aim of investigating these areas and training students to increase their skill; both these aims were in line with endeavours to increase self-organisation and individual autonomy in learning. 7. Whilst the goals of the research were largely achieved, the results have illuminated a number of practical and theoretical issues that need further investigation.

From 1990 to 1993 I was engaged as the Information Technology (IT) Workshop manager at Mid-Cornwall College, St. Austell. My mission during this period was to develop a new kind of IT learning environment. The main purpose was - and continues to be - to provide for mixed 'open-access’ student targets wishing to pursue generic IT activities and gain commensurate vocational qualifications. This Open-Learning (OL) environment provides on-the-job curriculum development of IT learning support systems, through a Flexible Learning (FL) management policy. An action research approach based on S-O-L provides both the methodology and technology for implementing a learning organisation. A key objective was institutional change towards the learning management policy of IT, through appropriate deployment of staffing and courseware resources to enable the practice of student centred learning. Another aim was to integrate and mix all target groups of learners together in the same domain, i. e. school leavers with adult returners for the achievement of a cost-effective, well-co-ordinated and productive learning environment. My action research applied the Centre for the Study of Human Learning's (CSHL's) ideas and tools towards the development of the IT Workshop's learning policy. I have sought to make the connection between FL delivery of the generic IT curriculum and the SOL approach towards individual and organisational learning. This came about from the link between the FL philosophy of learner-centred activity and the SOL philosophy of empowering individuals via Learning Conversations. S-O-L'Systems-7' was adopted as a conversational tool for developing the educational roles and practices of the IT Workshop. This influenced my college to make essential environmental changes to the workshop in order to develop these activities. The project also used the Personal Learning Contract (PLC) to manage and enable the 'learning-to-learn' activities of individual IT learners. With the PLC as the central tool for implementing Learning Conversations, there evolved the idea of 'Group Learning Contracts' (GLCs). This led to the practical development of 'Learning Plans' (LPs), such that IT flexible modules could be transferred to the autonomy of the learner. Evaluations from this project included sample case-study evidences of Learning Conversations obtained from individual IT case-load students. Repertory grid feedback conversations of learning experienced by individual staff members taking part in the project were also obtained. Questionnaire results from IT learners was used as another method of feedback, and conversationally evaluated using factor analysis and 'talkback' records. All the action research qualitative evidences were finally analysed using conversational techniques, leading to the overall project 'findings'.

Concussion is an injury that disproportionately affects children and adolescents and has the potential to negatively impact school performance. Currently, a significant proportion of youth with concussion go unreported due to a lack of effective concussion surveillance procedures. Additionally, many individuals who have daily contact with youth (e.g., parents, teachers) lack training in how to assess or manage a concussion. Schools may be the ideal setting to address both of these problems as they have a high level of access to students and employ personnel (e.g., school psychologists, nurses, social workers, counselors) with experience in assessment and intervention. What is not known is how to best design a school-based concussion management (SBCM) procedure in order to facilitate concussion surveillance and management. Accordingly, the overall purpose of this study was to identify and describe factors (i.e., provider implementation characteristics, concussion referral communication) which may inform the design and implementation of SBCM programming. Examining the relationship between relevant SBCM outcomes and factors associated with strong school programming may help build the foundation for future SBCM procedures. Factors that influence program fidelity and outcomes are called school programming implementation characteristics and they reside at multiple levels (i.e., community, school, climate, program, provider) and are positively related to successful outcomes across varied programming. This exploratory study which utilized secondary analysis of existing data focused on the provider level with the primary aim of identifying and describing student services personnel (SSP; n = 144) implementation characteristics. Indicators of provider implementation characteristics consisted of their beliefs, training, and experiences in order to quantify how these characteristics predict perceptions of the impact of concussion on academics, perception of current informal procedures, and the number of students with concussions served. The independent variables primarily under investigation in this study (role, career experience, recent concussion experience, and training subscale) align with empirically supported personnel implementation characteristics. The second aim of this study was to explore pre-existing communication patterns between SSP utilizing the independent variable referral source. It is of note that the school district from which the data were collected had no formal SBCM programming; therefore, all SSP implementation characteristics examined were viewed as baseline characteristics. Results indicated that as all SSP groups (i.e., school psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers) perceive a need for SBCM as indicated by dissatisfaction with current procedures and agreement that concussion can negatively impact student performance. Although all groups indicated that they did not believe current concussion procedures to be effective, school psychologists and nurses reported the highest levels of dissatisfaction Additionally, nurses were found to have the highest levels of training in concussion assessment and management, and received significantly more concussion referrals per year when compare to the other SSP. These findings suggest that nurses may be effective in delivering concussion related service and establishing effective concussion surveillance procedures. Although more research is needed, this study represents the first step in bridging the gap between experimental concussion research and the successful delivery of these innovations through SBCM programming in order to help students recover from a concussion.

Undervisningen som till störst del bedrivs i Sverige idag är arbete i matematikläroboken. Forskning visar att eleverna inte upplever att detta arbetssätt är motiverande eller meningsfullt. Problemlösning har i tidigare forskning visat öka elevernas motivation. Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur problemlösning kan påverka motivationen hos elever i årskurs 6. Studien undersöker även hur eleverna upplever undervisningen, både genom arbete i läroboken och problemlösning, och hur interaktionen ser ut i klassrummet under de olika arbetssätten. Resultatet visar att eleverna upplevde arbete med problemlösning i grupper som positivt. De uttrycker även att det är mer givande att få arbeta med mer omfattande uppgifter som ger utmaning än att sitta och räkna massa tal i läroboken. Under arbetet med problemlösning pratade eleverna mer med varandra om matematik, och använde relevanta begrepp, jämfört med arbetet i läroboken då de framför allt pratade med läraren när de behövde hjälp. En slutsats som kan dras från denna undersökning är att det är positivt att arbeta med problemlösning då det upplevs roligare och mer motiverande, men undervisningen behöver fortfarande varieras för att nå alla typer av elever. / The mathematics textbook is dominating the teaching in Swedish schools today. Studies show that students don’t experience this as motivating or meaningful. Recent research has shown that problem solving could increase students’ motivation. The aim of this study is to examine how problem solving affects motivation in 6th grade students. The study also examine how students experience the teaching, both through work in the textbook and with problem solving, and how the interaction appears in the classroom during the different ways of working. The result shows that the students experienced problem solving in groups as positive. They expressed that it is more rewarding to work with more comprehensive tasks that is challenging than calculating in the textbook. During the work with problem solving the students talked more to each other about mathematics and used relevant terms. When they worked with the textbook they mostly talked to the teacher when they needed help. One conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that it is positive to work with problem solving as it is perceived more fun and therefore more motivating, but education still needs to be varied to reach all types of learners.

South Africa has recently introduced a new curriculum – curriculum 2005 and its revised version, the Revised National Curriculum Statement to replace the pre-apartheid education curriculum. C-2005 had come with some major changes in the teaching and learning of most subjects in the school curriculum. Among its major changes, the new curriculum focused on Environmental Education (EE) as a theme to be offered across the entire basic education or General Education and Training (GET) level curriculum. The one implication of that new focus on Environmental Education was that all the children at the basic education level were to be introduced to EE concepts and content. While the new version of C-2005, in the form of the RNCS places arguably less focus on Environmental Education as a theme, it retains the focus on environmental learning through (for example) the first principle listed for the RNCS: “Social justice, a healthy environment, human rights and inclusively.” Furthermore, a number of learning area outcomes with an environmental focus have also been retained. The whole focus on environmental learning, whether as a principle or a theme, is an unprecedented change in the curriculum of South Africa. Not many teachers, policymakers, learners, and other education stakeholders however, have the necessary experience to make such a major focus on Environmental learning workable within the current provincial systems of the country. It is against this background that a research was initiated to find out how the various provinces have responded to this new curriculum focus on EE. The study sought to explore the distribution of Environmental Education Opportunities to learn in the Mpumalanga province. Data for the study were collected mainly through qualitative interviews and document analysis with Environmental Education coordinator, subject advisers and the subject teachers within the province. An important finding in the study among others is that the Mpumalanga Education Department (MDE) on its own appears to have limited intellectual and material resources with which to build the schools’ instructional capacity for the implementation of the new Environmental Education policies and programs. I concluded the study by positing possible approach for providing Opportunities to Learn Environmental Education through an interaction between governmental and non-governmental resources and programmes in Mpumalanga. / Dissertation (MEd (Curriculum and Instructional Design and Development))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

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