The study intends to investigate the nature and cognitive demands of contextual word-problems posed in the FET mathematics examinations of IEB and NSC. The analysis of the mathematization of real-life situations to form contextual word-problems is based on the theory of authentic task situations. The theoretical basis for analyzing mathematics teaching and learning is the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) theory. Data was obtained using the schedule of mathematization of real-life situations and the schedule of total marks of contextual word-problems and national performance. All contextual word-problems included in the 2008-2013 question papers of IEB and NSC mathematics examinations were analysed. The research revealed that 509 marks out of 1800 marks were allocated to contextual word-problems in IEB examinations; whereas 473 marks out of 1800 marks were allocated to contextual word-problems in NSC examinations. / Mathematics Education / M. Sc. (Mathematical Education)

Learn how to realize a measurable increase in student engagement and achievement in mathematics through a guided, collaborative, and active process grounded in mathematics. Students and teachers collaboratively devise a data-driven plan of action that moves learning forward for all students and effectively supports at-risk secondary students in urban environments. Learn how teachers in the LMU Math and Science Teaching Program effectively implement assessments as motivations for student achievement and develop opportunities for students to demonstrate comprehension and retention of essential content over time. Students become active participants in the assessment process in an environment where learning is an individual progression and risk-taking is valued and encouraged. Find out how students, guided by teacher-provided descriptive feedback, make decisions in a process of self-reflection in which they critically analyze and compare their learning outcomes to expectations of content mastery. By comparing mastery to current performance, students utilize failure and engage in error analysis to deconstruct prior shortcomings and devise a plan of action that will move learning forward thereby overcoming failure.

The study intends to investigate the nature and cognitive demands of contextual word-problems posed in the FET mathematics examinations of IEB and NSC. The analysis of the mathematization of real-life situations to form contextual word-problems is based on the theory of authentic task situations. The theoretical basis for analyzing mathematics teaching and learning is the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) theory. Data was obtained using the schedule of mathematization of real-life situations and the schedule of total marks of contextual word-problems and national performance. All contextual word-problems included in the 2008-2013 question papers of IEB and NSC mathematics examinations were analysed. The research revealed that 509 marks out of 1800 marks were allocated to contextual word-problems in IEB examinations; whereas 473 marks out of 1800 marks were allocated to contextual word-problems in NSC examinations. / Mathematics Education / M. Sc. (Mathematical Education)

No description available.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Die bruikbaarheid van die Goodenough Draw-A-Manmeetmiddel met verstandelik gestremdes is ondersoek. Die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel, alhoewel aangewend om intelligensievlak van verstandelik gestremdes te bepaal, het beperkte ondersteuning volgens gepubliseerde studies. Twee studies het kontrasterende bevindinge ten opsigte van die bepaling van spesifieke grade van verstandelike gestremdheid aangedui. Ander studies het die geldigheid van die meetmiddel ten Die huidige studie het die volgende ondersoek: die bruikbaarheid van die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel ten opsigte van die klassifisering van die verskillende grade (sowel as onderverdeelde grade) van verstandelike gestremdheid; die verhouding tussen verstandelik gestremdes se prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Manmeetmiddel en die volgende veranderlikes: geslag, ouderdom, institusionalisering versus nieinstitusionalisering; en om stereotiperende mensfiguurtekeninge en leerpotensiaal te ondersoek. van kronologiese ouderdom en geslagsverskille, sowel as die algemene bruikbaarheid met verstandelik gestremdes bevraagteken. Die ondersoekgroep het bestaan uit 153 verstandelik gestremdes met kronologiese ouderdomsomvang van 7 jaar tot 84 jaar. Hierdie subjekte is as erg tot verstandelik gestremd geklassifiseer. Hierdie groep het bestaan uit 64 manlike en 89 vroulike subjekte van wie 99 uit In institusie populasie geselekteer is, terwyl 54 geselekteer is uit In nie-institusie populasie. Die subjekte is in drie ouderdomskategorieë, naamlik 7 tot 21 jaar, 22 tot 59 jaar en 60 tot 84 jaar gegroepeer. Die ondersoekgroep se psigometriese data (die Goodenough Draw-A-Man en die Ou Suid-Afrikaanse Individuele Skaal bevindinge) gedateer 1985 tot 1990 is ontleed. Hierbenewens is 20 verstandelik gestremde inwoners se mensfiguur-tekeninge (60 tekeninge) wat tydens 1993 geadministreer is, ontleed om stereotiperende tekeninge en leerpotensiaal te ondersoek. Die resultate van die huidige studie is soos volg: Bepaling van die spesifieke grade van verstandelike gestremdheid (erg, matig en lig) illustreer dat die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel en die Ou Suid- Afrikaanse Individuele Skaal, verskil ten opsigte van die bepaling van spesifieke klassifikasies. Die McNemar-toets bevindinge dui op In betekenisvolle verskil tussen die twee meetmiddels (p < 0,05). Die ooreenkoms tussen hierdie twee intelligensie-meetmiddels ten opsigte van klassifikasie is soos volg: ligte graad (77,3%), matige graad (57,8%) en erge graad (47,9%). Die Chi-wadraattoets en Fisher se eksakte toets vergelyking tussen die 99 gelnstitusionaliseerdes en die 54 nie-gelnstitusionaliseerdes, sowel as tussen die 64manlike en 89 vroulike subjekte vir die drie ouderdomskategorieë, dui geen beduidende verskil in prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel aan nie (p > 0,05). Die t-toets bevindinge met betrekking tot die ondersoek van stereotiperende mensfiguur-tekeninge, dui In beduidende verskil aan tussen die 20 toetslinge se prestasie op die eerste en tweede mensfiguur-tekeninge (t = -3,17, p < 0,05). Die subjekte het gemiddeld 2,4 tellings meer op die tweede tekening behaal Die t-toets bevindinge wat verband hou met die leerpotensiaal van verstandelik gestremdes, dui In beduidende verskil aan tussen die 20 toetslinge se prestasie voor en na die blootstelling aan In "perfekte" mensfiguurtekeninge (t = -5,26, P < 0,05). Die subjekte het gemiddeld 5,1 tellings meer op hul derde tekening behaal. 170 In Opsomming van die bevindinge is soos volg: dat die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel meer betroubaar is met die hoër funksionerende verstandelik gestremdes; dat veranderlikes soos institusionalisering, nieinstitusionalisering, geslag en ouderdom, nie In rol speel ten opsigte van hierdie groep verstandelik gestremdes se prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Man nie; dat vir hierdie groep verstandelik gestremdes, stereotiperende tekeninge en modifikasie van hul kognitiewe strukture voorkom, soos in hul mensfiguurtekeninge aangedui.

La présente thèse propose une étude exploratoire sur le travail en équipe d’étudiants en situation d’apprentissage par projet (design de produits et services, design intérieur, urbanisme, etc.). Cette étude vise le développement d’un modèle d’évaluation pour l’apprentissage du travail en équipe. Depuis quelques décennies, des projets en équipe ont été intégrés dans les formations en design afin de placer l’étudiant dans des situations authentiques. Toutefois, des défis récurrents entraînent des questions sur les formules pédagogiques, notamment quant au niveau de collaboration au sein des équipes. La compréhension de cette activité, qui vise la coconstruction de connaissances et qui a un rôle crucial sur les expériences des étudiants, reste à éclaircir. Appuyé sur une revue des différentes dynamiques d’équipe, notre étude est structurée en deux volets soit d’abord, mieux comprendre les expériences des projets de conception en équipe et, ensuite, identifier des pistes pour valoriser l’évaluation pour l’apprentissage du travail en équipe. Ces objectifs sont traduits dans nos questions générales qui guident la recherche : Comment l’expérience d’apprentissage en contexte de projet de design en équipe est-elle vécue par les étudiants? Et, comment accompagner le développement de la compétence à travailler en équipe? Le courant de l’évaluation pour l’apprentissage nous guidera dans une vision qui considère cette activité comme un pivot pour l’engagement de l’apprenant dans le jugement de sa performance. Inscrit dans le paradigme socioculturaliste, ce courant valorise l’externalisation sociale pour l’internalisation dans les zones de développement. Ce positionnement justifie le choix d’un cadre théorique fondé sur la théorie de l’activité et la théorie de l’apprentissage expansif. Ce cadre offre une structure basée sur le collectif, la médiation et l’orientation vers un objet aux visées innovantes. L’apprentissage expansif voit l’apprentissage comme progressant d’une compréhension abstraite vers des actions concrètes, pour raffiner l’état initial. Sur la base de l’approche interventionniste proposée par le cadre théorique, le rôle du chercheur est redéfini afin d’inciter les participants à l’action. La méthodologie déployée vise à suivre les expériences de 22 étudiants en situation de projet d’équipe à la Faculté de l’aménagement de l’Université de Montréal. Les données de cet échantillon à cas multiples ont été recensées grâce à des questionnaires hebdomadaires et des entretiens. Par ces sources qualitatives, les étudiants ont pu raconter leurs expériences de projet et leurs cheminements. Une approche multiphases a permis une alternance et un enrichissement entre la collecte et l’analyse des données. La première partie de l’analyse fait ressortir les caractéristiques de l’expérience vécue par les participants. Au total, 33 caractéristiques et leurs facteurs sont catégorisés dans les 5 zones du « modèle des zones proximales de développement des compétences pour le travail en équipe » et organisés selon les niveaux de formation. La deuxième partie de l’analyse sert de validation théorique grâce à l’approfondissement du modèle sur la base du processus de projet par les composantes à encadrer et à évaluer (qualifiées par le stade de l’objet, les savoirs, les qualités, les capacités et les types de régulation). Finalement, ces bases sont testées en regard des stades de l’apprentissage expansif et des défis vécus par les participants traduisant la profondeur de leurs parcours cognitifs. Les contributions de cette étude s’expriment par la proposition d’un cadre pédagogique en cohérence avec le niveau de formation, le contexte de projet et les bases de la discipline. Le modèle est basé sur la pédagogie par projet, constructive et dynamique, apportant de nouvelles connaissances à l’étudiant, qui est encadré par une structure expansive vers le design collaboratif. Le cadre proposé se bâtit sur le regard réflexif des étudiants sur eux-mêmes et sur les autres et est sollicité pour une plus grande autonomie. Les contributions de la recherche sont pertinentes pour les étudiants, les professionnels et les enseignants du design. Elles visent une cohérence marquée au sein de la discipline d’attache grâce à une perspective active et, en outre, une meilleure préparation des étudiants au monde professionnel. / This thesis proposes an exploratory study on teamwork practices of design students in the context of project-based learning (in the domains of product and service design, interior design, urbanism, etc.). This study aims to develop a model of assessment for learning teamwork. For the past few decades, teamwork has been integrated within most design curricula. These social learning experiences place students in authentic situations, but recurring challenges keep emerging regarding their educational integration. We aim to enhance our understanding of assessment, which has a crucial influence on learning experiences. Based on a literature review on teamwork dynamics, the research is structured in two stages. Firstly, the research focuses on better understanding team learning experiences. Secondly, we seek to identify guidelines to enhance assessment for learning teamwork during design projects. Our research objectives are developed into the following questions: How do students experience their learning process when they work as a team while designing? And how to support the development of teamwork skills? Assessment for learning will guide us in considering assessment as a key aspect to engage learners in judging their performance. Assessment for learning values social externalization over internalization through the zones of development. This position guides toward a theoretical framework based on the activity theory and the theory of expansive learning. The combination of these frameworks offers a strong theoretical structure based on collectivity, mediation, and orientation toward an expansive object. Expansive learning sees learning as moving from an abstract understanding to concrete actions to improve the system’s initial state. The adoption of an interventionist approach, as proposed by activity theory, will redefine the researcher’s role to encourage participants to take action. The methodological strategy is organized around the team projects of 22 students from the Faculty of environmental design of University of Montreal (Canada). The data was collected from multiple case studies over few weeks of teamwork. It was gathered through weekly questionnaires and interviews. Using these complementary qualitative tools, participants shared their experiences by discussing their processes. A multiphase strategy allowed for simultaneous data collection and analysis. The first stage of analysis uncovers the characteristics of the learners’ lived teamwork experiences. In total, 33 characteristics and their respective factors were organized into the 5 categories of our model entitled: “zone of proximal development for teamwork skills”, structured according to training levels. The second part of the analysis concentrates on the theoretical validation of the model by enriching the model with the components to instruct and to assess (according to the stage of the object, types of knowledge, task qualities, learners’ capacities, and types of regulation). Finally, these guidelines are tested in regard to expansive learning by looking closely at the challenges and tensions experienced by the participants to translate each participant’s cognitive journey. This study seeks to contribute to the proposition of a coherent pedagogical framework in accordance with training levels and the basics of the discipline. Our model offers a pedagogical structure that is constructive and dynamic as it brings new knowledge to the student while being guided by an expansive structure towards collaborative design. The proposed framework is built on the reflective journey of students on themselves and others, solicited for greater autonomy. The contributions of this study are pertinent for design students, practitioners, and teachers. They seek an enhanced coherence with the discipline supported by an active perspective for better preparation of students to their future professional work environment.

This dissertation thesis is focused on the theme of formative assessment on a secondary level of education. The aim of this thesis is to define formative assessment and to show how it is implemented to the teaching process of the Czech language and literature on a secondary level of education. The theoretical part presents a review based on major international and national sources. Formative assessment is defined as an evaluation which brings valuable information concerning the knowledge and skills of the given pupil during the process of education. The typology and function of formative assessment, questions linked to its successful implementation are elaborated together with this methods: goals, criteria, feedback, self-assessment and peer assessment. The aim of the empirical part is to define the real form of the implementation of formative assessment in six targeted Czech schools. This thesis also presents the attitude of students towards the implementation of this method. A qualitative research method was chosen and a multiple case study was used as a form of research strategy. The data collection consisted of observation, document analysis and interviews with teachers and pupils. The formative assessment methods were best implemented under the supervision of a skilled mentor. Contrary to...

Learn how to realize a measurable increase in student engagement and achievement in mathematics through a guided, collaborative, and active process grounded in mathematics. Students and teachers collaboratively devise a data-driven plan of action that moves learning forward for all students and effectively supports at-risk secondary students in urban environments. Learn how teachers in the LMU Math and Science Teaching Program effectively implement assessments as motivations for student achievement and develop opportunities for students to demonstrate comprehension and retention of essential content over time. Students become active participants in the assessment process in an environment where learning is an individual progression and risk-taking is valued and encouraged. Find out how students, guided by teacher-provided descriptive feedback, make decisions in a process of self-reflection in which they critically analyze and compare their learning outcomes to expectations of content mastery. By comparing mastery to current performance, students utilize failure and engage in error analysis to deconstruct prior shortcomings and devise a plan of action that will move learning forward thereby overcoming failure.

This thesis offers an assessment design for collaborative learning, utilisation of blended learning support through current communication technologies and highlights the crucial role of the tutor. The thesis designed and tested a theoretical framework which encompassed an active learning environment and resulted in the development of the shamrock conceptual framework. To test the theoretical framework, clarify the role of the tutor and the impact on the learner experience two studies were undertaken using pedagogical models that combined the concepts of learner-centric, sociocultural and dialogic perspectives on collaborative learning and technology in meeting the needs of learners in the 21st Century. In the first study, the role of the tutor was found to be crucial in setting, implementing and guiding learners using the assessment design as part of a social constructivist pedagogical practice. The pedagogical approach adopted was to blend face-to-face and Wiki learning experiences and was found to promote learner ownership, engagement and the fostering of a learning community. The second study validated the first and provided additional asynchronous technology experiences in addition to the Wiki blend in the assessment design. Study 2 examined the role of the tutor and the learner whilst using current technologies comprising podcasts and video and a Wiki in the collaborative experience. Findings showed that the Wiki supported community and collaborative aspects of a sociocultural practice whilst learners were engaged in authentic learning activities and led to a well supported learning environment. The importance of technology design and use to accommodate collaborative and community aspects was found to be an essential component. It was found that technology is not simply an add-on but rather needs to be planned and considered purposefully by both tutors and learners when used in a blend to supplement learning on campus as part of an assessment design in higher education. This study has shown that, for this to happen, academics need to be provided with the appropriate support, knowledge and skills required in developing a blended learning experience using a Wiki supplemented by class contact on campus as part of an assessment design.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / Assessment is considered as integral to the teaching and learning process of Mathematics where various types of assessment are used to develop feedback for several purposes. Research has highlighted the challenge of the dominance of summative assessment in classroom assessment practices. In recent years, world countries have been acknowledging the use of assessment for learning (AfL) to enhance the learning process and thus improve learner performance. This research explored how Mathematics teachers applied AfL in their classrooms. A theoretical framework to support AfL was presented through an overview of constructivism theory, social justice theory, connectivism theory, TPACK theory and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. A qualitative approach and a case study design were applied involving nine Mathematics teachers from nine primary schools. Data, collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis, were thematically analysed. The findings show a positive understanding of what AfL is and its importance to the teaching and learning of Mathematics. However, the application of AfL was found to be inconsistent with its purpose of creating an environment conducive to develop feedback that supports the learning process. Challenges that inhibit its application were found to outweigh successes experienced by teachers. Lack of theoretical understanding of the use of AfL, overcrowding, the language of learning and teaching and lack of resources emerged as some of the major challenges. Teachers pleaded for more in-service training opportunities to assist them with managing assessment for learning practices in Mathematics. / Assessering is onlosmaaklik met die onderrig en leer van wiskunde verbind. Wiskunde word op verskeie maniere geassesseer sodat terugvoering om allerlei redes verkry word. Volgens navorsing oorheers summatiewe assessering in klaskamers. In die laaste jare word assessering vir leer (AvL) wêreldwyd aangewend om die leerproses en leerders se prestasie te verbeter. In hierdie studie is nagevors hoe wiskundeonderwysers AvL in die klaskamer toepas. ʼn Teoretiese raamwerk vir AvL is opgestel uit ʼn oorsig van die konstruktivistiese teorie, die sosialegeregtigheidsteorie, die konnektivismeteorie en die TPACK-teorie en Bloom se Hersiene Taksonomie. ʼn Kwalitatiewe benadering en ʼn gevallestudie-ontwerp is gevolg in die verkenning van nege wiskundeonderwysers by nege primêre skole se assessering. Data is deur halfgestruktureerde onderhoude, waarneming sonder deelname en dokumentontledings versamel en tematies geanaliseer. Daar is bevind dat die onderwysers geweet het wat AvL is en die belang daarvan in die onderrig en leer van wiskunde besef het. Die toepassing het egter nie met die oogmerk van AvL gestrook nie. Die oogmerk is om ʼn omgewing tot stand te bring wat assessering bevorder om leer te ondersteun. Die toepassingsprobleme van AvL oorskadu die welslae wat daarmee behaal word. ʼn Gebrekkige teoretiese begrip van hoe AvL gebruik word, oorvol klaskamers, die taal van onderrig en leer, en ʼn gebrek aan hulpbronne is van die grootste uitdagings. Onderwysers bepleit indiensopleiding sodat hulle die assessering van leerpraktyke in wiskunde beter kan bestuur. / Ukuhlola kuthathwa njengento esemqoka ohlelweni lokufundisa nokufunda imethamethiksi lapho izinhlobo ezahlukahlukene zokuhlola zisetshenziswa ukwakha umbiko wakamuva ngesizathu sezinhloso ezimbalwa. Ucwaningo selukhombise inselelo yokuhamba phambili kwenhlobo yokuhlola i-summative assessment lapho kuqhutshwa umsebenzi wokuhlola emagunjini okufunda. Eminyakeni esandakwedlula, amazwe omhlaba kade amukela ukusetshenziswa kohlelo lokuhlola ukufunda (AFL) ukuqinisa uhlelo lokufunda kanti lokhu kuthuthukisa izinga lokufunda lomfundi. Lolu cwaningo beluhlola indlela uthisha wesifundo semethamethiksi ebesebenzisa uhlelo lwe-AFL emagunjini abo okufundisa. Isakhiwo sethiyori esiqonde ukuxhasa uhlelo lwe-AFL lwethuliwe ngamafuphi ngomqondo phecelezi we- -constructivism theory, social justice theory, connectivism theory, TPACK theory kanye ne-Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. Indlela yocwaningo eyencike kwingxoxo (qualitative approach) kanye nedizayini yocwaningo lotho (case study design) zisetshenziswe kuxutshwa phakathi othisha bemethamethiksi abayisishiyagalolunye abavela ezikoleni zamabanga aphansi. Idatha iqoqwe ngokwenza inhlolovo eyakhiwe kancane, kanti kuye kwabhekisiswa imibono yalabo abangadlalindima kanye nokuhlaziywa kombhalo kuye kwahlaziywa ngokuthi kubhekwe indikimba. . Ulwazi olutholwe wucwaningo lukhombisa ukuthi uhlelo lwe-AFL kanye nokubaluleka kwalo kuzwisiseka kahle kakhulu ohlelweni lokufundisa nokufundwa kwemethamethiksi. . Yize kunjalo, ukusetshenziswa kohlelo lwe-AFL kuye kwatholakala ukuthi akuhambisani nenhloso yalo yokwakha isizinda esifanele sokwakha umbiko wakamuva oxhasa uhlelo lokufunda. Izinselelo eziqukethe ukusetshenziswa kwalo lolu hlelo ziye zatholakala ukuthi zedlula impumelelo eyenziwe ngothisha. Ukwentuleka kokuzwisisa umqondo wokusetshenziswa kohlelo lwe-AFL, inani eliphuphumayo labantwana, ulimi lokufunda nokufundisa kanye nokwentuleka kwemithombo yokufunda kuye kwavela njengezinye izinselelo. Othisha baye bacela ukunikezwa amathuba okuqeqeshwa basebenza ukuze lawo makhono abancede ukuqhuba izinhlelo zokuhlola imisebenzi yokufunda imethamethiksi. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Phil. (Education (Curriculum Studies))