This study comprises three parts. First, to validate the Oral Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire (OICEQ) which is used to assess students perceptions of the learning environment in secondary chemistry classes in the U.S.A. The OICEQ is a modified version of the actual and preferred versions of the Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire (ICEQ) (Fraser, 1990). Second, to investigate associations between three types of science educational assessments; predictors of performance, perceptions of the classroom environment, and chemistry academic performance. Third, to address the following two questions:1. Are chaos and constructivism allies of adversaries to assessments (predictors, perceptions, and performance)?2. Is action research a valid process of evaluating a constructivist chemistry classroom (examining associations between chaos and constructivism)?A sample of 473 students from 21 chemistry classes took the Test of Logical Thinking (TOLT), the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire (OICEQ), pretests, post-tests, and final examinations. The statistical analyses confirmed the reliability and validity of the OICEQ and ICEQ when used with senior chemistry students. Investigation of associations between predictors, perceptions, and performances revealed 29 significant associations with OICEQ and 21 significant associations with the ICEQ. Findings from the study indicated that: (1) chaos is an adversary to social assessment and personal constructivism is an ally to personal assessment; (2) action research is a valid process for evaluating a constructivist chemistry classroom it is a unifying concept for constructivism, chaos, and assessment; (3) through an action research-constructivist process and a cyberchaos research perspective, the impact of a constructivist teaching paradigm and chaos ++ / distort the assessment of data in a chemistry classroom.

There are convincing arguments for the integration of computer applications into school programmes to support the learning of students. After more than 30 years of increasing investment in educational computing researchers are concerned that there has been very little impact on the experiences of students in schools. In the 1990s, a significant development in computer technology has been the emergence of low-cost, high-powered portable computers which some schools have introduced into classrooms. It is not clear what the impact of this development might be.This study addressed issues concerning the impact of student-owned, portable computers on students, teachers, the curriculum, and the classroom learning environment. It considered the classroom learning environment as the complex set of relationships between students, teachers, the curriculum, and the technology (principally computer hardware and software) within the physical confines of a classroom.The three year study was carried out at one girls' school, which progressively introduced portable computers into its secondary education program-me. The study used an interpretive methodology involving the collection of a range of qualitative and quantitative data. In each year of the study, data were collected about students, teachers and a selection of classrooms using observations of lessons, interviews, questionnaires, and a range of data obtained from the school's administration. As the study progressed, it focussed on those features of the psycho-social environment of the school which emerged as important from interpretation of data collected earlier.The study found that, apart from isolated teacher-class combinations, there was very little change at the classroom level which could be attributed to the presence of the computers. Very few teachers implemented substantial computer use and many of those who did, ++ / supported only a very limited role for the computers. While most students expressed a range of concerns, only a perceived lack of use of the computers appeared to have a consistent negative influence on their attitudes and behaviours.It is argued that the lack of use of the computers is largely related to teachers' preferred pedagogy, their lack of experience and knowledge in using computers in the classroom, and a lack of time to experiment with computer applications. Increasingly, the teachers who chose to facilitate the use of the computers did so to support predominantly student-centred learning environments. The study proposed a model to describe and explain teachers' responses to the portable computer program in terms of their facilitation of computer use by considering sets of forces and obstacles experienced by them.The findings of this study have important implications for educational policy makers, administrators and teachers, and enable a clearer understanding of the factors which determine the successful implementation of computers into school programmes to support student learning.NOTE: Referencing style used throughout this thesis report comes from the American Psychological Association's manual, fourth edition (1994).

The scientific literacy of four students in Year 8 was the main focus of one year of participant observer research. An interpretive research methodology was employed to generate tales about each student, in order to provide rich descriptions of the participation of these students in Science classes and in non-Science classes.A major theme was the complementarity of epistemological referents for scientific literacy. Objectivism, personal constructivism and social constructivism were identified as major referents for scientific literacy, and therefore as underpinning factors for the diversity of definitions of scientific literacy. Some authors have called for these referents to complement one another. In this study, I used the conceptual tool of metaphor to facilitate the holding together, in dialectical tension, of these often competing ideas.No a-priori notion of scientific literacy was adopted for the research, but an emergent theoretical framework for scientific literacy evolved. This metaphorical framework was shown to be a viable way of organising a diversity of literature-based definitions of scientific literacy. It was subsequently utilised to interpret the tales about the four students, and helped reveal significant themes.Foremost amongst the emerging research themes was equity of access into scientific literacy. Ten major assertions from the research provide different considerations of the ways that students access, or are denied access to, scientific literacy. Finally, implications of the three-metaphor framework for research, and speculations about its place in informing classroom practice are presented.

The participation by females in computing education has become an issue in the Western world. Fewer females than males are observed at all levels of computer education. As the level becomes more advanced the loss of females is both cumulative and progressive. Reports from the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand indicate that at secondary level boys significantly outnumber girls in higher-skill computing courses and at tertiary level the numbers of females enrolling has declined over the past decade. The motivation for this research was a desire to understand why females were not enrolling in computing classes, and when they did, why their retention was poor. A review of the literature regarding females and computing indicated that there were certain features evident in the computing classroom believed to contribute to a unique culture existing in the computing learning environment. These included the context in which computing is historically embedded, the lack of female teachers as role models and the nature of the classroom itself, where male attitudes towards computers and games play a critical role. Throughout the literature the culture of computing was shown to be strongly embedded in male values, and unattractive to many females. For this reason, some researchers suggest that single-sex classrooms or schools may provide a more supportive learning environment for both female and male students. Therefore this study explored the computer classroom learning environment of senior secondary school students at three different types of school, single-sex girls' and boys' schools and mixed-sex schools. A mixed-method research design was adopted to investigate the nature of the classroom learning environment in which computing is situated and to determine ways by which it might be made more equitable. / A questionnaire with seven subscales was used to measure students' perceptions of the computer classroom learning environment. Data were collected from senior students taking computing at seven secondary schools in the central Wellington area, and the differences between the perceptions of girls and boys at single-sex and mixed-sex schools were analysed. The results suggested that, on a number of subscales, students from single-sex schools were more satisfied with their learning environment than students from mixed-sex schools, and that girls were less satisfied than boys. These findings suggested that the sex of the student and the type of school attended were associated with students' perceptions of the computer classroom. The questionnaire data were supported by interviews with students and their teachers and by observations of some of the classes. The analysis of the qualitative data confirmed many of the concerns expressed in the research literature, and revealed significant differences in the behaviour of boys and girls in the computer classroom, thus leading to the proposition that both sexes might benefit from single-sex classes. The results also highlight the critical role played by the teacher in the transfer of cultural values in the classroom through the teaching style and organisation of class activities. Taken together, the findings from the study, in the context of the research literature, enabled recommendations to be made for providing a more equitable computer learning environment for both girls and boys. Suggestions for future research, particularly in light of the changing national computing curriculum, are made.

In this thesis, you will find a review the development process of a multimedia presentation designed to assist the teaching of chemical equilibrium using analogies. The objective of this thesis is to report on the process of designing animated analogies and the subsequent employment of these analogies in a teaching program for grades 11 and 12 students. This thesis describes a case study in the effective use of technology in the classroom based on established research in the field of analogical thinking. The work begins with a review of relevant literature from the fields of constructivism, collaborative learning and multimedia in education. The design phase of the research sought to discover if analogies for chemical equilibrium could be successfully transferred to a multimedia presentation on a computer. The subsequent testing of the software endeavoured to discover the most appropriate teaching strategies and if the use of such a program could enhance the learning process for students. The work resulted in a completed CDROM with full teaching program included which you will find attached to this thesis. The results indicate that the experience was a positive one and that there is some evidence to show increased ability in the students in their attempts to understand a conceptually difficult area of chemistry theory.

This report describes a self-study using an action research spiral of problem analysis, intervention design, trial, reflection and analysis. The main purpose of the study was to investigate and evaluate whether Web 2.0 technologies and, in particular, social software could be effectively integrated into a senior secondary English classroom. The methodology used in the study, while mainly qualitative, did include a degree of quantitative data-gathering. The study took place over two terms of the 2007 school year in a semi-rural school south of Auckland. My Year 12 English class of twenty-four students were participants in the study and I was the teacher-researcher. As part of the study the students responded to my 'blog' and created and maintained their own 'blogs'. These 'voices' are important threads in this narrative. Two of my colleagues acted as 'critical friends' in this process. During the study my own beliefs regarding new technology and the descriptor 'digital natives' were challenged. While the data collected and the interpretative analysis of it created further questions that need to be addressed, the findings indicate that there is a place for Web 2.0 technology and social software in English classrooms. The findings also show that in order for these applications to be integrated effectively, a number of issues need to be addressed. My recommendations as teacher-researcher at the 'chalk-face' attempting to keep up with the rapidly changing lives of our students concludes this report.

The overall aim of this study was to replicate and extend Hoff, Ervin, and Friman (2005) and to investigate whether a functional assessment, including the intervention, could be implemented within a mainstream New Zealand classroom, with students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and with the teachers implementing the interventions. Experiment 1 included 2 participants, Joel diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Brad who met study inclusion criteria. Descriptive assessments (based on interviews and observations) of the functions of the target behaviours were conducted to produce hypotheses. Two interventions for each student, based on these hypotheses, were selected in collaboration with the class teachers. The interventions were implemented, first singularly and then in combination, using a multiple-baseline design with alternating treatments after the baseline period. They all decreased target behaviours to some degree. One intervention, the token economy, was the most effective with both students. Social acceptability questionnaires showed all procedures were acceptable but of the interventions the token economy was the least favoured by teachers and most favoured by students. Both participants in Experiment 2 were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 and also compared hypotheses about the function of behaviour resulting from the Motivation Assessment Scale to those from the descriptive assessment as used in Experiment 1. The Motivation Assessment Scale provided a different hypothesis for one student and it is suggested that this scale is not useful with these students. The two interventions were selected for each student based on the hypotheses. These were designed to be easier to implement and to have more student involvement in their implementation than in Experiment 1. A multiple-baseline design with alternating treatments after the baseline was used and each treatment was evaluated alone. Three of the four interventions decreased target behaviour, the exception was self-management. The social acceptability scores for these interventions were high for both the teachers and students. The overall findings replicated Hoff et al.'s (2005) findings and showed that functional assessment of behaviour could be successfully used with students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a mainstream classroom. They also showed that the teachers could successfully implement the interventions derived from the hypotheses to decrease target behaviours and that decreasing the difficulty of implementation of the interventions increased the acceptability of the interventions by the teachers.

A key purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of classroom teachers' perceptions of the value and impact of formative assessment in secondary schools in Solomon Islands. The process of data collection included initial interviews with five classroom teachers selected from four secondary schools in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The interviews were conducted using semistructured interviews with each of the teachers and ended with a focus group conversation. The findings of this study indicated that formative assessment, as a classroom strategy, does have a place in secondary schools in Solomon Islands. Assessment for learning (AfL) is currently employed by these teachers, but the form of formative assessment as reported being used in Solomon Islands secondary school classrooms is limited by policies, systems and methods employed by schools. This study suggests that if classroom teachers are to become effective 'mediators of learning' they must have a better theoretical understanding of social constructivism and metacognition. Otherwise, assessment will always sit outside the process of learning, and classroom teachers and learners will always play traditional rather than contemporary roles in the learning and teaching (and assessment) process. For improvements to be made in areas highlighted in this study, focus must be on teacher knowledge and ability and the policies and practices of schools. Unless teachers, students, parents and policymakers see and value the potential of formative assessment, it will continue to be underemphasized, under-valued and under-used.

The primary purposes of this research were to identify if and how a selected teacher and her class experience deep enjoyment as flow in the classroom, and if they do have that experience, to investigate the teaching and learning factors that facilitate that deep enjoyment. In particular this research had the following three aims: 1. to explore the conditions and activities that are identifiable in learner's perceptions of their deep enjoyment or flow in learning. 2. to identify the component characteristics of flow articulated in the learners' stories about their enjoyable learning experiences. 3. to identify and examine perceptions of deep enjoyment or flow in learning in teacher practice and student learning through a teacher's stories of her teaching experience and through classroom observations. The research involved a case study of a teacher in a state school Year 5/6 classroom, and seventeen of her students. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with the teacher, interviews with the students, and field observations recorded in the researcher's journal over a period of several months. These data, analysed by using the NUD*IST software, provide valuable insight into how the teacher and her students perceive their teaching and learning experiences. The children and their teacher do experience enjoyment, often the deep enjoyment of flow in their classroom. A classroom culture was identified that includes teaching characteristics, environmental, and instructional variables, which help facilitate deeply enjoyable flow in meaningful learning. This research concludes that the intellectual knowledge is available which will make flow facilitating classroom cultures achievable. Achieving such a classroom culture is possible when educators identify and value the enjoyment of flow, with its subsequent sense of learner control, confidence, success, well-being, energy and motivation to learn. To do this, educators need to identify and implement the teaching and learning strategies available that facilitate the experience, with the intention of ensuring recurrent learner success from the early years of school attendance. Such a change in the educational ethos would lead to successful, enjoyable and vibrant learning experiences for teacher and learner in the classroom.

This theoretical thesis investigates the effects of communicative constraints within a second language (L2) classroom with the purpose of developing ways of exploiting and modifying these constraints to improve L2 learning. This investigation incorporates the identification of hierarchical structures, teaching and learning practices which constrain L2 learning within the classroom. The hierarchical structures of institutional power relations and the authority of the teacher guide set goals and assessment. However, L2 learners may have different expectations to those of their teachers. Therefore, in the presentation of an understanding of classroom genre, this thesis analyses the inherent logic or common fallacies of thinking and practice within L2 classrooms and further, the individual experience which each L2 learner brings to the classroom situation. This thesis examines classroom constraints which prevent L2 learners from developing an appropriate range of experiences to enable them to participate in authentic social interaction. Cultural, linguistic and educational disciplinary views are engaged in the description of these substantive problems. L2 learners invariably experience difficulties in communication when they interact socially within their L2 culture, outside the classroom. Learners often lack the experience to express self-purpose within cultural genres because previous classroom learning may have been based upon situation-specific and context-determined patterns of communication and practice. Such patterns and practices are an inherent part of the classroom because the classroom is a specific genre itself and consequently classroom talk is very different from talk in other places. This thesis develops alternative hypotheses which incorporate critical findings pertaining to L2 classroom practices. Further, a project for realistic solutions to L2 learning is offered. These solutions have been developed from the recognition that learning a L2 in a classroom-based situation is a process which lacks the diversity of everyday societal life.