Despite credible research to support a constructivist-based approach in early childhood programs, policymakers continued to push for a more academic-based philosophy in an effort to reach standardized testing goals. Reggio Emilia, a constructivist-based early childhood philosophy that originated in Northern Italy, has been shown to be an excellent model to facilitate optimum learning in young children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate parental experiences when choosing the constructivist-based early childhood program, Reggio Emilia, for their children and to explore parents' perceived benefits after their children attended. A constructivist conceptual framework was used to provide context for the Reggio Emilia philosophy. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to select a Reggio Emilia inspired program, Foundations Early Learning Center, in the American Midwest. Five parents who had enrolled their children at Foundations Early Learning Center for a minimum of 6 months participated through in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed, categorized, and clustered into similar themes that described the phenomenon. Results indicated parents identified an overall satisfaction for choosing a Reggio Emilia experience for their preschool children. Ten perceived benefits from parents were identified that were associated with their children after they attended the Reggio Emilia inspired program. Findings of the current study have the potential to bring awareness to policymakers and early childhood program directors when making decisions on what type of educational philosophy to implement into early childhood programs with results favoring the choice of a constructivist-based Reggio Emilia inspired program over alternative options.

Problemformulering: Hybridarbete, att kombinera arbete på arbetsplatsen med distansarbete, har blivit det vanligaste arbetssättet bland kontorsanställda efter pandemin, men som omfattande fenomen är det outforskat hur hybridarbete kan utformas för att främja medarbetarnas hälsa. Syfte: Att utforska, förstå och förklara hur en organisation med hybrida arbetssätt kan skapa förutsättningar för ett hållbart och hälsofrämjande kontorsarbete. Metod: Konstruktivistisk grundad teori har använts för urval och analys av organisationsdokument samt semistrukturerade individuella intervjuer med åtta medarbetare, två chefer och en HR-partner. Huvudresultat: Studien har resulterat i en ny teoretisk modell som visar att organisationer med hybrida arbetssätt kan skapa förutsättningar för ett hållbart och hälsofrämjande kontorsarbete genom individuellt utformade arbetssätt i ständig förändring. Förutsättningar skapas genom organisatorisk tydlighet och tillitsbaserad organisationskultur, säkerställda praktiska och sociala förutsättningar, hybridanpassat ledarskap, samt främjande av medarbetarnas autonomi, flexibilitet och självledarskap. Slutsats: Organisationers och medarbetares behov och förutsättningar är i ständig förändring. För att klara dessa förändringar behöver hybridarbetet individanpassas och medarbetarnas självledarskap och autonomi stärkas. I en ny teoretisk modell med tillhörande checklista tydliggörs de förutsättningar som organisationer behöver bidra med för att möjliggöra ett hälsofrämjande och hållbart hybridarbete. Checklistan gör resultaten tillgängliga och implementerbara och bidrar därmed till det praktiska arbetsmiljöarbetet i organisationer med hybridarbetssätt. / Purpose: To explore, understand and explain how an organization with hybrid working methods can create conditions for sustainable and health-promoting office work. Methods: Constructivist Grounded Theory was used for sampling and analysis of data from organizational documents and semi-structured interviews, conducted with eight employees, two managers and one HR-partner. Main results: A new theoretical model showing that organizations with hybrid working methods can create conditions for sustainable and health-promoting office work through individually designed working methods in constant change. Conditions are created through organizational clarity and a health-promoting hybrid culture, ensuring practical and social conditions, hybrid-adapted leadership, promotion of employee autonomy, flexibility and self-leadership. Conclusions: The needs and conditions of organizations and employees are constantly changing. To cope with these changes, the hybrid work needs to be individually adapted and the employees' autonomy and self-leadership strengthened. Organizations with hybrid working methods need to contribute with conditions which are presented in a new theoretical model and associated checklist. The checklist makes the results implementable in organizations, and thus contributes to the practical work environment management in organizations with hybrid working methods.

The thesis on "Critical places at the first stage of primary school in the teaching of mathematics by the Hejný method" focuses on the problematic places of the Hejný method, which make it difficult for teachers and especially their pupils at the first stage of primary schools. In the theoretical part of the thesis, the constructivist and transient educational style teaching of mathematics using the Hejný method are characterized. The critical points in mathematics identified in the project of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic are also introduced and conceived into a unified structure. The theoretical part also includes an analysis of pupil solutions to mathematical tasks from the 2015 TIMSS international survey. The empirical part deals with the experience and view of primary school teachers in teaching mathematics by the Hejný method. The first research survey finds from future primary school teachers their experience and opinions on this method. The second research survey focuses on the identification of problematic places and roles in the teaching of mathematics by the Hejný method from the point of view of teachers who teach mathematics using the Hejný method at the first stage of primary schools. The questionnaire survey was carried out using the questionnaire method, which identifies...

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States have for a long time participated in international military operations, but their reasons for contributing with military capabilities are varied. This study intends to investigate and demonstrate how military contribution is motivated in the political decision-making process to justify its necessity, and how strategic culture influences the decision. The theoretical framework is extensive, containing several identified sub-beliefs of strategic culture, and factors within a rationalist and constructivist perspective used to capture political motivations. By employing a qualitative content analysis, the empirical material examined contains official documents, such as government propositions, reports, and protocols. The investigated cases are Sweden and Denmark’s military contribution to operations in Kosovo (Operation Allied Force, KFOR) and Mali (MINUSMA, EUTM, Operation Serval/Barkhane/Task Force Takuba). The findings indicate that while both Sweden and Denmark use the full spectrum of political motivations, Sweden emphasizes constructivist motivations, and Denmark rationalist motivations. This is traced to the central discovery that strategic culture within a state, influences how political motivations are portrayed to justify the necessity of contributing to international military operations. Thus, indicating the existence of an intertwined relationship between strategic culture, political motivations in terms of both rationalist and constructivist factors, and contribution of military capabilities.

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L’intimidation entre infirmières constitue une menace pour la santé et le bien-être de ces professionnelles de la santé et pour la qualité des soins. En dépit des efforts déployés jusqu’à présent pour lutter contre ce fléau, il existe peu d’actions efficaces pour le contrer. Or, pour que les acteurs concernés puissent s’engager à intervenir, il est essentiel d’appréhender les réalités entourant ce type d’intimidation et de renforcer l’assise théorique actuelle qui fait défaut dans les écrits, notamment en sciences infirmières. Cette étude vise à coconstruire une théorie des situations d’intimidation entre infirmières, selon le point de vue d’infirmières et d’infirmiers québécois les ayant vécues à titre de cibles ou de témoins dans le cadre de leur pratique. Cette étude s’inscrit dans le paradigme constructiviste social/constructionniste social inspiré de la pensée de Charmaz (2014) et est guidée par la perspective théorique interactionniste critique (Burbank et Martins, 2010; Martins et Burbank, 2011; Sandström et Fine, 2003). Elle prend appui sur une approche méthodologique interprétative/qualitative exploratoire qui résulte de la convergence entre la théorisation ancrée constructiviste (Charmaz, 2014), l’analyse situationnelle (Clarke et al., 2015) et l’analyse dimensionnelle (Schatzman, 1991; Schatzman et Strauss, 1973). Cinquante-deux infirmières et infirmiers répartis dans dix régions du Québec ont pris part à cette étude. Ils exerçaient différentes fonctions dans divers secteurs d’activité. Les données ont été recueillies à l’aide d’échanges informels, d’entretiens individuels et dyadiques de type conversationnel, de e-témoignages, de matériel invoqué et d’un questionnaire sociodémographique autoadministré. Le processus itératif de la collecte et l’analyse des données a permis de porter attention aux processus, aux actions, aux interactions sociales, aux structures sociopolitiques, aux contextes et aux discours sociaux dominants. Les résultats proposent une coconstruction théorique qui témoigne d’une conception multidimensionnelle des situations d’intimidation sous-jacentes à la pratique infirmière. Cette coconstruction théorique révèle la nature plurielle et évolutive de telles situations. Elle met en évidence quatre regroupements dimensionnels interdépendants : 1) des conditions situationnelles (antécédents) qui s’articulent autour des dimensions : contextes sociaux et conditions micro et macrosociologiques, 2) un processus de création des situations d’intimidation qui se déroule en cinq phases. Les trois premières phases a) la situation initiale : ç’a commencé comme ça ! b) l’ancrage : ça continue ! et c) l’impasse : être dedans ! s’inscrivent dans la tolérance et le statu quo, alors que les deux dernières phases d) la mobilisation de ressources de soutien et e) la rupture sont ancrées dans une perspective d’action vers le changement, 3) des conséquences sur l’état de santé et de bien-être personnel et professionnel de l’infirmière intimidée ou témoin et sur la qualité des soins et, 4) un continuum espace-temps inhérent aux situations d’intimidation. La coconstruction théorique dévoile le cycle de vie des situations d’intimidation sous-jacentes à la pratique infirmière permettant ainsi de mieux comprendre comment et pourquoi ce type de situations naissent, se produisent, se transforment et se terminent. Les résultats de cette étude révèlent, entre autres, des moments propices aux transitions professionnelles pouvant marquer le début de situations d’intimidation, la formation d’alliances informelles (en cliques), des divisions internes au sein de la profession, l’adaptation de la pratique de l’infirmière intimidée à son environnement de travail toxique et la dénonciation de son vécu d’intimidation prenant appui sur des principes semblables à l’advocacy et à la parrhèsia. Des conséquences sur la santé, le bien-être, la vie sociale, la dignité, l’identité professionnelle et le parcours de carrière de l’infirmière intimidée ou témoin sont constatées. Cette étude doctorale a permis d’appréhender de manière novatrice un sujet sensible et tacite comme des situations d’intimidation. Elle propose des recommandations pour les différents champs de la pratique infirmière et fournit des leviers de réflexion et d’action permettant de promouvoir des environnements de travail sains. Or, tout en contribuant au développement des connaissances en sciences infirmières, la présente étude offre un cadre de compréhension des situations d’intimidation sous-jacentes à la pratique infirmière. Les pistes de réflexions et d’actions proposées pourraient permettre des avancées dans la lutte contre cette forme de violence qui sévit dans certaines organisations de santé et, potentiellement, dans d’autres domaines du monde du travail. / Bullying among nurses poses a threat to the health and well-being of these health professionals and to the quality of care. Despite the efforts made to date to combat this scourge, there are few effective actions to counter it. However, so that the actors concerned can commit to intervening, it is essential to understand the realities surrounding the bullying situations underlying nursing practice and to strengthen the current theoretical basis, which is lacking in the literature, particularly in nursing sciences. This study aims to co-construct a theory of bullying situations between nurses, according to the point of view of Quebec nurses who have experienced them as targets or witnesses in the context of their practice. This study is part of the social constructivist/social constructionist paradigm inspired by the thought of Charmaz (2014) and is guided by the critical interactionist theoretical perspective (Burbank et Martins, 2010; Martins et Burbank, 2011; Sandström et Fine, 2003). It is based on an exploratory interpretive/qualitative methodological approach which results from the convergence between constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014), situational analysis (Clarke et al., 2015) and dimensional analysis (Schatzman, 1991; Schatzman et Strauss, 1973). Fifty-two nurses spread across ten regions of Quebec took part in this study. They performed different functions in various sectors of activity. Data were collected using informal exchanges, individual and dyadic conversational interviews, e-testimonies, invoked material and a self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire. The iterative process of data collection and analysis allowed attention to processes, actions, social interactions, socio-political structures, contexts, and dominant discourses. The results propose a theoretical co-construction which demonstrates a multidimensional conception of bullying situations underlying nursing practice. This theoretical co-construction reveals the plural and evolving nature of such situations. It highlights four interdependent dimensional groupings: 1) situational conditions (antecedents) which revolve around the dimensions: social contexts and micro and macrosociological conditions, 2) a process of creating bullying situations which takes place in five phases. The first three phases a) the initial situation: it started like that! b) anchoring: it continues! and c) the impasse: being in it! are part of tolerance and the status quo, while the last two phases d), the mobilization of resources and e) the rupture are anchored in a perspective of action towards change, 3) consequences on the state of health and personal and professional well-being of the bullied or witness nurse and on the quality of care and, 4) the space-time continuum inherent in bullying situations. The theoretical co-construction reveals the life cycle of bullying situations underlying nursing practice, thus allowing us to better understand how and why this type of situation arises, occurs, transforms, and ends. The results of this study reveal, among other things, moments conducive to professional transitions which can mark the beginning of situations of intimidation, the formation of informal alliances (cliques), internal divisions within the profession, the adaptation of the practice of the bullied nurse to her toxic work environment and the denunciation of her experience of bullying which is based on principles similar to advocacy and parrhesia in order to protect herself and ensure the safety of patients. Consequences on the health, well-being, social life, dignity, professional identity and career path of the bullied nurse or witness are noted. This doctoral study made it possible to approach a sensitive and tacit subject such as bullying situations in an innovative way. It offers recommendations for the different fields of nursing practice and provides levers for reflection and action to promote healthy work environments. However, while contributing to the development of knowledge in nursing sciences, the present study offers a framework for understanding the bullying situations underlying nursing practice. The proposed avenues of reflection and action could allow progress in the fight against this form of violence, which is rife in certain health organizations and, potentially, in other areas of the world of work.

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))

ABSTRACT The study aims at establishing whether Foundation Phase schooling provides a proper foundation for the promotion of scientific literacy. Natural Science in the Foundation Phase is understood as scientific knowledge, process skills, and values and attitudes, which together should foster scientific literacy. Influential perspectives on learning, and teaching methods appropriate to Natural Science education in the Foundation Phase, are reviewed, and the Natural Science Learning Area in the RNCS discussed in the context of global trends in curriculum development. Finally the findings of an empirical survey on the perceptions of Foundation Phase teachers with regard to Natural Science teaching and learning, are presented. Major findings include the following: (1) Scientific literacy is currently not a curriculum priority in the Foundation Phase, due mainly to meagre time allocation and lack of applicable Learning Outcomes. (2) Although teachers appear predominantly positive towards the Learning Area, significant shortcomings need to be addressed before Natural Science teaching in the Foundation Phase may claim to provide the required basis for promoting scientific literacy. OPSOMMING Die studie poog om vas te stel of Grondslagfase-onderrig `n geskikte basis lê vir die bevordering van wetenskaplike geletterdheid. Natuurwetenskappe in die Grondslagfase word beskou as `n kombinasie van wetenskaplike kennis, prosesvaardighede, en waardes en ingesteldhede, wat gesamentlik wetenskaplike geletterdheid ten doel het. Invloedryke perspektiewe op leer, en gepaste onderrigmetodes vir die effektiewe fasilitering van Natuurwetenskappe-onderrig in die Grondslagfase word onder die loep geneem voordat die Natuurwetenskappe-leerarea in die Hersiene Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring bespreek word binne die konteks van wêreldwye neigings in kurrikulumontwikkeling. Laastens rapporterr die studie die bevindinge van `n empiriese ondersoek na die persepsies van Grondslagfase-onderwysers rakende Natuurwetenskaponderrig en -leer. Belangrike bevinding sluit in: (1) Die bevordering van wetenskaplike geletterdheid word nie as kurrikulumprioriteit in die Grondslagfase beskou word nie, soos blyk uit die karige toedeling van tyd en aantal leeruitkomste aan die Natuurwetenskappe-leerarea op hierdie vlak. (2) Alhoewel onderwysers se persepsies rakende Natuurwetenskaponderrig en -leer oorwegend positief blyk te wees, is daar ernstige tekortkominge wat aangespreek moet word voordat Natuurwetenskappe-onderrig in die Grondslagfase die vereiste grondslag sal kan lê vir die bevordering van wetenskaplike geletterdheid. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.