La présente recherche de type qualitatif veut décrire, analyser et comprendre la pratique de différenciation pédagogique chez des enseignants québécois du premier cycle du secondaire. Cette pratique s’insère au cœur des programmes de formation dont la principale visée est la réussite pour tous. Cependant, elle est constituée d’un flou théorique qui la rend parfois difficile à définir et à mettre en application, particulièrement chez les enseignants du secondaire. Ce travail dresse donc le portrait de trois enseignantes du premier cycle du secondaire qui choisissent tout de même de la comprendre et de la mettre en œuvre. À ce titre, l’étude des pratiques sous l’angle du travail tel que décrit par Tardif et Lessard (1999) permet de cerner la nature complexe et composite de leur travail et de tenir compte des facteurs personnels, internes et externes qui régissent leur travail d’adaptation des programmes, appelé travail curriculaire. Ainsi, une grille d’analyse inédite, construite au regard de ces facteurs et à partir des concepts inhérents à la différenciation pédagogique, permet d’étudier trois cas de manière complète et approfondie. De manière générale, l’analyse des facteurs personnels, internes et externes à la pratique de différenciation pédagogique des enseignantes donnent des informations pertinentes sur leurs façons de différencier, sur leur motivation à différencier et sur l’influence de leur milieu de travail dans l’exercice de cette pratique. Ces résultats permettent non seulement de mieux comprendre cette pratique effectuée par des enseignants du secondaire, mais permet aussi l’élaboration des principaux facteurs pouvant faciliter sa mise en œuvre ou au contraire la limiter. Au final, les propos recueillis chez les enseignantes interrogées signalent qu’au-delà de la réussite éducative, d’autres éléments entrent en jeu dans l’exercice de cette pratique. En fait, malgré plusieurs contraintes liées aux ressources matérielles, organisationnelles et humaines, la pratique de différenciation pédagogique génère entre autres une grande source de motivation scolaire pour les élèves et contribue à augmenter la satisfaction professionnelle de ces enseignantes dans leur travail au quotidien. / This qualitative research will describe, analyze and understand the practice of differentiated instruction for teachers of the Quebec junior high. This practice fits in the heart of the training programs whose main sight is the success for all. However, it consists of a conceptual confusion makes it difficult to define and implement, particularly among secondary school teachers. This work gives us a picture of three teachers from junior high who still choose to understand and implement. As such, the study of practices in terms of work, as described by Tardif and Lessard (1999) identifies the complex and composite character of their work and to consider personal factors, both internal and external governing their adaptation work program, called travail curriculaire. Thus, an entirely new framework, built with respect to these factors and applying the concepts inherent in differentiated instruction, used to study three cases of complete and thorough. Overall, the analysis of personal factors, both internal and external to the practice of differentiated instruction teachers provide relevant information on their ways to differentiate, their motivation and to differentiate the influence of their workplace in this practice. These results provide not only better understand the practice carried out by secondary school teachers, but also allows the development of the key factors that facilitate its implementation or otherwise limiting. Finally, the comments collected by the teachers surveyed reported that beyond educational success, other factors come into play in carrying out this practice. In fact, despite several constraints related to material resources, organizational and human resources, the practice of differentiated instruction generates among other great source of motivation for school students and helps increase job satisfaction of teachers in their daily work.

This program evaluation study addressed a critical deficiency in early childhood math proficiency for a local urban school district. To strengthen students' skills in mathematics, the district adopted the Common Core State Standards and piloted an inquiry-based instructional program called My Math. The purpose of this project study was to determine the extent to which My Math met the goals of improving Grades K-2 students' math proficiency. The conceptual framework was based on theories of multiple intelligences, social learning, and foundations of social development. The National Program Evaluation Standards were used to guide the program evaluation. The research questions centered on the implementation of My Math in terms of usability, lesson coherence, support provided by program materials and effectiveness of materials in enhancing students' mathematical processes based on teachers' perspectives. Data were collected from 57 teachers who completed an electronic survey and from 6 teachers who participated in focus groups and interviews. Survey data were descriptively analyzed and interview and focus group data were coded for development of common themes. Teacher participants reported gains in students' mathematical processes after using the My Math program. The program evaluation report reflected support for My Math as an effective instructional program for Grades K-2 along with recommendations for supplementation of the program with additional resources to address individual needs among students. Positive social change at the local level includes enhancing students' learning and achievement in mathematics, and assisting other districts in understanding the benefits of the My Math program on student achievement for early childhood students.

La présente recherche de type qualitatif veut décrire, analyser et comprendre la pratique de différenciation pédagogique chez des enseignants québécois du premier cycle du secondaire. Cette pratique s’insère au cœur des programmes de formation dont la principale visée est la réussite pour tous. Cependant, elle est constituée d’un flou théorique qui la rend parfois difficile à définir et à mettre en application, particulièrement chez les enseignants du secondaire. Ce travail dresse donc le portrait de trois enseignantes du premier cycle du secondaire qui choisissent tout de même de la comprendre et de la mettre en œuvre. À ce titre, l’étude des pratiques sous l’angle du travail tel que décrit par Tardif et Lessard (1999) permet de cerner la nature complexe et composite de leur travail et de tenir compte des facteurs personnels, internes et externes qui régissent leur travail d’adaptation des programmes, appelé travail curriculaire. Ainsi, une grille d’analyse inédite, construite au regard de ces facteurs et à partir des concepts inhérents à la différenciation pédagogique, permet d’étudier trois cas de manière complète et approfondie. De manière générale, l’analyse des facteurs personnels, internes et externes à la pratique de différenciation pédagogique des enseignantes donnent des informations pertinentes sur leurs façons de différencier, sur leur motivation à différencier et sur l’influence de leur milieu de travail dans l’exercice de cette pratique. Ces résultats permettent non seulement de mieux comprendre cette pratique effectuée par des enseignants du secondaire, mais permet aussi l’élaboration des principaux facteurs pouvant faciliter sa mise en œuvre ou au contraire la limiter. Au final, les propos recueillis chez les enseignantes interrogées signalent qu’au-delà de la réussite éducative, d’autres éléments entrent en jeu dans l’exercice de cette pratique. En fait, malgré plusieurs contraintes liées aux ressources matérielles, organisationnelles et humaines, la pratique de différenciation pédagogique génère entre autres une grande source de motivation scolaire pour les élèves et contribue à augmenter la satisfaction professionnelle de ces enseignantes dans leur travail au quotidien. / This qualitative research will describe, analyze and understand the practice of differentiated instruction for teachers of the Quebec junior high. This practice fits in the heart of the training programs whose main sight is the success for all. However, it consists of a conceptual confusion makes it difficult to define and implement, particularly among secondary school teachers. This work gives us a picture of three teachers from junior high who still choose to understand and implement. As such, the study of practices in terms of work, as described by Tardif and Lessard (1999) identifies the complex and composite character of their work and to consider personal factors, both internal and external governing their adaptation work program, called travail curriculaire. Thus, an entirely new framework, built with respect to these factors and applying the concepts inherent in differentiated instruction, used to study three cases of complete and thorough. Overall, the analysis of personal factors, both internal and external to the practice of differentiated instruction teachers provide relevant information on their ways to differentiate, their motivation and to differentiate the influence of their workplace in this practice. These results provide not only better understand the practice carried out by secondary school teachers, but also allows the development of the key factors that facilitate its implementation or otherwise limiting. Finally, the comments collected by the teachers surveyed reported that beyond educational success, other factors come into play in carrying out this practice. In fact, despite several constraints related to material resources, organizational and human resources, the practice of differentiated instruction generates among other great source of motivation for school students and helps increase job satisfaction of teachers in their daily work.

abstract: ABSTRACT Research literature relating to the use of humor as a teaching method or curricula specifically designed to include humor was reviewed to investigate the effects of humor on student learning in various environments from elementary schools to post-secondary classrooms. In this multi-method study, four instruments and a humor treatment were selected to test the hypothesis that students who receive humor-embedded instruction would perform better on assessments than students who did not receive humor instruction. These assessments were analyzed to show student growth in achievement and memory retention as a result of humor-embedded instruction. Gain scores between a pre- test and two post-tests determined student growth in achievement and memory retention. Gain scores were triangulated with student responses to open-ended interview questions about their experiences with humor in the classroom. The gain score data were not statistically significant between the humor and non- humor groups. For the short-term memory gain scores, the non-humor group received slightly higher gain scores. For long-term memory gain scores, the humor group received higher gain scores. However, the interview data was consistent with the findings of humor research from the last 20 years that humor improves learning directly and indirectly. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Educational Administration and Supervision 2011

Educators are challenged with meeting the academic needs of students, particularly in the subject area of reading. School districts purchase tools such as Achieve3000 to help students improve their proficiency in reading; however, implementation of such interventions has not been explored from the educators' perspective. This study explored 3rd grade reading teachers' views on Achieve3000 as a tool for improving reading proficiency and preparedness for the Florida State Standards English Language Arts assessment. The conceptual framework included the theory of social validity and current research as it related to differentiated instruction. This study utilized a basic qualitative approach to answer these key research questions. The participants included 6 3rd grade reading teachers from 3 Florida schools. Individual face-to-face interviews and a focus group interview session were conducted to answer the research questions. Data were analyzed via open, axial, and selective coding to generate the themes. The findings revealed the 3rd grade reading teachers believed that Achieve3000 can be considered a reliable method for improving reading and preparing students for the reading portion of the Florida Standards Assessment. The findings of this study can positively affect social change by providing educators with an increased repertoire of instructional tools to assist them in meeting the needs of all learners, as well as to prepare students for a technology driven world.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the use of a computer-managed integrated learning system entitled Accelerated Math (AM) as a supplement to traditional mathematics instruction on achievement as measured by TerraNova achievement tests of third and fourth grade high-ability students. Gender, socioeconomic status, and grade level were also considered. The population consisted of 624 students who were third and fourth grade high-ability students during the 2009-2010 school year. Data were gathered that covered a 1-year period for high-ability third and fourth graders. A series of independent samples t-tests were used to identify relationship among variables. The researcher's investigation of the relationship between AM and mathematics achievement might assist educators in planning for use of technology as a supplement to the normal mathematics curriculum. The findings indicated measurable differences in the performance of high-ability third and fourth grade students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and participated in AM compared to high-ability students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and did not participate in the program. High-ability students who participated in the AM program and who qualified for free and reduced lunch scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than students who did not participate in AM and who qualified for free and reduced lunch. There were also measurable differences in the performance of high-ability fourth grade students who participated in the AM program compared to those who did not participate in the program. Fourth grade high-ability students who participated in the AM program scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than fourth grade students who did not participate in the program. This study indicated no significant findings among gender, students in grade 3, and students who did not qualify for free and reduced price lunch who did and did not participate in the AM program.

There is a requirement for English teachers in Sweden to adapt their teaching to align with the policy documents advocating to foster the students' continuous and lifelong learning. This study aims to address in what way the participating teachers work to create engaging learning environments and lessons that promote communication and cooperation. Furthermore, the study explores which methods the participating teachers use to differentiate instructions and make adaptations to teacher practices and materials to successfully reach each individual student. The data was gathered by conducting qualitative semi-structured interviews with four 7-9 English teachers. The interviews were focused on four main themes: (1) Adaptations for differentiated learning through multi-modality, (2) Adaptations for differentiated learning through the bi-lingual approach, (3) Adaptations for differentiated learning through cooperative learning and (4) Adaptations for differentiated learning through other practices. Based on the guidelines provided by The Swedish National Agency for Education, findings from previous research, and the data collected in this study, it becomes evident that teachers must adopt their teaching in various ways. The adaptation of teaching strategies and practices include ways to effectively engage all of their individual groups of students, as well as the utilization of visual aids, bi-lingual instructional practices, comprehensible input and output, and cooperative learning methods. The results show that these are important ways to differentiate instruction and enhance learning to support the students’ academic and cognitive growth. The presented teacher practices can aid teachers to use differentiated instruction in accordance with the needs of their individual groups of students, both in terms of classes and the individual students within those classes.

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The past decade has seen a significant increase in the emergence of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States. Nationally, a disparity in achievement exists between ELLs and non-ELLs. Relatedly, this problem was evident in a northeastern school district, where ELLs had not made Adequate Yearly Progress 2 years in a row. The purpose of this study was to examine how much time English as Second Language (ESL) teachers spend on a variety of best instructional practices. Constructivism, Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, and Tomilinson's differentiated instruction were the frameworks used to guide this research. A within-group design was utilized to identify how much time 25 ESL educators spent on 5 types of instructional practices. The Survey of Instructional Practices for ESL/ELD Teachers for Grades K-12 was used to collect data. A 1-way analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences between the amounts of time ESL teachers spent on the 5 instructional practices. The greatest time was spent on individualized instructional activities and a variety of educational tasks. Less time was spent on small group activities, and the least amount of time was spent on inquiry-based activities and technology activities. Findings supported the creation of a professional development for ESL teachers at the local site focusing on (a) best instructional practices for teaching ESL students, (b) professional learning community network of support, and (c) resources to support educators in their lesson planning of instructional activities. The study findings and culminating project may positively affect social change by improving ESL instruction at the local site and ultimately decreasing the disparity in achievement between ELL and non-ELL students.