Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / El propósito de esta investigación es ahondar en los usos tecnológicos de los profesores de español y en la formación que han recibido para integrar las TIC en sus clases. En concreto, nos interesa saber su actitud y nivel de seguridad ante la tecnología, de qué recursos disponen y cuáles utilizan en sus clases, cómo aprenden a utilizarlos (formal e informalmente), qué problemas perciben y cómo les gustaría mejorar la integración de la tecnología en sus clases. El estudio se centra en un grupo de escuelas de inmersión de español en los estados de Indiana, Kentucky y Ohio.

Thesis (Master in Education) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / It is generally believed that Information Communication Technologies can extend knowledge and education to poor and marginalised people in South Africa. However, African countries still face many challenges in trying to provide appropriate and sustainable solutions for improving education and skills that will support the development of educators in all communities; this can be viewed in light of the millennium developmental goal. Thus the Department of Education put measures in place to bridge the gap in knowledge, skills and understanding of Computer Application Technology (CAT) educators through the provision of in-service training (INSET) programmes. The research study aimed at assessing the impact of in-service training programmes offered to CAT educators in Secondary Schools in the Free State province. The study made use of a survey and an evaluation research design. The target population for this study was all Further Education and Training (FET) Phase educators in all secondary schools in the Free State Province. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study revealed that the INSET programme still needs to improve on its content relevance to syllabus and it should provide educators with skills in dealing with the challenge of teaching learners with disabilities. The majority of educators were satisfied with the INSET programme as they indicated that it assisted in enhancing their skills and content knowledge; they further indicated that it gave them motivation to go into classrooms and teach. One educator quoted “I am now able to make some functions that usually gave me headaches. It greatly changed and developed the knowledge I had”. This indicates that the challenges that were experienced in classrooms were also met. It can thus be concluded that the INSET programmes did have a positive impact to the skills and challenges that educators experienced. That the study did achieve its v goal which was to assess the impact of INSET programs for CAT educators in the Motheo District, Free State province.

Technology continues to progress due to the enormous growth of wireless technologies and mobile computing. Mobile devices such as handheld computers, smartphones and mobile phones are integrated into the daily lives of many people irrespective of their age, nationality or gender. These devices are embedded with computer functionalities and their ease of use and mobility functionality enable the people to use and move around with the mobile devices everywhere they go; the sophistication of these devices fascinates many learners thus they are fluent in using digital technology. The aim of this thesis is to describe how these devices are being utilised for learning purposes using the qualitative data collection method, to use the FRAME model to evaluate the usefulness of mobile digital technology and to also understand the educator’s role in the mobile age. This thesis explores the relationship between education (what is being taught), society (individual learners and their learning preferences) and technology (mobile tools used for learning), conceptualising the learner’s perspective. The research findings indicate that learners in the case study are enthusiastic about mobile educational technology, fluent in using digital technology and they prefer pen and paper for taking notes. The outcomes of this study suggest that although mobile technology has the potential to enhance teaching and learning, educators need to put more emphasis on providing technology-rich learning activities to empower high level of student involvement and take into consideration the learner’s learning preferences towards learning using mobile technology. / College of Engineering, Science and Technology / M.Tech. (Information Technology)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Technology: Information Technology, Durban University of Technology. Durban. South Africa, 2015. / Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are ubiquitous nowadays, and there are many situations where they are overall perceived either as advantageous or as disadvantageous; but there are other situations where it is unknown whether they are overall advantageous or disadvantageous. For example, ICTs are perceived as advantageous for communication, but texting during driving is perceived as worse than drinking while driving. Concerning for example eLearning which is the use of ICTs in education, the fact that it has not yet eliminated the problem of poor academic performance raises the question as to whether ICTs are advantageous or not in education especially when one considers their high cost. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of educators on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning. This aim will be subdivided into three types of research objectives: (a) to select from existing literature suitable theories that can be applied to the examination of educators’ perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (b) to design a model of the factors affecting educators’ perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (c) to empirically test the above announced model; (d) to propose recommendations on how to optimize the impact of eLearning. Objectives a, b, and d were accomplished through the review of existing appropriate literature on teaching and learning, and on eLearning; but objective c was met through a survey of 65 educators of Camperdown town schools in the Pinetown district of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The outcomes of these four objectives are as follows: (a) Constructivism, Progressivism, and Self-regulated learning can be used as suitable theories applicable to the examination of educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (b) It makes sense to hypothesize that educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning are affected by their demographics and by their adherence to learning theories; (c) Empirical test conducted by this study confirm that educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning are affected by their adherence to constructivism and to progressivism; (d) It can be concluded that the impact of the use of ICTs on teaching and learning will be optimized through the deployment of constructivist and progressivist educators as champions of eLearning projects in schools.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The contexts of the experiences of teachers in South Africa, particularly in communities with low income levels, seem to invite meanings of hopelessness. These meanings appear to be supported by dominant discourses that could determine and limit the practices or actions of these teachers. Within these contexts, however, there are teachers whose actions, reflections or motivations suggest the possibility of alternative or preferred meanings that may be marginalised or silenced by dominant discourses of hopelessness. The theoretical framework that provided the foundation for this study was social constructionism, which argues that meaning is constructed through social interaction and that there is no underlying or objective reality that can be revealed through observation or experience. An understanding of this social construction of meaning allows for the construction of alternative or preferred meanings by individuals or groups in contexts where dominant discourses do not serve their best interests. The aim of the research was therefore to explore and describe the meanings that the participants make of their experiences as teachers in a primary school in Cape Town in a community where low income levels are prevalent. The study further aimed to describe how these teachers experience contextual factors and how these factors contribute to their meaning-making. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to explore local knowledge in the form of actions, motivations and reflections of the teachers that suggest possibilities for alternative or preferred meanings. In keeping with the social constructionist nature of the study, a qualitative, interpretivist research approach was used. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and focus group discussions were used to generate data. Digital audio recordings were made of the group sessions, which were then transcribed and analysed using the constant comparative method. The research findings indicated that the teachers who participated in the study experienced various contextual factors that contributed to their meaning-making. Their experiences of most of these factors were described in similar ways to comparable contextual factors as portrayed in the literature. Furthermore, these contextual factors were linked by the teachers, and dominantly in the literature, to meanings that could be summarised as hopelessness. However, alongside these meanings, the teachers gave rich or detailed descriptions of a range of actions, reflections and motivations that suggest possible alternative or preferred meanings to the hopelessness that their context seems to invite, and that dominant discourses in the literature appear to portray. These findings led to recommendations that were centred largely on meeting some of the support needs of teachers and children in communities with low income levels. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onderwysers se ervarings in Suid-Afrika, veral in gemeenskappe met ‘n lae inkomstevlak, word belewe binne kontekste wat lyk asof dit die betekenisse van hopeloosheid ontlok. Hierdie betekenisse word blykbaar deur dominante diskoerse ondersteun, wat hierdie onderwysers se werksaamheid of optrede kan bepaal en beperk. Binne hierdie kontekste is daar egter onderwysers wie se handelinge, nadenke of motivering die moontlikheid van alternatiewe of verkieslike betekenisse aandui, maar wat gemarginaliseer of stilgemaak kan word deur die dominante diskoerse van hopeloosheid. Die teoretiese raamwerk wat die grondslag vir hierdie studie verskaf het, was sosiale konstruksionisme, wat daarop dui dat betekenis deur sosiale interaksie gekonstrueer word en dat daar geen onderliggende of objektiewe realiteit is wat deur waarneming of ervaring geopenbaar kan word nie. ‘n Begrip van die sosiale konstruksie van betekenis maak voorsiening vir die konstruksie van alternatiewe of verkieslike betekenisse deur individue of groepe binne kontekste waar dominante diskoerse nie hul beste belange dien nie. Die doel van die navorsing was daarom om die betekenisse wat die deelnemers, as onderwysers in ‘n laerskool in Kaapstad binne ‘n gemeenskap met lae inkomste, aan hul ervarings heg, te verken en te beskryf. Die studie was verder daarop gemik om te beskryf hoe hierdie onderwysers kontekstuele faktore ervaar en hoe hierdie faktore ‘n bydrae lewer tot hoe hulle betekenis skep. ‘n Verdere doel van die studie was om plaaslike kennis in die gedaante van die optrede, motivering en nadenke van onderwysers, waardeur moontlike alternatiewe of verkieslike betekenisse na vore kom, te verken. Vanweë die sosiaal-konstruksionistiese aard van die studie, is ‘n kwalitatiewe, interpretiewe navorsingsbenadering as navorsingsmetodologie vir hierdie studie gebruik. ‘n Doelgerigte steekproef is gebruik om potensiële deelnemers te identifiseer en data is deur middel van fokusgroeponderhoude gegenereer. Digitale oudio-opnames van die fokusgroeponderhoude is getranskribeer en is met gebruik van die konstante vergelykende metode ontleed. Die navorsingsbevindings het aangedui dat die onderwysers wat aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het, verskillende kontekstuele faktore belewe wat bydra tot die betekenis wat deur hulle geskep word. Hulle belewenis van die meeste van hierdie faktore is op soortgelyke wyse beskryf as vergelykbare kontekstuele faktore wat in die literatuur bespreek word. Hierdie kontekstuele faktore is verder deur die onderwysers en in die literatuur aan betekenisse wat as hopeloosheid beskryf kan word, gekoppel. Naas hierdie betekenisse het die onderwysers egter ook ryk of gedetailleerde beskrywings van ‘n reeks handelinge, nadenkings en motiverings gebied wat moontlike alternatiewe of verkose betekenisse bied tot die hopeloosheid wat deur hulle konteks uitgelok word en deur die dominante diskoerse in die literatuur uitgebeeld word. Die navorsingsbevindings het gelei tot aanbevelings wat hoofsaaklik daarop gerig is om in sommige van die behoeftes aan ondersteuning wat deur onderwysers en kinders in gemeenskappe met lae inkomstevlakke ervaar word, te voorsien.

Acompanha: Guia didático para a elaboração de atividades envolvendo o ensino de ciências nos anos iniciais partindo do bloco temático Recursos Tecnológicos propostos pelos PCN dentro de uma abordagem CTS / O objetivo desse estudo foi proporcionar aos alunos do 2º ano do 2º ciclo da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Ponta Grossa uma alfabetização científica e tecnológica, numa abordagem CTS (Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade), partindo do eixo temático Recursos Tecnológicos proposto pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais. Para esse estudo buscou-se contemplar reflexões sobre a ciência, o cientista, o lixo tecnológico, as sacolas plásticas, e as fontes de energia. Vários autores fundamentam esse estudo como Krasilchick (1987), Delizoicov (2002), Cerezo (2002), Chassot (2004), Cachapuz (2005), Bizzo (2008), Fracalanza (2008), Bazzo (2009) entre outros. A linha metodológica desse trabalho foi a qualitativa de natureza interpretativa com observação participante. As técnicas de coleta de dados foram a observação, anotações em diário de campo, gravações em áudio e vídeo transcritas na íntegra, questionários com perguntas abertas, fotografias e atividades escritas realizadas pelos alunos. Inicialmente foram verificadas as concepções prévias dos dezesseis (16) alunos em relação à temática apresentada, o que possibilitou o direcionamento das atividades que foram desenvolvidas. Dentre as atividades organizadas pode-se citar: a visita a uma cooperativa de reciclagem, entrevista com um cientista, apresentações de mini-aulas pelos alunos, confecção de folders, produções escritas, bem como uma Feira Tecnológica onde os alunos realizaram exposições para a comunidade escolar. Ao final do estudo, percebesse que embora os alunos já consigam fazer algumas reflexões sobre as questões sociais do desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico, é necessário que essas reflexões continuem ocorrendo durante a sua vida escolar, pois se acredita que só dessa forma a postura reflexiva acerca da Ciência e da Tecnologia será internalizada. Como produto final desse estudo foi elaborado um guia didático com o desenvolvimento das atividades realizadas na área de Ciências para os anos iniciais. / The aim of this study was to provide students of 2nd year 2nd cycle of the municipal school of Ponta Grossa a scientific literacy and technological approach STS (Science, Technology and Society), based on the thematic Technology Resources proposed by the Parameters National Curriculum. For this study we sought to include reflections on science, scientist, technological waste, plastic bags, and energy sources. Several authors have based this study as Krasilchick (1987), Delizoicov (2002), Cerezo (2002), Chassot (2004), Cachapuz (2005), Bizzo (2008), Fracalanza (2008), Bazzo (2009) among others. The methodological approach of this study was qualitative in nature interpretation with participant observation. The techniques of data collection were observation, notes in field diary, audio and video recordings transcribed verbatim, questionnaires with open questions, photos and writing activities undertaken by pupils. Initially, we checked the preconceptions of the sixteen (16) students in relation to the issue presented, which allowed the targeting of activities that have been developed. Among the organized activities can include: a visit to a recycling cooperative, interview with a scientist, mini-lesson, presentations by students, making folders, written production, as well as a technology fair where students made presentations to the community school. At the end of the study, it is noticed that although students already able to make some reflections on the social issues of scientific and technological development, it is necessary that these considerations continue to occur during their school life, it is believed that only this way the reflective stance on Science and Technology will be internalized. As a final product of this study was developed with a didatic guide the development of activities in the area of Sciences for the initial years.

Technology continues to progress due to the enormous growth of wireless technologies and mobile computing. Mobile devices such as handheld computers, smartphones and mobile phones are integrated into the daily lives of many people irrespective of their age, nationality or gender. These devices are embedded with computer functionalities and their ease of use and mobility functionality enable the people to use and move around with the mobile devices everywhere they go; the sophistication of these devices fascinates many learners thus they are fluent in using digital technology. The aim of this thesis is to describe how these devices are being utilised for learning purposes using the qualitative data collection method, to use the FRAME model to evaluate the usefulness of mobile digital technology and to also understand the educator’s role in the mobile age. This thesis explores the relationship between education (what is being taught), society (individual learners and their learning preferences) and technology (mobile tools used for learning), conceptualising the learner’s perspective. The research findings indicate that learners in the case study are enthusiastic about mobile educational technology, fluent in using digital technology and they prefer pen and paper for taking notes. The outcomes of this study suggest that although mobile technology has the potential to enhance teaching and learning, educators need to put more emphasis on providing technology-rich learning activities to empower high level of student involvement and take into consideration the learner’s learning preferences towards learning using mobile technology. / College of Engineering, Science and Technology / M.Tech. (Information Technology)

This validation study examined the Triple E Rubric for Lesson Design as a measurement tool to test the effectiveness of a lesson when using technology to support learning goals. This study also measured the content and concurrent validity as well as reliability of the Triple E Rubric developed by Liz Kolb.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We are in the era where Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are increasingly becoming as common as desks and chalkboard in our classrooms. Government, students, parents and the community at large are now expecting ICTs to be integrated in the school curriculum and to be used as tools of instruction.

CAPES; Fundação Araucária / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral levantar os possíveis efeitos pelo uso dos dispositivos móveis por adolescentes principalmente no convívio familiar e no aprendizado. Foi desenvolvida em um grupo de alunos, de pais e de professores de dois colégios, sendo um público, localizado em Curitiba, estado do Paraná, e outro privado, localizado na cidade de São Bento do Sul, estado de Santa Catarina. Para a realização do estudo, considerou-se os objetivos específicos: i) levantar os prováveis benefícios e os prováveis riscos oriundos da utilização dos dispositivos móveis; ii) investigar as variáveis com potencial de alterar o convívio do adolescente na família e na escola; e iii) analisar o possível efeito dos dispositivos móveis nos adolescentes, considerando seu convívio familiar e seu rendimento escolar. A pesquisa, quanto à natureza e a finalidade prática, foi descritiva, e no ponto de vista de seu propósito, foi predominantemente explicativa; o estudo empregou a concepção do levantamento na forma de abordagem do problema, e a metodologia empregada para o tratamento dos dados foi de métodos mistos. A pesquisa empregou a amostragem estratificada e a amostragem intencional; e para cada estrato utilizou-se a amostragem aleatória simples. A aplicação dos questionários no colégio público foi para 85 alunos, 24 pais e 9 professores; e no colégio privado foi para 76, 26 e 11 respectivamente. O estudo indicou que os efeitos da mediação dos dispositivos móveis convergem maiormente para determinados aspectos negativos do que para aspectos positivos. Os principais benefícios apontados foram: uso para pesquisas; lazer; comunicação; aprendizagem por videoaulas; acesso à informação e compartilhamento de conteúdo educacional. Especialmente no que tangem aos riscos provenientes da intensidade e da forma na utilização dos dispositivos móveis, como a tendência dos dispositivos em despertar o sedentarismo e os riscos ligados à saúde sobretudo dos adolescentes, ligados à postura, à visão, à audição e ao sono. Além disso, existem os riscos com a radiação emitida pelos dispositivos móveis e com o descarte incorreto dos dispositivos móveis em desuso. Ainda, o estudo apontou que um maior uso dos dispositivos móveis, refletiu em uma ligeira redução na nota, motivado pelo pouco aproveitamento dos dispositivos no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. / This research had as general objective to raise the possible effects using the mobile devices by adolescents mainly in family life and learning. It was developed in a group of students, parents and teachers of two high schools, one public, located in Curitiba, Paraná state, and another private, located in the city of São Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina state. To carry out the study, the specific objectives were: i) to get up the probable benefits and the probable risks arising from the use of mobile devices; ii) investigate the variables with the potential to alter the adolescents' life in the family and school; and iii) analyze the possible effect of mobile devices on adolescents, considering their family life and school performance. The research, as to the nature and the practical purpose, was descriptive, and from the point of view of its purpose, was predominantly explanatory; the study used the conception of the survey in the form of approach of the problem, and the methodology used for the Treatment was of mixed methods. The research employed stratified sampling and intentional sampling; and for each stratum the simple random sampling was used. The application of the questionnaires in the public high school was for 85 students, 24 parents and 9 teachers; and the private high school went to 76, 26 and 11 respectively. The study indicated that the effects of mediation of mobile devices largely converge on certain negative aspects rather than on positive aspects. The main benefits were: use for research; leisure; communication; video lesson learning; access to information and sharing of educational content. Particularly about the risks arising from the intensity and the way in which mobile devices are used, such as the tendency of the devices to arouse the sedentary lifestyle and the risks related to health especially of adolescents, related to posture, vision, hearing and sleep. In addition, there are risks with the radiation emitted by the mobile devices and with the incorrect discard of the mobile devices in disuse. Still, the study pointed out that a greater use of mobile devices, it was reflected in a slight reduction in the grade, motivated by the poor use of devices in the teaching-learning process.