More girls into science and technology have been a repeated goal in Swedish school politics for some decades. It has been called the gender equality issue. However, neither the ideas associated with science education nor the ideas associated with gender are obvious. The aim of the thesis is to analyse different views of gender, science and technology in Swedish educational policy, as they appear over time in the preparatory documents of the curricula of the nine year comprehensive compulsory school. The purpose is thus to understand the recurrent theme of “girls and science and technology”. The study is a text analysis and the empirical material consists of commission reports, government proposals, motions and minutes of the ensuing parliamentary debates. In the earliest documents girls and boys were described as opposites and their differences were emphasised. However these ideas were not unchallenged. Gender differences were toned down, variations within the genders were emphasised, and it was pointed out that boys and girls are not uniform groups. It was argued that calling areas and tasks female and male are conventions that can be broken. Proposals were made implying a breaking up of the strict boundary between girls’ and boys’ respective spheres of activity. Later a lot of the old ideas were recurring although society had changed. However clear attempts to break the gender borders were also repeated. In this ambition technology was central. From the early 1960s a girl choosing technology stands out as a symbol of a pupil making a gender-crossing choice.

The way towards an equal society, where both women and men has the same possibilities both private and in professional life, has been a long and still ongoing process. During my practical studies to become a recreation instructor I have noticed a difference between the children I have met in my workplace. What I saw was that girls and boys had a different approach towards their future, plus that the pedagogues at the school had different roles depending if they were men or women. In this study I have investigated which dreams and visions a group of after-school children has, plus how these distinguish between the genders. I have through group interviews, first three boys and then three girls, investigated how children look at their future focusing on career, spare time and familysituation. The questions have also focused on how children look at the schools pedagogues with gender as a premiss. My result shows that the children's vision on their future tends to look different between the genders. The boy’s focus more on a career in either rescue work or on a career were an academic education is required, with an active life on the side. Where the girls focus on working either as a model or a make-up artist, and building a family on the side. The children's answers also show that they see a difference between the female and male pedagogues, where the men are more playful and fun, whilst the women are more helpful and experienced in craftsmanship and likewise. This means that the female and male pedagogues at the school assume different roles that in the long run probably affect the children and their views on feminine and masculine. The study´s result also grounds in different theories about gender plus earlier research in the subject.

The study deals with creative music making in the compulsory comprehensive school’s music instruction. This is an educational effort and is carried out within the framework for the research area Educational work. The objective is, in investigations, steering documents, and teaching material, from 1945 and onwards, as well as through observations of classroom practice today, to describe the discourse about creative music making in music in the Swedish compulsory comprehensive school, and discuss its importance for the field of music and music instruction. The problem area encompasses questions about how generation of knowledge and practice is regulated in the instruction. The empirical material in form of transcriptions from interviews with teachers and students, as well as field notes and recordings from classroom observations together with general texts compose the inter-textual chains that form the discourse about creative music making. The study has a historical beginning inspired by Michel Foucaults’ discourse concept. The regulating and normalizing procedures are used as analytical tools that create the discourse. The study puts in focus the recommended practices in the cited texts. The qualitative differences and similarities, continuities and discontinuities are sought, as well as the definitions and categorizing that is done in the texts. Information which is repeated in several sources, and deviates or breaks with frequently occurring content in the texts is noted. “Creative music making” has been categorized in relation to the individual, socially and in musical contexts. Analysis has been carried out as change over time related to the subject of music and from creative music making’s suggested goals and functions. Access to current school practice has been made through observations and interviews with teachers and students during lessons that contain creative music making activities as well as analyses of these in relation to the texts. In the analysis work, keywords are sought that provide a foundation for categorizing the material. With the establishment of the discourse a descriptive analysis about the remarks that have been registered is made. The classroom studies were carried out at 4 different schools where the four teachers who have been followed were interviewed. Shorter interviews were made with some of their colleagues and with those students, whose work has been followed. The result shows that the power which is exercised in the discourse affects both planning and organization of music instruction, like choice of content and work forms. In the discourse the categories freedom as recreation, creating music making as a we can and you can, the classroom as a musical practice room for the individual and social cultivation, contemporary culture orienting and to play is to create are constructed. The discourse about creating in music instruction functions as a tool for the changes in school that prepares the compulsory comprehensive school’s actualization. The reform and learning by doing ideas together with ideas about aesthetics and social cultivation of the individual towards democracy, and an active participation in society and cultural life is a part of the discourse. Today, this makes up the structural elements in the description of creative music making. The musical style and genre appears to be important as musical frames in the creative music making activities but also for the working methods and contents. In the discussion, the discourse on creative music making is linked to the larger space that ensemble music making has received in music instruction. Creative music making’s culture-oriented functions are linked to music as important phenomenon for the individual and society. Keywords: creative music making, discourse, music instruction, educational work, school, history of education, creativity, aesthetics, popular music, youth

Children who express externalizing behaviors in school are at greater risk of school failure and peer rejection. They are also at greater risk of developing antisocial behaviors, addiction to drugs, mental health problems and delinquency. Many teachers experience difficulties in working with pupils expressing externalizing behaviors. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate a classroom behavior management program called Comet. The main principle of Comet is to get the teacher to use effective strategies when the pupil who is targeted for intervention, and the rest of class, are behaving appropriately and inappropriately. Two versions of the program are evaluated in the thesis: Comet for teachers (Comet-T) and Comet for parents (Comet-P). Three studies are committed to evaluate Comet-T. In the first study Comet-T was compared to an active control group. 100 children (aged 8) were randomized into Comet-T or the control group. At post test and follow-up Comet-T received a better results in reducing externalizing problems, peer problems and teacher behavior management. An analysis of mediators showed that changes in teacher behaviors mediated externalizing behavior. In the second study, children (aged 6 -13) were randomized into two groups. 44 pupils received Comet-T and 42 pupils received a combined intervention consisting of Comet-T at school and Comet-P at home. At post test and follow-up the results show that the combination of Comet-T and Comet-P reduced the externalizing behaviors at home more than Comet-T (only). However, there were no significant differences between the two conditions regarding decrease in externalizing behaviors at school. In the third study Comet-T was compared to a brief version called Comet-TB. At post test Comet-TB had a greater reduction of externalizing behaviors compared to Comet-T. The studies conclude that teachers can use behavior management techniques to decrease externalizing behaviors in the classroom. Furthermore, teachers cannot rely on parent management programs in order to decrease externalizing problems in school. Instead, behavior problems in school need to be solved within school settings. Finally, even a brief program can be effective in order to decrease externalizing behaviors.

The chief aim of this thesis is to explore aesthetic aspects of the Swedish school subject of sloyd. The research questions are: What do young people tell about sloyd? What aesthetic resources do they use? How can one describe the relation between what young people tell about sloyd and the aesthetic resources they use? A narrative approach was chosen to learn about activities and attitudes concerning aesthetic matters among young people in the 9th form in lower secondary schools. The empirical study was carried out in three schools including qualitative interviews and visual ethnography mainly considering the learner’s point of view. Findings are represented through story constructions and photographs. Ten stories depict aesthetic and thereto related aspects of which five stories are based on individuals and another five are thematic. Stories and photos were analyzed using an integration of aesthetic, narrative and semiotic methods. Structures of meaning making were identified using three concepts: expressions, personal project, and dynamic process. The results show that aesthetic deliberation in sloyd work is a major issue among young people. Concerns are often based on personal circumstances, such as taste and preference. Aesthetic considerations in the pupils’ sloyd work were found to be directed towards the one’s own room, relations to family members, and/or plans for future engagement in aesthetic related professions. The results confirm that aesthetic expression in sloyd work may be a way for pupils to reflect upon and develop their personalities. I have also shown that sloyd may be a way to represent narrative instances. A second aim is to develop theoretical concepts in the field of aesthetic learning in sloyd. I argue that an aesthetic aspect alone cannot satisfy the concept of aesthetic learning. Therefore the aesthetic learning concept in my study is generated from aesthetic, configurative (cf. gestaltung) and creative aspects, thus forming an integrated aesthetic perspective. Aesthetic objectives were analyzed using Bakhtin’s systemic aesthetics, which identified architectonic instances in sloyd materials and sloyd design supporting narrative elements in sloyd artefacts. Finally I propose a model for narrative understanding of artefacts based on the theoretical concepts mediation and focalization.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur den rumsliga utformningen av utomhusmiljön i förskolan främjar inkludering av barn i åldrarna ett till sex år där möjlighet till olika typer av lek och pedagogisk verksamhet understöds. Studien är förlagd till Mullvadens förskolegård på Södermalm i Stockholm. Det är en kvalitativ studie där observations-, intervju-, enkät- och litteraturstudier har genomförts. I resultatdelen har tre tematiska områden lyfts fram; åldersanpassning, rumslighet och pedagogisk verksamhet. Genom designprocessen har sedan dessa tematiska områden brutits ner till temat för gestaltningsförslaget; variation och kontrast. Empirin och teori ligger till grund för gestaltningsförslaget och har utförts för att undersöka förutsättningar, problem och visioner. Resultatet av studien visar att det finns potential för att, genom rumsliga element, förbättra förutsättningarna för inkludering, genom att ändra rörelseflöden och struktur samt tillföra material. Naturmiljöer framhålls genomgående som positivt för barns utveckling, vilket är en stor utmaning att tillgodose i en stadsmiljö. Gestaltningsförslaget avser att ge Mullvadens förskola en variationsrik gård med kontraster i en ”naturlig” miljö. Naturelement och material har tillförts vilket ämnar bidra till att egenskaper från naturen, så som att vara levande och modifierbar erhålls. / The purpose of this study is to investigate how the spatial design of the preschool outdoor environment has the potential to promote inclusivity of children aged one to six years, when utilised in conjunction with different types of play and educational activities. The study is located in Mullvadens preschool in Stockholm. This is a qualitative study were observation, interview, survey and literature studies have been conducted. The results have highlighted three key thematic areas; age adjustment, spatiality and educational work. The design process has these themes, "boiled down” to the theme of the design proposal; variety and contrast. The empirical data and theory underpin the design proposal and have been conducted to determine current conditions, problems and visions. The results of this study show that there is potential to, by utilisation of spatial elements, change the climate of inclusion. It is argued that this can be achieved by both the addition of materials and the removal of items, with the aim of changing the flow of motion and structure in the space. Natural environment is emphasised throughout as positive in the development of children, posing a major challenge in an urban environment. The design proposal aims, however, to make this challenge central and to provide Mullvadens preschool with a diversified yard which includes the "natural" environment. By using natural elements and materials an environment is proposed which not only links to nature but is, itself, more natural in that it is alive and modifiable.

Klimatfrågan är idag mer aktuell än någonsin tidigare. Detta beror på den akuta situation som vi levande på jorden faktiskt befinner oss i. Det har nästan alltid funnits hot mot vårt klimat, men det är först idag som vi tydligt börjar se följderna av vårt tidigare handlande och det jag syftar på är den förstärkta växthuseffekten och dess konsekvenser. Syftet med studien är att utifrån en lärandesituation i form av ett rollspel beskriva elevers handlingsberedskap och känslor kring växthuseffekten. Frågeställningarna är följande. Hur utvecklas elevernas kunskap och handlingsberedskap kring växthuseffekten genom ett rollspel? Hur påverkar rollspelet elevernas känslor för växthuseffekten? Studien som genomfördes i en årskurs 9 startade med en enkät där eleverna fick svara på frågor gällande växthuseffekten, deras eget handlande och deras känslor. Enkäten åtföljdes av ett rollspel där frågor kring växthuseffekten och dess konsekvenser diskuterades av de deltagande ländernas delegater. Efter rollspelet fick eleverna svara på samma enkät igen för att ta reda om rollspelet hade påverkat eleverna. Rollspelet har bidragit till att eleverna har tillägnat sig mer och djupare kunskaper kring växthuseffekten samt att de har gått från ett lokalt till ett mer globalt tänkande. Handlingsberedskapen hos eleverna var inte så stor och de känner inte någon direkt oro inför framtiden, men efter rollspelet blev de mer bekymrade över andra människors framtid. Liten oro hos eleverna kan bero på att Sverige inte direkt ligger i riskzonen och deras handlingsberedskap speglas av att de inte vill ändra på något som skulle förändra deras vardag. / Issues concerning the climate change are more urgent than ever before. During the last couple of hundred years the climate has been threatened by different causes, but it is not until today we are facing the consequences of our former action towards the environment. I allude to the greenhouse effect and its consequences. My aim with this paper is, from a teaching situation through a role play, to describe pupils’ action readiness and feelings concerning the green house effect. The questions I will find answers to are. How pupils’ knowledge and action readiness concerning the green house effect develops through a role play? How the role play affects the pupils’ feelings concerning the green house effect? The study has been carried out in a grade 9. The pupils began answering a questionnaire regarding the green house effect, their own actions and their feelings. Afterwards they carried out a role play where the green house effect and its consequences where discussed. To find out if the role play had influenced the pupils they afterwards had to fill in the same form again. The contribution of the role play is that the pupils have acquired deeper knowledge concerning the green house effect and their thoughts have become more global. The study showed that their action readiness was not particularly big and they were not worried about the future. Sweden is not in the danger zone and that can have contributed to their non worried attitude. Their action readiness is coloured by the fact that they do not want to change anything that would affect their ordinary day.

The study’s purpose is to find out how important cultural competence is for the guidance of people with multicultural backgrounds. I also want to illustrate that what is seen as normal in one culture may mean something different in another culture. The study will also in some extent explore culture clashes and its problems in the guidance context. The method used in the study is qualitative and the five respondents were all practicing Muslims. The theoretical point in the study is the constructivist. The thesis shows that the individuals compromise with their religious beliefs in order to meet their daily needs. A conclusion is that cultural competence is necessary, but also that the counselors approach proved to be of significant importance. / Undersökningens syfte var att ta reda på hur viktig kulturell kompetens är i vägledning av personer med multikulturell bakgrund. Jag vill även belysa att vad som ses som normalt i en kultur kan betyda något helt annat i en annan. Undersökningen går även in på kulturkrockar och dess problematik i samband med vägledning. Metoden som använts i undersökningen är kvalitativ, och de fem respondenter som intervjuades var alla praktiserande muslimer. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten i undersökningen är den konstruktivistiska. Undersökningen visar att individerna på olika sätt kompromissar för att få deras vardag att gå ihop med sin religiösa trosuppfattning. En slutsats som drogs är att kulturell kompetens till viss del är nödvändig, dock är det vägledarens förhållningssätt som är avgörande för om det blir ett lyckat möte.

Jag har genomfört en undersökning där jag har observerat klassrummets fysiska miljö med fokus på dess möblering och utbud av material. Genom att observera två klassrum har jag försökt få en förståelse för hur klassrummets möblering och utbud av material kan gynna elevers lärande och kunskapsinhämtning. Min undersökning är genomförd utifrån forskningsfrågorna; - Hur är klassrummet möblerat? - Vilket material erbjuds eleverna? - Hur använder sig eleverna av materialet och möbleringen? Jag har utgått från ett interaktionistiskt och ett sociokulturellt perspektiv och använt mig av begreppen aktiviteter, interaktioner och verktyg. Förutom det sociokulturella perspektivet har jag även relaterat och jämfört mina resultat till den forskning som tidigare har gjorts på samma område. Det resultat jag har analyserat och diskuterat kring grundar sig på de fältanteckningar jag skrev i samband med observationen samt fotografier från klassrummen. Under mina observationer har jag sett olika möbleringsmöjligheter som, mer eller mindre, kan bidra till ett positivt kunskapsinhämtande för eleverna. Om man jämför med vad tidigare forskare har kommit fram till om utbudet av material verkar det fortfarande inte ha hänt så mycket i de klassrum jag observerade.

The aim of the study was to improve understanding of how upper secondary school acknowledge and adjust support and guidance for gifted students regarding their future academic and professional career. The study examined school pricipals and career counselors approach to guidance work with gifted students and how the above mentioned professionals received information about gifted students. It was further examined what measures were applied to adjust the upper secondary school to the needs of gifted students. Qualitative interviews were conducted and the results showed that in cases where the informants were told it took place in conjunctions with seminars about the class, through grades or through a teacher or the students themselves who contacted the career counselor or principal at the upper secondary school.The giftedness was connected to the school curriculum and various course topics in the secondary programs. School principals viewed the career counselor as an important resource to provide motivational support, individualize and survey future plans. Career counselors experienced that gifted students were ahead in their maturity process and often arrived earlier than other students with ideas and questions for the career counselor. The upper secondary school tried to the extent resources were available, to provide stimulus and motivation for the gifted students in different ways - through acceleration, enrichment and motivational activities. / Syftet med studien var att öka kunskaperna om hur gymnasieskolan uppmärksammar och anpassar stöd och vägledning för särbegåvade elever beträffande deras framtida studie- och yrkeskarriär. Studien har undersökt skolledares och studie- och yrkesvägledares syn på vägledningsarbete med särbegåvade elever och hur dessa yrkesgrupper får information om särbegåvade elever. Vidare undersöktes vilka åtgärder som tillämpades för att anpassa gymnaiseskolan efter särbegåvade elevers behov. Kvalitativa intervjuer genomfördes och resultatet visade att i de fall informanterna fick information kom den i samband med klasskonferenser, genom betyg eller genom lärare eller eleven själv som tagit kontakt med studie- och yrkesvägledare eller rektor på gymnasieskolan. Begåvningarna kopplas till skolans läroplaner och de olika gymnasieprorammens kursämnen. Skolledarna såg studie- och yrkesvägledningen som en viktig resurs för att kunna ge motiverande stöd, individanpassa och kartlägga framtidsplaner. Studie- och yrkesvägledare upplevde att särbegåvade elever låg före i mognadsprocessen och ofta kom tidigare än andra elever med idéer och frågor till studie- och yrkesvägledaren. Gymnasieskolorna försökte i mån av resurser ge stimulans och motivation till de särbegåvade eleverna på olika sätt - genom acceleration, berikande och motivationshöjande insatser.