D.Ed. / The new millennium is considered to be a period of empowered social change, having profound implications for schooling. The transformation of education in present-day South Africa emphasises the need for quality education for all. This is necessary in order to be able to meet the challenges of the new millennium. Thus even the most competent educational institutions are forced to improve and change in order to keep up with worldwide innovations. As the poor matric results of the last decade indicate, it seems that schools' performance is not up to standard. It became increasingly clear that certain factors precipitated the pathological situation in schools and that assistance and interventions are required. The main focus of this study is to establish what schools can do in order to improve and become more effective. It is well known that schools in South Africa are facing a crisis. South Africa's education system is therefore compelled to find solutions against the idiosyncratic backdrop of the country's unique socio-economic and socio-political problems. In order to develop a world-class education system suitable of meeting the challenges of the 21' century, school improvement seems necessary. The problem investigated by this study was: How can schools improve with the help, advice and expertise of external agents, namely school consultants. In order to improve schools there must be various agents or participants who must be actively involved and play a part in any reform process. These role players have been identified as: the school principal, teachers, parents and learners. However, it became clear that the subjective involvement of these protagonists is not sufficient to contribute towards a significant educational improvement endeavour. The aim of this study is to analyse and describe how schools can improve through the expert advice and contribution of external school consultants. This aim was realised by: undertaking a theoretical investigation in the form of a literature study; undertaking an empirical, qualitative investigation in order to establish in what way the assistance of an objective advisor in the form of a consultant, can contribute to improving the intricate problems currently facing schools. During this qualitative investigation it was established that: South Africa has problems endemic to this country which precipitate pathology at school level; The main role players in schools are not sufficiently equipped to initiate change; External consultants as change and improvement agents are a solution suggested by international literature; If consultation is done in a professional, ethically correct manner it can indeed lead to school improvement.

This paper reports the findings of a mixed methods research study which sought to explore the impact of teaching and learning cultures on the performance of fourth year Accountancy students. The collection of data was done through questionnaires as well as interviews with lecturers. Learning culture was explored by measuring and comparing the cultural dimensions of fourth year Accountancy students at two South African universities in order to understand the differences and similarities between the two institutions’ student bodies. There were statistically significant differences between the students of the two universities only along the cultural dimensions of long-term orientation and indulgence versus restraint. It was found that uncertainty avoidance, monumentalism and the age of students significantly impact their performance in Accountancy. Cultural dimensions of students which could hinder their performance in Accountancy are identified and some recommendations are made with regards to addressing areas of weakness in learning culture.

This mixed-methodology study examined the effect of using Electronic textbook highlight and animation tools on the knowledge and comprehension achieved by10th grade students. Eighty-two students enrolled in a regular World History course were purposefully selected and assigned to 1 of 4 groups: (a) Highlight, (b) Animation, (c) Highlight-and-Animation, or (d) Comparison. A One-Way ANCOVA with a Bonferroni Adjusted Alpha was used in analyzing the results of the knowledge and comprehension World History pretest and posttest that were administered. A Factorial ANCOVA with a Bonferroni Adjusted Alpha was used in analyzing the influence of the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) moderator. Using the eEdition World History textbook tools of highlight and animation did not significantly impact the World History knowledge and comprehension scores achieved by participants and the participant's SRI level did not significantly moderate the relative effectiveness of the conditions. Interview data from 3 Student Focus groups and 1 Teacher Focus group were analyzed with an open exploratory coding strategy. The resulting classification code of "ease of use" was characterized by: (a) time required to learn to use the tools, and (b) time to complete the tasks. A second code, "choice" was characterized by: (a) choice of instruction tools, and (b) choice in monitoring and assessing student activity. The focus groups indicated that they would use the tools in the future due to benefits such as the ability to modify the information to match their learning and instructional preferences. They also stressed that more instruction on the use of eEdition tools was needed. / by Cathy E. Bonner. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This qualitative research study explored the influence of collaborative analysis of student work (CASW) as professional development on teacher practice, specifically during lessons and on written teacher feedback on student work. Additionally, teachers' perceptions about the influence of CASW sessions and three 2-week instructional cycles on student writing, including the professional development sessions, lessons, and teacher written feedback, were investigated. Qualitative data were collected including teacher interviews, CASW observations, classroom observations, and document analysis. Findings indicated that teachers felt that CASW influenced their increased awareness of teaching and student learning, and implications for future teaching for the whole group as well as ideas for next steps for individual students emerged. Teachers supported CASW being job-embedded and practical to daily work; they voiced concerns over the time and scheduling facilitating the professional development required. Teachers responded that they felt that CASW helped them question their assessment of student writing, consistency within and across grade levels and subjects, and the appropriate level of difficulty of their curriculum. Teachers expressed their desire to be able to meet with students more regularly to go over their teacher written feedback and felt that CASW may possibly influence student work over time. Two teachers felt that the CASW professional development could have influenced their written feedback; four teachers felt that it did not. Implications for professional development, public policy, and further research are given. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The current qualitative study focused on understanding the process of learning to teach. Using interviews of teacher educators, the study explored the importance of a set of teaching activities developed as part of the Teacher Self Efficacy Survey (Tschannen- Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) as well as the inclusion of instructional and assessment strategies for the teaching activities and the quality of beginning teacher performance of the activities. Data were collected from interviews of 15 teacher educators. A process of open, axial, and substantive coding was applied to the data to inductively identify and categorize data relevant to the purpose of the study and to allow comparisons among and between categories. Findings suggested that teaching activities are critically important to and a comprehensive description of effective teaching, and that beginning teachers struggle with differentiation and applying their learning to their practice. Further, findings suggested that the source of beginning teacher struggles was found within the teacher education program, within school contexts, and between the two institutions. In addition, findings suggested that beginning teachers perform the student engagement activities and those related to instructional strategies more proficiently than classroom management activities, and that all three teaching activity categories were included in the curriculum, but to different degrees and not all as part of curriculum design. A variety of pedagogies were used to prepare preservice teachers; however, there was no reported knowledge of assessment instruments used to measure preservice teachers’ readiness for teaching and to obtain data on the performance of their graduates. Lastly, this study revealed that teacher education program leaders were reluctant to participate in a study that sought to draw direct connections between the skills taught in the program and how well beginning teachers perform them. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends further studies to determine the viability of the teaching activities as a comprehensive and accurate definition of effective teaching. Further the researcher recommends that teacher education programs and school districts adopt the teaching activities as a consistent framework for providing preservice education, for setting school district expectations, and for conducting teacher evaluations. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study problematizes teacher education, and its accreditation guidelines as set forth by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The analysis herein conceptualizes teacher education as contextually contingent on sociocultural metanarratives, as functioning paradigmatically through consensus and gatekeeping mechanisms, and as a structure existing within a matrix of discipline and surveillance that is designed to perpetuate status quo power dynamics. This conceptualization grounds dominant teacher education modalities within a specific meta-theory orientation. Through this analysis, the author also explores an alternative conceptualization of teacher education that appeals to the educative power of contextual awareness, ontological sensitivity, and democratically recursive pedagogical and relational processes. Such a conceptualization reflects an alternative meta-theory orientation. For the purposes of this analysis, the author employed textual analysis of sampled website literature from Teacher Education Programs in six geographic regions within the United States. This textual analysis was grounded in the aforementioned conceptualizations and was intended to reveal meta-theory orientations as expressed in a program’s official text. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study explored the factors expert teachers reported as influences in the development and sustainment of their expertise as well as those that challenge it. Through one-on-one interviews with 15 expert teachers, the generated data were scrutinized using a grounded theory approach. The analysis protocol followed a multi-step process of three stages – exploration, amalgamation, and conceptualization. In each of those stages, the data were examined using a cyclical and recursive process of investigation-interpretationintegration- illustration. By the completion of the conceptualization stage, a theory was developed to describe the interdependence of the four influential factors that shape and sustain teacher expertise. Among the findings, the study revealed that both endogenous and exogenous elements are necessary to develop and sustain teacher expertise. The endogenous factors are more intrinsic and include energy (a teacher’s drive, commitment, and ability to extend past her/his comfort zone) and examination (reflection and goal-setting), while the exogenous factors are more environmental and include encouragement (the succor a teacher receives through collaboration and school leadership) and erudition (professional learning that influences a teacher’s knowledge and skills). The theory proposes that the evolution of expertise is neither chronological nor linear; rather, each of the four factors plays an integral role and is interconnected and synergistic with the others. In addition, when one or more influences is lacking or is compromised, expertise is impeded. Impedances represent the challenges the participants reported as their expertise evolved. These challenges interfere with their energy, examination, encouragement, or erudition and, ultimately, their expertise. Furthermore, a diagram depicting a quaternary gear system was created to illustrate teacher expertise in motion. This is especially relevant at a time when teacher quality is the prominent discourse in the field and at the forefront of educational policy. Understanding the interdependent factors that shape and sustain teacher expertise can inform pre-service teachers, developing and expert teachers, educational leaders, and decision-makers on the nuances of teacher expertise as a way to optimize teacher growth and maximize student success. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The qualitative research study examined the teacher-student and student-student interactions that took place in two elementary parochial classrooms staffed by teachers nominated as effective by their supervisors. The study also examined relationships, similarities and differences between the teacher-student and student-student interactions. Qualitative data were collected including classroom observations, interviews with teachers, and focus group interviews with students. Results indicated that effective teachers supported their students organizationally through well-organized learning environments ; instructionally by using a variety of instructional scaffolds, strategies and materials while holding students accountable for their learning ; and emotionally by meeting students' needs for belonging and safety. Student-student instructinal and emotional supports reflected most of the elements of teacher-student organizational, instructional and emotional supports but also included some negative interactions not present in teacher-student interactions. Implications for classroom practice, public policy and further research in classroom interactions are given. / by Eudora A. Stephens. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

This mixed methods study investigates the relationship between fifth-grade teachers' social studies knowledge and beliefs and their relationship to classroom practices. Quantitative data were collected through a beliefs and classroom practices survey and 60-item knowledge test covering the areas of American History, America and the World, Political Philosophy and American Government, and The Market Economy, in order to provide a comprehensive picture of fifth-grade teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and self-reported classroom practices relating to social studies. Additionally, qualitative data were collected through individual and focus group interviews. These data were used to provide an in-depth look that expanded on fifth-grade teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and self-reported classroom practices relating to social studies. The findings of this study indicate that there is a relationship between teachers' beliefs and their self-reported classroom practices in the areas of resources, best practice, time, the Sunshine State Standards, and personal interest. While there were no significant relationships between teachers' knowledge of social studies as a whole and their self-reported classroom practices, there were several significant correlations found in the areas of American History and Political Philosophy and American Government. Further findings indicate that teaching experience and demographic variables, such as age, gender, and education level moderate some of these relationships. Implications and suggestions for further research are offered for elementary education, teacher education, and the field of social studies. / by Michele Harcarik. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine “pockets of success” through the voices of participant stakeholders in low socio-economic status urban high schools and communities to identify opportunities and structures that can improve postsecondary outcomes for students. Examining those pockets of success to rise above the dynamics that obstruct pathways to success, and identifying opportunities for students to transcend their social, economic, and human condition, are the impetuses for the study. The study design is grounded in portraiture, created by Lawrence-Lightfoot and Hoffman-Davis (1997), to detail the intricate dynamics and relationships that exist in high schools. Portraiture steps outside of the traditional boundaries of quantitative and qualitative research to converge narrative analysis with public discourse in a search for authenticity. Identifying what the participants value, how they create and promote opportunities for students, the school’s role in rebuilding the surrounding community, and the community’s priority for graduates, provided the groundwork. The review of the literature reconstructs the term “opportunity” in the context of the urban high school, aligning it with the moral purposes of education. It traces the history of educational and social justice barriers for minority students, outlines the impact of leadership decision-making on the evolution of the urban high school, and addresses increasing the capacity of schools to create opportunities for students to succeed. Participants revealed the foundations for success, challenges and goals toward success, conduits to facilitate that success, and collaborations required to build an agenda to couple school-based stakeholders, civic groups, and national organizations to the creation of a national platform to improve outcomes for urban public high school students in disenfranchised communities. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.