Using a sequential mixed-method methodology, this dissertation study set out to understand the emic and etic perspectives of the knowledge encompassed in the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework and to develop fixed answer questions based on that knowledge. While there have been many studies examining ways to measure TPACK in in-service and pre-service teachers, very few have addressed measuring TPACK using fixed-answer questions. Through the use of the mixed-methods, a snapshot of the emic (inside) and etic (outside) perspectives on the TPACK framework was obtained. This study used a focus group with in-service teachers (emic perspective) and interviews with teacher educators (etic perspective) to understand the kind of knowledge attributed to the TPACK framework. Six themes were derived from the focus group and interviews, from which fixed-answer questions were developed. Those six themes included such issues as access to technology, the use of technology for solid teaching and learning purposes, and passive versus active learning when using technology. Following best practices, the eleven questions included a scenario that gave context to the questions asked and the answers provided. In-service teachers reviewed the items to assure that the language and context were appropriate to classroom practice. Four experts on the TPACK framework reviewed the items for face validity. Across the experts six of the eleven items were rated as valid. Although only the experts saw a small number of items as valid, this study indicates that this kind of measurement for the TPACK framework may be possible.

This study explores and describes the experiences of hearing children growing up in Deaf Parented families in Gauteng. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the delegation of different roles including South African Sign Language interpreting in the family; the influence of having Deaf parents in occupational choices of hearing adult-children of Deaf parents; the availability of support services to CODAs and their perceptions of their parents in terms of disability. A purposive sampling strategy in conjunction with snowball sampling was used to identify and recruit participants. Two males and eight females between the ages of 21 and 40 years, with different occupations were recruited for this study. A qualitative design, embedded within the constructivism and interpretivism framework was used in this study. Data were collected through semi structured; open ended and in-depth interview questions were used to obtain data for the study. A pilot study was conducted prior to commencing with the main study. Thematic content analysis was employed to describe themes qualitatively. The following themes emerged from the study. Participants reported to have developed a bicultural identity; however, they primarily identify themselves as CODAs regardless of their racial identity. Participants expressed frustrations with the interpreter role and female children reported to have interpreted for their parents more than their male counterparts. Seven participants are currently employed as SASL interpreters. The study highlights that there are mixed emotions regarding interactions with the extended family members. The study identifies a strong need for support services for Deaf parented families. Lastly; participants viewed Deafness as a cultural minority, and not a disability. Findings revealed a need for audiologists to clearly define their role in Deaf parented families, and to also adopt emic view of Deafness and family system perspective model.

Diese Dissertation sucht eine Lücke in der Forschung zur interkulturellen Kommunikation (IKK) zu schließen, bietet damit eine umfassende interdisziplinäre Darstellung und Evaluation westlicher und chinesischer Werteforschung und beschreibt die Ergebnisse von in China durchgeführten Wertestudien, die die Wertetheorie von Schwartz erproben und erweitern. Band 1 enthält (1.) einen historischen Überblick über die Werteforschung und grundlegende Kulturkonzepte in verwandten Disziplinen; (2.) eine Kriterien basierte Analyse der Werteforschung; (3.) eine Abgrenzung des Wertekonzepts und Unterscheidung von anderen verwandten psychologischen Domänen; (4.) eine Neubetrachtung des Spannungsverhältnisses zwischen Moderne und Tradition hin zu einer cluster-basierten Wertematrix; (5.) einen Beitrag zur Bedeutung von Werten vor dem Hintergrund eines beschleunigten sozialen Wandels; (6.) einen historischen Überblick über die Beschreibung von chinesischen Werten aus verschiedenen Perspektiven und ihren Bezügen zur internationalen Forschung, sowie (7.) einen Überblick der aktuellen Werteforschung aus China. Band 2 beinhaltet eine multi-methodisch angelegte Stichprobenuntersuchung, die qualitativ und explorativ Sprache und Kultur anhand von chinesischen Begrifflichkeiten, Ausdrucksweisen und Sprichwörtern untersucht. Mittels einer statistischen Analyse von indigenen Daten wird eine quasi quantitative Untersuchungsmethode konstruiert, die eine Verbindung indigenen emischen Daten mit dem allgemeinen Untersuchungsrahmen für die Abbildung von Wertrelationen nach Schwartz herzustellen vermag. Als wichtigste Ergebnisse der Untersuchung sind: (1) Das universelle Model nach Schwartz wurde mit kleineren kontextbezogenen Modifikationen anhand der chinesischen Daten bestätigt, ebenso (2.) das stetige Auftreten von zehn „dichten kulturellen Clustern“ sowohl auf der Ebene der Kultur als auch des Individuums, womit eine Erweiterung der sieben Bereiche von Schwartz. (3.) Auf der theoretischen Ebene müssen neue Cluster/ Dimensionen beachtet werden, wobei empirisch belegbar eine Teilung von „Embeddedness“ und Egalitarianismus vorgeschlagen wird und es Hinweise darauf gibt, dass es Überschneidungen von Mastery und Hierarchiewerten gibt. / This dissertation addresses a gap in intercultural communication research, providing a comprehensive interdisciplinary overview and evaluation of western and Chinese values studies, as well as devising multi-method studies among Chinese to test and expand Schwartz’s values theory. Volume 1 provides a(n) (1) extensive historical review of values and core culture concepts in related disciplines, (2) an integrated check-list of value studies critiques; (3) an attempted detangling of the values concept from other related psychological domains; (4) a rethinking of tradition-modernity assessments, proposing a matrix of co-existing value clusters; (5) the particular relevance of values in rapid social change; (6) a historical summary of Chinese values descriptions with links to international research; and (7) an extensive English review of recent Chinese mainland values research. Volume 2 reports multi-method probes including qualitative language and culture explorations at the term, expression and proverb unit of analysis as well as statistical analysis of indigenous data. It presents exploratory quasi-quantitative procedures for associating indigenous emic data with the Schwartz etic framework for values relation mapping. Consistent cultural clusters, emerging matrix dimensions, and fit statistics are analyzed to propose and analyze value set sub-scales. Main findings include (1) confirmation of the universal Schwartz model in these Chinese samples with some contextual modifications; (2) consistent appearance (at both cultural and individual levels) of ten “thick cultural clusters” that enhance and expand Schwartz’s seven domains; (3) theoretical expansion that in such contexts, new clusters/dimensions need to be considered, with robust evidence to split Embeddedness and Egalitariansm and evidence of some blended Mastery and Hiearchy value sets which deserve reconsideration for how they might reflect interdependent or collective culture reinterpretations. Keys are provided for future research, varied theoretical frameworks are reconsidered, and proposals put forward for a more historically-, contextually-, theoretically- and meaning-based values study research process.