University of Macau / Faculty of Education

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

Educators who teach international students English as a second language (ESL) or English speakers teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in universities in non- English speaking countries in the Asia-Pacific region are often challenged to develop culturally appropriate curriculum for a diverse group of learners. Prompted by educational policy over the past two decades, the technological infrastructure in most universities throughout the world has advanced. Innovative tools for language learning have been developed for computer-assisted instruction. The purpose of the present study was to assess to what extent teachers use multimedia in EFL/ESL university classrooms in relation to the theoretical underpinnings of constructivism as well as Rogers' (1995) theory of diffusion of innovations and adopter categories. Further, the study aimed to ascertain what factors contribute to or discourage teachers' use of multimedia in tertiary level English language teaching classrooms. A mixed- method research design was used and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. One hundred and seventy-nine English-language teachers from five universities in the Asia-Pacific region were interviewed and data were collected on their use of multimedia. Complex relationships were found among teacher-held educational and cultural values, teaching experience, formal computer professional learning, nationality, institution, region, age, gender, and collaboration with colleagues. Results showed that even with adequate access to hardware, software, technical support and computer professional learning, most teachers in the study made limited use of multimedia in the EFL/ESL classroom. As well, the results indicated that teachers in all three universities in Taiwan used multimedia in the EFL/ESL classroom less than teachers in Australia and in Thailand. Teachers who endorsed constructivist teaching methodologies tended to use multimedia more. Also, teachers with fewer than ten years teaching experience tended to use technology in teaching more. Data showed the use of integrated technology by teachers usually diminished as teachers got older. However, results showed that teachers who engaged in professional learning tended to use multimedia more regardless of age. Future directions in technology integration and recommendations for creating and sustaining a culture of technology at educational institutions are offered. Suggestions for professional development to encourage the integrated use of technology in English language teaching programs are outlined.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-19T11:50:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 iara rodrigues de amorim mestrado 2013.pdf: 922330 bytes, checksum: 5f97b013343fd2b4f58f152dd485ba65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-11 / This study aimed to correlate intellectual skills that compose the Multiple Intelligences Theory with Information Literacy model s informational competencies, using the Virtual Health Library of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (VHL DIP) by lay users, defined in this study as users/learners. The study followed a descriptive-qualitative approach using the Systematic Review of the Literature as a data collection method, introspective technique based on "Thinking Aloud" on Single Verbal Protocol mode and also a semi-structured interview. We identified one hundred ninety-five characteristics, skills and/or specific core competencies of the eight Multiple Intelligences established and potential correlations with the Information Literacy model, as evidenced by the gaps between both competencies. It might be inferred that the noticed correlation between skills and/or cognitive skills that set and characterize the Multiple Intelligences and Information Literacy is evident, in general on action verbs, which also characterize the core concept of each intelligence or competence. Thus, it may be argued that these action verbs are equally important to define processes and contents of information training programs for users/learners, leading to both skills intellectual and informational and potentially contributing to learning along the whole life. Some applications already existing in literature or implemented in practice were found, as well as new action suggestions were pointed out to be implemented by information professionals, whatever their professional environment, which is one of the contributions of this study, with special emphasis on the improvement of information training programs for users/learners within or outside the school or academic sphere. As results of the Systematic Review of the Literature, there were been analyzed thirty-nine publications, seven articles being considered relevant, emphasising on empirical research reported in them. And, as results of application of the Verbal Individual and semi-structured interview, it was obtained the characterization of the users/learners who participating in the empirical research, the identification of the manifestations of Multiple Intelligences of users/learners in interaction with VHL DIP and the analysis of perceptions and competencies required by these users when they were using this source of information. It can be highlighted the relevance of Information Literacy and Intelligence for Health, since they can contribute to health promotion, to health literacy and life quality. Likewise, it can be concluded that the stimulus to the development of intelligence lead to Information Literacy development, as the same way as the encouragement of Information Literacy contribute to the development of Multiple Intelligences, which again shows the reciprocal relationship between both competencies and skills cognitive and informational / O presente estudo objetivou correlacionar competências intelectuais que compõem as Inteligências Múltiplas com competências informacionais do modelo de Competência em Informação, no uso da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias (BVS DIP) por usuários leigos, entendidos nesta pesquisa como usuários/aprendizes. O estudo seguiu um delineamento descritivo e qualitativo utilizando-se como métodos de coleta de dados a Revisão Sistemática da Literatura, a técnica introspectiva do Pensar Alto (Thinking aloud) na modalidade Protocolo Verbal Individual e a Entrevista Semiestruturada. Foram identificadas cento e noventa e cinco características, habilidades e/ou competências essenciais específicas das oito Inteligências Múltiplas e estabelecidas as potenciais correlações com o modelo de Competência em Informação, assim como se evidenciaram as lacunas existentes entre ambas as competências. Pôde-se inferir que a correlação observada entre as competências e/ou habilidades cognitivas que compõem e caracterizam as Inteligências Múltiplas e a Competência em Informação é evidente, de maneira geral, em verbos de ação, os quais caracterizam também o conceito nuclear de cada inteligência ou competência. Assim, pode-se dizer que estes verbos de ação são igualmente importantes para direcionar os processos e conteúdos dos programas de capacitação informacional de usuários/aprendizes, proporcionando o estímulo para ambas as competências intelectuais e informacionais e contribuindo potencialmente para o aprendizado ao longo da vida. Com isso, algumas das aplicações existentes em literatura ou já executadas na prática foram evidenciadas, bem como se apontaram novas sugestões de ações que podem ser implementadas por profissionais da informação, qualquer que seja seu ambiente de atuação, sendo esta uma das contribuições deste estudo, com especial ênfase no aprimoramento dos programas de capacitação informacional de usuários/aprendizes dentro ou fora do âmbito escolar ou acadêmico. Como resultados obtidos da Revisão Sistemática da Literatura, foram analisadas trinta e nove publicações, sendo considerados sete artigos pertinentes, com especial destaque às pesquisas empíricas relatadas nestes artigos. E, como resultados obtidos da aplicação do Protocolo Verbal Individual e da entrevista semiestruturada, obteve-se a caracterização dos usuários/aprendizes participantes da pesquisa empírica, a identificação das manifestações das Inteligências Múltiplas dos usuários/aprendizes na interatividade com a BVS DIP e a análise das percepções e competências requeridas por estes usuários no uso desta fonte de informação. Pode-se evidenciar a relevância da Competência em Informação e da Inteligência para a Saúde, uma vez que contribuiriam à promoção e à alfabetização em saúde, bem como a qualidade de vida. Igualmente, pode-se concluir que o estímulo às inteligências favorece o desenvolvimento da Competência em Informação, bem como o estímulo à Competência em Informação favorece o desenvolvimento das Inteligências Múltiplas, evidenciando, mais uma vez, a relação de reciprocidade entre ambas as competências e habilidades cognitivas e informacionais

Students with learning difficulties are said by many writers to be prohibited from having a valued learner identity and denied a voice in which to influence their educational circumstances. They are, it is argued, kept submerged in a ‘culture of silence’, where they are homogenised as a deficit category of learners and, therefore, perceived in a one-dimensional way. Such disabling barriers stem from practitioner assumptions and wider sociological influences, which are also part of this same culture. The by-products of this thinking have prevented practitioners from developing more interactive and enabling relationships with their students. Starting with a commitment to listen to student views, and explore accessible, flexible and innovative ways in which to advocate these, the research reported in this thesis sought ways to address this agenda. Set in a further education college, five student co-researchers, four practitioner co-researchers and a facilitator co-researcher embarked on a year long project to learn how the same students could be supported in contributing to their own learning. Being a transparent account, the inquiry was also interested in exploring the difficulties of this endeavour and whether student empowerment would alter the relational dynamics and, therefore, practitioner roles. As the facilitator was instrumental in introducing these ideas, she also examined her own influential role. Data were generated from observations and co-researcher experiences of engaging with roles, body collages, student interviews, photo voice, journals, portfolios and reflective meetings. These exploratory processes and methods were predicated upon the ideological frameworks of the social model of disability and multiple intelligences theory. The study revealed that renegotiated co-researcher roles and body collages were effective processes for enabling reciprocal engagement, causing students to empower themselves and leading practitioners to rethink in ways that had not been anticipated. These processes were also felt to be educationally effective in relation to curriculum aims. Whilst journals and lengthy meetings proved to be impractical and of little use, the reflective journal did prove to be an essential tool for the facilitator, allowing her to draw upon further evidence. The findings indicate that student voice can be raised through collaboration and forging relationships of trust and co-ownership. The thesis concludes by arguing that silences were broken, not least since these collaborative actions are still being used in the particular context in ways that are conducive to everyday practices. Although time and commitment are needed, these are valuable strategies that other marginalised educational communities may benefit from adopting.

In this study, I investigated the interactions between multiple intelligences and performance of learners in open-ended digital learning tasks, and to suggest possible approaches to the teaching and learning process using computers in Tanzania. With the current introduction of computers in the education system in Tanzania, the qualities of instruction and learner participation in learning computer application skills and achievement have not necessarily shown improvement (Nelson, Post,&Bickel, 2003; Tilya, 2003). It is imperative for computer teachers to know the pedagogical strategies that can help them use the current technology effectively. Researchers in instructional design have suggested instructional methods that incorporate methods that encourage the use of learner-centered instruction, incorporating activity oriented methods, and problem solving that are designed around real-world problems (Huba&Freed, 2000). Learners will be able use their knowledge effectively, reveal their uniqueness as learners, and learn computer application skills in a social setting (Gardner, 1983; Wiggins, 1993, 1998; Teele, 2000; Huba&Freed, 2000). The theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner (1983) was used as the theoretical framework for this study. The theory postulates that that everybody has at least eight intelligences which reflect different ways of interacting with the world. In an effort to achieve quality learning, learning must be based on multiple approaches with a series of activities which are authentic in nature and have to be completed by the learners. The study was conducted in Tanzania using a qualitative research design. Four secondary schools were selected and 40 learners doing computer studies course participated in the study. Four intelligences from the theory of multiple intelligences were assessed: logic-mathematical, verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial and interpersonal intelligences. Assessment was done using performance assessment procedures. The findings indicated that there are distinctive intelligence profiles apart from the four intelligences that were investigated in this study. Despite the intelligence profiles of the learners, didactical issues that will enhance ICT adoption in the education environment are important. These include the use of authentic tasks, performance assessment to acknowledge learners unique performance abilities across several intelligences and teachers familiarization in the use of performance assessment procedures. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

This project provides a model for incorporating creativity in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). It includes an instructional unit comprised of six lessons followed by accompanying assessments. Culture and language cannot be separated as students learn a foreign language.

Large underfunded classrooms are indicative of the situation found in many developing countries. These limitations often lead to the ineffective teacher-centred approach dominating classroom instruction in these countries. The aim of the study was to examine active learning strategies used by teachers in large unfunded Physics classrooms, in Kerala, India. This study used a qualitative approach utilising a case study method. The data collection process involved mainly unstructured interviews, lesson observations and the analysis of documents. The results of the study indicate that despite the difficulties faced in India, similar to those faced by other developing countries, the Indian state of Kerala implements and supports active learning rather than the more common teacher-centred approach. The research defines the common forms of active learning in the Physics lessons and critically examines the core elements of the learner-centred teaching approaches. Successes have been found in the implementation of active, collaborative, cooperative and problem-based learning in the large underfunded Physics classes. The results of the research suggest that teachers need to be highly trained, resourceful, creative, hardworking and sometimes go above and beyond the required duties to make active learning in large underfunded Physics classroom a success. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

University of Macau / Faculty of Education