Five years ago a Canadian Community College School of Business program undertook the task of redesigning its curriculum using feedback from focus groups with local leaders from a wide variety of businesses. The feedback indicated a perceived need to create a better way of teaching the college learner. The college began to look for a more effective way to address the needs of the college learner, and learner-centered theory became a starting point in the process. One approach, learner-centered reform, has become a part of a larger process involving curriculum, institutional, and pedagogical reform in undergraduate education (Barr & Tagg, 1995; O’Banion, 1999; Parekh, 2007). A learner-centered curriculum takes time, collective energy of all involved, and resources (Hubball, Gold, Mighty, & Britnell, 2007). This redesign took place over an 18-month period with faculty from each of the programs along with a facilitator for the process. The approach of “What do learners need to be able to do when they graduate?” was at the forefront of the planning process. It was critical that the outcomes that were created have meaning and be relevant to the learner in a professional and individual context (Hubball & Burt, 2004). The work of this thesis is to map the curriculum looking for any gaps or areas of concern prior to conducting online surveys with faculty and learners. The questions addressed in this study are: (1) Was this curriculum change learner-centered? (2) Did the faculty feel the curriculum was effective? (3) Did the curriculum change serve the needs of the learners? These questions are addressed through a curriculum mapping exercise and two online surveys, one for faculty and one for learners. The results of the surveys were supportive of learner-centered theory occurring in this college curriculum. The results did show some differences among the three School of Business programs. It is these results that are discussed in this thesis. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-04-29 11:59:54.393

At the center of all coach education initiatives and programming is the coach. Although the study of traditional coach education programs has yielded rather discouraging findings, coach education can be significant in its contribution to coach development when coaches are addressed as learners and their unique learning needs and orientations are recognized and prioritized. Indeed, the conversation has shifted to the application of learner-centered (LC) approaches. The purpose of this doctoral dissertation was twofold: to explore the contribution of using the LC theory, including a well-established learner-centered teaching (LCT) framework, to support coach education; and to examine the LC initiatives of a coach education program. An immersion in the LC literature was followed by the collection of multiple sources of data: program documents (n = 5), coach survey data, in-depth participant interviews (coach development administrators, n = 14; learning facilitators, n = 6; coaches, n = 10), and audio-visual material. Program documents (449 pages) were analyzed using a summative content analysis (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005) based on Blumberg’s (2009) LCT framework, and the interview transcripts (521 single-spaced pages) were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun, Clarke, & Weate, 2016). The findings are presented in three articles and an additional findings section. The first article presents a theoretical overview of the LC literature linked to current perspectives and issues in coach education, including validated framework for facilitating LC change and assessment. The second article looks at the evolution and current LC status of Canada’s golf coach education program, a distinguished program within the Canadian sport system. The third article, using composite vignettes, presents the coaches’ and learning facilitators’ perception of their experiences participating in the LC designed program. In the additional findings, the CDAs’ biographies and perceptions of their experiences participating and contributing to the design of the program are presented along with the challenges they faced. The main points from the findings in this dissertation are as follows: (a) given the strong conceptual links and evidence-based foundation, LCT offers a coherent and sensible framework to guide the study and design of coach education; (b) there were lessons to be learned when looking at the history and evolution of the coach education program; (c) the creation and implementation of LC program benefitted from leaders who understood and subscribed to a constructivist view of learning; (d) the LCT approaches were dependent on the role and effectiveness of the learning facilitators; (e) coaches’ and facilitators’ perceptions of LCT approaches and engagement in the program varied according to their cognitive structures, specifically their learning orientation; and (f) more broadly, the program’s impact and effectiveness was influenced by the dynamic and complex interplay between the program design, delivery, and coach engagement. The findings contribute to the emerging body of literature on the use of constructivist learning principles to support coach education; they provide scholars and practitioners with a robust framework to guide the study, design, delivery, and assessment of LC coach education; and they share the exemplary efforts, experiences, and challenges of a sport federation who successfully adopted a high degree of LCT within its coach education program. Finally, based on the findings and the coach education and LC literatures, a fourth article is presented in the discussion that offers a collection of practical recommendations for CDAs to support LC coach education.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2014. / This research was designed to ascertain teachers‟ perceptions on learner-centered teaching in the discipline of mathematics in basic education. The first aim of the study was to determine the extent to which teachers background training contributes to perception of learner-centred approach in the teaching of mathematics. The second aim sought to determine the extent to which teachers professional experience contributes to perception of learner centered approach in the teaching of mathematics. The third aim of the study was to determine the extent to which teachers background training contributes to learner-centred practices in the teaching of mathematics. Lastly, the fourth aim was to determine the extent to which teachers professional experience contributes to practices of learner-centred approach in the teaching of mathematics. To achieve the aims, a questionnaire and observation schedule were designed to collect the data. The questionnaire was primarily subjected to validation by the researcher through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). This instrument was first administrated to three hundred and nine primary school teachers of the provinces of Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo. After the piloting was performed the final version of the questionnaire was then applied to four hundred eight six primary school teachers and from this sample three hundred seventy three completed and returned the questionnaires. The returned questionnaire were then correctly analyzed. Three of four aims were connected to four hypothesis. To evaluate whether teacher background training and type of training have significant effects on teacher perceptions of learner-centred teaching approach an ordinal regression analysis was performed. To test whether would there be a relationship between teachers‟ professional experience and their approach to teaching mathematics and whether will there be a relationship between teachers‟ background training and their approach to teaching mathematics, a Chi-square 11 test of independence was used. To evaluate whether teachers use learner-centred teaching an observation schedule was also used. The results show that teachers teaching experiences as well as type of training did not have significant effect on their perceptions of learner-centred teaching. The results of this study have also shown that teachers‟ professional experience as well as the type of training teachers have received in teaching methods have no significant effects on the type of approach (teacher or learner-centred approach). Teachers of basic education prefer to use both approaches when they teach mathematics. Results from observation schedule show that teachers do not use learner-centred approach. Instead, they use teacher-centred teaching. Lastly, the results were discussed taking in account the literature reviewed within the framework of educational psychology applied to mathematics teaching. Finally suggestions were made on how to understand more deeply the question of teachers‟ perceptions of learner-centred teaching. The most important suggestion is that research should be done regarding teachers mathematics self-efficacy, how teachers perceive their own knowledge of learner-centred approach and how do they practice it. / Scientific Council of UDEBA-LAB

付記する学位プログラム名: デザイン学大学院連携プログラム / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第22577号 / 情博第714号 / 新制||情||122(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻 / (主査)教授 緒方 広明, 教授 守屋 和幸, 教授 黒田 知宏 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM

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The number of academic institutions offering courses online has increased with courses being offered across almost all academic disciplines. Faculty members are often confronted with the responsibility of converting a face-to-face course to an online course while simultaneously dealing with new technologies and the interrelationship between the technology, content, and pedagogy. Best instructional practices may be applied inconsistently in the online environment due to faculty members' lack of proficiency in implementing such practices. Although Course Management Systems and Web 2.0 technologies make the task seem less daunting, faculty members still need guidance in consistently implementing best practices in online courses. The study examined the problem of academic institutions offering online courses without any validation or tracking processes to ensure course quality. An online instructional maturity model was developed to guide faculty members in implementing learner-centered practices in online courses. Survey methodology was used to collect data on instructional practices being implemented in the North Carolina Community College System. The model was developed from the survey findings using guidelines from the American Psychological Association Learner-Centered Principles, best practices found in the literature, and the People Capability Maturity Model. Feedback from an expert panel was used to refine the model.

The problem investigated in this quantitative study was that schools in a small, rural East Texas town were falling below acceptable ratings in reading on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Researchers have found that constructive-based learning environments (CBLEs) can improve student achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between length of time enrolled in a CBLE and reading achievement. Based on the framework of constructivism, 2 research questions were examined. To answer Research Question 1, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) calculated the difference in reading achievement as measured by the TAKS in 2011 and the STAAR in 2015, between 5th grade students (N = 81) enrolled in a CBLE for more than 2 years (Group 1) and students enrolled in a CBLE for less than 1 year (Group 2) when adjusted for 4th grade scores. Results showed that Group 1 students demonstrated higher adjusted mean reading scores than Group 2 students on TAKS with F(1, 32) = 15.374, p = < .001 and on STAAR with F(2, 42) = 9.427, p < 001. To answer Research Question 2, an independent-samples t test compared the means of the reading scores growth from 4th to 5th grade. The result showed no significant difference in TAKS with t = .607, p = .548 and in STAAR with t = .277, p = .783. America's reliance on standardized tests influences the way in which reading is taught. Examining standardized reading test outcomes may indicate how teaching and learning environments affect student success. This information may lead to positive social change as educators examine teaching and testing goals, ultimately contributing to student success on standardized tests.

Learner-centered reading instruction was underrepresented in novice K to 5 teachers' classrooms despite a district mandated requirement to use them. When learner-centered reading instruction is not used, students are less motivated to learn and less likely to become proficient readers. The purpose of this bounded qualitative case study was to explore novice K to 5 reading teachers' perspectives of learner-centered reading instruction and how they taught a comprehensive reading curriculum in their classrooms. The conceptual framework was based on the Arkansas Department of Education's science of reading and Weimer's learner-centered teaching. The research questions focused on exploring novice K to 5 teachers' perspectives of learner-centered reading instruction and how they taught a comprehensive reading curriculum in their classrooms. Purposeful sampling was used to select 10 novice K to 5 reading teachers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and classroom observations. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and open and axial coding strategies, which led to themes. Participants identified that they were unprepared to implement learner-centered reading instruction and did not feel they had time to collaborate and plan learner-centered instructional lessons. Based on these findings, a professional development series was designed to support novice teachers' implementation of learner-centered reading instruction. The findings from this study and the resulting project may lead to positive social change when novice teachers implement learner-centered reading instruction leading to increased student motivation and reading achievement.

Many at-risk students attending an alternative high school in a northwestern state were not graduating on-time even after a learner-centered blended learning model was implemented. The administration and teachers sought to understand why the change to a learner-centered program was only slightly increasing the graduation rate each year. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the learner-centered instructional strategies used within a blended learning model were being implemented and supporting at-risk students. Weimer's learner-centered framework was used to ground the study and guide the research questions which examined teacher and student perspectives about the learner-centered instructional strategies that were being implemented. Interviews were conducted with 6 teachers from diverse disciplines who had taught at the study site for 3 or more years, 4 recent graduates, and 6 current students who were 18 years old or older. Classroom observations of the 6 teachers were conducted and archived student surveys from the previous 2 years were collected. All data were analyzed and coded to identify common themes and strategies regarding learner-centered instruction. The findings indicated the teachers needed professional development in how to implement learner-centered and blended learning strategies and how to help students take responsibility for their education. A yearlong professional development program focused on how to use learner-centered and blended instructional strategies was developed for teachers. Implementation of appropriate learner-centered and blended learning strategies might result in students completing their courses and increased graduation rates. As more students graduate, instead of dropping out, positive social change will occur in the community as they responsibly enter the work force.

This study examined the impact of learner-centered teaching and learning process on pre-advanced first year medical students&rsquo / performance, attitudes, and retention in medical English through a pre-test/post-test experimental research design.The sample of this study included 180 first year medical students of a state medical university, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. The subjects were assigned to experimental and control groups. Before the experiment, an achievement test and an attitude test were given as pre-test to both groups. The subjects in the control group (n=90) continued with traditional instruction while the subjects in the experimental group (n=90) studied using the learner-centered instruction. The treatment lasted 14 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the same achievement and the attitude tests were given as post-tests. One month after the post-test, the same achievement test was given to both groups as retention test.The post-test results of the study indicate no statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups immediately after the experiment. However, retention test results show significant difference between the two groups in favor of the experimental group. The attitude post test results toward the experimental instruction show significant difference between the two groups in favor of the experimental group as well.