The current study investigated the effect of viewing various types of word definitions-dictionary, glossed, and annotated definitions-on Chinese learners' vocabulary comprehension during video-based language learning. A total of 53 advanced Chinese learner participants were given access to various randomized word definitions while viewing the subtitled videos used in the experiment. Results showed that learners recalled words for which they viewed definitions significantly better after the experiment than before. The viewing of dictionary, glossed, or annotated definitions yielded comparable levels of word comprehension. In situations where learners did not view word definitions; however, word comprehension was not significantly higher on the posttest measures of recall. Attrition occurred whether participants viewed word definitions or not, but it occurred more severely for those words that learners chose not to look up definitions. The more a target word occurred, the better the word was comprehended. Survey results showed that participants preferred dictionary and annotated definitions more than glossed definitions. The results from this study suggest that word treatment is an effective way to comprehend vocabulary. If language learners and teachers lack resources to afford cost-intensive glosses and annotations, they can consider taking advantage of free, automatic online dictionaries, which are as effective as glosses and annotations.

Syftet med föreliggande studie är att undersöka hur musikundervisningen i årskurs 1-6 påverkar förväntningen på och inställningen till musikundervisningen i årskurs 7-9. I bakgrunden presenteras en genomgång av tidigare och nu rådande läroplaner för grundskolan samt granskningar och forskning som gjorts inom området. Data har samlats in genom kvalitativa respondentintervjuer med fyra individer i åldrarna 15-25. Intervjuerna har transkriberats, bearbetats och analyserats utifrån ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. Resultatet visar att respondenterna upplevt skillnader mellan musikundervisningen i årskurs 1-6 och 7-9, framför allt i tillgång till lokal och utrustning. Resultatet visar också att respondenterna upplever att musikämnet saknat progression genom grundskolan och det framkommer att undervisningen upplevts som mer seriös från den årskurs då betyg skulle sättas. Respondenternas upplevelser av grundskolans musikundervisning och vad som påverkat upplevelsen diskuteras slutligen i förhållande till den litteratur som presenterats. / The aim of the present study is to investigate how music education in grades 1-6 affects expectations of and attitudes towards music education in grades 7-9. The background presents a review of previous and current curricula for primary schools, as well as audits and research done in the field. Data was collected through qualitative interviews with four subjects aged 15-25. The interviews were transcribed, processed and analyzed from a sociocultural perspective. After analyzing the interviews, the results show that the respondents experienced differences between music teaching in grades 1-6 and 7-9, especially regarding access to locale and equipment. The results also show that respondents feel that the subject of music lacked progression throughout primary school, and it appears that music education is perceived as more serious in conjunction with the first school year in which the students’ work was officially graded. Finally, respondents' perceptions of primary school music education and factors affecting the experience are discussed in relation to the literature presented.

Advances in digital technology have recently allowed for richer text annotation in combination with authentic second language video media. As a result, many educational researchers are focusing increased attention on the effect this application of technology can have on second language acquisition. This study examines the comparative effectiveness of target vocabulary treatments with either native language (L1) definitions or target language (L2) definitions when target vocabulary is presented in either kana or kanji as a part of the subtitles of an L2 film based on participant performance on vocabulary assessments. This study also examines the participants' perceived levels of helpfulness of the varying word treatments. The results of the study suggest that providing annotations for target words in the L2 increases learning of that word more than L1 annotations for intermediate learners of Japanese. On the other hand, learners rated access to definitions in L1 as more helpful than L2 definitions, and they expressed their preference for understanding the story more than learning the target vocabulary.

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.

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