Digital technologies have for many years been acclaimed as tools that hold the power to transform learning, yet educational research has so far failed to demonstrate the transformative effects of these digital technologies on learning outcomes (Cuban, 2001; Price and Kirkwood, 2011). Some research has even gone so far as to question this underlying assumption regarding digital technologies ability to transform education, suggesting that they do not in fact have any inherently positive benefits for learning, and that perceived benefits are actually artefacts produced by other factors (Means et al, 2009). Several potential causes have been proposed for the slow progress in educational technology, including lack of time for staff development, unsuitability of technologies, and cultural barriers within institutions (Laurillard, 2012a). A fourth potential cause may lie with the lack of theory to explain technologies themselves (Oliver, 2013). Different theoretical perspectives have been proposed as a way to enhance our understanding of technologies, with one potential candidate being the theory of affordances. The theory of affordances has been used extensively within many fields, including educational technology, but remains a divisive and often under-defined term (Hammond, 2010). This thesis argues that this may in part be due to its distortion through adoption in multiple disciplines, and its popular description as the ‘action possibilities’ presented by an object or scenario, something not present in the theory’s original conception. It is suggested that a return to the original theory of affordances as proposed by Gibson (1979), which attempted to explain how individuals derive meaning from the world around them, returns clarity to the theory. A particular focus on the underexplored aspects of intention and invariant, together with a re-appreciation of what it means to apply the theory of affordances to digital environments, to digital spaces and places, provides a way of thinking about affordance that arguably can be applied more constructively to the effective use of technology in education. A design-based research approach was taken in order to research the original concept of affordance, and its key components of intention and invariant, within learning scenarios supported by digital technologies. Design-based research is an evolving methodology, with no strict definition, but it has shown promise in both the design and the research of technology-enhanced learning environments (Wang and Hannafin, 2005). A pilot phase at secondary school level demonstrated the potential for the approach; multiple iterations at a higher education level developed and enriched these findings into a stable model for the alignment of digital technologies with a particular pedagogical scenario. Findings suggest that affordances can be used to ‘explain’ educational technology, if the concept is broadened to include the wider ecology of learning; digital technologies not only as tools, but also as places. Extending the notion of affordances from ‘action possibilities’ to ‘transaction possibilities’ gives agency to both learner and technology, and recognises the important contribution of the digital environment to the learner experience. A specific design framework is offered which uses this redefinition of affordances as a design tool to align an authentic learning scenario with the digital technologies that have the potential to support that learning scenario. A generic design methodology is proposed, based on this framework, which has the potential to align pedagogy and technology using this updated definition of affordance. To close, some thoughts on the value of the design-based research approach are discussed.

This study explores the development of early algebraic reasoning in mathematical communities of inquiry. Under consideration is the different pathways teachers take as they develop their own understanding of early algebra and then enact changes in their classroom to facilitate algebraic reasoning opportunities. Teachers participated in a professional development intervention which focused on understanding of early algebraic concepts, task development, modification, and enactment, and classroom and mathematical practices. Design research was employed to investigate both teaching and learning in the naturalistic setting of the schools and classrooms. The design approach supported the development of a model of professional development and the framework of teacher actions to facilitate algebraic reasoning. Data collection over the school year included participant observations, video recorded observations, documents, teacher interviews, and photo elicitation interviews with students. Retrospective data analysis drew the results together to be presented as cases of two teachers, their classrooms, and students. The findings show that the integration of algebraic reasoning into classroom mathematical activity is a gradual process. It requires teachers to develop their own understanding of algebraic concepts which includes understanding of student reasoning, progression, and potential misconceptions. Task implementation and design, shifts in pedagogical actions, and the facilitation of new classroom and mathematical practices were also key elements of change. The important role which students have in the development of classrooms where algebraic reasoning is a focus was also highlighted. These findings have significant implications for how teachers can be supported to develop their understanding of early algebra and use this understanding in their own classrooms to facilitate early algebraic reasoning.

Not often do mathematics teachers instruct to improve students' attitudes toward mathematics. The pressures to cover the state-mandated curriculum drive teachers to instruct for procedural understanding with few connections. The lack of real-life connections results in students with low motivation toward mathematics and results in poor mathematics attitude (Ma andamp; Kishor, 1997). The purpose of this mixed-methods research is to examine self-regulated learning as an instructional technique aimed at increasing mathematical attitudes while also increasing achievement and to reveal barriers to its implementation in the classroom.The research study involved an intervention in a Mid-South urban high school at the 9th grade level. All students who participated were enrolled in the middle track at the school, thus taking an Algebra I course. The intervention took place with four teachers in seven separate classes. Students were given the opportunity to regulate their own learning based on objectives for district and state requirements. In this pre/post design, students were surveyed for their mathematics attitude and achievement using the Attitude Toward Mathematics Inventory (Tapia, 1996) and a polynomial survey designed by the researcher. Teachers were surveyed and interviewed prior to the study to develop a sense of their teaching preferences. During the experiment classroom observations were conducted to assist in developing themes in the intervention. Following the study, extensive interviews took place with each participating teacher.Data analyses revealed no statistically significant difference between the control and experimental group in regards to mathematics attitude and achievement. Qualitative analysis using constant comparative strategies (Denzin andamp; Lincoln, 2000) revealed many teacher barriers and misconceptions. Teachers felt uncomfortable with the technique and were unable to allow the students to fully regulate their learning. The teachers imposed a timeline, quizzes, written tests, and direct instruction techniques on the students during the study. All of these created barriers to the students fully regulating their learning. Also, teachers' perceptions of learning and attitude were not valid. Teachers believed the students achieved at a lower level than with a traditional approach and viewed their attitudes as worse than normal. This was in direct contrast to the quantitative results.

This study aimed to investigate the role of academic libraries in Saudi higher education in supporting distance learning (DL) in the country. Two cases, known for their history of offering DL programmes in the country, were selected. These were Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University (IMBSIU) in Riyadh and King Abdul-Aziz University (KAU) in Jeddah. A mixed methodology, which included both qualitative and qualitative approaches, was used. Triangulation of data collections methods was achieved by implementing a document analysis, interviews and questionnaires. The results indicated that DL in the country is transforming traditional approaches into fully automated techniques through the implementation of e-learning via the Internet; the Saudi government is supporting this approach. However, the results also showed that policies of academic libraries lack rules which recognise DL stakeholders right to be served and supported. Little or no co-operation was found to exist between academic libraries and DL deanships in both case studies; this could hinder the efforts made by academic libraries to serve and support DL stakeholders. In addition, textbooks were found to be the main source of learning and teaching in DL, thus reducing the desire of DL stakeholders to use their academic library. The lack of DL guidelines was found to be responsible for making distance learners less likely to use information resources other than textbooks. Official interactions were weak between DL stakeholders, especially learners with their instructors, and with academic and non-academic support such as academic library services. This was found to be responsible for a lack of academic library support specifically designed for DL stakeholders, and many other factors relating to the existing condition of academic libraries were also found to be significant in failing to recognize the right of DL stakeholders to be served. However, overall, participants attitudes toward the importance of academic libraries in supporting DL stakeholders were positive. Moreover, participants expressed a desire to find solutions as soon as possible to overcome the current lack of information services designed for DL stakeholders. According to this study s results, several recommendations have been formulated related mainly to the importance of building co-operation between academic libraries and DL deanships in the country. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for DL stakeholders needs and rights to be recognised and supported by any means in order to improve the quality of DL. Hence, several models/solutions, which can be implemented in either the short or the long term, are proposed here in order to provide solutions for the current lack of information services being offered to DL stakeholders by both academic libraries and DL deanships.

This thesis studied young, struggling readers, all of whom had participated in the Reading Recovery literacy intervention, and investigated whether differential progress was made by children learning English as an additional language when compared with their native, English-speaking peers. The children were assessed on a pre- and post-test basis on literacy measures associated with reading comprehension in a UK context. Following a Pilot Phase, 52 children who were learning English as an additional language, and 48 native, English-speaking children were recruited from twenty-three primary schools in 8 local authorities across the UK. The children were administered standardised literacy measures, including the British Abilities Scale (BAS) single word reading test, the British Picture Vocabulary Scales (BPVS) vocabulary knowledge test, the Phonological Assessment Battery (PHAB) pseudo-word reading test, and two reading comprehension measures: the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) and the York Assessment of Reading for Comprehension (YARC). Statistical analyses were conducted on the data and the results indicated that differential progress was made by the groups, after initial levels of decoding or vocabulary were covaried. The first research question investigated the differential progress made by the two groups, and over the course of the intervention, the EAL children made more progress after controlling for initial skills at entry. After controlling for initial vocabulary levels, the EAL group made more gains than their NS peers, as measured by the BAS single word reading assessment. The second research question examined differential predictors of reading comprehension, and multiple regression analyses showed that vocabulary was a stronger predictor for EAL learners, whereas decoding was found to be a stronger predictor for NS learners. The findings suggest that it is important to develop the vocabulary abilities of EAL learners, as the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension acquisition was found to be stronger for this group than for the NS group. The findings also suggest that NS children’s decoding abilities must be supported, as the relationship between single word reading and the acquisition of reading comprehension was found to be stronger for this group than for the EAL group.

Comprised of a cover story and five separate but interrelated articles, this dissertation explores entrepreneurial learning. By connecting multiple theoretical perspectives, reviewing extant literature, using four qualitative datasets, and building theory inductively, the articles explain components to and mechanisms of entrepreneurial learning. This dissertation is one of the first to explore the essence of entrepreneurial learning by incorporating non-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs simultaneously, cognitive processes, and contextual variables.  Learning lies at the core of entrepreneurship, and scholars have even argued that a theory of entrepreneurship requires a theory of learning. The literature suggests that experiences in the context of entrepreneurship triggers entrepreneurial learning, and that such learning relates to achieving ambitious goals, the discovery of new opportunities and better overall performance. Entrepreneurial learning has also been highlighted in contexts outside entrepreneurship and as a mean to fostering future entrepreneurs and developing people’s entrepreneurial attributes and characteristics. The idea is that entrepreneurship is a way of thinking and acting and that entrepreneurial learning can be of use to anyone, even to those lacking entrepreneurial experience. Entrepreneurial learning literature, both inside and outside the context of entrepreneurship, emphasizes triggers of entrepreneurial learning, but does not recognize components that enable those triggers to be recognized and acted on and the underlying mechanisms that distinguish entrepreneurial learning from other types of learning. This gap makes it difficult to assess what entrepreneurial learning is and how it can be enhanced for both entrepreneurs and people preparing for entrepreneurship. This dissertation explains how and why entrepreneurial learning can be understood as a simultaneous and active regulation of cognition, motivation, and emotions to achieve goals. This elaboration captures core components and the mechanism of entrepreneurial learning, and illustrates how it can be understood and enhanced in various contexts.

The thesis investigated the use of combination of sections using learning steps in the development of courseware presentation in the 3D Virtual Worlds platform. The technical objective of the study is to present the design of multisection strategy in developing healthcare course in 3D Virtual World online environment. The main aim of this study is to know the effects of multisection [objective, tutorial (with or without video), quiz and test] sections incorporation in an online 3D Virtual World towards the usability. The empirical research described in this thesis comprised three experimental phases. In the first phase, an initial experiment was carried out with 21 users to explore the usability and learning performance of courseware created using 3D the Virtual World platform of Second Life. The second experiment phase involved an experiment conducted with 30 users to investigate their perception, satisfaction and performance of the role of each main section involved in Virtual World courseware. In the third phase, a total of 30 users experimentally examined a unique approach to the use of video segment added in the Tutorial section of the OTQT framework. The overall obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the tested multisection to enhance the development of healthcare course in an online learning of 3D Virtual World program. These results in three experiments provided a set of unique and empirically derived guidelines for the design and the use of three multisection frameworks to generate more usable courseware in the 3D Virtual Worlds of an online learning interface. For example, when designing avatars as animated virtual lecturers in e-learning interfaces, specific facial expression and body gestures should be incorporated due to its positive influence in enhancing learners' attitude towards the learning process.

This thesis deals with an internal employee training in ADP Employer Services Czech Republic, a.s., based in Prague. In the theoretical part it describes the importance of an effective education in an organization in general. It focuses on systematic education, forms and methods of employee training and human capital. The practical part deals with an analysis of a current condition of employee training in the organization because this is the field which haven't been analyzed till today. In conclusion there are recommendations that contribute to a more efficient employee training system.

My research measured completion and retention of procedural learning tasks, and declarative and procedural components of engagement in indoor and outdoor settings. Instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning and Non-instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning were implemented in the context of an Experiential Learning approach. Experimental covariates included student-specific variables such as background and experience, and environment-specific variables such as temperature, and humidity. AIC model averaging was used to identify the best-fitting mixed GLM models. Neither location, nor pedagogic method, proved to be a significant predictor of the probability that a student would complete the most complex of the procedural learning tasks, and the percent of students completing this task was not significantly higher in outdoor groups than in indoor groups. Neither location nor pedagogic method was a significant predictor of retention of procedural knowledge or engagement with learning materials. The level of voluntary collaboration was higher in outdoor groups than in indoor groups. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-03-30T12:19:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LUCAS BERNARDES BORGES.pdf: 1145132 bytes, checksum: 5e58032996946d4ffd18cac9d0eb0a9d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-30T12:19:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUCAS BERNARDES BORGES.pdf: 1145132 bytes, checksum: 5e58032996946d4ffd18cac9d0eb0a9d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-01 / The teaching of physics in the context of secondary education in Brazilian education, is in a worrying situation, since most students achieve little learning and thus has difficulty in incorporating the concepts studied at school to their reality. This research had as object the teaching of Physics and having theoretical foundation in the ideas of the Russian authorDavydov, sought to answer the question: what contributions Davydov theory to enhance learning concepts in physics for high school students? In search of the answer, a field survey was conducted with a qualitative approach, with teachers and students of the Integrated Technical High School in Technical Maintenance and Hardware Support of a federal public institution located in the state of Goias. The field research consisted of a didactic experiment with reference to elements of the Davydov theory in the context of the Newton's laws. Data were obtained through observations of teaching and learning process in the classroom, interviews with students and teacher, and diagnosis of student learning. In the analysis of the data sought to change signs in the learning and development of students' thinking in relation to the studied content. It was concluded that students have difficulty internalizing concepts and, when confronted with concrete problems involving Newton's laws, they tend to stay the concepts of their everyday experience; however, the study activity of these laws, as a theoretical concept, and taking on the task activities aimed at their sociocultural experience, students now have reasons to learn how to think theoretically these concepts, although not all have fully developed this kind of thinking. There was a reorientation of teaching and learning process, as there was little interaction and participation of students in classes and increase dialogue and interaction of the whole class as a whole. Although not everyone fully achieved the formation of theoretical thinking, all had changes in their way of understanding the laws of Newton, established relations with its rich sociocultural contexts, being active in using this knowledge to guide their social practices. It is also concluded that effect teaching anchored in this theory requires profound changes in knowledge and teacher practice in the management of the teaching and learning process. Although the data of this research and the analysis and deriving reflections are marked by the researched context, the participants of the research and the analysis of the investigator, may serve as a reference for the promotion of changes in teaching physics in high school, especially in referred to overcome the traditional teaching practices, which do not consider the motives of the student, their activity and socio-cultural experience, its development and acquisition of intellectual autonomy, also providing clues to changes in the training of Physics teachers. / O ensino de Física, no contexto do Ensino Médio na educação brasileira, encontra-se em uma situação preocupante, uma vez que a maioria dos alunos alcança pouca aprendizagem e, consequentemente, apresenta dificuldade na incorporação dos conceitos estudados na escola à sua realidade. Esta pesquisa teve como objeto o ensino de Física e, tendo fundamentação teórica as ideias do autor russo Davydov, procurou responder à seguinte questão: quais contribuições da teoria de Davydov para melhorar a aprendizagem de conceitos de Física por alunos do Ensino Médio? Na busca da resposta foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo, com abordagem qualitativa, com professor e alunos do Ensino Médio integrado ao curso Técnico em Manutenção e Suporte em Informática, de uma instituição pública federal situada no estado de Goiás. A pesquisa de campo consistiu em um experimento didático tendo como referência elementos da teoria de Davydov e como conteúdo as leis de Newton. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de observações do processo de ensino e aprendizagem nas aulas, entrevistas com alunos e professor, e diagnóstico da aprendizagem dos alunos. Na análise dos dados buscou-se indícios de mudanças na aprendizagem e no desenvolvimento do pensamento dos alunos em relação ao conteúdo estudado. Concluiu-se que os alunos apresentam dificuldade em interiorizar conceitos e, ao serem confrontados com problemas concretos envolvendo as leis de Newton, tendem a permanecer utilizando conceitos de sua experiência cotidiana; entretanto, na atividade de estudo dessas leis, como conceito teórico, e tendo na tarefa ações que contemplam a sua experiência sociocultural, os alunos passaram a ter motivos para aprender a pensar teoricamente esses conceitos, ainda que nem todos tenham desenvolvido integralmente esse tipo de pensamento. Houve uma reorientação do processo de ensino e aprendizagem, visto que havia pouca interação e participação dos alunos nas aulas, bem como elevação do diálogo e interação de toda a turma em seu conjunto. Embora nem todos tenham alcançado integralmente a formação do pensamento teórico, todos obtiveram mudanças em seu modo de compreender as leis de Newton, estabeleceram ricas relações com seus contextos socioculturais, mostrando-se ativos na utilização desse conhecimento para orientar suas práticas sociais. Concluiu-se também que efetivar o ensino ancorado nessa teoria requer mudanças profundas no conhecimento e na prática do professor, e na gestão do processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Apesar dos dados desta pesquisa, bem como as análises e reflexões deles decorrentes, sejam demarcados pelo contexto pesquisado, pelos participantes da pesquisa e pelas análises do pesquisador, podem servir de referência para a promoção de mudanças no ensino de Física no Ensino Médio, sobretudo no que se refere à superação das práticas pedagógicas tradicionais, que não consideram os motivos do aluno, sua atividade e experiência sociocultural, seu desenvolvimento e aquisição de autonomia intelectual, fornecendo também pistas para mudanças na formação de professores de Física.