Thesis (M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Some teamwork in learning are effective and others are not. There are a number of factors or attributes that are needed for the implementation of an effective teamwork. The aim of this study was to describe how learners grapple with the use of teamwork for effective teaching and learning in impoverished rural secondary schools. A case study research design was adopted to gather data. The study was conducted in Luthuli Park Combined School in Limpopo Province. The research participants were learners from this school. The study was oriented in an interpretive paradigm following mixed methods approach. Multiple methods of data collection were used. First, data were collected through individual interviews with learners. Second, questionnaires were distributed to the learners to gather quantitative data. Finally, an observation method was used to collect data such as time management by learners, their behavioural patterns and the way they team themselves in the classroom. The study found that the majority of the learners did not listen to suggestions from their team members; they lacked listening skills. In particular, the study indicated that 46% of the learners listened to each other’s suggestions while 54% reported that they did not listen to each other’s suggestions. The main finding of the study is that teamwork among learners is still problematic. The conditions within the classroom prohibited the effectiveness of teamwork. For example, lack of textbooks, physical resources (chairs, desks, data projectors, et cetera). The findings of the study reveal an indecisive and autocratic mind-set among learners regarding the involvement of teamwork. The study recommends that the implementation of effective teamwork will play a vital role in improving performance of the learners.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Group Work Learning (GWL) has, over the past thirty years, grown in popularity as a pedagogy in Higher Education across the world, and has widely been documented as a more effective pedagogy in comparison to individualistic learning. However, research studies also warn against the uninformed use of GWL and the negative results thereof. Within popular modes of GWL such as cooperative learning, team because their use has proven to yield success and positive results. It is within this context that the study sought to reflect on the practices of GWL at the University of Limpopo with the view to arrive at refined contextual approaches- approaches that would be reflective and context driven. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, which is anchored in the interpretive research paradigm, and employed a descriptive and exploratory case study design to address the existing knowledge gaps. Semi-structured interviews with eight lecturers from the four faculties at University of Limpopo, observations with eight student groups and informal conversations with the eight student groups were used to collect data for the study. The key findings of the study were as follows: 1) Practitioners in the study did not employ any particular elements, guidelines, principles, models or theories to underpin their use of GWL as a teaching and learning strategy and 2) Individual and group accountability, poor participation and group dynamics remained a challenge in the use of GWL. The additional sub-findings were: 1) The intended or required learning was clearly articulated but focused mainly on learning content and minimally on skills development, values and attitudes, 2) Group formation and group size varied from group to group depending on class size and did not consider context. 3) Practitioners thought there was a need for the improvement of GWL, 4) The study identified challenges and possibilities for improvement. Based on these findings, I propose a guided, reflective and contextual approach to GWL that is cyclic in character, places the reflectiveness and context of the practices at the center of the process and in which the approach further connects the practices to all the other components that are key to GWL, namely: clear intended learning outcomes that are inclusive of skills, values and attitudes; clear task instruction; elements or guidelines underpinned by relevant group learning theories or models; as well as clear measures to xiii foster accountability. Group formation and group size based on a clear rationale, as well as continuous reflection on the process with a view to improving and refining the practices. Such an approach is likely to provide the student groups with some framework on how to learn together and complete their tasks/assignments and projects in a manner which is accountable.

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本文考察了自20世紀70年代末台灣的高新技術產業化的過程中，由工業技術研究院（工研院）經歷了轉變。本文提出了一個框架，與經濟和政治變化的環境中所發生的高科技產業整合工研院的互動。使用機構學習模型，本文標識的組織學習能力。在本質上這些學習能力突出I工研院的相互作用調整的變化的機制。歷史分析表明三個階段，其中的研究院通過主要組織變革發生的背景。階段之間的過渡是不同的，嵌入在特定的經濟和政治背景。 / This thesis examines the transformations undergone by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) during the course of Taiwan’s high-tech industrialization since the late 1970s. This study proposes a framework that integrates ITRI’s approaches in interacting with high-tech industries on the one hand, with the broad economic and political changes happening in its environment on the other. Using an institutional learning model, the thesis identifies the organizational learning capabilities, which in essence underlines the mechanisms of ITRI’s interaction adjustment to the changes. The historical analysis suggests three stages, in the contexts of which the institute undergoes through major organizational transformations. The transitions between the stages are different and embedded in the particular economic and political contexts.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

This qualitative case study examined how middle school science teachers conducted collaborative inquiry and reflection about students’ conceptual understanding, and how individual teachers in the middle school science group acted and made reflections in response to their collaborative inquiry. It also examined external influences that affected the teachers’ ability to engage in collaborative inquiry. Observational, written, and interview data were collected from observations of teachers’ face-to-face meetings and reflections, individual interviews, a focus group interview, and online reflections. The results of this study revealed that collaborative inquiry is a form of professional development that includes answering curricular questions through observation, communication, action, and reflection. This approach was developed and implemented by middle school science teachers. The premise of an inquiry is based on a need with students. Middle school science teachers came to consensus about actions to affect students’ conceptual understanding, took action as stated, and shared their reflections of the actions taken with consideration to current and upcoming school activities. Activities involved teachers brainstorming and sharing with one another, talking about how the variables were merged into their curriculum, and how they impacted students’ conceptual understanding. Teachers valued talking with one another about science content and pedagogy, but did find the inquiry portion of the approach to require more development. The greatest challenge to conducting collaborative inquiry and reflection was embedding teacher inquiry within a prescribed inquiry that was already being conducted by the Sundown School District. Collaborative inquiry should be structured so that it meets the needs of teachers in order to attend to the needs of students. A conducive atmosphere for collaborative inquiry and reflection is one in which administrators make the process mandatory and facilitate the process by removing an existing inquiry. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

Tao Sim-cheung, Victoria. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-115). / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ii / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.viii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Background of the study --- p.1 / Significance of the study --- p.5 / Encouraging students to become better readers --- p.5 / Exploring the impact of coope- rative learning --- p.6 / Understanding the potential of CALL --- p.9 / Description of key terms --- p.11 / Cloze procedure --- p.11 / Cooperative learning condition --- p.12 / CALL (Computer-assisted language learning) --- p.13 / Purpose of the study --- p.13 / Null hypotheses --- p.14 / Outline of the thesis --- p.15 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Review of Related Literature / Literature related to cloze procedure --- p.17 / Historical view of cloze procedure --- p.17 / Variations of cloze procedure --- p.18 / Cloze procedure-- researchable and teachable --- p.20 / Literature related to cooperative learning --- p.23 / Efficacy of cooperative learning --- p.23 / Individualistic and cooperative learning on student achievement --- p.25 / Cooperative vs individual completion of a cloze passage --- p.27 / Literature related to CALL --- p.29 / Practicability of CALL --- p.29 / Interactive CALL for groups --- p.33 / Automated cloze procedure as research and teaching tools --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology / Research design --- p.37 / Material and courseware design --- p.39 / Sampling design --- p.41 / Procedure --- p.44 / Variables --- p.47 / Statistical instrumentals --- p.47 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results / Tests for the null hypotheses --- p.49 / Hypothesis 1 --- p.50 / Hypothesis 2 --- p.54 / Hypothesis 3 --- p.57 / Hypothesis 4 --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussions and Limitations / Discussions --- p.70 / Evaluations of CALL --- p.70 / Individualistics versus cooperative CALL --- p.78 / Effectiveness of cooperative learning strategies --- p.80 / Superiority of the narrative text structure --- p.85 / Interactions between ability and achievement --- p.87 / Reflection of the attitudinal score --- p.89 / Limitations --- p.89 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions and Recommendations / Conclusions --- p.92 / Recommendations --- p.94 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.98 / Chapter APPENDIX A --- Pretest --- p.116 / Chapter APPENDIX B --- Posttest & Retention Test --- p.118 / Chapter APPENDIX C --- Attitude Questionnaire --- p.121 / Chapter APPENDIX D --- Item-Total Statistics of Questionnaire --- p.127

by Leung Chi-mei, Doris. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-86). / by Leung Chi-mei, Doris. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LISTS OF TABLES --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Background of the Study --- p.1 / Purpose of the Study --- p.3 / Significance of the Study --- p.4 / Hypotheses --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Review of Literature --- p.6 / Definition of Cooperative Learning --- p.6 / Basic Elements in Cooperative Learning --- p.7 / Positive Interdependence --- p.7 / Face to Face Promotive Interaction --- p.8 / Individual Accountability --- p.8 / Small Group Skills --- p.9 / Group Processing --- p.9 / Theoretical Basis --- p.10 / Motivational Aspect for Cooperative Learning --- p.10 / Cognitive Aspect for Cooperative Learning --- p.13 / Research on Basic Elements of Cooperative Learning --- p.17 / Research on Using Cooperative Learning in Higher Education --- p.24 / Negative Comments on Cooperative Learning --- p.28 / Summary --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.31 / Design of Study --- p.31 / Sample --- p.33 / Treatment --- p.34 / Schedule of the Research Study Procedures --- p.39 / Variables --- p.41 / Instrumentation --- p.42 / Data Analysis Procedures --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.46 / Reliability of Instrument --- p.46 / Test for the Null Hypotheses --- p.47 / Hypothesis One --- p.47 / Hypothesis Two --- p.53 / Hypothesis Three --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and Limitations --- p.64 / Discussion --- p.64 / Students' Achievement Measurements --- p.64 / Ability Level of Student --- p.67 / Instructional Strategy and Ability Level of Student --- p.67 / Students' Attitudes towards Instructional Media and Learning Conditions --- p.70 / Limitations of the Study --- p.71 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions and Recommendations --- p.73 / Conclusions --- p.73 / Recommendations --- p.75 / For Practice --- p.75 / For Future Research --- p.76 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.78 / APPENDIX A Course Syllabus of First Year Units of Educational Technology --- p.87 / APPENDIX B Lesson Plan for Cooperative Learning --- p.101 / APPENDIX C Frequency of Media Use --- p.119 / APPENDIX D Attitude Inventory --- p.120 / APPENDIX E Instructional Media Rating Form --- p.122 / APPENDIX F Item-total Statistics of Part I of the Attitude Inventory (N=95) --- p.123 / APPENDIX G Item-total Statistics of Part II of the Attitude Inventory (N-95) --- p.124

Groups of students or employees working together to solve problems, gain conceptual understanding, or create new approaches are expected to yield results significantly better than when working individually. Classroom collaboration leads to increased learning and retention, improved interpersonal skills, and enhanced appreciation for and commitment to the educational process. With the increased discussion of its benefits, there is more emphasis on including collaboration in the classroom. The challenge for today's faculty and students is to learn what their roles and expectations are in the successful collaborative environment. The purpose of this study was to design a curriculum for instructors in techniques for creating collaborative environments. In addition to reviewing the current literature to learn about collaborative environments in the college classroom, instructors were interviewed to learn about their experiences and successes with collaborative learning. Information from the literature review and the faculty interviews were used to propose the curriculum. Principles of collaborative learning evident through the literature and the interviews are that it requires trust, development of relationships, conversation, incorporating differences, the teacher as learner, and students be responsible for their own learning. The instructor must be able to create that environment by teaching social and collaborative skills, being willing to self-disclose, assessing where students are and by taking care of technical tasks such as preplanning, assigning students to groups, designing collaborative activities and evaluating results of the collaborative process, the group's product and the individual's contribution. Caffarella's (1994) interactive model for program development provided the structure for the development of the curriculum. Through the application of the model, curriculum ideas were explored and narrowed into the development of the program objectives. Transfer of learning activities incorporated into the curriculum are reliant upon intense practice of collaborative skills throughout the course. The learning is experiential.

This thesis characterizes the feedback between the instructor and student teams engaged in a Virtual Bioreactor (VBioR) Laboratory Project. The project allows senior-level chemical, biological, and environmental engineering students to apply their developing knowledge and skills in an industrially situated process optimization project. Feedback is an important tool for instructors to use to scaffold student learning, especially in the context of an ill-structured project. An ethnographic approach is taken for data collection; audio recordings and field notes are taken throughout the duration of the project. The characterization of feedback uses an episodes framework for discourse analysis to consider similarities and differences. Using this framework, thematic codes have been developed through a semi-emergent process to describe the content of Design Memo Meetings (DMMs) between an instructor and student teams. Student work products, post-DMM surveys, and post-project interviews are also considered as data sources for this research. The results of this research show that instructor feedback in this project is adaptable, conforming to the status of the student team at the beginning of the DMM. This adaptability is highlighted by differences in DMM themes that are supported by differences in the Design Strategy Memos that student teams bring to the meeting. Student perceptions of the DMM feedback are also presented. / Graduation date: 2013