This thesis explores students' experiences of specialist information technology (IT) courses at the secondary school level in New Zealand. It asks whether students experience a gendered curriculum culture in relation to specialist IT subjects. The exploration involves a survey of national curriculum arrangements and detailed consideration of the manner in which the curriculum is implemented in practice by teachers and experienced by students in three case study classes in a conventional high school, Kahikatea High School (KHS). These classes are year 12 computer studies (CPS) and years 12 and 10 text and information management (TIM). Twenty-two students were the focus of detailed observation in the course of a year. It is found that students experience a gendered IT curriculum culture at KHS, which takes form in both gendered subject and classroom cultures. Gendered subject cultures are established in part through national curriculum structures that maintain subjects from historically gendered domains. Conservative local subject arrangements at KHS contribute to a gendered curriculum in practice. The curriculum takes on a gendered character as a function of choice - teachers' choices about subjects they will offer and the way courses are organised and presented, and students' choices about what subjects they will take. Particular subjects and courses are associated with nominally masculine and feminine computer practices and are thereby imbued with masculine and feminine subject identities. There is considerable variation and nuance in the way students experience different IT courses and in the meanings they make of their experiences. In short, individual students experience the same course differently. They are influenced to greater and lesser degrees by a range of factors, including expectations, prior experience, classroom pedagogy, classroom relationships and performance. Also, individual students are negotiating their masculine and feminine identities as students of IT and computer users as they participate in specialist IT courses and in other arenas of their lives. As they negotiate their roles as computer users and students of IT at KHS, males and females are established in relations of power or authority with the technology and with each other - as computer controllers, aspirant controllers and competent users. These relationships have a gendered character that derives from the attribution of the status of controllers to (some) males and the exclusion of females from this group. However, individual males and females aspire to and are attributed the characteristics and status commensurate with a range of user roles. Gender is a factor in individual students' experiences, but in ways that defy stereotyping and that are highly individualised. All this suggests that gender is not essential in the sense that it implies sameness, but also that gender is not passé or inconsequential as a factor in students experiences of specialist IT courses. Gender relations are a fundamental and inescapable feature of students' experiences of the IT curriculum in practice at KHS.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T20:31:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 nalba.pdf: 1174941 bytes, checksum: 975db944b2a54cd9af0530de872c49c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-04 / The present work investigates the interaction in classroom, under the trine conception of the mediation of the learning. The object of the study is composed by the very mediation elements: pupils, teacher, and learning object. The research main target was to demonstrate how, under the perspective of Feuerstein, the interaction among mediator, mediated and learning object is processed. Specifically, the proposal is: to characterize the relationships that occur between the constituent elements of the mediation and the mediational criteria; to demonstrate how the mediation criteria occurs in the teaching and learning process; and to identify the possibilities and impediments in the planning and accomplishment of the classes under the parameters of the moderated activity experience. The theoretical reference is based in Reuven Feuerstein's theoretical-instrumental proposal, particularly on the concerns of the mediated learning experience (MLE) – conceived as a process of mediated intentions that promote the structural cognitive modifiability (SCM) – and of the mediation criteria, that constitute the basic condition for characterization of the mediation. The methodology proposes the observation of the educational practices of mediation, according to the mediational categories, to be evaluated either by the pupils as by the teacher in classroom. In a research-action idea, the teacher and the twenty-five students – of the Normal Course, at a private school in the city of Ponta Grossa (state of Parana, Brazil) – became subject/object of the research, in the sense of the mediational actions evaluation. As instruments, the following were used: class plans, teacher's diary notes and recordings, teacher's and students’ records protocols, video-recording and questionnaires. The analysis and discussion were constituted in the interlacement of quantitative and qualitative indicators. The conclusion was that the interaction mediator-moderated – object of the learning, took place in different ways. The variables that interfere in such distinctions refer to: the cognitive and subjective aspects of the mediator and of the moderated ones, the specificities of the learning object, the didactic-methodological strategies, time, space, the moment lived by the group, and the differences of each criterion. From the interaction between each criterion and the elements of the mediation, some unilateral, bilateral and trine relationships emerged, which demonstrated the differentiation of the actions promoters of the mediation of each criterion. The occurrence of all of the criteria, with different frequencies, superior indexes for the criteria of mediation of the meaning, of the behavior of sharing, and of the intentionality/reciprocity, was observed. The mediational criteria are interdependent; the closest link was observed between the mediation of meaning, and the mediation of transcendence; however, the mediation of all of the criteria was permeated from those which are considered universal and fundamental parameters for the occurrence of the MLE: the intentionality/reciprocity mediation, the mediation of meaning, and the mediation of transcendence. The mediation is a two-way road: in the same class, each individual goes thru different processes of interaction and subjectivity, he attributes a self sense to a certain same lived social situation, and he constitutes his autonomy and identity as subject of the learning. Despite the distinct interactions, the indicators denote that the richness of the interaction enabled progresses, and the use of the parameters as advisors of the class favored the MLE in the school context. So, learning and teaching rendered being inseparable actions for mediators and mediated. / da mediação da aprendizagem. Compõem o objeto de estudo os próprios elementos da mediação: alunos, professor e objeto de aprendizagem. A pesquisa objetiva demonstrar como se processa a interação entre mediador, mediados e objeto da aprendizagem, sob a perspectiva de Feuerstein. Especificamente, propõe-se: caracterizar as relações que ocorrem entre os elementos integrantes da mediação e os critérios mediacionais; demonstrar como os critérios de mediação ocorrem no processo de ensino e aprendizagem e identificar as possibilidades e entraves no planejamento e realização das aulas sob os parâmetros da experiência de atividade mediada. O referencial teórico fundamenta-se na proposta teórico-instrumental de Reuven Feuerstein, especialmente no que concerne à experiência de atividade mediada, EAM - concebida como processo de intenções mediadas promotoras da modificabilidade cognitiva estrutural - e aos critérios de mediação, que constituem condição básica para caracterização da mediação. A metodologia propõe a observação das práticas docentes de mediação, conforme as categoriais mediacionais, a serem avaliadas pelos alunos e a professora em sala de aula. Numa idéia de pesquisa-ação, o professor e os vinte e cinco alunos - do Curso Normal, em uma escola da rede particular da cidade de Ponta Grossa - tornam-se sujeitos/objetos da pesquisa, no sentido da avaliação das ações mediadoras. Como instrumentos utilizam-se: planos das aulas, anotações do professor em diário, protocolos de registro do professor e dos alunos, videofilmagem e questionários. A análise e a discussão são constituídas no entrelaçamento de indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos. Conclui-se que a interação: mediador – mediado - objeto da aprendizagem, ocorre de formas distintas. As variáveis que interferem em tais distinções referem-se a: aspectos cognitivos e subjetivos do mediador e dos mediados, especificidades do objeto da aprendizagem, estratégias didático-metodológicas, tempo, espaço, momento vivido pelo grupo e diferenças de cada critério. Da interação entre cada critério e os elementos da mediação emergem relações unilaterais, bilaterais e tríades, que demonstram a diferenciação das ações promotoras da mediação de cada critério. Houve a ocorrência de todos os critérios com freqüências distintas, índices superiores para os critérios de mediação de significado, do comportamento de compartilhar e de intencionalidade/reciprocidade. Os critérios mediacionais são interdependentes, o vínculo mais estreito deu-se entre a mediação de significado e transcendência; porém a mediação de todos os critérios foi permeada com aqueles que são considerados parâmetros universais e fundamentais para a ocorrência da EAM: a mediação de intencionalidade/reciprocidade, mediação de significado, e mediação de transcendência. A mediação é uma via de mão dupla: na mesma aula, cada indivíduo passa por processos distintos de interação e subjetivação, atribui sentido próprio à mesma situação social vivenciada, constitui sua autonomia e identidade como sujeito da aprendizagem. Apesar das interações serem distintas, os indicadores denotam que a riqueza da interação possibilitou avanços, a utilização dos parâmetros como orientadores da aula viabilizam a EAM no contexto escolar. Assim, aprender e ensinar se tornam ações indissociáveis para mediador e mediados. Palavras-chave: ensino-aprendizagem, pesquisa-ação, experiência de atividade mediada, subjetividade.

This phenomenographic study, explores the collaborative open learning experience of academic staff and open learners in cross-institutional academic development settings, and adds to what is known in these settings. It provides new insights for academic developers and course designers about the benefits of crossing boundaries (i.e. open learning) in an academic development context and proposes an alternative model to traditional academic Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It engages academic staff in experiencing novel approaches to learning and teaching and developing as practitioners through engagement in academic CPD that stretches beyond institutional boundaries, characterised by diversity and based on collaboration and openness. Data collection was conducted using a collective case study approach to gain insights into the collective lived collaborative open learning experience in two authentic cross-institutional academic development settings with collaborative learning features designed in. At least one of the institutions involved in each course was based in the United Kingdom. Twenty two individual phenomenographic interviews were conducted and coded. The findings illustrate that collaborative open learning was experienced as two dynamic immersive and selective patterns. Boundary crossing as captured in the categories of description and their qualitatively different variations, shaped that experience and related to modes of participation; time, place and space; culture and language as well as diverse professional contexts. Facilitator support and the elasticity of the design also positively shaped this experience. The community aspect influenced study participants' experience at individual and course level and illuminated new opportunities for academic development practice based on cross-boundary community-led approaches. The findings synthesised in the phenomenographic outcome space, depicting the logical relationships of the eleven categories of description in this study, organised in structural factors, illustrate how these contributed and shaped the lived experience, together with a critical discussion of these with the literature, aided the creation of the openly licensed cross-boundary collaborative open learning framework for cross-institutional academic development, the final output of this study. A design tool developed from the results is included that aims to inform academic developers and other course designers who may be considering and planning to model and implement such approaches in their own practice.

This research is concerned with the educational process within an outdoor centre involving groups of primary school children. It studies group interaction between the participants in a natural setting by taking a holistic approach, giving an account of their outdoor learning experience in the context of a group. It appears that there is little focus on groups in the outdoors, even though most outdoor programmes involve groups. Most of the research done on groups is quantitative and laboratory based. Such traditional approaches have been challenged, as empirical limitations and theoretical problems have been identified. It is argued that a study of group interactions within a natural environment, such as the outdoor classroom, would allow for a more insightful understanding of the phenomena involved, and it could also shed light on the outdoor educational process, which has been neglected by research in outdoor education. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used as part of an ethnographic approach. This enabled the collection of varied data, which resulted in a thick description of the phenomena explored. The findings show that the concept of team building is central to the philosophy of the outdoor centre and of its staff. The activities, which are used as learning tools, are group orientated. Teamwork is seen as essential for the learning experience at the outdoor centre. The study also revealed that the different approaches of the participants influenced the way learning was constructed. The two main themes that have emerged were empowerment and control. The empowering approaches offered support and encouragement to the participants, allowing for collaboration and cooperation to exist between them, which enabled learning to be more effective. The controlling approaches were characterised by a lack of dialogue between the participants, which interfered with the learning experience, by not creating an environment where the participants could work together as a group. A social aspect of learning was thus identified, which emphasised the importance of viewing learning as a joint process. The research shows that a well-designed process does not always result in the participants achieving the ‘desired learning outcomes’. The teachers/facilitators need to be aware of the impact that their approach may have on the learning experience of the participants.

<p>This study explore the capabilities of Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) learners in a Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town, through the lens of the capabilities approach theorized by Amartya Sen. This approach relates to how learners are able to utilize their capability sets to attain functionings in the face of poverty i.e. attain the freedom to live the kind of life they value. The study has chosen the capabilities approach because of its high interdisciplinary and multidimensional characteristics. This makes it appropriate to the South Africa context which is characterized by inequality, deprivation and segregation. In this regard, the study explores the features of poverty and forms of capabilities in relation to Intermediate Phase Learners in Quintile 1 Schools. Furthermore the study attempts to explain the effect of poverty on the capabilities of this group of learners in a selected Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town.</p>

Educators are commonly concerned about how to trigger students' interest in the classroom, as well as how to create a learning experience in which students are engaged and motivated to invest effort and time. Similarly, researchers have explored these variables and aimed to establish a better understanding of how students' interest is developed. Yet, less attention has been paid to teacher self-disclosure as a factor in students' learning experiences and interest development. Although teacher self-disclosure has commonly been addressed in connection with the teacher-student relationship it has not been linked to interest development. Therefore, with the goal of exploring the construct of teacher self-disclosure, this study explored associations and interactions of perceptions of teacher self-disclosure and of students' individual and situational interest in a language learning context. In addition, students' ratings of the learning experience and intended effort were added to investigate associations between these student variables and their perceptions of teacher self-disclosure and interest. Data were collected in language classes of 16 different instructors. In total, 185 students participated in the qualitative part of the study, Phase 1, by filling out surveys at the beginning and end of the semester. For the main analysis, correlation and regression analyses were used in order to explore the relations between students' perceptions of teacher self-disclosure and initial individual interest, situational interest, the learning experience, and intended effort. Further, a total of nine instructors and eight students participated in the qualitative part, Phase 2, by agreeing to be observed and interviewed. Here, the focus was on describing and assessing the use of teacher self-disclosure in language classes. Results indicated that teachers were rated as varying in their self-disclosure, but that self-disclosure did not account for much of the variance in students' situational interest. Qualitative results showed that students perceived teacher self-disclosure to be an important communication strategy and one of the influential variables an instructor can bring into the learning experience. Overall, this study makes a contribution to understanding the complexity and interactions of student and teacher variables that are crucial to establish a functioning student-teacher relationship and subsequently healthy learning experience. / text

<p>This study explore the capabilities of Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) learners in a Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town, through the lens of the capabilities approach theorized by Amartya Sen. This approach relates to how learners are able to utilize their capability sets to attain functionings in the face of poverty i.e. attain the freedom to live the kind of life they value. The study has chosen the capabilities approach because of its high interdisciplinary and multidimensional characteristics. This makes it appropriate to the South Africa context which is characterized by inequality, deprivation and segregation. In this regard, the study explores the features of poverty and forms of capabilities in relation to Intermediate Phase Learners in Quintile 1 Schools. Furthermore the study attempts to explain the effect of poverty on the capabilities of this group of learners in a selected Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town.</p>

This thesis examines the potential of a learning outcome-led model of curriculum design to influence how students perceive learning in education studies within a modular context of a new university. It identifies and compares the conceptions of learning held by students and lecturers on traditional and outcome-led modules, and it explores and specifies the design factors which shape these conceptions. The issue is located within the interpretivist paradigm for the research seeks understanding which derives from the perceptions, attitudes and beliefs that students and their lecturers hold about learning in a given context. But the methodology employed is not wholly consistent with this paradigm, for a qualitative approach is complemented by the use of factor analysis techniques to facilitate the identification of the design features which influence how students perceive learning. The approach is thus eclectic drawing on quantitative methods to examine what is essentially qualitative data. An innovative model of learning outcome-led design is proposed, implemented and modified as a result of the research. The learner is placed at the centre of the learning experience which is defined as incorporating three domains: the teaching context; the assessment régime; and the directed learning undertaken by students outside of taught sessions. The model incorporates a trichotomy of outcomes which define the subject -specific, the transferable skills and the generic academic outcomes which influence directly both the content and process of learning, and which successful students are expected to achieve on completion of a module. The findings show that five design features influence how students perceive learning: the clarity of expectations; congruence between the content and process of each domain of the learning experience; direction in respect to the learning activities which should be undertaken in each domain to achieve the outcomes; and the content and process of the teaching context. The data suggest that a much higher profile should be given to metacognitive skills in curriculum development in HE because how students perceive both the process and the content of learning profoundly influences their conception of learning and, consistent with the underpinning theory, how they approach learning and therefore ultimately the kind of outcomes they achieve. The research leads to recommendations for the modification of the three models of learning in context; Ramsden (1988), Biggs (1990b) and Prosser (1995), which are presented and analysed in the thesis. The findings suggest that the learning experience should be redefined to specify the three domains - the teaching context, assessment régime and directed learning - and that clarity of expectations, metacognitive skills and congruence between the content and process of learning in each of the domains should be articulated as directly influencing students' conceptions of learning. The models should also seek to indicate that learning outcomes influence how students perceive learning, and that therefore they feature both at the starting point and as the end product of a contextualised learning process. The findings relating to students' conceptions of learning show that the study of outcome-led modules has resulted in a much greater degree of congruence between how lecturers and students perceive learning in a given module and that fewer students studying outcome-led modules hold a quantitative conception of learning. This suggests that the outcome-led model does have the potential to improve teaching and learning and consequently that there is an educational rationale for curriculum development premised on this model.

The UK Higher Education (UKHE) sector has expanded overseas student numbers in recent years bringing significant economic and financial benefits to the sector and the economy. Yet, overseas student numbers are now under threat due to international competition, UK immigration law and the recent referendum decision to leave the EU. As a result, two key challenges arise for UKHE: the need to operate effectively in an international market; and, to meet the increasing expectations of international students (Grove 2015).Chinese students form the largest overseas country group studying in the UK with 21% of all overseas students. Business studies, including accounting, is the most popular subject area with nearly 40% of all overseas students (UK Council for International Student Affairs, 2016). This DBA study explores the learning experiences of a cohort of overseas Chinese students who have transferred from two years of study at colleges in China to a professionally accredited accounting undergraduate degree programme at a Scottish university. The overarching aim is to understand the nature of the students' learning experiences in the context of the degree programme in which the study takes place. The research was conducted from a critical realist theoretical perspective and used a qualitative research method to develop an understanding of the nature of the learning experiences as perceived by participants. Research data, gathered from focus group interviews with student participants, was analysed thematically. Findings show that issues with English lead to low levels of integration with other students, resulting in participants turning towards a learning strategy of independent learning among themselves. This further restricts exposure to English, including specialised accounting vocabulary, accounting concepts and theories, and cultural experience. The findings make a contribution to knowledge in terms of how this group of overseas Chinese students perceive and respond to their learning experiences of a Scottish accounting degree programme including aspects of the specific accounting subject discipline. Recommendations offer considerations to enhance LTA practice in the wider HEI context and the accounting discipline.

Magister Educationis - MEd / This study explore the capabilities of Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) learners in a Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town, through the lens of the capabilities approach theorized by Amartya Sen. This approach relates to how learners are able to utilize their capability sets to attain functionings in the face of poverty i.e. attain the freedom to live the kind of life they value. The study has chosen the capabilities approach because of its high interdisciplinary and multidimensional characteristics. This makes it appropriate to the South Africa context which is characterized by inequality, deprivation and segregation. In this regard, the study explores the features of poverty and forms of capabilities in relation to Intermediate Phase Learners in Quintile 1 Schools. Furthermore the study attempts to explain the effect of poverty on the capabilities of this group of learners in a selected Quintile 1 school in the Metro Central of Cape Town. / South Africa