Information and Communication Technology is used in the education field in Sweden toimprove learning quality. The aim of this research is to investigate the use of LearningManagement Systems in primary schools, in the specific context of the role of LearningManagement System (LMS) in learning and teaching processes from teachers‟perspectives. Furthermore, This Thesis aims to explore teachers‟ perceptions of how touse this learning management system which is used in primary Swedish schools.Six teachers from two different primary schools in small municipality in the south ofSweden participated in semi-structured interviews. The theoretical model of UnifiedTheory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) inspired this qualitativeresearch along with the other related past studies. This quantitative model was only usedto sensitize the research process, for collecting and analysing qualitative data in thisstudy.The different elements of the theory such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy,social influence and facilitating conditions along with studies helps in conducting studybasedon qualitative approach for analysing the interviews. The research results indicatethat teachers were content with the usage of this learning management system, but thereis a lack of knowledge regarding this system. The system is helpful in performanceevaluation, planning, communication and overall working for routine tasks. Theresponses of interviews showed that teachers are not trained for using the features ofLearning management system in the way that it is designed for. The findings showed thatteachers require the support from professionals to integrate the system into their routineplanning. Furthermore, they also emphasise on the need to make the system user-friendlywith easy navigation. The findings of this study were compared to previous studies, anda further comparison was carried out regarding how it relates to the determinants andmoderating factors such as peer influence, internal perceptions and motivations, timeconstraints, organisational structure and facilitating conditions. Hence, support andtraining are needed to enhance learning and teaching through this Learning managementsystem.

A presente tese investiga o potencial de inserção das Redes de Informação Científica nos processos de ensino-aprendizagem em Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) como apoio para o ensino exclusivamente a distância quanto como apoio ao ensino presencial. Como suporte a investigação, procurou-se construir panorama teórico fundamentado em estudos sobre a contribuição das TICs para o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento de propostas e projetos, os desafios para usos das TICs na integração dos ambientes presenciais e virtuais de aprendizagem, no ensino em redes colaborativas de informação e no favorecimento à aprendizagem cooperativa, centrada no indivíduo e autônoma. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória de caráter descritivo e aplicado. O campo de pesquisa é a Rede BVS Odontologia Brasil, composta por 17 instituições de ensino, pesquisa e extensão. Para investigar a infraestrutura e capacitação dos profissionais bibliotecários para inserção neste novo ambiente foram entrevistados diretores das bibliotecas integrantes da Rede utilizando a ferramenta Adobe Connect no período de dezembro/2014 a março/2015. A pesquisa revelou que, apesar do grande potencial para apoio à atividades de Ensino-Aprendizagem virtual no âmbito da área de conhecimento, a inserção da Rede BVS Odontologia nos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem ainda se mostra pouco efetiva. Verificou-se que falta uma cultura de inovação, bem como um planejamento estratégico, tanto por parte das instituições como das bibliotecas, para a formulação e implementação de política de inovação relacionada a cinco aspectos fundamentais: a) a concepção de redes como um processo de ensino-aprendizagem pautado na construção e não na reprodução do conhecimento, aliada a um entendimento do potencial comunicacional dos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem; b) o aproveitamento do potencial de inserção das redes de informação científica e a apropriação de seus aspectos fundamentais, tendo os ambientes virtuais como espaços de colaboração e autoria; c) uma visão do profissional bibliotecário que leve à construção de propostas formativas, atentando para a contribuição da perspectiva da experiência on-line como mais um canal de produção e disseminação da informação; d) a integração dos sujeitos que atuam em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem; e) definição de políticas institucionais para ensino-aprendizagem em ambientes virtuais que sejam concebidas de forma colaborativa, considerando a necessidade de infra-estrutura e pessoal capacitado para atuação nesses novos ambientes. / The present thesis investigates the potential for insertion of Scientific Information Networks in the teaching-learning processes in the Learning Management System (LMS) as support for teaching exclusively by distance as to support for presential teaching. As support for investigation, we tried to build theoretical scenario based on studies on the contribution of ICT, for the development and improvement of proposals and projects, challenges to ICT use, in the integration of presential and virtual learning environments, in teaching in collaborative networks of information and in fostering cooperative learning, centered on the individual and autonomous. This is an exploratory research of descriptive and applied character. The research field is the VHL Network Dentistry Brazil, made up of 17 educational, research and extension institutions. To investigate the infrastructure and capacity of librarians for insertion in this new environment they were interviewed directors of Network members libraries using the Adobe Connect tool from December / 2014 to March / 2015. The research has revealed that despite the great potential for support of virtual Teaching-Learning activities in the framework of area of knowledge, the insertion of the VHL Dentistry Network in virtual learning environments also shown less effective. It was found that lack a culture of innovation as well as a strategic plan, both by institutions such as libraries, to the formulation and implementation of innovation policy related to five fundamental aspects: a) network conception as a process of teaching-learning process lined in construction and not in the reproduction of knowledge allied to an understanding of the communication potential of virtual learning environments; b) the harnessing of potential for insertion of scientific information networks and the appropriation of its fundamental aspects, having virtual environments such as collaboration spaces and authorship; c) a vision of librarian leading to the construction of proposals, to attempt to the contribution from the perspective of on-line experience as an a one more dissemination channel of information; d) the integration of subjects that act in practice on learning virtual environments; e) the definition of institutional policies for teaching-learning in virtual environments that are designed collectively.

Submitted by Kamila Costa (kamilavasconceloscosta@gmail.com) on 2015-06-11T20:27:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação-Dhanielly P R de Lima.pdf: 4096663 bytes, checksum: fad619bf150f86206922b434efb5a67f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-06-15T18:19:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação-Dhanielly P R de Lima.pdf: 4096663 bytes, checksum: fad619bf150f86206922b434efb5a67f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-06-15T18:20:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação-Dhanielly P R de Lima.pdf: 4096663 bytes, checksum: fad619bf150f86206922b434efb5a67f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-15T18:20:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação-Dhanielly P R de Lima.pdf: 4096663 bytes, checksum: fad619bf150f86206922b434efb5a67f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-24 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The increase use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) as disseminators of knowledge aids students in developing knowledge and provides an interaction between people through computational tools mediated by the teacher (mediator or tutor). However, many LMSs does not have a mechanism or tool to aid the teacher to get detailed information about the social interaction between students and their group. This complicates the teacher’s awareness with regard to social relations established within the discipline. Based on this information, this paper proposes and details an approach to this problem that makes use of a Multi-Agent System architecture directed to the analysis of the interactions of groups. As proof of concept, a prototype was developed as using a software methodology for Multi-Agent Systems in order to analyze the interactions between students that occurred in the forums and messages of a course in the LMS Moodle and present this information to the teacher in the form of sociogram or table. In this way, the teacher can visually monitor the interactions of students within the course, and adopt tactics that promote social inclusion. To validate the work a case study was performed, a class of a course of Distance Education in a Higher Education Institution (HEI). According to the results obtained in simulated tests and a real class, it is clear that the graphic visualization of interactions of students in the forums and messages, when combined with the proactivity of agents, can corroborate the work done by mediators. The vizualization of the interactions provides to the teachers a more comprehensive, clear and quick view of social interactions established in the discipline, facilitating a option to intervene intentionally through teaching strategies such as to encourage students to develop the communication, interaction and the creation of new groups. / A crescente utilização de Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem (AVA) como disseminadores do conhecimento auxilia os alunos na construção do saber e proporciona uma interação entre as pessoas via ferramentas computacionais mediadas pelo professor (mediador ou tutor). Contudo, muitos AVAs não possuem um mecanismo ou ferramenta para auxiliar o professor a obter informações detalhadas acerca das interações sociais dos alunos e dos seus grupos. Isso dificulta a percepção por parte do professor no que diz respeito às relações sociais estabelecidas dentro da disciplina. Com base nessas informações, o presente trabalho propõe e detalha uma abordagem para esse problema que faz uso de uma arquitetura de Sistemas Multiagente voltada para a análise das interações dos grupos. Como prova de conceito, um protótipo foi desenvolvido a partir de uma metodologia de software para Sistemas Multiagente, com o objetivo de analisar as interações entre os estudantes que ocorreram nos fóruns e nas mensagens de um curso no AVA Moodle e, apresentar essas informações ao professor sob a forma de sociograma ou tabela. Desta forma, o professor pode acompanhar visualmente as interações de seus alunos dentro do curso e adotar táticas que promovam a inserção social. Para validar o trabalho, foi realizado um estudo de caso como avaliação de viabilidade, numa turma de um curso de Educação a Distância (EaD) de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES). De acordo com os resultados obtidos nos testes simulados e com uma turma real, pode-se concluir que a visualização gráfica das interações dos alunos nos fóruns e nas mensagens, quando aliadas à proatividade dos agentes, pode corroborar o trabalho desempenhado pelos mediadores. A visualização das interações proporciona aos docentes uma visão mais abrangente, clara e rápida das relações sociais estabelecidas na disciplina, facilitando a opção de intervir intencionalmente por meio de estratégias didáticas, tais como incentivar os alunos no desenvolvimento da comunicação, na interação e na criação de novos grupos.

A avaliação de trabalhos práticos de programação é uma tarefa dispendiosa. Diversas ferramentas têm sido propostas e desenvolvidas a fim de automatizar as tarefas repetitivas realizadas pelos professores na avaliação de trabalhos práticos de programação e fornecer um feedback mais rápido e adequado aos alunos. No entanto, a adição de uma nova ferramenta aumenta a sobrecarga de novas informações e ambientes que os alunos têm que lidar. De forma análoga, a ferramenta de avaliação é mais um recurso que o professor tem de configurar, manter e ensinar os alunos a utilizar. Por este motivo, vários trabalhos vêm sendo conduzidos a fim de integrar ferramentas de avaliação para trabalhos de programação em sistemas de gestão da aprendizagem (Learning Management Systems LMSs). A integração de ferramentas em LMSs promove sua adoção em disciplinas de computação, uma vez que estarão em concordância com o LMS já familiar aos alunos e professores, dispensando a necessidade de adotar, aprender e gerenciar a submissão e correção de trabalhos em um outro ambiente. No entanto, tais trabalhos consistem apenas em modelos conceituais abstratos, não propõem uma integração com vários LMSs ou não tratam certas dificuldades específicas encontradas quando integrando ferramentas de avaliação. Nessa perspectiva, este trabalho tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento da arquitetura IMPACTLE, uma solução que permite a integração de diferentes ferramentas de avaliação para trabalhos de programação em vários LMSs. A ideia é que os alunos e professores possam acessar as funcionalidades das ferramentas por meio dos LMSs em que já estão habituados, sem a necessidade de aprender a utilizar e adotar uma nova ferramenta. Protótipos da arquitetura IMPACTLE foram instanciados e experimentos foram realizados envolvendo a utilização de diferentes ferramentas de avaliação por meio de LMSs. De modo geral, observou-se que a utilização da IMPACTLE possibilita que professores e alunos realizem as tarefas relacionadas às atividades de programação de forma mais eficiente, eficaz e efetiva por meio dos LMSs. / The assessment of programming assignments is a costly task. Several tools have been proposed and developed in order to automate the repetitive tasks performed by instructors in the assessment of programming assignments and provide a faster and more adequate feedback to students. However, adding a new tool increases the overload of new information and environments that students have to deal with. Similarly, the assessment tool is one more resource that the instructor has to configure, maintain and teach students to use, spending time and effort that could be used in other pedagogical activities. For this reason, several works have been conducted to integrate assessment tools for programming assignments in learning management systems (LMSs). The integration of assessment tools into LMSs promotes their adoption in computing courses, since they will be in agreement with the LMS already familiar to students and instructors, without the need to adopt, learn and manage the submission and correction of assignments in another environment. However, these works consist only of abstract conceptual models, do not propose integration with several LMSs, or do not address certain specific difficulties faced when integrating assessment tools. In this perspective, this work aims at the proposition of the IMPACTLE architecture, a solution that allows the integration of different assessment tools for programming assignments in LMSs. The idea is that students and teachers can access the features of the tools through the LMSs they are already used to, without the need to learn how to use and adopt a new tool. Architecture prototypes were instantiated and experiments were carried out involving the use of different assessment tools through LMSs. In general, we noticed that the use of IMPACTLE enables instructors and students perform tasks related to programming activities in a more efficient, efficacious and effective way through the LMSs.

As tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) têm sido aliadas importantes no desenvolvimento de atividades inerentes aos processos de ensino-aprendizagem. Particularmente, os ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem (AVAs) têm viabilizado a oferta de conteúdos informacionais didáticos, de maneira sistemática e organizada, mediante interfaces digitais disponibilizadas aos usuários desses ambientes. Nesse sentido, tendo os usuários (alunos/aprendizes) como protagonistas dos processos de ensino-aprendizagem e compreendendo a importância da mediação e apropriação da informação em tais processos, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi o de investigar os requisitos para a concepção das referidas interfaces, considerando-se as especificidades dos contextos de uso. A pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa e natureza exploratória, foi desenvolvida com base em análise da literatura e estudo de caso envolvendo um AVA utilizado em disciplinas de ensino técnico (profissionalizante). Dentre os resultados, destaca-se a proposta de um guia contemplando requisitos funcionais e não funcionais para a concepção de interfaces digitais para usuários de AVAs. Conclui-se que, para tais interfaces funcionarem como \"espaço de mediação\" e auxiliarem na apropriação da informação, na construção e apresentação das mesmas, deve-se considerar diversas variáveis que são próprias dos contextos em que os usuários se encontram. / Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been important allies in the development of activities inherent to the teaching-learning processes. Particularly, the Learning Management Systems (LMSs) have made feasible to offer didactic information contents, in a systematic and organized way, by using digital interfaces that are available to users of these systems. In this sense, taking into account such users (students / learners) as protagonists of the teaching-learning processes, and understanding the importance of information mediation and its appropriation in such processes, the main goal of this work was to investigate requirements for design these interfaces, by checking the specificities found in use\'s contexts. The research, with a qualitative approach and exploratory nature, was conducted with literature analysis and case study involving a LMS used in teaching technical (vocational) subjects. Among the results, it is highlighted the proposal of a guide comprehending functional and non-functional requirements to be applied in the design of digital user interfaces for LMSs. It was concluded that, in order to such interfaces to work as a \"mediation space\" and aid in the information appropriation, in their implementation and presentation, it must be taken into account a set of variables that are specifics with the users\' contexts.

The U.S. Department of Education has mandated that each U.S. state develop successful initiatives to help students navigate their educational experience. Yet in Alabama students neither advance academically nor in improved life skills development. It is unclear if school administrators in Alabama Schools have contextual best practices for strategic planning and implementation to support and improve the experiences of vulnerable K-12 students. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore how administrators of Alabama schools develop contextual best practices for strategic planning and implementation to support students. The conceptual framework was designed using collaboration theory, organizational learning theory, and appreciative inquiry. The overarching question addressed developing an understanding about how Alabama school administrators develop contextual best practices for strategic planning and implementation. Appreciative inquiry was used to facilitate a focus group and individual interviews with 15 participants. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis and bracketing. Thus, 4 themes were identified from the interviews and focus group. Most significant results were the identification of having a positive, engaging mobile environment and improving full community participation in the collaborative process. Contributions to positive social change may be experienced by developing community-based collaboration where all contribute to, and benefit from, co-create, collaborate, and structure a more balanced and feasible approach to successful implementation of strategic plans in an environment of financial constraints.

Southern U.S. teachers at suburban high schools can use Edmodo; however, teachers prefer traditional teacher-centered teaching methods. This quantitative correlative study explored teachers' technology acceptance in relation to teaching styles and experiences. Framing acceptance by Davis's technology acceptance model (TAM), research questions addressed the direct and moderating relationships between teaching style and the TAM variables related to using Edmodo and the direct and moderating relationships between teaching experiences and TAM variables. From 240 teachers at the high school, 45 completed an online survey (response rate of 18.75%). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression analyzed data. TAM could be verified for the entire sample; however, no significant direct relationship between teaching style and the TAM variables was found. Teaching style moderated the relationships within the TAM; these were stronger for teachers with a teacher-centered teaching style. No significant direct relationship existed between teaching experiences and TAM variables; a moderating effect on the relationships existed within the TAM. Among experienced teachers, ease of use was the strongest acceptance predictor, whereas perceived use was the strongest predictor among less experienced teachers. Results indicated teachers might develop a more student-centered teaching style, thus concentrating on technology's ease of use, rather than its potential utility. A policy recommendation could ensure teachers efficiently used technology to support student-centered learning. The application of the recommended policies might lead to teachers' more effective use of instructional technology, which might affect student learning and motivation.

[Truncated abstract] Current literature about university teaching argues that online teaching requires online social learning based on social interaction to be effective. This implies a shift in pedagogy based on engagement and collaboration, instead of trying to reproduce face-to- face teaching, in online environments. However, when a university adopts an elearning platform (or Learning Management System, LMS), most teachers tend to reproduce their traditional teaching, delivering, through the LMS, educational material. This study explored factors which influence university teachers to adopt teaching models based on online social interaction (OSI) when an e-learning platform is used to complement undergraduate classroom teaching. Online teaching model adoption was considered in the framework of technology adoption and post-adoption behavior, i.e., adoption and use by individuals after an organization has adopted an ICT-based innovation (Jasperson, Carter, & Zmud, 2005). Behaviors were investigated using a model based on Ajzen's (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In total, 26 university teachers 15 from Australia and 11 from Italy holding undergraduate courses, were recruited. They responded to a semi-structured interview based on the TPB, built on purpose for this research. Teachers were divided into three different groups on the basis of their approach to online teaching, corresponding to three different levels of adoption of OSI. The three different online teaching models were:

According to the literature there are still very few researches focusing on the Online Live Instruction in e-Learning. By Integrating IP-Based Video Conferencing System and Full Screen Capture with Live Streaming Broadcast System into an LMS, instructors can provide Online Live Instruction. In this kind of environment, teachers and students can interact together like in conventional classroom. This study explored the process of Online Live Instruction, solutions for the encountered problems are also provided. SOP (Standardized Operation Procedures) are developed on how to conduct Course Material Lecturing and Group Discussion & Summary Report activities. Suggestions about Online Live Instruction for teachers, teaching assistants and students are also included.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students in an implementation of &ldquo / Learning by Design&rdquo / method through a web based learning environment. The information gathered from the students enrolled in the undergraduate course / &ldquo / Foundations of Distance Education&rdquo / in 2009 Summer School and 2009-2010 Fall Semesters was evaluated. The course was given in blended form, i.e. face to face lessons and online instructional activities were performed together. In the web based part of the course, several educational modules of an open source learning management system (LMS), such as quizzes, forums, lesson pages, wiki pages, mail interface etc. were used. The students were responsible for implementing an educational course site on the LMS platform, using the course curriculum applications. Within the scope of this thesis, the perceptions of the students about course-related projects, and online and classroom activities were investigated through interviews and questionnaires. The academic development of students was also considered in the study. Additionally, several informal interviews were also done with the instructor of the course in order to investigate his perceptions about the conduct of the course. Questionnaire results have been analyzed quantitatively and face to face interview results have been analyzed qualitatively. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that the students&rsquo / perceptions about how the course was conducted and the learning by design activities were generally positive. Especially the project work, which was assigned as a requisite of the learning by design method, was pointed out as a positive factor in students&#039 / learning of the subject matter both in the questionnaires and in the face to face interviews. Another important finding of the interview and questionnaire results was that the communication between the instructor and the students contributed positively to not only learning the course content but the quality of the projects as well. As an outcome of this study, many important factors, which lead to successful results in implementation of learning by design method in a web based environment, have been identified. These results are presented in detail in the &#039 / Discussion and Recommendations&#039 / section.