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Fine temporal regulation of dopamine transmission is critical to its effects on behaviour. Dopamine can be cleared from the synapse either by recycling via the dopamine transporter (DAT) or by enzymatic degradation involving catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). DAT recycling predominates in striatum and contributes to dopaminergic regulation of reward-guided behaviour, while COMT degradation predominates in cortex and modulates executive functions. However, human functional imaging studies demonstrate interactive effects of DAT and COMT genotype, suggesting that the traditional division between DAT and COMT is not so clear-cut. Given the interdependence of mesolimbic and mesocortical circuitry and the presence of COMT in the striatum, it is possible that DAT and COMT interact to a greater extent than previously thought. We investigated the contributions of DAT and COMT to regulation of dopamine transmission and reward-guided behaviour by combining in vivo electrochemical recording, pharmacology, and behavioural testing in mice. Using fast scan cyclic voltammetry to record evoked dopamine release in anaesthetised animals, we found that systemic DAT blockade increased the size of dopamine transients in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) but not in the medial frontal cortex (MFC), demonstrating that DAT regulates phasic striatal dopamine release and confirming that DAT makes little contribution to regulation of cortical dopamine transmission. Unexpectedly, COMT inhibition did not affect evoked dopamine transients in either the NAc or the MFC. In agreement with these findings, systemic administration of a DAT blocker, but not of a COMT inhibitor, increased motivation to work for reward in a progressive ratio paradigm. COMT inhibition also had little effect on reinforcement learning (RL) strategies during reward-guided decision making. Intriguingly, however, we found that DAT blockade both decreased the influence of model-free RL and increased the influence of model-based RL on behaviour. Our study confirms that DAT regulates dopamine transmission in striatum but not in cortex and indicates that sub-second changes in dopamine transmission in both regions are largely insensitive to COMT. However, our behavioural data reveal the importance of striatal dopamine in multiple components of reward-guided behaviour, including both motivational aspects traditionally associated with striatum as well as cognitive aspects heretofore mainly associated with cortical function. Together, these findings emphasise that reward processing occurs across corticostriatal circuits and contribute to our understanding of how striatal dopamine transmission regulates reward-guided behaviours.

In this study we aim to investigate what employees at a callcenter see as prospects, opportunities and barriers of learning within a company. To answer the purpose of this essay, two questions were formulated; "What opportunities for learning does employees experience in the company?" and "How can learning in the workplace improve for the sellers?". First, we present what previous research has highlighted regarding workplace learning and learning within the callcenter industry. Afterwards we present ten semi-structured interviews with leaders and sellers within a telecom company in Stockholm. The material from the interviews was analyzed on the basis of previous research and theories in socio-cultural learning. The result shows that there are many conditions and opportunities for learning within the company and that the learning promoted in the workplace, is largely shaped in adaptive oriented way. To further promote the learning of the employees requires a development of their acting-space and the organizational culture within the business. / I denna studie syftar vi till att undersöka vad medarbetare vid ett callcenter ser för förutsättningar, möjligheter samt hinder för lärande inom ett företag. För att besvara syftet har två frågeställningar formulerats; "Vilka förutsättningar för lärande upplever medarbetare inom företaget?" och "Hur kan lärandet på arbetsplatsen förbättras för säljarna?". Först presenterar vi vad tidigare forskning har belyst angående arbetsplatslärande och lärande inom callcenterbranschen. Vi genomförde därefter tio stycken semistrukturerade intervjuer med ledare och säljare på ett Telecom bolag i Stockholm. Materialet analyserades därefter utifrån tidigare forskning och teorier inom det sociokulturella lärandet. Resultatet visar att det finns många förutsättningar och möjligheter för lärande inom företaget samt att lärandet som främjas på arbetsplatsen är till största del av anpassningsinriktad form. För att ytterligare främja lärandet hos medarbetarna krävs en utveckling av handlingsutrymmet och organisationskulturen inom verksamheten.

This thesis deals with the learning environment of Mosaic and its impact on motivation and geometrical imagination of children of primary school. Fundamental task of this thesis is to describe and adjudicate individual teaching lessons of experimental teaching during which Mosaics were used. Conditions for natural differentiation of children were used during these lessons. Concepts related to the goal of this thesis and to the geometry on primary school level are described in part "Foundations of thesis task solution". Different types of Mosaics and puzzles are dealt with in part "Mosaics and construction kits - methodological foundations". "Methods used to solve the thesis task" forms the conclusion of this part. The practical part contains description of processing of experimental teaching and its analysis. Children works are presented here as well.

This diploma thesis deals with the integration of etymology as one of the possible motivational component in language learning at the second stage of primary schools with regard to German as a foreign language after English. The theoretical part of this thesis deals with etymology as one of the linguistic disciplines, genealogical relation of English and German language and the issue of motivation in learning a foreign language. The practical part concentrates on creation of the author´s own didactical materials and the application of the discovered relations within these two languages. The aim of these materials is to motivate the pupils at the primary schools to multilingualism.

The thesis addresses the topic of motivation of older adults to study at the university level. The first part deals with the topic of adult education within the context of lifelong learning, defines the concept of older adulthood, and clarifies the concept of motivation as it relates to formal education for older adults. It presents an overview of research carried out in the field of older adults as related to university studies. The second part focuses on qualitative research that answers the following questions: what motivates older adults to study at the university level; how do they describe the motivating factors and other relevant circumstances of their decision to attend university; what criteria do older adults use to assess the benefits of study; and what motivates them to persevere in their studies.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:07:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SamaraFO_DISSERT.pdf: 2202818 bytes, checksum: 8e3dc2c2f0d12c877396778a697ee080 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-13 / Some authors have suggested that learning tasks conducted in L2 classes can motivate learners in different ways. Similarly, Interactive Whiteboards (IWB) have already been linked as drivers to engagement and enthusiasm in L2 classes, which may cause some impact on affective variables that influence learning (e.g. motivation). This crosssectional mixed-methods study aims to understand how situational motivation caused by learning tasks mediated by the IWB impact participants. We seek to answer the following research questions: (1) How does motivation as a personality trait of the learner relate to his/her additional language learning performance?, (2) How does the type of learning task mediated by the IWB impact the learner s motivation?, (3) How does motivation vary along the learning task mediated by the IWB? and (4) What is the relation between the learning task motivation and the learners perception about the task mediated by the IWB? Data collection lasted four months with 29 learners from a private language school. The instruments used were the following: (a) an initial questionnaire (adapted from the Attitudes/Motivation Test Battery by GARDNER, 2004), (b) situation-specific on-line scales to assess learners motivation in three moments: before, during and after the task, and analyze how motivation varies along the task; (c) class observations and field notes resulting from these observations, (d) participants end-of-course grades to understand the connection between academic success and their motivational profiles and (e) a final questionnaire with the qualitative purpose to know learners perceptions about the tasks mediated by the IWB. Our theoretical framework is based on Task-Based Learning and cognitive aspects present in tasks (WILLIS, 1996; SKEHAN, 1996), theories on motivation and second language learning (GARDNER, 2001; D?RNYEI e OTT?, 1998; D?RNYEI, 2000; 2002) and conceptions about L2 learning mediated by technology (GIBSON, 2001; OLIVEIRA, 2001; MILLER et al, 2005). Our results do not point out to a significative correlation between learners end-of-course grades and their motivational profiles. However, they indicate that there is some variability in situational motivation along the tasks, even among learning tasks from the same type. Furthermore, they show that learners report different perceptions for each learning task and that the impact of the IWB on participants did not have a large proportion / Alguns autores j? sugeriram que as tarefas de aprendizagem conduzidas em salas de aula de L2 podem motivar os aprendizes de diferentes maneiras. Da mesma forma, as Lousas Digitais Interativas (LDI) j? foram relacionadas como propulsoras de engajamento e entusiasmo em aulas de L2, podendo assim impactar vari?veis afetivas que influenciam a aprendizagem, como a motiva??o, por exemplo. Este estudo transversal, de m?todos mistos, objetiva compreender de que forma a motiva??o situacional ocasionada por tarefas de aprendizagem mediadas pela LDI impacta os participantes. Buscamos responder as seguintes perguntas de pesquisa: (1) como a motiva??o, vista como um tra?o da personalidade do aprendiz, se relaciona ao seu desempenho de aprendizagem da L2?, (2) de que maneira o tipo de tarefa de aprendizagem impacta na motiva??o do aprendiz?, (3) de que forma a motiva??o varia ao longo da tarefa de aprendizagem? e (4) qual a rela??o entre a motiva??o proveniente da tarefa de aprendizagem e a percep??o do aprendiz sobre a tarefa mediada pela LDI? A coleta de dados durou quatro meses em um instituto privado de idiomas com 29 aprendizes de ingl?s e foi realizada por meio dos seguintes instrumentos: (a) um question?rio inicial (adaptado da Attitudes/Motivation Test Battery de GARDNER, 2004); (b) escalas situacionais on-line para conhecermos a motiva??o dos aprendizes em tr?s momentos: antes, durante e ap?s a tarefa e analisarmos como a motiva??o varia ao longo da tarefa; (c) observa??es de aulas e as resultantes notas de campo dessas observa??es; (d) as notas globais dos participantes no semestre para entendermos a rela??o entre o desempenho acad?mico e o perfil motivacional deles e (e) um question?rio final com o fim qualitativo de conhecer as percep??es dos aprendizes sobre as tarefas mediadas pela LDI. Nossa fundamenta??o te?rica baseia-se na Aprendizagem Baseada em Tarefas e nos aspectos cognitivos presentes nas tarefas (WILLIS, 1996; SKEHAN, 1996), em algumas teorias de motiva??o e aprendizagem de L2 (GARDNER, 2001; D?RNYEI e OTT?, 1998; D?RNYEI, 2000; 2002) e em concep??es sobre a aprendizagem de L2 mediada por tecnologias (GIBSON, 2001; OLIVEIRA, 2001; MILLER et al, 2005). Nossos resultados n?o apontam uma correla??o significativa entre as notas globais dos aprendizes e o seu perfil motivacional. Entretanto, indicam que h? uma variabilidade da motiva??o situacional ao longo das tarefas, mesmo dentro de tarefas de aprendizagem do mesmo tipo. Al?m disso, mostram que os aprendizes relatam diferentes percep??es para cada tarefa de aprendizagem e que o impacto da LDI na motiva??o dos participantes foi de pequena propor??o

The aim of the thesis is to find out, what was the initial motive for the study of the doctoral program and what are the types of motivations and barriers in further education of adults in doctoral studies. The theoretical part is based on the concept of lifelong learning and lifelong learning. It defines the concept of further education of adults, which needs to be defined to anchor the topic in the work. It focuses on doctoral studies, phases during doctoral studies, related strategic documents, legislation and available research surveys, that focus on motivation and barriers. Another important part of the work is to define the motive, motivation, types of motivation in relation to the adult, which is part of further adult education. Barriers are viewed in terms of available research. The practical part is based on a quantitative and descriptive study examining motivations and barriers across the disciplines to pursue a doctoral degree, which was carried out in the form of a questionnaire survey. The research survey is aimed at doctoral students, who have already interrupted primary education and are returning to study after at least a one-year break. They find out, what motive led them to return to study and how they are influenced by internal and external motivation. They also find out, what...

Syftet med min studie är att synliggöra elevers erfarenheter om vad som gör ämnet moderna språk i år 8 och 9 intressant, genom att ta reda på hur eleverna upplever sina språkstudier och studera vilka faktorer som styr deras motivation. Jag har genomfört två intervjuer med sammanlagt åtta elever i åk 8 och 9 på högstadiet. Två elever i franska , fem elever i tyska och en elev i spanska. Elevsvaren har sedan analyserats och sorterats upp utifrån uppsatsens huvudkategorier. De olika teorierna är: "mentala självbilder", "autentiska/verklighetsbaserade skoluppgifter", "growth mindset/självkänsla" och "lärarens roll". Eleverna tycker att läraren är den viktigaste källan till motivation i språkklassrummet. Andra exempel på motiverande faktorer eleverna nämner inkluderar mer muntliga verklighetsbaserade uppgifter och riligare lektionsupplägg. Några demotiverande faktorer som nämns av eleverna är att deras goda engelskakunskaper har negativ inverkan på inlärningen av det moderna språket samt att deras upplevelser av att kunna för lite på målspråket för att kunna uttrycka sig fritt.

What is the nature and purpose of Family Learning? The discourses relating to how a strong home-school relationship affects attitudes to Lifelong Learning and the impact of paternal involvement in young children's development have been well researched and document clear links and positive, enduring benefits for families and professionals. In spite, or perhaps because of this focus, the means by which these connections are achieved and maintained remains less well explored. The issues that need addressing now are more tangible challenges, such as: what does good practice look like, who decides which notions are consolidated, when and why? Coupled with questions such as how do we get more fathers more involved and what will enable these relationships to flourish, this research reports on the initial findings from a small-scale exploratory inquiry, conducted as part of a professional doctorate, which considers a possible approach to these issues. It is an illuminative case study, located within an interpretive research paradigm, based on ontological assumptions of empowerment and emancipation for participants. A sociocultural epistemology informs and frames the work. The study sets out to explore the value and potential of Family Learning as a means of focused intervention in response to the questions raised, whilst also examining and increasing awareness of the issues involved, as seen by participants, to facilitate the expression of paternal agency and voice within the research process. The data collection, conducted over a period of six months, focuses on an existing Fathers’ Group, as they participate in a Family Learning project. It seeks to establish the nature and purpose of this type of provision, by clarifying the processes, outcomes and determinants of involvement through the eyes of the fathers, as they define and ultimately come to terms with their own identity and roles, in relation to their young children's development. The research centres on two workshops supported by several participant-led focus meetings. Two semi-structured staff interviews offer insight into the role that both professional and personal cultural and historical understandings of Family Learning play in the process, whilst the data analysis illuminates and describes the relationships between parents and practitioners, policy and pedagogy. The research observations could be used to inform approaches to both the establishment and the development of individual, personalised family frameworks for Lifelong Learning. The findings may also contribute towards a fresh perspective and offer creative approaches for professionals, in which pedagogical practice is not pre-determined but constantly evolving, on an equal and collaborative basis, between professionals and participants. This study offers a critical examination of grassroots Family Learning in practice. It is firmly embedded within and responsive to the needs of its local community. It aims to provide independent evidence to reinforce and extend the current knowledge base and ultimately, to maintain, strengthen and expand the connections between Family and Lifelong Learning.