Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Secondary Education / Diane McGrath / In many college of education programs, the feasibility of online courses has provided opportunities for in-service teachers who are pursuing a higher educational goal while working full-time with school and/or family responsibilities. Although preliminary evidence on project-based learning (PBL) in traditional classrooms with younger learners suggests that students are highly motivated, it is not clear whether adult learners recognize the value of the online PBL approach. This study documented adult learners’ learning experience with online projects, their collaborative experience, and their learning experience with technological tools. The result of this study can contribute to our understanding of the strengths and the obstacles in an online PBL environment. Nineteen participants who registered in a graduate level course participated in this case study over a 16-week semester. They collaborated in small group of 2–5 members in order to communicate and construct projects at a distance. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and interpreted based on a descriptive case study design. Multiple sources of data include course documentation, archival data from course management system, student-created projects, surveys, and interviews. A model for content analysis of CMC was applied to qualitative analysis of the electronic discourse. Findings of this study indicated that participants gained positive experience in this new way of learning. In particular, three themes related to online PBL approach emerged: (1) project relevancy and authenticity as the primary concerns in guiding driving question, researching information, and constructing artifact; (2) synchronicity is indispensable for online collaboration; and (3) repeated exposures with technology tools reduce the fear and reinforce the skill to be learned.

Mobile technology has allowed the traditional boundaries that exist between formal learning and informal learning to blend. The purpose of this research is to understand and describe the use of established and new “support networks” and the process of knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation in a formal learning environment. Factors affecting the design, testing and ultimate feasibility of using mobile devices such as cell phones to enhance teaching and learning in well-resourced developed, and under-resourced developing schools are identified. Findings in this study point to the general acceptance of using mobile technology as a readily available vehicle, to provide access to contents and allow learners to contribute to the collective body of knowledge from their own perspective. Copyright 2007, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Batchelor, J 2007, Mobile information communication and technology use in secondary schools : a feasibility study, MEd dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09102007-161045 / > / Dissertation (MEd (Computer Integrated Education))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

Database modeling is a complex conceptual topic often taught through the use of project-based teams. One of the problems with the use of project-based teams in university courses is the determination of whether this is the most effective use of instructor and student time involvement and effort level. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of providing team dynamics training prior to the commencement of short-duration project-based team conceptual data modeling projects on individual data modeling task performance (DMTP) outcomes and team cohesiveness. The literature review encompassed conceptual data design modeling, the use of a project-based team approach, team dynamics and cohesion, self-efficacy, gender, and diversity. The research population consisted of 75 university students at a North American University (Canadian) pursuing a business program requiring an information systems course in which database design components are taught. Analysis of the collected data revealed that there was a statistically significant inverse relationship found between the provision of team dynamics training and individual DMTP. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between team dynamics training and team cohesion. Therefore, this study calls into question the value of team dynamics training on learning outcomes in the case of very short duration project-based teams involved in conceptual data modeling tasks. Additional research in this area would need to clarify what about this particular experiment might have contributed to these results.

Submitted by Jakeline Ortega (jakortega@unoeste.br) on 2017-06-03T15:26:12Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Jose Vorlei Guimaraes Martins.pdf: 2803892 bytes, checksum: ad840c4040f0449ef5b2de765f4f7ad2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-03T15:26:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Jose Vorlei Guimaraes Martins.pdf: 2803892 bytes, checksum: ad840c4040f0449ef5b2de765f4f7ad2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-13 / This work is linked to the Program of Postgraduate Studies in Education - Master of Education, research field - Forming and Teaching Practice of the Teaching Professional - offered by the Universidade do Oeste Paulista - Unoeste / Presidente Prudente / SP. The general objective of this research is to analyze how the mobile technologies may be articulated to the development of work projects, aiming at their integration into the pedagogic practices in higher education. The research adopted a qualitative-quantitative approach, with the former being predominant, and it was carried out as action/intervention way with a group of a Marketing higher course composed of 34 voluntary students in the discipline "Communication" offered in the second term of the course, in a private institution of higher education in the city of Lins/SP. The survey also counted on the collaboration of a teacher who worked with the same class. The data were collected by a participating observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. According to this scenario, the methodological approach adopted for using mobile technologies in the classroom was the development of work projects getting to four projects: 1) Crosswords Game, an application that, among other skills, stimulates the memory capacity, enriches the vocabulary and helps the understanding of several subject-matters; 2) Contest by WhatsApp, since being the most used application by students, the group chose to use it as a channel for conducting a type of "contest" in the room itself; 3) Stop Motion Video, an important tool for the marketing professional, because it gives meaning and values to the signs in the communication process, since the image is essential in promoting brands and products; 4) A Game of Questions and Answers, an application aiming to test some knowledge and stimulate memory. The results were broadly satisfactory. From the students’ viewpoint, the work projects gave them a significant support in carrying out the activities, allowing them to correct the deviation and improving the final results, as well as the works permitted the insertion of mobile technologies in the classroom, giving them more autonomy and responsibility to develop their own projects. From the teacher point of view, the students practiced the team work and learned the matters in a collaborative way, by using tools that are already part of the routine of the Marketing professional. In addition, they experienced many procedures and attitudes involving concepts still unknown, and were co-responsible for their own learning process, with autonomy and responsibility. Analyzing the Work Projects from the Marketing professional viewpoint, the conclusion is that this methodology is an important tool beyond the professional qualification, by providing a better organization of any activities with educational purposes, in a more active manner. / A presente dissertação vincula-se ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação – Mestrado em Educação, linha de pesquisa - Formação e Prática Pedagógica do Profissional Docente - ofertado pela Universidade do Oeste Paulista – Unoeste/Presidente Prudente/SP. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa consistiu em analisar como as tecnologias móveis podem ser articuladas ao desenvolvimento de projetos de trabalho, visando à sua integração às práticas pedagógicas no ensino superior. A investigação assumiu uma abordagem quali-quantitativa, com o predomínio da abordagem qualitativa, e foi realizada sob a forma de pesquisa na ação/intervenção, com uma turma do curso de Marketing composta por 34 estudantes, cuja participação se deu de forma voluntária, especificamente, no âmbito da disciplina “Comunicação”, ofertada no segundo termo do curso em uma instituição particular de ensino superior da cidade de Lins/SP. A pesquisa contou também com a colaboração de um professor que atuava junto a essa turma. Os dados foram coletados por meio de observação participante, entrevista semiestruturada, questionário e grupo focal. De acordo com esse cenário, a proposta metodológica adotada para uso das tecnologias móveis em sala de aula foi o desenvolvimento de projetos de trabalho, culminando em quatro projetos: 1. Jogo de Palavras Cruzadas - um aplicativo que, entre outras habilidades, desenvolve o estímulo da memória, enriquece o vocabulário e auxilia na compreensão de vários assuntos; 2. Competição no Whatsapp - por ser o aplicativo mais utilizado pelos estudantes, o grupo optou por utilizá-lo como canal para a realização de uma espécie de “gincana” na própria sala; 3. Vídeo Stop Motion - ferramenta importante para o profissional de Marketing, pois dá significação e importância aos signos no processo de comunicação, sendo a imagem essencial para a promoção de marcas e produtos; 4. Jogo de Perguntas e Respostas - um aplicativo para testar o conhecimento e estimular a memória. Os resultados obtidos foram amplamente satisfatórios. Na ótica dos estudantes, os projetos de trabalho auxiliaram de maneira expressiva a realização das atividades, possibilitando-lhes corrigir o percurso e melhorar o resultado final, bem como favoreceram a inserção das tecnologias móveis em sala de aula, dando-lhes mais autonomia e responsabilidade para desenvolverem seus próprios projetos. Na visão do professor, os estudantes exercitaram o trabalho em grupo e aprenderam o assunto de forma colaborativa, por meio de ferramentas que já fazem parte da rotina do profissional de Marketing. Também vivenciaram diversos procedimentos e atitudes, compreendendo conceitos ainda desconhecidos, e foram corresponsáveis pelo seu próprio processo de aprendizagem, com autonomia e responsabilidade. Analisando os Projetos de Trabalho na ótica do profissional de Marketing, concluimos que essa metodologia se constitui numa importante ferramenta para além da formação profissional, proporcionando melhor organização de quaisquer atividades com fins educacionais, de forma mais ativa.

The multiple case study investigated levels and types of transfer observed in a K-8 STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) academy in a project-based learning (PBL) environment. The academy was constructed two years prior to the study and conducive to PBL instruction. The students and teachers were in the second year of using PBL in the subject of science at the time of the study. The grade levels observed were second, fourth, and sixth grade and each grade level had three PBL units examined from the beginning to the end of the unit. The nine case studies, from the three different grade levels, were observed to identify Haskell's levels and types of transfer as determined by project requirements, observation of students, completed projects, and student interviews. The findings from this study showed that while projects moved the students beyond knowledge acquisition to application of knowledge in completed projects such as books, films, dances, etc., higher levels of transfer and more types of transfer were not evident. Therefore, based on the results of this study, the evidence of lower levels of transfer suggests that the PBL units, though inventive and potentially valuable to student learning, were not designed for higher levels of transfer.

Mit dem Projekt ID4BM wurde eine hochschulübergreifende Lehrkooperation umgesetzt. Es wurden zwei Seminare in allen Phasen – von der Wissensbereitstellung über die Wissensanwendung bis hin zur Bewertung – miteinander verzahnt. Technologische Basis war die Lernplattform OPAL. Verwendete Methoden waren projektbasiertes Lernen, Flipped Classroom, Virtual Classroom, Gruppenarbeit, eTutoring, Gruppencoaching und Peer Review. Dieser Beitrag liefert Einblicke in die Konzeption der Lehrveranstaltung und die Evaluationsergebnisse.

In the current market situation today which is changing rapidly, many companies have decided to adopt the project-based organisational structure. However, the literature on this area has been lacking, particularly in the multi-project environment. This is an important subject to explore since it has a substantial impact on a company’s productivity. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to expand the knowledge on project resource management in multi-project organisations. The methodological approach of this work was a case study, where interviews and observations were conducted at a large PBO running multiple new product development projects. The unit of analysis in the case was the way of working in projects and PRM techniques used in the context of two new product development projects. Waterfall Method and APM was identified as two fundamental ways of running a project. Additionally, RBS and RBV, Kitting, CONWIP and Project Freezing and finally CCPM were identified as techniques that can be used in project management. Several similarities and differences were identified when comparing the case study with previously conducted studies. Particularly, similarities regarding the experienced pressure and how resource conflicts caused by this were managed. Lastly, improvement proposals to current PRM techniques were identified. By using both Waterfall Method and APM together, their strengths could be combined. Moreover, HRM has become an increasingly more important task for the line managers, which should be taken into consideration when stating the work description. The results of this study will contribute both theoretically and practically. This work supports the evolution of the PRM techniques by evaluating them in a practical context. Finally, the conclusions of this work provide recommendations which are more practically applicable for PBOs.

To cope with the low productivity, as well as the fragmentation within the Swedish construction industry, organizations are working with technically mediated social collaboration methods. One of those methods, which have established a considerable presence within the Swedish industry, is Integrated Concurrent Engineering, ICE. The purpose of this study is to provide knowledge regarding how ICE is utilized within the Swedish industry, as well as identify and determine how factors influence the concept. The study is carried out as a case study within a Swedish contractor. Firstly, the thesis examines how the methodology is used in practice during the design stage. This by observing design meetings within two separate projects carried out by the same organization. Secondly, the study explores how the use of the methodology is perceived and recognized by, for the organization, internal and external stakeholders. The individual perception of the concept was acquired by semi-structured interviews. The employed methods in the study enables the thesis to identify and understand factors influencing the use of, and the diffusion of, the concept. Both within the organization as well as within the industry. The study reveals that even though the concept has been practiced for a number of years, the utilization of the concept is fragmented, both within the organization as well as within the industry. For example, external stakeholders experience problems obtaining a clear understanding of the organization’s aims and goals using the concept. This due to inconsistencies between projects within the same organization. Similarly, internal users highlight methodological variations between the organization’s projects. The findings indicate a problem with the organizational definition regarding the content of, and the utilization of, the ICE methodology. Since the organization in the study represents a major part of the communication between the academia and the industry, a problem with the organizational definition does not only affect the organization, it could affect the use of the concept within the entire Swedish construction industry. To enable an organizational learning, as well as to facilitate a diffusion of the concept within the industry, a systematic approach with the methodology is required. The factors identified by the study can be considered important to understand how the concept can be further developed within the organization, but also how to positively affect the diffusion in the industry.

This diploma thesis introduces children's musical as a didactic tool at primary schools. This work maps the influence of creative playwright on the development of musical abilities, skills and creativities. The theoretical part of this diploma thesis defines the term "musical". It briefly describes the origin of the musical as a genre. The practical part brings possibilities of using a musical as a means of an educational process. It provides particular demonstrative situations which lead to development of the crucial competences of the students. The author of the musical is the author of this diploma thesis. She herself translates the music recording, scenario, and methodical material. The method, that has been used for the field research, is a systemic observation which is divided into ten lessons in the form of a project-based learning. This thesis deals with an issue, whether the musical enables an active engagement of the pupils in the musical educational process. The hypotheses, which have been set, are verified by the means of collective reflection from which follows students' higher motivation for musical activity. The realization of the musical positively develops students' attitudes towards music and enables them to react to current trends in the field of musical education. KEYWORDS...

This diploma thesis deals with trends in German language teaching, focusing on project-based learning. The theoretical part deals with the description of German language in the Framework Educational Programme for Basic Education and with theoretical background of project-based learning. The thesis then focuses on four main parts of a project: planning, realisation, presentation and evaluation. The main aim of the practical part is to prepare a draft of a project for a German language class, which is to be put into practice at elementary school. Based on two surveys filled in by the participants of the project, the practical part compares the opinions of pupils on the project-based learning compared to the traditional way of teaching. It also focuses on the motivational aspect which should be brought about by projects. Keywords Project, Project-based Learning, Teaching Method, German Language Teaching, Cooperation of the Pupils, Elementary School