The present paper describes the traditional psychometric parameters thal don 't fit by workingwith children who suffer socio-cultural deprivation (or who are living under socio-cultural disadvantages)and the new assessment and education strategies for this population. Vygotsky's socio-cultural approach, that emphasizes the Zone of Proximal Development, and the Dynamic Assessment and the Mediated Learning developed by Feucrstein and complemented by Coll relatedwith the Significative Learning are stressed. / En el presente trabajo se describen los supuestos de la psicometría tradicional, no apropiada para niños que sufren de privación socio-cultural y las nuevas estrategias para la evaluación y educación de estos niños. Para una mejor comprensión de éstas se mencionará la orientación socio-cultural iniciada por Vygotsky, se destacara el concepto de Zona de Desarrollo Próximo,la evaluación Dinámica y el Aprendizaje Mediado, ampliado por Feuerstein y complementado por Coll respecto al Aprendizaje Significativo.

This thesis examines the adaptation of Iranian Canadians (immigrants from Iran in Canada) to the new cultural environment with a special focus on a paradigm shift in their lingua-cultural attitudes. More specifically, it examines the attitudes of Iranian Canadians to ta’arof, an important politeness phenomenon in Farsi that has attracted the attention of many scholars of linguistics and anthropology. The actual use of ta’arof as well as attitudes to its use are compared for two groups of first generation Canadian Iranians (60 participants total), with long and short periods of exposure to Canadian culture. All the participants come from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. This thesis is informed by linguistic relativity, acculturation and politeness theories. The study employs a questionnaire survey as its methodology, commonly used in sociolinguistic studies (e.g. Makarova & Hudyma, 2015; Clement, 1986). The questionnaire contains questions about the respondents' use of ta’arof in different situations, and their attitudes to ta’arof. In addition, it included some sociocultural questions aimed at evaluating the respondents’ level of acculturation. The goal of this study is to describe the use of ta’arof and attitudes to its use among first generation Canadian Iranians, as well as to examine whether social variables such as length of stay in Canada, gender, education and English proficiency contribute to a change in attitudes to ta’arof among first generation Iranian immigrants in Canada. The results show that all the social variables in this study, namely age, gender, education, English proficiency, length of stay in Canada and acculturation can be either positively or negatively correlated with the participants’ use of ta’arof and their attitudes to ta’arof. The results also indicate that “ethnic self-identification,” in terms of “Canadian,” “Iranian,” or “Iranian Canadian,” is positively correlated with “the length of stay in Canada.” The Iranian immigrants with longer duration of stay in Canada are more likely to identify themselves as “Iranian Canadian” than as “Iranian.” Other findings suggest that the Iranian immigrants who have lived for a long perid of time in Canada provide higher acculturation-level responses and use ta’arof less in their interactions with Iranians and non-Iranians in Canada, as compared to immigrants who have lived in Canada for a short period of time. The latter group yields lower acculturation-level responses, and their attitudes to ta’arof are significantly more positive. Overall, even though the Iranian Canadian participants report the use ta’arof in Canada not only in communication within the Iranian diaspora, but also sometimes in communication with members of other Canadian ethnic groups, they dislike the pressures imposed by ta’arof, do not want to teach it to their children, and have overall rather negative attitudes towards ta’arof and its use. With the increase of the duration of stay in Canada, the attitudes to ta’arof become significantly more negative.

I föreliggande studie är syftet att få en djupare förståelse för hur instrumentalister i olika genrer arbetar för att memorera musik och vad som eventuellt skiljer sig mellan de valda metoderna, arbetssätten och verktygen som används. Detta undersöks utifrån ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. Bakgrundskapitlet tar upp tidigare forskning om det mänskliga minnet, hur vi minns saker generellt samt om skillnader mellan klassiska musiker och folkmusiker inom processen att minnas musik. Sedan presenteras metoderna som används i arbetet. Det är semistrukturerade intervjuer och tematisk analys tillsammans med en komparativ forskningsdesign. Därefter följer resultatet som visar att det förekommer både skillnader och likheter mellan de båda genrerna och även bland intervjupersonerna inom samma genre under processen att memorera musik utantill. Vidare framkommer även vilka de två mest använda verktygen för att memorera musik utantill är och om det är möjligt att memorera musik utan ett instrument närvarande. Slutligen diskuteras resultaten med kopplingar tillbaka till de tidigare kapitlen och det valda teoretiska perspektivet. / In the present study, the aim is to gain a deeper understanding of how the musicians in different genres work to memorize music by heart and what might differ in the chosen methods, procedures and tools that is used. This must be examined on the basis of a socio-cultural perspective. The background highlights earlier research about the human mind, how we remember things in general, and about the differences between classical musicians and folk musicians in the process that is memorizing music. Thereafter is the methods used in this study presented. They include semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis together with a comparative research design. This is followed by the result which shows that there are both similarities and differences between the two genres and even among interviewees within the same genre in the process of memorizing the music by heart. Further will the two most commonly used tools for memorizing music be presented, and the answer to whether it is possible to memorize music without using an instrument. Then the results will be discussed with links back to the previous chapters and the chosen theoretical perspective.

Syftet med mitt examensarbete är att undersöka vilken status den muntliga kommunikationen har i klassrummet. För att belysa detta har jag intervjuat sex verksamma lärare inom grundskolans lägre åldrar. Jag är nyfiken på hur de betraktar muntlig kommunikation, hur de ser på sitt arbete med att utveckla och stärka det muntliga språket hos eleverna, och vilken inställning de har till muntlig kommunikation i jämförelse med skriftlig kommunikation. Undersökningen är kvalitativ och ett sociokulturellt perspektiv har använts som teoretisk utgångspunkt, vilket utmärks av att lärande och utveckling tar form i kommunikation med andra individer. Kursplanen för svenska i årskurs 1-3 belägger att arbete med den muntliga förmågan är grundläggande för varje människas identitet, sociala trygghet och lärande, och bör därför vara en stor del av undervisningen. Dock förefaller den ha en underordnad ställning i förhållande till läs- och skrivutvecklingen. Resultatet visar att lärarens kunskapssyn och attityd till det talade språket, är en avgörande faktor för mängden muntlig kommunikation i klassrummet. Lärarna är positivt inställda till kommunikation i undervisningen och arbetar aktivt för att utveckla ett resonerande bland eleverna, genom att förespråka en positiv gruppdynamik och ett gott socialt klassrumsklimat i syfte att stärka alla elever och deras vilja till att våga tala. / The aim of this study is to shed light on the status of oral communication in school. I am interested in examining how teachers define oral communication, how they perceive their work to develop and strengthen the oral language of the pupils, and their attitude to oral communication in comparison to written communication. The study is qualitative and a socio-cultural perspective has been used as a theoretical basis, which is characterized by learning and development in interaction between individuals. The syllabus for Swedish in grades 1-3 stresses oral ability as fundamental to every human identity, social security, and therefore states that it should be a big part of teaching. Contrarily, it appears that the oral ability stands subordinate to writing skills. The results of my investigation shows that a teacher's approach to and knowledge of oral ability is an essential factor in the amount of oral communication in the classroom. The teachers interviewed are in favor of communication in teaching and are actively working to develop a reasoning among students, by advocating a positive group dynamics and a good social climate in order to strengthen all the students and their willingness to dare speak.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to find out how educators think about the design of play environment and its significance for the development and learning of the children. This study is based on qualitative interviews with five active educators. The results of the study show that the educators are looking out for the interest of the children to the largest extent possible when the play environments are designed. The theoretical outset of this study is based on a socio-cultural perspective. The result of the study also shows that the educators try to have as much materials available and visible for the children as possible. The educators pointed out that usage of recycled material is really important. Recycled materials leave plenty of opportunities for the children to use their imagination and creativity. For the educators to be able to provide motivational activity zones there has to be a wide variety of inspiring materials at preschools. This leads to development and learning for the children. Furthermore the result showed that the educators regarded large children’s groups as obstacles. The facilities of preschools are too small for these large groups. It affects sound levels, indoor temperatures and humidity inside the facilities. In addition the results showed that the ability to design good play environments is dependent on preschools having educated staff. Also evidence was found supporting the fact that there are staff shortages, which according to the educators, mean that it is difficult to create optimal play environments.

The study analyses four of Elsa Beskow´s picture books from a gender perspective and with character analyis as the method. The aim is to find out how gender is presented in the picture books and how the books reflect their time. The study also discusses how the books can be used in today´s school. The result shows that the men in the four works have the greatest power. They are portrayed as deciding and dominating everything. The character analysis also shows that they are portrayed as being surly rather than cheerful. The women and the girls in the works are portrayed as capable, caring and cautious. The school curriculum states that school should aim to ensure that all pupils are treated equally regardless for sex. Beskow´s works reflect the gender roles that prevailed around 1900, and teachers need to be aware of this when the works are used in school today.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur pedagoger uppfattar matematik utifrån förskolans läroplan och hur de arbetar med matematik i enighet med läroplanens strävansmål. Tidigare gjorda studier om pedagogers uppfattningar om matematik i förskolan har visat att pedagogers attityd och inställning till matematik är avgörande för barns matematikutveckling. För att kunna genomföra denna undersökning valde jag att utföra kvalitativa intervjuer. Jag intervjuade fyra förskollärare för att få en bättre förståelse och insikt i deras inställning. Uppsatsen hade ett sociokulturellt perspektiv som teoretisk utgångspunkt. Resultatet visar att införandet av de mer detaljerade matematiska målen i den reviderade läroplanen har bidragit till ökad medvetenhet hos pedagogerna kring matematik men samtidigt uttrycker de flesta förskollärare att de behöver mer tid för att läsa, diskutera, tolka och komma till en gemensam förståelse för betydelsen av läroplanen. Pedagoger som blivit intervjuade är överens om att barns matematikinlärning sker genom sociala samspel med utgångspunkt i språket och barn lär sig bäst i vardagliga sammanhang. Förskollärarna i undersökningen poängterar även att barns tidiga och positiva erfarenheter av matematik i förskolan har en avgörande betydelse för deras framtida attityd till matematik.

Syftet med undersökningen är att ta reda på hur pedagoger i förskolan ser på sitt deltagande i barns lek. Det finns även ett intresse för att undersöka hur pedagogerna anser sig kunna påverka barnen genom den miljö som finns på förskolan. Därmed vill jag själv få en djupare förståelse för hur mitt agerande som pedagog kan påverkar barnen i verksamheten. De frågeställningar som är vägledande i mitt arbete är: Vilken betydelse anser sig pedagogerna ha i barns lek? Vad anser pedagogerna om sina möjligheter att påverka miljön i förskolan? Vilken betydelse får min närvaro i barnens lek och hur kan jag som pedagog anpassa miljön för att stimulera barns lek på bästa sätt? För att utforska detta har jag valt att använda mig av litteratur, forskning och kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjuerna har genomförts på två olika förskolor med hjälp av fyra pedagoger.   Studien har visat att pedagogerna har en stor påverkan på barnen i deras lek. Hur pedagogerna väljer att delta i leken får betydelse för vilka kunskaper barnen kommer erövra. Studien visar även att miljön som barnen har runt om sig får betydelse för vilka lekar som uppstår. / The purpose with this survey is to find out how teacher´s in preschool see on their participation in children’s play. There is also an interest to find out if teachers believe they can affect the children through the environment in preschool. My curiosity is based on whether or not I as a teacher can affect the children in preschool.   My work is based on three questions: Which meaning does teachers think they have in children’s play? What possibilities do the teacher´s think they have to affect the environment in the preschool? What effect has my presence in the children’s play and how can I adjust the environment to stimulate the play?   To explore this I had help from literature, research and qualitative semi-structured interviews. I interviewed four teacher´s in two different preschools.  The studies have shown that teacher´s participation has great influence on the children’s play. How teacher´s choose to participate in the play has great meaning for the experience the children carries with them. The study also shows that the environment is important for which play the children emerges in.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to look at how the educationalists think and work when creating play environments in preschool for children with special needs. The goal is also to show what the educationalists see as possibilities and limitations in modelling their work. The study is based on qualitative interviews with five educators in the working environment. The theoretical outset of this study is based on a socio-cultural perspective. The results showed that the educators create different environments to suit the needs for all children. The play environment are shaped to inspire, challenge and educate. The results showed that the choice of different materials is of great importance in play environments. What the educators strive for in their work is to show visibility and give appropriate access to these materials. There needs to be an appropriate amount of impressions for the children in order for them to maintain their level of focus and concentration. Materials that allow the senses to be activated were shown to be the most important for children with special needs. This can give the children the stimulants they need to be able to learn and develop. In addition the result demonstrates a number of obstacles when modelling play environments. This could be a result of poor financial situations or poor facilities. What is very clear is that when creating and developing play environments it comes down to the educators to be resourceful and creative with the means at hand.

Syftet med studien är att utforska vilka uppfattningar fyra musikutbildade personer med erfarenhet av äldre har när det gäller musik och äldre. Forskning om sambandet mellan musik och äldre är nästintill frånvarande och den forskning som finns om ämnet rör sig främst kring musik och demenssjukdom. Denna studie tar utgångspunkt i en kombination av forskning om äldre i allmänhet och forskning om äldre med demenssjukdom.   För att söka svar på syfte och forskningsfrågor tar studien sin utgångspunkt i kvalitativa intervjuer, där en semistrukturerad intervjuform i samtal med informanterna har utgjort studiens huvudsakliga forskningsmetod. Studiens informanter har varierad bakgrund, men har gemensamt att de alla är utbildade inom musikpedagogik eller musikterapi och arbetar eller har arbetat med musik för äldre på institution. I studien framkommer en enighet där informanterna menar att musik kan påverka äldre både fysiskt, emotionellt, kognitivt och socialt. / The purpose of this study is to explore the thoughts of four persons with formal training in music and their experiences with music and elderlies. Former research of music and elderlies is almost non-existent and the research available is mainly concentrated to the subject music and elderlies with dementia. This study is therefore based on a combination of research of music and elderlies in general and research of music and elderlies with dementia.   The method consists of qualitative interviews, here defined as a semi-structured interview form in dialogue with the informants. The informants have varied backgrounds, but they have in common that they are formally trained in music pedagogy and/or music therapy and work, or have worked, with music and elderlies in an institution. The four informants believe that music may affect the elderlies physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially.