The fractionation of two biomass resources, red oak (Quercus rubra) chips and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunk solids, into constitutive chemical components, cellulose, hemicelluloses (called "other carbohydrates") and non-carbohydrates (includes lignin, tannins, etc.), was studied quantitatively in terms of relative cleanness. Red oak chips were steam exploded using a batch reactor at five different treatment severities, Ro 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 and 35,000. Steam exploded fibers (SEF) of each severity were extracted with water and alkali. Mass fractionation and summative analysis data of all solid biomass fractions were determined. These data were interpreted in term of a unifying clean fractionation concept designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the fractionation processes. Within a series of severities applied to a single biomass resource, the quantitative clean fractionation can be used to choose an optimum severity for the isolation of any particular component fraction. The red oak results revealed that 25 % (on average) of biomass solids were lost during steam explosion. Cellulose remained almost unaffected (retained in fibers form) by water and alkali extraction. About 35-55 % of the hemicelluloses can be recovered in the water extracted liquor fraction (WEL). The remaining non-cellulosic carbohydrates were lost during steam explosion, especially at high severity. At Ro 10,000 and above, alkali extracted fibers (AEF) consists almost entirely of cellulose and non-carbohydrates. The majority of the non-carbohydrates component (> 50 %) can be isolated by alkali extraction. The non-carbohydrate component harvested increased with severity to 67% at Ro 35,000. / Master of Science

Evaluation is an integral part of instructional design. Formative evaluation, specifically, is a phase identified in many instructional design models and is recognized as an important step for program improvement and acceptance. Although evaluation has many models and approaches, very few deal specifically with formative evaluation. Further, no one set of guidelines has been found that provides a comprehensive set of procedures for planning and implementing a formative evaluation. Encapsulating such guidelines into a “tool” that automates the process was the author’s initial idea. The author’s intent in Chapter 2 was to find a model or checklist as a stepping off point for future formative evaluation tool development. In lieu of finding such a model, one was created (Chapter 3), pulling from several formative evaluation models and the author’s own experience. Chapter 3 also discusses the purpose behind developing a formative evaluation tool - to create an accessible, efficient, intuitive, and expedient way for instructional designers and developers to formatively evaluate their instruction or instructional materials. Chapter 4 focuses on the methodology selected to evaluate the tool, presented in prototype. Chapter 5 presents the results of the evaluation; comments received from the expert reviewers are presented and ideas for tool improvement are generated. Finally, the Appendices include the formative evaluation tool prototype as well as the documentation that accompanied the tool during its evaluation. The initial idea behind this developmental dissertation was the creation of a formative evaluation tool. The focus of the dissertation itself, however, was on the justification for such a tool, and the literature behind the making of the model and consequently the tool. The result of this developmental dissertation was the prototype of an evaluation tool that with improvements and modifications is deemed promising by the experts who reviewed it. Although designed with formative evaluation in mind, it was generally agreed that this tool could be utilized for both formative and summative evaluation. The expert review was successful not because the tool was without fault, but because the review truly achieved its purpose – to identify areas of strength, weakness, and to suggest improvements. / Ph. D.

This paper titled "Evaluation of the lower secondary education students and its influence on learning motivation" is focused on the most frequently used methods of evaluation at today's schools. It considers not only evaluation methods complying with students but also relation between evaluation and learning motivation. It includes an analysis of current situation of students' self-evaluation. The whole paper is divided into a theoretical and an empirical part. The theoretical part portrays the core essence and the importance of the evaluation, its principles and qualities. It describes some important concepts, such as a pedagogical evaluation and its legal framework. It identifies function and techniques of the evaluation from the school legislation point of view and at the same time it illustrates the current tendencies in its development. It maps some types, forms and evaluation function. It explains in more details motivational function of evaluation as well as self-evaluation. The empirical part deals with a detailed research which is dedicated to exploration of the most frequently used pedagogical evaluation methods at the chosen schools. Simultaneously, it investigates which evaluation methods are preferred by students themselves and whether evaluation somehow impacts their motivation level...

The study investigated 6 Soweto primary school teachers’ ability to analyse and give feedback on the errors of English First Additional Language learners. Drawing on literature on assessment for learning and feedback, as well as on error analysis of English second language learning, I developed a conceptual framework that enabled me to classify learner errors and teachers feedback strategies. I used a qualitative approach to investigate assessment abilities. Firstly, the teachers marked a written assessment task, identified errors, evaluated learner performance and gave feedback based on identified errors. Secondly, the teachers were interviewed on why learners made those errors and what feedback strategies they suggested for remediating the errors. The findings indicated that the teachers: i) were generally capable of identifying the errors, ii) struggled to correct the identified errors, iii) were still working in a summative mind-set, and iv) were insecure about their abilities to deal with English First Additional Language errors. Therefore, assessment for learning has a long way to go for the township primary school teachers.

Formative assessment lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. Little research has been conducted on formative assessment practices, nor collegial practices in an EFL context. The purpose of the current study is to determine what formative assessment practices are in place in two upper-secondary schools and the impact that collegial learning plays in the adoption of these practices. This qualitative research design comprises four teachers and ten pupils using the focus group interview method. The findings reveal that there are several disparities in the two schools with regards to the adoption of formative practices, with one adhering to summative procedures. Furthermore, one of the more significant findings emerging from this study is that there seems to be a relation between collegial learning and common assessment practices. This finding has pedagogical implications which could be usefully explored in further research. Finally, this study also highlights that formative assessment practices can be implemented successfully without any resistance or reluctance from the learners.

L’évaluation scolaire est une étape indispensable à tout cycle d’apprentissage tant dans sa finalité sociale que dans sa perspective pédagogique qui vise à optimiser l’apprentissage des élèves. L’enseignant est amené à réfléchir quotidiennement aux différents types d’évaluation qu’il va mettre en place, à leurs fonctions, aux critères pertinents d’évaluation à utiliser au regard de ses attentes et des apprentissages réalisés. La recherche présentée ici a pour objectif d’étudier l’activité évaluative des enseignants en EPS dans le secondaire et les répercussions qu’elle peut avoir sur les élèves. En premier lieu, à partir de questionnaires diffusés auprès de 179 enseignants, nous avons pu faire émerger les points forts et les faiblesses de l’évaluation actuelle telle qu’elle est proposée en éducation physique et sportive (EPS) actuellement. Les résultats révèlent notamment qu’il existe d’une part des pratiques évaluatives disparates chez les enseignants et, d’autre part, que ceux-ci tendent à réinterpréter les modalités d’évaluation formative davantage comme une évaluation sommative intermédiaire souvent notée. En second lieu, au cours d’une expérimentation de terrain se déroulant au sein d’une activité collective en EPS (basketball), nous nous sommes intéressés aux conduites motrices et verbales des élèves dans le but de mesurer les effets de différents types d’évaluation sur leurs apprentissages et leurs conduites décisionnelles. La nécessaire adaptation à autrui, que requiert l’activité collective proposée, nous a incités aussi à prendre en compte les relations socio-affectives qui structurent les sous-groupes d’élèves car ceux-ci interagissent, s’opposent, coopèrent avec des camarades qu’ils ne choisissent pas et dans des situations évaluatives parfois à enjeu conséquent. L’analyse des conduites des élèves dévoile l’impact positif de l’évaluation formative sur l’apprentissage et son rôle important dans la préparation des élèves à l’évaluation sommative et ce, quelle que soit la forme de regroupement des élèves du point de vue socio-affectif. La recherche entreprise augure au plan scientifique des difficultés rencontrées par les praticiens dans les évaluations qu’ils proposent. De plus, elle ouvre la voie au plan pédagogique à une réflexion sur les choix des modalités d’évaluation et des regroupements d’élèves en EPS. / School assessment is an essential step in learning through its social purpose and its educational approach in order to maximize student’s learning. Teachers reflect daily on different types of assessment, their functions, criteria of assessment to be used in relation to expectations and learning. This study aims to investigate teachers' evaluative activity in high school and the impact it can have on students in physical education. The strengths and weaknesses of the current assessment emerged in the results of a survey. The results show that there are such disparate evaluation practices among teachers and, secondly, that they tend to reinterpret the formative assessment more as an intermediate summative assessment. Then, in an in vivo experiment that takes place in a collective activity in physical education (basketball), we are interested in students' motor and verbal behavior. The purpose of this experiment is to measure effects of different types of assessment on their learning and decisions. Moreover, the collective activity that has been proposed requires adaptation to others: this prompted us to take into account the socio-emotional relationships that structure the students' subgroups. Indeed they interact, are opposed, cooperate with peers who are not chosen, in evaluative situations. The analysis of students’ behavior shows the positive impact of formative assessment on learning and its role in preparing students for the summative evaluation, whatever the form of grouping students in a socio-emotional perspective. This research augurs at scientific level difficulties experienced by practitioners in assessments. In addition, it opens the way to a pedagogical reflection on the choice of assessment methods and student groupings in EPS.

School leaders at an urban public high school implemented the Check and Connect (C&C) program to improve student engagement outcomes for at-risk students in 2010-2011. No formal program evaluation of C&C had been conducted in the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 school years to show whether the program was effective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between successful school completion and participation in the C&C program. A quantitative, quasi-experimental program evaluation was conducted to determine whether C&C's student-related variables including cohort, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and truancy predicted students' successful school completion. Archival data of students eligible for graduation (N = 668) were analyzed using chi square tests and logistic regression. Results showed that the model, including C&C participation and all student-related variables, was significant in explaining the variance for successful school completion. Follow-up analyses revealed that C&C participation for the 2013 graduation cohort only, females, and low truancy students were significantly more likely to complete school, suggesting a need for further investigation of the program's implementation strategy. An evaluation report was developed with recommendations to evaluate C&C for implementation fidelity and to consider the use of observable indicators to recruit students for C&C participation who may require targeted or intensive interventions for successful school completion. This endeavor may contribute to positive social change by informing stakeholders of C&C's effectiveness, helping leaders make future decisions about how to approach program implementation and evaluation, and increasing successful school completion.

<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Bedömning inom skolan är något komplext och bedömningsbegrepp likaså, hur de definieras, tolkas och används. Hur bedömning förmedlas till en elev är av stor betydelse för det fortsatta lärandet. Rätt utformad kan denna förmedling resultera i ett ökat engagemang hos eleven och en förbättring av elevens lärande. Behovet av att förstå bedömningsprocesser och olika former av bedömning är idag högaktuellt inom svensk grundskola i och med att landets skolor och rektorer givits i uppdrag att utforma skriftliga omdömen från skolår 1. Även om det gått snart ett år sedan uppdraget gavs är det i kontakter med lärare och rektorer tydligt att utformandet av skriftliga omdömen i många fall är en process som är långt ifrån klar. För att kunna utforma dessa omdömen på tillfredsställande sätt behövs djupare kunskaper om bedömningsbegrepp.</p><p> </p><p>Denna studie är en forskningsöversikt, en analytisk undersökning av aktuell forskning kring bedömningsbegreppet. I översikten problematiseras bedömningsbegreppet inom skolans värld för att tydliggöra hur olika former av bedömning definieras och används inom svensk och anglosaxisk forskning. Undersökningen omfattar 48 källor, varav 27 svenska. Dessa har analyserats genom en studie av definitioner, argument, formuleringar, författarnas perspektiv och eventuella personliga ställningstaganden, samt om de är att betrakta som problematiserande eller enbart konstaterande.</p><p> </p><p>Resultatet visar att det inom den anglosaxiska forskningen, som dominerar den internationella forskningen kring bedömning, finns en betydligt högre grad av problematisering och diskussion kring bedömningsbegrepp än inom svensk forskning. Inom svensk forskning är det istället lätt att tro att det råder konsensus i hur man tolkar och förstår bedömningsbegrepp. Denna villfarelse skapas av en brist på definitioner och en avsaknad av diskussioner kring begrepp. Istället problematiseras summativ bedömning i form av betyg utifrån frågan om likvärdighet, en diskussion som saknas i anglosaxisk forskning.</p><p> </p><p>Vid en jämförelse av svensk och anglosaxisk forskning kring bedömning framträder en tydlig skillnad i fokus, även om svensk forskning börjar närma sig ett anglosaxiskt perspektiv. Detta genom att inta ett övergripande perspektiv på bedömning istället för att se formativ och summativ bedömning som separata företeelser. Att tala övergripande i termer av kunskapsbedömning innebär dock inte att svårigheterna för bedömning att uppfylla kraven för att tillskrivas såväl formativ som summativ karaktär försvinner Detta är något som den anglosaxiska forskningen tydligt vittnar om.</p>

<p>This study explores the assessment practices of adult educators in Mamelodi Adult Learning Centers using a qualitative methodology. The study recognizes that assessment is an important activity within the education and training enterprise since it can be used to improve the quality of teaching as well as improve and support the learning process. The study sets out to investigate how Mamelodi adult educators conceptualize assessment / the skills levels of these educators / the nature of support and training these educators received to enhance their assessment practices / the different assessment methods employed by the adult educators to assess learners / and the educational validity and efficacy of these practices.</p>

Bedömning inom skolan är något komplext och bedömningsbegrepp likaså, hur de definieras, tolkas och används. Hur bedömning förmedlas till en elev är av stor betydelse för det fortsatta lärandet. Rätt utformad kan denna förmedling resultera i ett ökat engagemang hos eleven och en förbättring av elevens lärande. Behovet av att förstå bedömningsprocesser och olika former av bedömning är idag högaktuellt inom svensk grundskola i och med att landets skolor och rektorer givits i uppdrag att utforma skriftliga omdömen från skolår 1. Även om det gått snart ett år sedan uppdraget gavs är det i kontakter med lärare och rektorer tydligt att utformandet av skriftliga omdömen i många fall är en process som är långt ifrån klar. För att kunna utforma dessa omdömen på tillfredsställande sätt behövs djupare kunskaper om bedömningsbegrepp.   Denna studie är en forskningsöversikt, en analytisk undersökning av aktuell forskning kring bedömningsbegreppet. I översikten problematiseras bedömningsbegreppet inom skolans värld för att tydliggöra hur olika former av bedömning definieras och används inom svensk och anglosaxisk forskning. Undersökningen omfattar 48 källor, varav 27 svenska. Dessa har analyserats genom en studie av definitioner, argument, formuleringar, författarnas perspektiv och eventuella personliga ställningstaganden, samt om de är att betrakta som problematiserande eller enbart konstaterande.   Resultatet visar att det inom den anglosaxiska forskningen, som dominerar den internationella forskningen kring bedömning, finns en betydligt högre grad av problematisering och diskussion kring bedömningsbegrepp än inom svensk forskning. Inom svensk forskning är det istället lätt att tro att det råder konsensus i hur man tolkar och förstår bedömningsbegrepp. Denna villfarelse skapas av en brist på definitioner och en avsaknad av diskussioner kring begrepp. Istället problematiseras summativ bedömning i form av betyg utifrån frågan om likvärdighet, en diskussion som saknas i anglosaxisk forskning.   Vid en jämförelse av svensk och anglosaxisk forskning kring bedömning framträder en tydlig skillnad i fokus, även om svensk forskning börjar närma sig ett anglosaxiskt perspektiv. Detta genom att inta ett övergripande perspektiv på bedömning istället för att se formativ och summativ bedömning som separata företeelser. Att tala övergripande i termer av kunskapsbedömning innebär dock inte att svårigheterna för bedömning att uppfylla kraven för att tillskrivas såväl formativ som summativ karaktär försvinner Detta är något som den anglosaxiska forskningen tydligt vittnar om.