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The uptake and use of digital technologies continues to increase in schools throughout the world. In many schools the uptake and use of digital technologies takes place in One-to-One (1:1) initiatives in which teachers and students have their own laptops. In this thesis the uptake and use of digital technologies is studied from the student, teacher and school leader perspectives in order to through this gain knowledge regarding the conditions for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and educational change in K-12 schools. In the Unos Umeå research project the uptake and use of digital technologies in two schools, an upper secondary school and a compulsory school, was studied. A research design involving a case study approach (Yin, 2003, 2009) was used to study a 1:1 initiative. The methods of data collection were surveys, interviews and classroom observations. To explore, identify and describe conditions for TEL and educational change the data collected were used to map the initial expectations regarding the uptake and use of digital technologies from the start of the initiative as well as to follow the development of teaching and learning activities related to the uptake and use of digital technologies in the 1:1 classroom over a period of two years. The Ecology of Resources Model (Luckin, 2010) was used as a theoretical framework including the use of the concept of filters. Regarding the conditions for TEL, the results show that the uptake and use of digital technologies provides possibilities for new forms of teaching and learning in the 1:1 classroom. Students reported increased motivation, engagement and variation in schoolwork. Teachers described new forms of teaching as well as possibilities for collaboration, sharing of materials and continued professional development. For school leaders possibilities were found in collaboration, administrative support and follow-up of students and teachers, creating a unified vision of the work with digital technologies, and collaboration and sharing within the schools as an ecology of resources. The challenges seen from the student, teacher and school leader perspectives were related to use, technical support and optionality. If the possibilities are to be achieved, there is a need for continued professional development for teachers and school leaders. Further, clear directives through policy will be of importance. In the short term, the practical implications of the uptake and use of digital technologies, specifically in 1:1 initiatives, seem to be strongly connected to sustainability in schools. In the long term, if sustainable conditions for TEL and educational change in the 1:1 classroom can be created and upheld, the practical implications may for example be teachers’ improved skills to integrate a thought-through student use of laptops in their teaching practices and an increase in equality of digital competence between students, between schools and between classrooms in the same school.

Abstract This was a modified integrated mixed methods study of teachers’ perceptions of factors that influence transfer of research-based teaching strategies into classroom practice. Participants were made up of 66 respondents to a researcher made survey, “Survey of Teacher Attitudes toward Change and Classroom Implementation of Research–Based Strategies”. Respondents were divided into two groups based on participation in Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Programs (LaSIP): LaSIP, N= 39 and Non-LaSIP, N= 27. Answers to five research questions were based on analysis of quantitative data from a survey, recorded on a five-point Likert scale and qualitative data from analyses of transcripts of three personal interviews, two focus group discussions and five short-answer questions on the survey. SPSS software version 9 and Atlas.ti version 7 were used in quantitative and qualitative analyses, respectively. Concurrent quantitative and qualitative strands of data were integrated throughout the study. Findings from quantitative data included the following: (1) Teacher perceptions of features of the LaSIP were predictive of reported frequency of use of research-based teaching strategies (RBTS); (2) Reported frequency of use of RBTS was not significantly different in LaSIP versus non-LaSIP teachers, except in reported use of alternative assessments. (3) Both LaSIP and non-LaSIP teachers indicated that implementation of RBTS increased student achievement (4) LaSIP teachers identified factors such as opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, time to acquire content knowledge, practice with material and supplies as features of the LaSIP that influenced implementation of RBTS. (5) Perceived barriers to implementation of RBTS included lack of equipment and lack of teacher input into planning of professional development. and modeling of RBTS as factors that positively influence classroom implementation. Analyses of qualitative data supported many of the findings due to quantitative analyses. Additionally, qualitative data provided more in-depth information concerning teacher perceptions of barriers to implementation such as lack of teacher input into planning and implementation of professional development, and lack of time for in-depth learning during professional development activities. Key Words: Teacher Professional Development, Research-based Teaching Strategies, Classroom Implementation, Science Pedagogy, Mixed Methods, Student Achievement

O objetivo desta tese foi investigar as possíveis influências do curso semipresencial Gênero e Diversidade na Escola (GDE) na compreensão de seis professoras de Ensino Fundamental da rede municipal de São José do Rio Preto (SP) sobre os significados do que pode está associado às diferentes formas de ser mulher e ser professora, sob a ótica das relações de gênero. Com ênfase na formação docente e na promoção de uma política de educação para a diversidade, o referido curso foi ofertado em 2009 pela Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), campus de Rio Claro. De abordagem qualitativa, a pesquisa utilizou os seguintes instrumentos metodológicos: 1) análise do registro das atividades efetuadas pelas professoras durante o curso; 2) realização e análise de entrevistas semiestruturadas, aplicadas em junho de 2014, com as professoras. A partir do exame do material obtido e tendo em vista as teorizações de Michel Foucault e dos Estudos Feministas, foi possível notar um movimento de reprodução e, ao mesmo tempo, de resistência a regras e discursos engendrados pela sociedade patriarcal a respeito das diferentes formas de ser mulher e ser professora. De modo geral, para essas professoras, o GDE se apresentou como um curso inovador, pois as fez estranhar, questionar e confrontar a visão essencialista que possuíam sobre a sexualidade e as relações de gênero. Todavia, as participantes relatam vários obstáculos tanto em suas vidas pessoais quanto no âmbito escolar que dificultam a efetivação do que aprenderam durante o curso. Tais obstáculos demonstram a força dos processos de socialização, bem como alguns aspectos que ainda precisam ser pensados e revisados em relação aos cursos que visam auxiliar o(a) professor(a) ao longo de seu desenvolvimento profissional docente. / The purpose of this thesis was to investigate possible influences of the blended learning course Gender and Diversity at School on the understanding of six Elementary School teachers of São José do Rio Preto (SP) about what it means to be woman and to be teacher, under the perspective of gender relations. By focusing on teacher formation and the promotion of a policy of education for diversity, the above mentioned course was held on 2009 by Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro campus. Based on qualitative approach, the research used the following methodological tools: 1) analysis of the activities undertaken by the teachers during the course; 2) conducting and analyzing semistructured interviews with the teachers. Based on the material collected, and according to Michel Foucaults theorizations as well as Feminist Studies, it was possible to notice a movement of reproduction and, at the same time, of resistance to rules and discourses engendered by patriarchal society about what is to be woman and to be teacher. Broadly speaking, for these teachers, the course presented itself as an innovative opportunity, stimulating them to deconstruct, question and confront their own essentialist views on sexuality and gender relations. Nonetheless, the course participants report several barriers both in their personal lives and in the school scope that make it difficult to put into practice what they learned during the course. Such barriers demonstrate the power of socialization processes, as well as some aspects that still need to be analyzed and reconsidered in relation to the courses which aim to assist teachers along their professional development.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:48:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anelise Delgado Godeguez.pdf: 1018346 bytes, checksum: 03a66759916729024343ef8be0b5925d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / This research aimed to investigate the vision of beginning teachers about the contributions that the Program denominated Mesa Educadora for Early Childhood brought to the improvement of classroom practices and, specifically, about the area of mathematics. This program have a purpose of teachers professional development based on sharing experiences on everyday school life. An investigation was developed with a qualitative approach and used two methodological procedures: semi-structured interview with the coordinator of the program and with four early childhood education teachers from São Caetano do Sul (SP) program participants and analysis of program documents to identify the concepts, methodology and information of implementation to this program inside the city. The theoretical source is supported by the contributions of Imbernón (2010), Marcelo García and Vaillant (2011), Tardif (2010), Gatti (2013), Lima (2006), Campos (2002), Kishimoto (2002) Oliveira (2002). In this research, the coordinator and the teachers showed evidences of reflections about the successes and difficulties encountered in their practices at the beginning of the teaching career. It was found that the Program Mesa Educadora for Early Childhood enables the professional development of teachers, supporting them to overcome the deficiencies of their initial formation. It is confirmed that the coordinator of the program make a fundamental role in the process of breaking barriers and professional development / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a visão de professores iniciantes acerca das contribuições que o Programa Mesa Educadora para a Primeira Infância trouxe para o aprimoramento das práticas em sala de aula e, especificamente em relação ao ensino da Matemática. O Programa visa ao desenvolvimento profissional dos docentes a partir do compartilhamento das suas experiências do cotidiano escolar. A investigação realizada é de abordagem qualitativa e utilizou dois procedimentos metodológicos: a entrevista semiestruturada com a coordenadora do Programa e com quatro professoras da Educação Infantil da rede municipal de São Caetano do Sul (SP) participantes do Programa e a análise dos documentos do Programa para identificação das concepções, da metodologia e das informações sobre a sua implementação. A fundamentação teórica está apoiada, principalmente, nas contribuições de Imbernón (2010), Marcelo García e Vaillant (2011), Tardif (2010), Gatti (2013), Lima (2006), Campos (2002), Kishimoto (2002), Oliveira (2002). Nesta pesquisa, a coordenadora e as professoras evidenciam reflexões acerca dos êxitos e das dificuldades que encontraram com suas práticas no início da carreira docente. Ficou constatado que o Programa Mesa Educadora para a Primeira Infância possibilita o desenvolvimento profissional das professoras, apoiando-as a superar as carências de sua formação inicial. Confirma-se que a coordenadora do Programa desempenha papel fundamental nesse processo de rompimento de barreiras e aperfeiçoamento profissional

Esta investigação, de natureza qualitativa, visou conhecer as concepções e práticas de professores dos anos iniciais sobre o ensino de ciências e promover reflexões sobre tal ensino. O trabalho teve como base o Processo de Reflexão Orientada (PRO), uma estratégia para o desenvolvimento profissional a partir do enfoque de questões da prática docente. As questões de investigação foram: Como professores dos anos iniciais concebem, refletem, planejam e realizam o ensino de Ciências? E como refletem e realizam o ensino de Ciências a partir de um Processo de Reflexão Orientado (PRO)? E, ainda, como, a partir de um Processo de Reflexão Orientado (PRO) para professores dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental avaliam o seu próprio desenvolvimento profissional? Os dados foram obtidos a partir de questionários, entrevistas, planejamentos escritos e de vídeogravações dos encontros e de aulas ministradas. A análise dos dados foi feita a partir da análise de conteúdo. As ideias manifestadas pelas professoras sobre ensino de ciências foram classificadas dentro de uma abordagem oscilando entre cognitivista e sócio-cultural. Seus modelos didáticos revelaram ideias pouco consistentes sobre o processo de ensino e aprendizagem, com pouca coerência em relação a modelos de orientação construtivista. Cada professora propôs uma sequência de ensino visando alcançar graus mais complexos. As sequências foram discutidas, novas reflexões foram realizadas e reelaborações foram propostas. As aulas desenvolvidas evidenciaram um progresso de Lívia com relação à participação dos alunos, com a proposição de uma situação-problema, da consideração das ideias prévias dos alunos, embora apresentasse ainda dificuldade de promover uma discussão orientada, que pudesse favorecer a argumentação dos alunos e a compreensão do fenômeno. Já, nas aulas de Roberta observaram-se atividades que privilegiaram a participação dos alunos. Nas aulas das duas professoras ficaram evidentes a proposição de um problema e a sistematização do conhecimento, a partir da elaboração de sínteses orais e escritas e da apresentação para outras classes. Embora as professoras valorizassem o ensino de ciências e a participação ativa das crianças, havia dificuldades para a realização de aulas de ciências por investigação, pois não consideravam a problematização, a exploração das ideias dos alunos, a sistematização do conhecimento e as explicações científicas. O processo de reflexão orientada (PRO) mostrou ser uma estratégia importante para o desenvolvimento profissional dessas professoras, possibilitando reflexões significativas sobre a própria prática, bem como a tomada de consciência de uma nova sistematização das ações docentes, com vistas a uma atuação mais eficaz para promover o ensino de Ciências por investigação. / This research aimed to identify primary teachers\' conceptions and practices about science teaching and promote reflection on such teaching. The work was based on the Reflection-Oriented Process (PRO), a strategy for teacher professional development based on teaching practice. The main research questions were: How primary teachers conceive, reflect, plan, and carry out science teaching? How they reflect and plan science classes taking into account the Reflection-Oriented Process (PRO)? Furthermore, how these teachers evaluate their own professional development? Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and class plans. In addition, teachers meetings and classes were video recorded. Data analysis was made by content analysis. Teachers\' ideas about science education were classified into ranging from cognitive and socio-cultural approach. Their teaching models revealed inconsistent conceptions about the process of teaching and learning, and with the constructivist orientation models. Teachers` lesson plans contemplated most pedagogical elements to carry out an investigative approach of science teaching. These plans were analyzed according to an investigative level. Each teacher proposed a didactic sequence aiming at reach more complex levels. The didactic sequences were discussed, modified, and applied to their pupils. Livia and Roberta promoted students\' engagement in class, proposing a problem and considering students` previous ideas. These teachers still presented some difficulty in guiding discussions, which could favor the development of students\' understanding and argumentation in class and also applying investigative approach, possibly because they have difficulties in asking questions, exploring the students\' ideas, systematize knowledge and scientific explanations. Therefore, Reflection-Oriented Process (PRO) was an important strategy for the professional development of these teachers, enabling significant reflections on their own practice as well as the awareness of possibilities of teaching actions, in order to promote an investigative approach in science classes.

The No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and Race to the Top (2009) legislation have forged new school accountability measures and led to a sharp increase in demand for teacher professional development (TPD). However, data revealed that there is a disconnection between the training that teachers receive and its implementation, limiting its impact on student achievement. This qualitative case study's purpose was to reveal major barriers to TPD implementation and provide suggestions for crafting more impactful TPD. Based on the social constructivist foundation, this study sought to address the factors that increase teachers' receptiveness to more effective teaching techniques. It explored middle school teachers' perceptions of TPD, its connection to student achievement, and factors influencing implementation. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions helped to identify emergent themes. Nine participants were purposefully selected to gather data from perspectives across race, gender, and various teaching experiences. This study took an inductive approach using the constant comparison methodology of data analysis. Participants identified influencing factors regarding TPD, such as the inclusion of a follow-up component for accountability and feedback. Also, the participants insisted that TPD must be seen as non-punitive, relevant, engaging, and non-hypocritical; for example, a lecture cannot teach teachers about the ineffectiveness of teaching via lecture. These findings encourage positive social change by providing insight into crafting more impactful TPD. Ultimately, improved TPD encourages better teaching methodologies, increased teacher morale, and higher student achievement.

There has been little research combining both groups of students who were English Language Learners (ELLs) and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students in relation to teacher attitudes and self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to compare teacher attitudes and self-efficacy related to instructing either ELLs with or without disabilities in elementary schools Teachers from six elementary schools in the XYZ Excellence School District participated in a 52-item comprehensive survey. Two questionnaires and the demographic form were combined to create one comprehensive questionnaire totaling 52 questions for the purposes of this study. Teachers were solicited to participate in the study by email, which generated 92 responses for analysis. The results of this study indicated there were no significant differences between the perceptions of individuals when instructing English Language Learners (ELLs) and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students. If people feel confident teaching ELLs, they probably feel confident teaching ESE. Equally, if they do not feel confident teaching ESE students, they are more than likely to not feel comfortable teaching ELLs. Thus, there were no significant differences between beliefs and attitudes in both groups. Still, data gathered from the regression analysis demonstrated training in ELL and ESE were strong indicators regardless of which other variables were added to teacher attitudes and self-efficacy when instructing ELLS or students with or without disabilities. The results of this study also indicated teachers felt they needed additional training in special education and communication was the greatest barrier between teacher and students, since many teachers could not speak Spanish and students could not comprehend or speak English very well. The results also indicated some teachers felt resources available to them in teaching a lesson were a positive component for ELLs, with or without disabilities, to be able to grasp content. The findings from this study could serve as positive change for reform of a multi-culturally and diverse climate in public schools. States, school districts, and on-site school administrators could support teachers by creating professional development programs in the learning of learning profiles, preferences, interests, and readiness proficiency levels are essential to multicultural diverse education. The states could also encourage these actions by restructuring certification policies recognizing multicultural diverse education.

The purpose of this study is to design and development of an online professional development material for science and technology teachers in order to solve their problems related with assessment and evaluation issues of constructivist learning. For this purpose, design and development research method was used in design, development and validation of this instructional tool. Research has been performed in two parts. In the first part, design and development of online professional development material was carried out. In this part, ADDIE model with rapid prototyping procedure was used in three phases. To gather science and technology teachers&rsquo / perceptions and attitudes towards prototypes, semi-structured interview schedule, Internet Tutorial Attitude Questionnaire, and a Checklist for Product Evaluation was conducted to 21 science and technology teachers in total. These data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods to reveal considerations of science and technology teachers about these prototypes and to make adjustments on these prototypes accordingly. In second part, final version of this material was evaluated. In this phase, researcher used self-efficacy questionnaire about alternative assessment and evaluation methods and a checklist for material validation. These instruments were administered both before and after use of final version of online professional development material. Descriptive data analysis was conducted to reveal differences in participants&rsquo / perceived-knowledge, beliefs, and applications about alternative assessment and evaluation methods after use of online professional development material. Research results disclosed participants&rsquo / beliefs and attitudes towards content, design and usability issues of online professional development material. Besides, validation of online professional development material revealed positive changes in participants&rsquo / perceived-knowledge, their classroom practices, self-efficacy beliefs and their perceptions about appropriateness of alternative assessment methods&rsquo / usage in classroom.

Despite recent rhetoric advocating the diversification of the teacher workforce, teachers in Canada continue to be disproportionately white and of northern European heritage. By investigating responses to difference experienced by racial and linguistic minority immigrant teacher candidates in an initial teacher education program, this thesis sheds light on dynamics that challenge or support the induction of minoritized individuals as members of the teaching profession in Canada. Data collected through interviews with eight immigrant teacher candidates, four instructors, and five student support staff of an initial teacher education program at an urban Canadian university (UCU) indicated that teacher candidates at UCU experienced varied responses to difference. Influences of both hegemony and collaboration were found in the university and practice teaching contexts where individuals representing regimes of competence enacted challenging assimilationist or supportive multiculturalist ideologies. In practice teaching contexts, although all of the teacher candidates engaged with at least one collaborative mentor teacher and they all persisted to complete the program, six of the eight teacher candidates (i.e., all of the linguistic minority teacher candidates in this study) encountered a challenging and significantly discouraging relationship with a mentor teacher. In these hegemonic contexts the legitimacy of the teacher candidates appeared to be measured against a conception of “real teachers” as “real Canadians” who are native English-speakers and who are familiar with the culture of schooling in Canada. Within the university context, student support staff were consistent in their critical awareness of the challenges and supports experienced by teacher candidates while instructors demonstrated a range of familiarity with these issues and with concepts of equity as they relate to the experiences of teacher candidates. Implications of this study support the following: continuation of programs offered through student support services; educative collaborative implementation of UCU’s equity policy to promote greater consistency in its influence; application of inclusive pedagogy; greater curricular emphasis on social power and constructions of difference; recognition of immigrant teachers’ linguistic capital; development of a collaborative method to evaluate teacher candidates in practice teaching contexts; and continued effort to advance a more profound and consistent influence of multiculturalist ideology in Canadian schools.