The thesis is dealing with vocational education in Czech Republic. Particularly, it is focused on the comparison of students' and teachers' opinion on the contribution of vocational education to future path of the graduates. It has two parts - theory and research. Theoretical part begins with discussion about vocational and general education on the philosophical and empirical level. The specifics of Central Europe in this discussion are also mentioned. In the next part, system of vocational education in Czech Republic is presented, including its history and current issues. Theory is ended with providing statistics about changes in participation in education since 1989 and about the success of the graduates in the labour market in tertiary education. In practical part, interviews with students and teachers are conducted to find out their opinion about influence of upper secondary vocational education on the future success of the graduates.

Denna kvalitativa studies syfte är att lyfta fram vikten av att arbeta våldsförebyggande i lågstadiet och vilka hinder som kan finnas. Att arbeta våldsförebyggande handlar om att agera innan något hänt och att lära ut redskap och definitioner av vad våld är och innebär. Utifrån Vygotskijs syn på inlärning har materialet tolkats för att försöka få fram om och i så fall på vilket sätt lärarnas syn på våld påverkar deras våldspreventiva arbete. Som stöd i teoridelen har vi också använt oss av våldspyramiden samt normaliseringsprocessen, detta för att ytterligare försöka förstå det komplexa ämne våld är. Skolans syfte är inte enbart att lära ut skolämnen utan är också en plats där barn skall vara trygga och kunna tillgodose sig den kunskap som förmedlas.Vi vill med denna uppsats undersöka hur lärare i lågstadiet ser på våld mellan elever och om deras syn påverkar det våldsförebyggande arbetet i skolan. Vi vill också försöka bidra men att öka kunskapen kring våldets komplexitet och vad skolan och lärare kan göra för att försöka minska detta. Vi har intervjuat lärare för att försöka identifiera på vilket sätt de arbetar våldsförebyggande och vad de anser vara våld men också försöka få reda på om lärarnas syn på våld kan påverka sättet de arbetar våldsförebyggande. / The purpose of this qualitative study is to highlight the importance of working with violence prevention in primary school and what obstacles may exist. Working with violence prevention is about acting before something has happened and teaching tools and definitions of what violence is and means. Based on Vygotsky's view of learning, the material has been interpreted to try to find out if and if so how teachers' views on violence affect their violence prevention work. As support in the theory part, we have also used the violence pyramid as well as the normalization process, this to further try to understand the complex subject of violence. The purpose of the school is not only to teach school subjects, but is also a place where children should be safe and able to satisfy the knowledge that is conveyed.With this paper, we want to investigate how primary school teachers view violence between pupils and whether their views affect violence prevention in schools. We also want to try to contribute but to increase knowledge about the complexity of violence and what the school and teachers can do to try to reduce this. We have interviewed teachers to try to identify how they work with violence prevention and what they consider to be violence, but also to try to find out whether teachers' views on violence can affect the way they work with violence prevention.

This study investigates Swedish upper-secondary teachers’ views and reported practices regarding pronunciation instruction in the English-as-a-foreign-language classroom. It adopts a mixed-method design, analysing qualitative data collected from a focus-group interview (N=4) and quantitative data collected from an online survey (N=54).  To investigate the views and reported practices of teachers, the following research questions were posed:  1. What are the views and attitudes of English teachers in the Swedish upper-secondary school regarding pronunciation and pronunciation instruction?  2. How do English teachers in the Swedish upper-secondary school describe their own practices in pronunciation instruction?  Results indicate that teachers generally value comprehensibility as the most important aim of pronunciation instruction. However, a native-like accent still seems to be highly valued, and nativeness norms still seem to affect teachers’ views and practices to some extent. Finally, our findings indicate that teachers spend very little time on pronunciation teaching in general, and they highlight that other aspects of language instruction are more important.

Utomhuspedagogik kan berika undervisningen i de naturorienterande ämnena genom att ge elever möjligheten att utveckla sin kunskap genom olika erfarenheter. Trots att tidigare forskningsresultat pekat på att utomhuspedagogik ger en positiv inverkan på elevers lärande väljer lärare att frångå pedagogiken. Därav syftar denna studie till att framhäva lärares erfarenheter och uppfattningar av utomhuspedagogik.   Denna kvalitativa studie utforskar lärares erfarenheter och uppfattningar av utomhuspedagogik inom naturvetenskapliga ämnen i de tidiga skolåren, F-3, i Skåne. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem lärare från tre kommuner undersöker studien både fördelar och utmaningar med utomhuspedagogik inom NO-ämnen. Empirin analyserades utifrån tematisk innehållsanalys där det framkom kategorier utifrån lärarnas gemensamma svar. Därefter analyseras framkomna teman utifrån Kolbs (2015) upplevelsebaserade teori och Vygotskys koncept ”Zone of proximal development”. Resultatet och slutsatsen av studien visade att lärarna ser mestadels mervärden med utomhuspedagogik men även några få utmaningar. / Outdoor education can enrich the teaching of natural sciences by giving students the opportunity to develop their knowledge through hands-on experiences. Despite previous research that highlights the positive impact outdoor education has on students' learning, teachers choose not to utilize this pedagogic technique. This study aims to highlight teachers' experiences and perceptions of outdoor education in order to understand the utility and challenges of its implementation. This qualitative study specifically explores teachers' experiences and perceptions of outdoor education in natural science subjects during the early school years, F-3, in Skåne. Through semi-structured interviews with five teachers from three different municipalities, this study examines both the benefits and challenges of outdoor education in natural science subjects. The teachers’ experiences were analyzed based on thematic content, where categorical themes emerged based on the teachers' common responses. These themes were then analyzed based on Kolb's (2015) experience-based theory and Vygotsky's concept "Zone of proximal development". The results of this study demonstrate that teachers view outdoor education as an added benefit but they also identify some challenges to its implementation.

No description available.

Både elever och lärare på gymnasienivå har svårigheter med bevis och bevisföring. Dessutom har det visat sig att bevis och bevisföring spelar en begränsad roll i matematikundervisning. Hur lärare ser på bevisets roll i matematikundervisningen kan påverka tillvägagångssättet för bevisundervisning. Syftet med studien är att belysa hur lärare ser på bevis och bevisföring när det gäller matematikundervisning på gymnasienivå. I studien har nio matematiklärare intervjuats om deras syn på bevisets roll i undervisningen, och hur de arbetar i praktiken med bevis och bevisföring. Intervjudata har analyserats tematiskt, baserat på en teori inspirerad av Knuths (2002a; 2002b) forskning om lärarnas uppfattningar om bevis. Teorin listar sex funktioner som bevis kan ha i matematikundervisning. Det framgår av studien att de flesta lärarna prioriterar förklaring, kommunikation och utveckling av logiskt tänkande när det gäller bevisets roll i undervisning. Resultaten visar även att lärarna anser att bevisundervisning främjar utvecklingen av problemlösningsförmågan. Den strukturerade progressionen och användningen av logiska steg som präglar bevisföringsprocessen utgör grunden för problemlösning. Det kan därför ses som rimligt att införa fler bevisföringsmoment i matematikundervisning. / Both pupils and teachers at upper-secondary school level have difficulties with proof and proving. Furthermore, proof and proving have been shown to play a limited role in mathematics teaching. How teachers view the role of proof in mathematics teaching can affect their approach to teaching proof. The aim of the study was to examine how teachers view proof and proving in the context of mathematics teaching at upper-secondary school level. Nine teachers were interviewed about how they viewed the role of proof in teaching and how they worked in practice with proof and proving. The data was analysed thematically, based on a theory inspired by Knuth’s (2002a; 2002b) research into teachers’ conceptions of proof. The theory lists six functions that proof can have in mathematics teaching. The study shows that most of the teachers prioritise explanation, communication and development of logical thinking as the roles of proof in teaching. The results also show that teachers believe that the teaching of proof promotes the development of problem-solving skills. The proving process is characterized by structured progression and use of logical steps that form the basis for problem-solving. It is therefore reasonable to include more teaching of proof in mathematics education.

Paper One: Social and emotional literacy has become an educational agenda on a national and international level. Schools universally are addressing deviant behaviour through a social learning perspective. Emotional literacy (EL) reflects three of the five outcomes for “Every Child Matters: Change for Children” (DfES, 2003): to be healthy, to enjoy and achieve and to make a positive contribution. EI is also embedded in the legal framework for the associated reform that is set out in the Children Act (2004). The five outcomes for Every Child Matters are statutory demands on educational institutions and welfare services. Since EL is reflected in the outcomes, it suggests that it too needs to be addressed. However, schools have the flexibility in how they chose to address it. This study aims to evaluate a personalised approach in promoting EL in Key Stage Two (KS2) children in one primary school. A pre and post design was used to evaluate the school’s new approach (NA). Class teachers completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) for 75 children pre-NA and post-NA. Statistical tests were used to: 1) Compare the pre SDQ scores to the post SDQ scores to determine whether the NA produced a significant change. 2) Determine where there was a significant difference between the research sample scores and the expected value scores according to the classification of the SDQ scores. 3) Compare the research sample SDQ scores to the SDQ scores from the norm data of the British population. Results of the statistical analysis suggest that the NA was effective as there was a significant improvement in the overall general behaviour according to the total difficulties scores. The statistical analysis revealed mixed results for the five scale scores. The hyperactivity scale, the peer problems scale and the emotional symptoms scale showed significant improvements. However, the pro social scale showed a significant decline and the conduct problems scale was the only scale that showed no significant difference between pre-NA and post- NA. Further tests conducted to strengthen the quality of the sample showed the pro social scale was in line with the British norms even with the significant decline. Similarly, the conduct problems scale was in line with the British norm post-NA. The research has produced encouraging statistics for the effectiveness of NA on the children’s behaviour, however, it calls for a re-evaluation of the NA in order to improve the pro social behaviour and lessen conduct problems. Section One Introduction 1.1 Purpose Personal, social and emotional development is as much a concern as academic development in children. Research suggests that social and emotional skills are needed to succeed in school (Thompson, 2002) to establish and sustain relationships, reduce aggressive behaviour (Nagin & Tremblay, 1999) and create an ideal learning and teaching environment. The objective of this research is to determine whether the school’s personalised EL programme (NA) produces favourable behavioural outcomes in children. Paper Two: Social and emotional literacy has become an educational agenda on a national and international level. Schools universally are addressing deviant behaviour through a social learning perspective. Emotional literacy (EL) reflects three of the five outcomes for “Every Child Matters: Change for Children” (DfES, 2003): to be healthy, to enjoy and achieve and to make a positive contribution. EI is also embedded in the legal framework for the associated reform that is set out in the Children Act (2004). The five outcomes for Every Child Matters are statutory demands on educational institutions and welfare services. Since EL is reflected in the outcomes, it suggests that it too needs to be addressed. However, schools have the flexibility in how they chose to address it. This study aims to evaluate a personalised approach in promoting EL in Key Stage Two (KS2) children in one primary school. A pre and post design was used to evaluate the school’s new approach (NA). Class teachers completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) for 75 children pre-NA and post-NA. Statistical tests were used to: 1) Compare the pre SDQ scores to the post SDQ scores to determine whether the NA produced a significant change. 2) Determine where there was a significant difference between the research sample scores and the expected value scores according to the classification of the SDQ scores. 3) Compare the research sample SDQ scores to the SDQ scores from the norm data of the British population. Results of the statistical analysis suggest that the NA was effective as there was a significant improvement in the overall general behaviour according to the total difficulties scores. The statistical analysis revealed mixed results for the five scale scores. The hyperactivity scale, the peer problems scale and the emotional symptoms scale showed significant improvements. However, the pro social scale showed a significant decline and the conduct problems scale was the only scale that showed no significant difference between pre-NA and post- NA. Further tests conducted to strengthen the quality of the sample showed the pro social scale was in line with the British norms even with the significant decline. Similarly, the conduct problems scale was in line with the British norm post-NA. The research has produced encouraging statistics for the effectiveness of NA on the children’s behaviour, however, it calls for a re-evaluation of the NA in order to improve the pro social behaviour and lessen conduct problems.

Syftet med min studie var att undersöka lärares uppfattning om sina elevers taluppfattning och vad lärares uppfattningar indikerar avseende elevers taluppfattning.  För att få svar på mina frågor har jag skickat ut en digital enkät till undervisande lärare i matematik i grundskolan.  Resultatet visar att elevers taluppfattning är relativt god när det gäller de mest grundläggande aspekterna. Vidare indikerar resultatet att de tillfrågade lärarna arbetar regelbundet och varierat med att utveckla elevers taluppfattning. Alla respondenter utom en svarar att särskilda åtgärder vidtas, om bristande taluppfattning upptäcks, t.ex. särskilt stöd av specialpedagog/speciallärare, åtgrdsprogram och enskild undervisning.  Min slutsats är att de tillfrågade lärarna regelbundet arbetar varierat med taluppfattning i klassrummet och att de elever som har svårigheter av olika slag uppmärksammas och får det stöd de har rätt till. / The purpose of my study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of their individual students' number sense. It is also to find out if and how teachers actively work with number sense in elementary school, and if the curriculum guidelines to give support to students with special needs are met.  I have distributed a digital questionnaire to teachers in mathematics about their students' number sense.  The result of the questionnaire shows that there are some gaps in some students' number sense, but it is relatively small when it comes to the fundamental aspects of number sense. Further, the result indicates that the teachers work consciously för the students to be able to develop their sense of numbers frequently in varies ways.  All of the respondents - except one - states that specific measures are taken if a students' lack of number sense is detected, for example: support from a teacher for special needs education; individual development plans; and individual tutoring.

In this qualitative case-study, EFL teachers’ experience and views regarding homogeneous and heterogeneous ability groups are investigated. Four EFL teachers working in the Introduction program in upper secondary school were interviewed through semi-structured questions. The interviews were held individually and conducted by the researcher. The questions focused on a teacher perspective as well as a student perspective and the teachers were also asked whether they preferred any of the two ability groups and possible reasons for this. The answers were quite similar and the teachers mentioned some common factors, such as time and efficiency, assignments, lectures, student interaction and learning progression. It was clear that the teachers found homogeneous ability groups easier to manage and this was also the group that three of them preferred working with. Additional reasons for this choice was the experience that this type of group was more beneficial for students and the teachers also felt more successful in their roles as teachers. Although one teacher mostly agreed with the others she was more in favour of heterogeneous ability groups, or a mix of both groups, because it allowed students to develop in their own pace and from their individual preferences and she also experienced more satisfaction in finding the right structure and strategies for each student. / I den här kvalitativa fallstudien undersöks engelsklärares erfarenheter och perspektiv angående homogena och heterogena nivågrupper. Fyra engelsklärare som arbetar på introduktionsprogrammen inom gymnasieskolan intervjuades genom semistrukturerade frågor. Intervjuerna genomfördes individuellt och av forskaren. Frågorna fokuserade på ett lärarperspektiv likväl som ett elevperspektiv och lärarna fick också svara på frågan om de föredrog någon av de två nivågrupperingarna och ange möjliga orsaker till detta. Svaren var någorlunda lika och samtliga lärare lyfte några gemensamma nämnare så som tid och effektivitet, uppgifter, genomgångar, elevinteraktion samt inlärningsprogression. Det var tydligt att lärarna ansåg det enklare att hantera homogena nivågrupper och det var även den typ av grupp som tre av dem föredrog att arbeta med. Ytterligare orsaker till detta var upplevelsen att denna typ av grupp var mer gynnsam för elever och lärarna kände sig även mer framgångsrika i rollen som lärare. Även om en lärare ofta höll med övriga så föredrog hon heterogena nivågrupper, alternativt en blandning av båda grupper, då detta lät elever utvecklas i sin egen takt och utifrån sina individuella förutsättningar. Hon upplevde också mer tillfredsställelse av att hitta rätt struktur och strategier för varje elev.