Guided by the constructivist framework, the focus of the investigation was on second-grade students and their perceptions of their classrooms’ physical learning environment. A qualitative multiple case study approach was employed, and data were collected through interviews, participant-generated photographs, and observations. Participants in the study were 16 second-grade students in four classrooms in three school districts in Northeast Tennessee. A physical learning environment tool, Assessing the Pillars of the Physical Environment for Academic Learning (APPEAL), developed by Evanshen and Faulk (2019) was used to select classrooms to take part in the study. The tool focuses on dimensions that help observers evaluate the quality of the primary classroom physical learning environment on a continuum of traditional to constructivist elements. Findings revealed that second-grade students are aware of, and are affected by, their classrooms’ physical learning environment. Generally, participants believed that classroom physical learning environments that were best for them were meaningful, offered easy access to resources and materials, and provided opportunities for active learning and social engagement. Both physical and emotional comfort were important to participants. There were more similarities than differences between the perceptions shared by participants in the classrooms that scored highest on the APPEAL (more constructivist or student-centered) and the classrooms that scored lowest (more traditional or teacher-centered) on the scale. Some of the differences that emerged were that all the students who were in the teacher-centered classrooms identified features connected to computers as something they liked whereas most of the students in the learner-centered classrooms did not. Students in the learner-centered classrooms were more articulate in talking about how displays helped them to learn, and students in the teacher- centered classroom communicated the need to change displays. Additionally, the findings suggested that young children’s perceptions about the environment can be influenced by their experiences or contexts and their individual differences. The findings encourage teachers of young children to think about their students as actively affected by their environment and challenge them to design classroom physical learning environments that support the diverse needs of students within these spaces.

Denna studie har haft som syfte att undersöka vilka didaktiska val förskollärare gör vid utformningen av lärmiljöerna på några förskolor och hur barnen ges inflytande i denna process. Vidare belyser studien några förskollärares tolkningar av de texter i läroplanen som berör miljön på förskolan. Teorier om didaktik har använts som teoretisk grund. Studien har en kvalitativ metodansats och intervjuer har valts som metod för att erhålla kunskap om åtta förskollärares arbete med lärmiljöerna och om deras tolkningar av läroplanen. I analysarbetet har tematisk innehållsanalys använts för att tolka svaren. De teman som framkommit är Läroplanen i praktiken, Didaktik och lärmiljöer och Utformning av förskolans fysiska inomhusmiljö. Resultatet visar att samtliga förskollärare har ett didaktiskt arbetssätt och barnen görs delaktiga i arbetet med utformningen av miljön på olika sätt beroende på ålder. Förskollärarna tolkar läroplanens texter om miljön som att miljön är en viktig del i barnens lärande på förskolan och att den utformas med barnens intressen i fokus. Utformningen av miljöerna och dess innehåll var i enlighet med läroplanen utformade efter barnens intressen. Det didaktiska arbetet med lärmiljöerna var i några fall varken systematiskt eller tydligt synliggjort, vilket vi i vår diskussion tar upp vikten av. För att utformningen av lärmiljöerna ska kunna utvärderas och utvecklas och därigenom ges den viktiga roll som förskollärarna i studien hänvisar till visar denna studie att ett systematiskt användande av ett didaktiskt arbetssätt bör implementeras i förskollärares dagliga arbete med lärmiljöer och undervisning.

This study developed new mapping techniques and methodologies for understanding creativity in terms of connectivity and interaction between human and non-human actors in a design classroom. The researcher applied qualitative methods of data collection combining both observation of classroom activities and focus group interviews in order to map a creativity network. The findings indicate that creativity is a complex weather-like system (or what I call "creative climate") composed of many sub-networks and diffused networks. Four interactions emerged from the study: (a) the creative climate is composed of the circulation of bodies and objects forming networks and sub-networks, (b) centers and corners/edges are a measure of connectivity and interaction in classroom space design, (c) roundness is a measure of classroom style and the space of connectivity usage, and (d) plugs-in creativity is a measure of technology consolidation. This study attempted to fill the gap in the literature on creativity and classroom design by explaining the role of non-human actors in shaping the creative climate in the classroom, especially the role of the classroom space itself as an actor. The implication of this study in art education opens a new opportunity for research in designing innovative classrooms. Also, it will allow future investigation of the phenomenon of creativity as a climate system based on the interaction between human and non-human actors.

Globally, the importance of teaching mathematics to young children has rapidly increased. The concepts of space and shape are one of the mathematical content areas of mathematics that young children should explore, and Grade R teachers ought to understand and implement. Numerous theorists, researchers and authors have provided valuable insights and research on why Grade R teachers should be effectively teaching the mathematical content of knowledge of space and shape in their classrooms. In South Africa, several influences and contributing factors make it a challenge for Grade R teachers to implement the mathematical content knowledge of space and shape. This study sought to gain an insight in how Grade R teachers understand and implement the mathematical content knowledge of space and shape. The conceptual framework was developed from existing theories and research literature. A constructivist approach was followed. The framework comprised six levels to explain how Grade R teachers’ mathematical and pedagogical knowledge develops. The framework assisted in formulating questions and methods for the data collection process. The collected data was organised, transcribed and analysed. The study employed a qualitative case study design to generate data from five Grade R teachers’ experiences, views, ideas, opinions and perceptions on teaching the mathematical concepts of space and shape. Data were collected from the five teachers through participant observations, semi-structured interviews, documents and keeping a journal. The data analyses and findings support the themes and subthemes to answer the research questions. The findings from the research revealed that teachers should implement various innovative teaching approaches to facilitate active participation, so that the children could make their own meaning and understanding of the mathematical content of space and shape. Age-appropriate content and materials that scaffolds on children’s prior knowledge were found to be important strategies for effective teaching and learning. Teachers and their schools have a responsibility to establish positive learning environments as well as positive learning experiences for the children. The teachers in the study raised their concerns about the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements as they felt that they lacked creativity and guidance. Various factors with a negative impact on teaching and learning were identified and recommendations were made for improvement. The study concludes that Grade R teachers would benefit from gaining an in-depth understanding of the effective implementation of the mathematical content knowledge of space and shape. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Early Childhood Education / MEd / Unrestricted

This study aims to establish the relationship between reading literacy in the primary school and parental attitudes and behaviour to reading. Reading literacy is another dimension of literacy (Dubin & Kuhlman, 1992), notably the ability to understand and make use of written language (Mullis, Martin, Kennedy, Trong & Sainsbury, 2009). Despite various educational improvement initiatives undertaken by the South African Education system (ANAs, SACMEQ, TIMMS, PIRLS) as a means of creating systems to improve standards of education (Education Policy Act 2015 of 1998), learner achievement in the primary school remains low. This study makes use of selected variables from the PIRLS 2011 parent questionnaire to measure the extent of the relationship between learner reading achievement in Grade 5 and home level factors such as learning environment, parental behaviours in reading and parental attitudes towards reading. It adopts a secondary analysis design and makes use of quantitative approaches (Creswell, 2003). The Developed model of Home Learning Environment, Parental Behaviours and Parental Attitudes to Reading and Reading Literacy Achievement was adapted from the model of attitudes, behaviours and reading as developed by Abu-Rabia and Yaari (2012). This study was able to establish that the home learning environment and parental behaviours to reading had negative association with reading literacy, meaning that in their absence reading literacy would decrease. It established that parental attitudes to reading had positive association with reading literacy, meaning that in the presence of positive parental attitudes, reading literacy would increase. This highlights the importance of parental involvement in learner reading development. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

Först ges en beskrivning av undervsiningsfilosofin Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) och research-based assessment instruments (RBAIerna) CLASS och ECLASS, följt av en översättning till svenska av RBAIerna. En analys skedde sedan av hur svaren till påståendena i RBAIerna (pre- vs post-) förväntas ändras om en ISLE-baserad undervisning ges. I analysen försökte jag koppla påståendena till någon eller några av de sex vetenskapliga förmågorna och deras tillhörande bedömningsmatriser, vilka nu är en integrerad komponent i ISLE filosofin, men som ursprungligen utvecklades av Rutgers Physics and Astronomy Education (PAER) group. Jag använde även litteratur om ISLE och textboken "College Physics: Explore and Apply", vilken används i ISLEbaserade kurser, för att analysera påståendena. Resultatet blev att en majoritet av alla påståenden - 72\% av CLASS- och 77\% av ECLASSpåståendena - bör besvaras mer expertlikt efter en ISLE-baserad undervisning än innan. Ett påstående i CLASS, vilket motsvarar 3\% av påståendena i enkäten bedömdes även besvaras mindre expertlikt och resterande kunde jag inte, utifrån min analysmetod förutsäga om de skulle besvaras mindre, lika eller mer expertlikt. Efter analysen och undersökningar av tidigare studier om studenters prestationer på CLASS- och ECLASSenkäterna, formulerades en förutsägelse att en ISLE-baserad undervisning bör leda till att elever svarar mer expertlikt än om de undervisas traditionellt. En pilotstudie av den svenska översättningen genomfördes sedan på elever inom olika utbildningsnivåer mellan gymnasie- och doktorandnivå. Resultatet analyserades och jämfördes med tidigare forskning i andra länder, även om både skillnader och likheter kunde hittas var det svårt att dra några generella slutsatser på grund av få svarande i min studie. / A description of the teaching philosophy Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) and the research-based assessment instruments (RBAIs) CLASS and ECLASS are given, followed by a translation of the RBAIs into Swedish. An analysis is then made of how the answers to the RBAIs (pre- vs. post-) are expected to change if students take an ISLE-based physics course. In the analysis, I tried to connect the statements to one or more of the six scientific abilities and their associated rubrics, which are now a component of the ISLE philosophy but are originally developed by the Rutgers Physics and Astronomy Education (PAER) group. I did also use literature about ISLE and the textbook “College Physics: Explore and Apply” which is used in ISLE based courses, to analyze the statements. I found that that the majority of the statements - 72 \% in CLASS and 77 \% in ECLASS – are expected to be answered in a more expert-like way after an ISLE-based course. One statement in CLASS, which corresponds to 3 \% of the statements in the survey, is expected to be answered in a less expert-like way. For the rest of the statements I could not predict, using my method of analysis, if they would be answered less, equally or more expert-like.  After performing the analysis and examining the existing research literature on student performance on CLASS and ECLASS surveys, a prediction that ISLE-based teaching should lead to more expert-like answers than traditional teaching is formulated. Results from a recent empirical study done in the US, published after my analysis was complete, appear to be in agreement with the prediction that follows from my analysis. A pilot study of the Swedish translations of CLASS and ECLASS was also performed on students at different educational levels, ranging from upper secondary to doctoral level. The results were analyzed and compared to previous research in other countries. Although both differences and similarities could be found, it was not possible to draw any general conclusions due to the small number of respondents in my study.

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How can flooding and circular principles in architecture become catalysts for rural revitalisation and resilience? A project that engages with the interaction between humans, nature and non-human actors. Exploring how landscape, architecture and ecology can become providers of catalytic strategies that can embrace uncertainty, multifunctionality and change over time. "Sense The Marsh" focuses on creating an engaging learning landscape that builds on the local unique site conditions and deals with flooding as an instrument to create experiences and raise awareness.

Programa de Doctorado: Antropología Biológica y de la Salud, 2001-2003

This research explores collaborative second language (L2) learning in gamified environments, and specifically examines affordances and limitations of mobile gamified language systems and augmented reality (AR) in supporting collaborative L2 learning. Therefore, this design-based research entailed the development and evaluation of two L2 AR gamified collaborative learning tools, Explorez and VdeUVic. At different locations on campus, players interact with characters that give them quests including clues or options to further the storyline. The gameplay interactions were designed to take place either in the form of written text or audio and video recordings, encouraging students to practice both oral and written language competencies. Three cohorts of FL2 university students playtested both gamified systems, and 58 students chose to participate in the study. The evaluation of the AR language tools was implemented by means of mixed-method case studies, collecting data of both a qualitative and quantitative nature, through pre- and post- play questionnaires, interviews, and video recordings of student gameplay interactions for analysis. This research examined the learners’ perceptions of their learning experience and in what ways students collaborated to complete the tasks. Additionally, the adaptation of Volet et al.’s (2009) collaborative learning framework permitted the examination of the learners content processing and social regulation during gameplay. The findings suggested the potential of AR gamified environments to facilitate high levels of interaction and collaboration. The analysis showed distinct patterns of collaborative learning across groups and sessions. Additionally, the findings identified patterns in the emergence of learners’ high-level co-regulation, as well as factors that assisted students in sustaining engagement of high-level co-regulation during gameplay. / Graduate