Thesis advisor: Lillie R. Albert / In a world where collaborative learning and social interactions play pivotal roles in educational success, this study explores the dynamics of elementary students’ help-seeking behaviors in mathematics education. Employing Social Network Analysis (SNA), regression models, and comprehensive statistical analyses, the study explores the association between students’ mathematics help-seeking networks and their performance, while also examining the potential moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES). Furthermore, the study investigates the influence of SES on students’ selection of helpers when facing academic challenges in mathematics. The findings reveal a positive association between students’ mathematics help-seeking indegree centrality—indicative of being nominated as a helper—and their performance. Conversely, a negative association is observed between mathematics help-seeking outdegree centrality—reflective of seeking help from others—and performance. However, these associations were not found to be significantly moderated by SES. Instead, SES influences the choice of helper sources, demonstrating a disparity in access to educational support. Students from wealthier backgrounds tend to rely on outside-of-school resources such as parental support and private tutoring to a greater extent than expected from a random sample, while students from less affluent backgrounds depend more on within-school resources, such as teachers and peers. The study emphasizes the importance of cultivating classroom cultures that value constructive help-seeking, which is integral to enhancing understanding and creating collaborative learning environments. Additionally, the study sheds light on educational inequalities linked to cultural capital, particularly concerning the accessibility of help resources. To address these disparities, strategies such as parental engagement workshops and the development of comprehensive digital platforms are recommended to promote equitable access to assistance across socioeconomic spectrums. Moreover, the potential of Artificial Intelligence in education is noted as a promising tool for providing personalized student support, capable of bridging socioeconomic and cultural gaps. This research concludes with a call to action for educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders to establish educational environments that encourage help-seeking as an effective learning strategy and support equitable access to resources. Such initiatives are crucial for promoting equal opportunities for educational resources and empowering every student to reach their full potential. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teaching, Curriculum, and Society.

This thesis proposes creating an interactive learning environment for Human Computer Interaction (HCI) to facilitate access to, and learning of, important design knowledge. By encapsulating HCI knowledge into reusable claims stored in a knowledge repository, or claims library, this learning environment aims at allowing students to effectively explore design features to limit their reliance on intuition to mold their interfaces, help them address proper design concerns, and evaluate alternatives for their designs. This learning approach is based on active learning where students create their own knowledge by gathering information. However, building adequate development records from which students can gather HCI knowledge is critical to support this approach. This thesis explores using effective reusable design components to act as design records to create an interactive learning environment for students learning HCI design. An initial prototype for the learning environment introduces claims as an encapsulation mechanism for design features from which students can gather HCI knowledge. Pilot testing outlines the accessibility, applicability and reusability problems associated with this approach. To solve theses issues, a taxonomic organization of an improved form of claims (reference claims), is introduced to share core design knowledge among students. A taxonomy is designed as a way to expose students to important design concerns as well as a method to categorize claims. Reference claims are introduced as improved claims inspired by reference tasks to expose students to design alternatives for design concerns. A detailed taxonomy and a set of reference claims for the domain of notification systems demonstrate how existing theories of design can be translated into reference claims to create an interactive learning environment. An experiment illustrates the applicability and reusability of reference claims for various designs within a particular domain. Finally, an evaluation assesses the benefits of this learning environment based on reference claims in terms of improving student designs and increasing the amount of HCI knowledge they reuse. Results show that by exposing students to valuable concerns and alternatives for the design of interactive systems, an interactive learning environment based on reference claims can improve students' understanding of the design scope and lead to an increased use of existing HCI knowledge in their designs. / Master of Science

In distance education, students and teachers are at different places and interact with each other with the help of different technologies. Broadcast television, two-way video conferencing, asynchronous learning mode, virtual learning environment (VLE) and content based multimedia computer based trainings (CB-MCBTs) are some of the technologies used to provide distance education. Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings (CB-MCBT) is a computerized learning environment. The acceptance of computerized learning environment is based on its usability. And usability in any computerized learning environment is supportive to learners and it increases their learning experiences of learners. Authors of this research have evaluated usability of CBMCBTs, specifically CB-MCBTs designed by AIOU. Usability evaluation has been performed to find out usability issues in CB-MCBTs, and figured out requirements of learners regarding CB-MCBTs. To figure out usability issues in CBMCBTs authors have used inquiry technique with focus group and questionnaire. Authors have proposed usability criteria to evaluate usability of CB-MCBTs. Each element of proposed criteria is based on principle of user interface design, and three main usability aspects: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Development of CB-MCBTs in AIOU is nice and unique effort in the field of computer based trainings. However if these CB-MCBTs are designed to support distance education, then AIOU should focus on the availability of CB-MCBTs to the students, feedbacks within CB-MCBT and feedback from university to students and completeness of these CB-MCBTs regarding features and facilities required by the students. This research also gives recommendation to AIOU for improvements in CB-MCBTs. These recommendations are helpful to fix usability issues in CB-MCBTs and to make these CB-MCBTs according to the requirements of learners.

I en skola för alla finns olika behov och elever med olika förmågor. Trots att det finns två skolformer i Sverige för att möta allas behov, så behövs det ibland extrainsatser för att specialläraren ska nå fram. Det finns verksamheter där människorna som arbetar där, har djur som samarbetspartner och där djuren fungerar som ett pedagogiskt stöd i kommunikationen mellan djur och människa. Genom detta självständiga arbete avses att vetenskapligt undersöka vad det är som sker i kommunikationen människa – djur som kan berika livsvärlden för människor, framförallt människor som reagerar på kravfyllda situationer. I studien undersöks, med hjälp av ett försök till en fenomenologisk ansats och semistrukturerade intervjuer, hur arbetet med människor i behov av särskilt stöd upplevs enligt de som i olika verksamheter arbetar med djur som samarbetspartner. Studien avser att studera de upplevelser som de som arbetar i dessa verksamheter har. Dessa upplevelser undersöktes tillsammans med vad forskare bidragit med redan på detta område i forskarvärlden. Resultatet visar att både hästar och hundar kan fungera som stöd vid läs och skrivundervisning. Djuren minskar stress för människan genom beröring. Slutsatsen är att djur har positiv effekt som pedagogiskt stöd, särskilt för personer som den traditionella skolmiljön inte fungerat som lärmiljö för. I kommunikationen mellan människa och djur uppstår en osynlig, ordlös kommunikation som är kravlös och skapar trygghet. Andra effekter är stärkt självkänsla och att naturupplevelser tillsammans med djuren hjälper människan tillbaka till sin sanna, ursprungliga natur i ett digitaliserat, stressande samhälle. / In a school there is different needs and students with different abilities. Even if there is two school forms in Sweden to meet the needs of everybody, sometimes extra measures is needed for the special needs teacher to get across. There are facilities where people who work there, have animals as co-workers and where the animals act as a pedagogical support in the communication between animal and human. The purpose of this degree project is to scientifically examine what is happening in the communication people and animal that can enrich the lifeworld for the people, especially people who react on situations filled with demands. In the study, it is examined, with an attempt to a phenomenological approach and the help of semi-structured interviews, how the work with people in need of special support.appears according to the people working in various facilities with animals as co-workers. The purpose of the study is to highlight those effects that those who work in these facilities have experienced. These experiences were examined together with what researchers have contributed with already in this field in the world of research. The result shows that both horses and dogs can be of help with the literacy teaching. Animals lower the stress level for humans through touch. The conclusion is that animals have a positive effect as a pedagogical support, especially for people that the traditional school environment didn´t work out as a lerning environment for. In the communication between people and animal an invisible, non-verbal communication emerge, that is undemanding and brings security. Other effects is strengthened self-confidence and that nature experiences together with the animals helps the human back to her true, primordial nature in a digitalized, stressful society.Sökord/

Die Gestaltung von sozio-technischen Systemen als Aufgabengebiet der Wirtschaftsinformatik setzt eine interdisziplinäre Ausrichtung und Berücksichtigung relevanter Forschungsgebiete voraus, die im Bezug auf die Fragestellung, wie komplexes Wissen in einer virtuellen Lernumgebung (VLU) repräsentiert und vermittelt werden sollte, im Bereich der didaktischen und lernpsychologischen Forschung liegen. In diesem Beitrag werden bereits vorhandene Lösungsansätze vorgestellt und aus psychologischer und didaktischer Sicht diskutiert, wobei weiterführende Potenziale aber auch Risikopotenziale vorhandener technischer Möglichkeiten und ihrer Einsatzbereiche herausgestellt werden sollen.

E-learning has become the new paradigm for modern teaching moreover, the technology allows to break the resurrection of time and place by enabling people to learn whenever and wherever they want. In information system research, learners' acceptance of e-learning can be predicted and explained using technology acceptance models. This research developed enhanced technology acceptance model to explain students' acceptance of learning management systems (LMSs) in Saudi Arabia. The research model aims to investigate the viability of TAM constructs in a nonwestern country. Moreover, due to the cultural impact of the Saudi Arabian culture towards genders, the research addresses the moderating effect of gender towards LMSs acceptance. The developed model variables identification focuses on two motivation aspects, extrinsic and intrinsic. The developed model consisted of ten variables in total, which can be categorised into three groups. First, the extrinsic variables consisting of information quality, functionality, accessibility, and user interface design. Second, the intrinsic variables are consisting of computer playfulness, enjoyment, and learning goal orientation. Third, the TAM variables consisting of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention. Moreover, to validate and examine the developed model, a questionnaire tool was developed for data collection. Furthermore, the data was collected from electronically from three universities over six weeks. The research findings supported the developed model. Additionally, the identified variables were good critical in predicting and explaining students' acceptance of LMSs. The research applied structural equation modelling for statistical analysis using IBM AMOS. The research results confirmed the applicability of the developed model to explain the Saudi students' acceptance of LMSs. The developed model explained high variance among the dependent variables outperforming the excising models. The research improved the explanatory power of the TAM model through the identified variables. Furthermore, the research results showed that the extrinsic variables were stronger predictors of students' perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention. In addition, the results showed that males and females perception towards the LMS was significantly different. The male students' acceptance towards LMSs was higher than females. Moreover, enjoyment was the stronger determinant of females' behavioural intention.

<p><!--[if !mso]> <object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><mce:style><! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } --></p><p>Traditional education have for long been remaining without major changes made to the actual system. Up until very recently, there has been reluctance towards making fundamental and dramatic changes to the system, but as societies change and develop by mirroring on past experiences, new minds and new ways of thinking emerge suggesting changes and new developments. Consequently, new educational approaches such as e-learning and virtual learning have emerged.</p><p>Lately, technology has been transforming and developing than ever before and the demand for modifying accordingly to new technology has become a prerequisite for all industries and institutions. Already with e-learning, a derived concept is worthy of notice. Authenticity, meaning validity and accuracy, has been imposed as one major issue when it comes to e-learning, and also v-learning.</p><p>The main goal of this thesis is to present answers and suggestions to the following research questions:</p><p>Ø  What value does a virtual education method create for the students?</p><p>Ø  What implications are there for an education through Second Life and what is the significance of such an environment?</p><p>Ø  What are the main auxiliary instruments or tools that enhance authenticity and the achievement of high presence in a virtual environment?</p><p>This research adopted an inductive approach using a qualitative research. The characterizations of knowledge used were descriptive knowledge, normative knowledge, explanatory research and evaluating research for the respective research questions. As a result of collaborating with Kalmar University, Sweden’s first Second Life course <em>“Oral Production” </em>was observed and to intensify the results, an interview was held with the course’s lecturer. The results were thereon analyzed and scrutinized based on the Empirical Findings, Theoretical Framework – consisting of mainly pedagogical theories and of articles concerning virtual learning environments.</p><p>The conclusion of this research entails the answers for the research questions. An education via a virtual environment is a development of e-learning, which is an enhancement of a traditional physical education. All students are persuaded to be active and participate in learning, which also promotes interconnectedness between students and teacher. Students can do role-playing and do presentations without feeling embarrassed about their “real” identities being represented. Main auxiliary instruments include virtual presentation boards, audio to communicate with each other and the avatar to direct the speech. Additionally, to enhance high presence in a virtual environment, involving all students with creative exercises seems to be another means in achieving high presence in a virtual environment.</p><p> </p>

There are various factors that accounting educators should consider when involved in accounting education. These include: A continuous changing business environment; A new generation of learners studying at universities; A lack of skills among learners; Accounting educators resisting changes in accounting education; and The requirements for continuing professional education. From the literature it seems that much research has been done in the field of accounting education, but that it did not find practical application in the classroom. It is therefore necessary to think creatively in order to find practical solutions for the challenges facing both lecturers and facilitators. In the study the following elements of the teaching-learning environment were identified: Learners; The lecturer/facilitator; The milieu; The subject content (including technical content and competencies); and the Teaching methodology. Each of these elements were investigated during the research in order to identify factors from literature that could be included in an improved teaching plan. As part of the plan (methodology) a board game "Commercium™" was developed to meet the requirements of the teaching-learning environment. The board game was evaluated by first year learners at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. The evaluation proved to be very positive. The learners indicated that technical skills, understanding of the roles of the accountant, soft skills as well as knowledge of the subject content improved as a result. What should especially be noted is their positive reaction due to the fact that the game simulated the business environment and linked theory to practice. They also enjoyed the social and group work aspects of the assignment. The learners further had a general positive attitude towards the game. The highest evaluated positive experiences were described as good, exciting and fresh. On the negative side words such as unhappy, uncomfortable and tensed were recorded. The learners were thus required to move outside their comfort zones. Learners were also required to summarise the project in one word. Two thirds of the remarks were positive, with the number one remark being the word "interesting". The largest negative comment was that the project was confusing at the start. This could, however, be addressed in future projects. In conclusion it can thus be said the Commercium™ game meets the requirements of an effective teaching-learning environment by providing an effective teaching methodology. Lecturers now have an empirically proven effective teaching tool for introductory accounting, based on research of the requirements of the teaching-learning environment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Accounting))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how some students in the early school years experience their literary learning environment, as well as their own thoughts and experiences of how the learning environment can be designed to support them in developing their literacy skills. The theoretical framework is a sociocultural perspective on learning. The survey was conducted as a group interview with students in third grade. The questions focused on how students experience a positive learning environment, and a learning environment that adversely affects their reading and writing skills. The study also examines the students’ views on how the learning environment can be developed. The results show that students at the beginning of the study did not attach any importance to the learning environment in terms of developing their literacy skills. But in the continued discussion they became aware of a number of factors that they believe characterizes a positive literary learning environment. The individual teacher’s attitude and interaction with the students is considered the single most important factor to achieve a literary learning environment that stimulates their reading and writing skills. The students also believe that there is a potential for the development of the literary learning environment, particularly the physical aspects and they give a number of concrete suggestions for improvements, such as expanded access to books and furniture that is more suited for literary activities. In the research review some factors for success are discernible as individual teachers’ attitudes and skills, a structured environment and an environment that provides physical access to reading material. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur några elever i de tidiga skolåren upplever sin litterära lärmiljö, samt deras egna tankar och erfarenheter kring hur lärmiljö kan utformas för att stötta dem i deras läs- och skrivutveckling. Studien analyseras utifrån ett sociokulturellt perspektiv på lärande. Undersökningen har genomförts i form av en gruppintervju med elever i årskurs tre. Frågeställningarna har fokuserat hur eleverna upplever en positiv lärmiljö, respektive en lärmiljö som inverkar negativt på deras läs- och skrivutveckling. Likaså utforskar studien vilka möjligheter eleverna ser för utveckling av lärmiljön. I resultatet framgår att eleverna inledningsvis inte tillmäter lärmiljön någon betydelse för deras läs- och skrivutveckling. I diskussionen blir de emellertid medvetna om en rad faktorer som de tycker utmärker en positiv litterär lärmiljö. Den enskilde lärarens bemötande och interaktion med eleverna betraktas som den i särklass viktigaste faktorn för att åstadkomma en litterär lärmiljö som stimulerar deras läs- och skrivutveckling. Eleverna anser även att det finns utvecklingspotential för den litterära lärmiljön, framförallt de fysiska aspekterna och ger en rad konkreta förbättringsförslag, såsom till exempel en större tillgång till böcker samt möbler som är mer anpassade för litterära aktiviteter. I forskningsöversikten har vissa framgångsfaktorer kunnat skönjas, som till exempel enskilda lärares förhållningssätt och kompetens, en strukturerad miljö, en miljö som erbjuder fysisk tillgång till läsmaterial.

La recherche que nous avons menée concerne l'articulation entre les dispositifs de formation en autonomie accompagnée et les conditions nécessaires aux étudiants LANSAD d'un niveau A2/B1 en anglais en première année à l'université pour rendre une expérience d'apprentissage potentiellement favorable à l'acquisition. Elle vise à les aider à retrouver "le bonheur" d'une formation en anglais et à opérer une rationalisation professionnelle qui tienne compte à la fois des besoins spécifiques des étudiants, des difficultés organisationnelles et des exigences de l'institution. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse selon laquelles un dispositif hybride de formation en autonomie accompagnée pouvait être accessible à des étudiants de niveau A2/B1 en anglais au même titre qu'à des étudiants de niveaux supérieurs, et pouvait mener à une formation "de qualité" si l'accompagnement proposé permettait l'aménagement de situations et de contextes entrant "en résonance" avec les dispositions des apprenants. Dans le cadre d'une recherche-Action en trois phases et à partir d'analyses qualitatives puis quantitatives, nous nous proposons, dans une première phase, d'identifier un certain nombre de variables qui favorisent ou bloquent le processus d'autonomisation pour ces étudiants. Ensuite, lors d'une deuxième phase, nous développons un dispositif qui tient compte de ces facteurs. Après une évaluation, nous proposons dans la phase trois une adaptation de la formation pour un plus grand nombre d'étudiants, et conformément au rôle de la recherche-Action nous mesurons la portée et les limites du dispositif et de son transfert vis-À-Vis de l'objectif fixé. Cela nous conduit à de nouvelles propositions. / The research that we have carried out concerns the link between a language learning self-Study environment and the conditions under which ESP first year university French students with an A2/B1 level of English are liable to improve acquisition. Its aim is to help them to "enjoy" learning English and operate a professional rationalization which takes into account the students specific needs, organizational difficulties and the institutions requirements. Our hypothesis is that a "blended" self-Learning environment can provide good quality language training and be accessible to these students, just as it is to be higher level students, if the support coincides with their sate of minds. The research-Action in three parts, based on qualitative and then quantitative data, begins with the identification of a certain amount of variables which favour or block the autonomisation process for these students. Then in the second part, a system is developped which takes these factors into account. After evaluation, in the third part, the transformations are adapted to accomodate a much larger number of students. In keeping with the action-Research cycles, suggestions to improve the environment developed are finally made.