The purpose of this research was to conduct case studies to explore and describe Thai university students' awareness and application of cognitive and metacognitive strategies when reading and writing in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL). Four participants, including two high and two low English language proficiency learners, were selected from 14 students enrolled in a five-week course called English for Social Sciences offered at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand in 2005. The major sources of data for the analyses included the transcripts of the participants' pair discussions, think-aloud protocols, interviews, and daily journal entries. In addition, field work observations, reading and writing strategy checklists, participants' written work, and the comparison of the pretest and posttest results were also instrumental to the analyses. The interpretive approach of content analysis was employed for these four case studies. Findings were initially derived from the single-case analyses, and then from cross-case analyses. Major findings revealed that strategic knowledge enhanced these English-as-a-foreign- language (EFL) learners' proficiency in English reading and writing. However, applying elaborative strategies for higher-level reading was challenging for most of the participants. Two crucial factors that impeded their development were the learners' uncertain procedural and conditional knowledge of strategy uses and their limited English language proficiency due to limited exposure to the second language (L2). The teacher's explanations and modeling of strategies, the participants' opportunities to discuss strategy use with peers, and extensive practice positively enhanced their development. Additionally, the learners' schema and knowledge of text structures played significant roles in their development of the two skills. These English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners also developed metacognitive awareness and strategy applications, but not to the level that always enhanced effective regulation and control of their reading and writing behaviors. Combining reading and writing in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) instruction promoted the learners' awareness of the relationships of certain strategies for the two skills, and developed their literacy skills holistically.

Focusing primarily on the ecological relationships of the Joshua tree in Joshua Tree National Park, this teaching unit includes ten pre-visit, in-class lessions; Ranger-led lessons at Joshua Tree National Park Education Center; and ten post-visit, in-class lessons. Lessons are for students in grades three and four and formatted using the breakthrough lesson strategies, based on the constructivist educational theory. The teacher background section addresses classification, structure, range, xerophytic adaptations, ecological relationships, and natural history of the Joshua tree.

This research study investigated the effect of using the think aloud protocol while reading informational text on students' ability to learn from text in a secondary science classroom. The participants in this study were high school students (n=47) in three classes of a mixed-grade Integrated Biology, Chemistry, and Physics course. The study tracked student achievement during a four-week curriculum unit on the theory of evolution and evidence for biological evolution. All students received instruction on using the think aloud protocol, and all students practiced the think aloud protocol when reading short articles related to scientific evidence for evolution. The researcher measured student's ability to read and understand science text by comparing scores from a reading skills pre-assessment and post-assessment from each student. Student surveys were conducted to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the strategy in teaching students to use a literacy strategy while reading science text. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die ondersoek sentreer rondom die verband tussen denkontwikkeling (‘n kognitiewe veranderlike) en prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal. Denkont-wikkeling is egter nie die enigste kognitiewe veranderlike wat prestasie in ‘n taal kan beïnvloed nie. Verbale begrip en geheue is ook as vername kognitiewe verander-likes geïdentifiseer. Affektiewe veranderlikes soos motivering, selfkonsep en angs, kan ook met prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal in verband gebring word. ‘n Empiriese ondersoek is uitgevoer waarby 174 hoërskoolleerders betrek is. Kognitiewe en affektiewe veranderlikes, asook leerstyl, is gemeet. Uit die empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat selfkonsep, geheue, verbale begrip en motivering as die vernaamste veranderlikes beskou kan word wat met prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal verband hou. Denkontwikkeling is nie as ‘n vername faktor geïdentifiseer nie. Die bevindinge in die literatuurstudie en die empiriese ondersoek is bespreek om ouers en onderwysers van riglyne te voorsien om prestasie in Afrikaans te verhoog. / The aim of the research focusses on the relationship between thought development (a cognitive variable) and achievement in Afrikaans as a second language. Besides thought development, verbal understanding and memory recollection are also identified as distinctive cognitive variables. Affective variables such as motivation, self-concept and anxiety could also relate to performance in Afrikaans as a second language. Empirical research was conducted amongst 174 High School learners. Cognitive variables, affective variables and learning styles were measured. Resulting from the empirical research, it appears that self-concept, memory recollection, verbal comprehension and motivation are the main variables that impact on the performance of Afrikaans as a second language. Thought process development was not identified as a main factor. Results from the literature study and the empirical research are discussed in order to assist parents and teachers with guidelines to increase achievement in Afrikaans as a second language. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Text in Afrikaans / It has been said that pupils are not adequately trained to think independently in the current educational system of South Africa. Therefore this research has been undertaken from a psycho-educational perspective to assess the contribution which a programme in cognitive empowerment can make towards the cognitive development and especially the general psychological development of teaching students in their final study year as potential career entrants. From this viewpoint recommendations can be made re the use of this programme in the broader educational context. In this study research has been done from a psycho-educational perspective concerning the cognitive, affective, normative and conative development of the late adolescent and the early career entrant and his/her personality in terms of this career. A group of final year teaching students, who were potential career entrants completed the Programme in Cognitive Empowerment. Before and after the presentation of this programme different media of evaluation were put into use. Based on this research, deductions have been made concerning the contribution which training in the programme has made to the development of the novice teachers. Finally, recommendations have been made concerning the implementing of such a programme. / Daar word beweer dat die onderwysstelsel in Suid-Afrika leerlinge nie toereikend tot selfstandige denke begelei nie. Gevolglik is in hierdie navorsing vanuit sielkundig-opvoedkundige perspektief ondersoek ingestel na die bydrae wat 'n program in kognitiewe versterking maak tot die kognitiewe, en veral die algemene psigiese wording van die finalejaar onderwysstudente - wat potensiele beroepstoetreders is. Hieruit kan dan aanbevelings gemaak word betreffende die gebruik van die program binne bree onderwysverband. In hierdie navorsing is vanuit sielkundig-opvoedkundige perspektief ondersoek ingestel na die kognitiewe, affektiewe, normatiewe en konatiewe wording van die laatadolessente en vroegvolwasse beroepstoetreders en hul persoonlikheid in terme van die beroepswereld. 'n Groep finalejaarstudente, wat potensiele onderwysberoepstoetreders was, het die Program vir Kognitiewe Versterking deurloop. Voor en na die aanbieding van hierdie program is verskillende evalueringsmedia ingeskakel. Uit hierdie ondersoek is gevolgtrekkings gemaak betreffende die bydrae van die program tot die wording van die onderwysberoepstoetreders. Enkele aanbevelings rakende die implementering van so 'n program is ten slotte gemaak. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The present study investigated imagery and visualisation characteristics of undergraduate students’ thinking processes in learning selected concepts of mathematical analysis. The aim was to discover the nature of images evoked by these undergraduate students and the role of imagery and visualisations when students were solving some selected problems related to mathematical analysis. The study was guided by the theory of registers of semiotic representations. Psychological notions on imagery were also fused to cater for a cognitive approach to the study. A sample of 50 undergraduate mathematics students participated in the study. The researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Before the main study, a pilot study was conducted to account for the reliability and validity of the research instruments. The data were collected through use of a cognitive test that was composed of 12 tasks with items selected from mathematical analysis. These tasks were specially designed to capture the variables of imagery and visualisations. A structured interview was also conducted as a follow-up to the results of the cognitive test. The study found that visual images were noticeable in the thinking processes of undergraduate students in solving problems related to mathematical analysis. The nature of the visual images evoked by the students varied from person to person. The nature of these images was also determined by the nature of the task. The most common types of imagery were diagrams, prototypes and symbols. On rare occasions the students also evoked metaphoric images. It was also observed that these images were used for illustrative purposes and to spark the idea for a proof. It was also interesting to note that some images were used to discover the limit of a converging series. The results confirmed the need to use visualisation with caution, especially when treating concepts which involve infinity. The study recommends that instructors of mathematics should encourage visual thinking in the learning and teaching of mathematical analysis. Knowledge of the students’ concept images helped the researcher to understand the nature of the learning difficulties of the students. Further research should focus on the strengths and weaknesses of visual-mediated learning and also on the relationship between creativity and visual thinking. / Mathematics Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Mathematics Education))

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

Text in Afrikaans / It has been said that pupils are not adequately trained to think independently in the current educational system of South Africa. Therefore this research has been undertaken from a psycho-educational perspective to assess the contribution which a programme in cognitive empowerment can make towards the cognitive development and especially the general psychological development of teaching students in their final study year as potential career entrants. From this viewpoint recommendations can be made re the use of this programme in the broader educational context. In this study research has been done from a psycho-educational perspective concerning the cognitive, affective, normative and conative development of the late adolescent and the early career entrant and his/her personality in terms of this career. A group of final year teaching students, who were potential career entrants completed the Programme in Cognitive Empowerment. Before and after the presentation of this programme different media of evaluation were put into use. Based on this research, deductions have been made concerning the contribution which training in the programme has made to the development of the novice teachers. Finally, recommendations have been made concerning the implementing of such a programme. / Daar word beweer dat die onderwysstelsel in Suid-Afrika leerlinge nie toereikend tot selfstandige denke begelei nie. Gevolglik is in hierdie navorsing vanuit sielkundig-opvoedkundige perspektief ondersoek ingestel na die bydrae wat 'n program in kognitiewe versterking maak tot die kognitiewe, en veral die algemene psigiese wording van die finalejaar onderwysstudente - wat potensiele beroepstoetreders is. Hieruit kan dan aanbevelings gemaak word betreffende die gebruik van die program binne bree onderwysverband. In hierdie navorsing is vanuit sielkundig-opvoedkundige perspektief ondersoek ingestel na die kognitiewe, affektiewe, normatiewe en konatiewe wording van die laatadolessente en vroegvolwasse beroepstoetreders en hul persoonlikheid in terme van die beroepswereld. 'n Groep finalejaarstudente, wat potensiele onderwysberoepstoetreders was, het die Program vir Kognitiewe Versterking deurloop. Voor en na die aanbieding van hierdie program is verskillende evalueringsmedia ingeskakel. Uit hierdie ondersoek is gevolgtrekkings gemaak betreffende die bydrae van die program tot die wording van die onderwysberoepstoetreders. Enkele aanbevelings rakende die implementering van so 'n program is ten slotte gemaak. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The study focused on pertinent challenges and key guidelines in introducing and assessing students’ higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in a literature based English foreign language (EFL) curriculum. A curricular initiative in Israel, namely to integrate HOTS in the teaching and learning of literature in the high school EFL classes, prompted this study to measure its effectiveness on students’ abilities to understand and apply the HOTS in their reading and writing. This mixed-methods study dealt with the following research questions: Are HOTS innate skills or must they be purposefully taught in order for students to learn and to apply them? To what extent has 10th and 11th grade EFL Israeli students’ ability to apply HOTS to their bridging essays, after completing two years in the English literature programme, been improved? How accurately could students demonstrate an understanding of HOTS by naming them and by providing an example of how they could apply them in the areas of reading and writing? The overall key findings showed that; HOTS must be taught and practiced in order for students to learn and to apply them and that teaching students to use HOTS will improve their reading and writing capabilities in regard to higher order thinking as well as their understanding of specific HOTS. It was also found that students enjoy the challenge of infusing HOTS into a literature curriculum and expressing what they learn in their writing. They are consequently motivated to learn when they are challenged with a programme that infuses HOTS into an EFL literature curriculum. Implications of the findings are that the subject specific approach and infusion method for teaching HOTS are successful in the EFL classroom. The findings provide a novel contribution to the study of HOTS pedagogy within a literature based EFL curriculum programme. Recommendations for further studies are made, particularly on HOTS vis-à-vis weaker EFL students as well as on examining different writing formats, such as opinion essays, to determine if HOTS are transferring to other types of writing after students’ participation in this curricular initiative. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die ondersoek sentreer rondom die verband tussen denkontwikkeling (‘n kognitiewe veranderlike) en prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal. Denkont-wikkeling is egter nie die enigste kognitiewe veranderlike wat prestasie in ‘n taal kan beïnvloed nie. Verbale begrip en geheue is ook as vername kognitiewe verander-likes geïdentifiseer. Affektiewe veranderlikes soos motivering, selfkonsep en angs, kan ook met prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal in verband gebring word. ‘n Empiriese ondersoek is uitgevoer waarby 174 hoërskoolleerders betrek is. Kognitiewe en affektiewe veranderlikes, asook leerstyl, is gemeet. Uit die empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat selfkonsep, geheue, verbale begrip en motivering as die vernaamste veranderlikes beskou kan word wat met prestasie in Afrikaans as tweede taal verband hou. Denkontwikkeling is nie as ‘n vername faktor geïdentifiseer nie. Die bevindinge in die literatuurstudie en die empiriese ondersoek is bespreek om ouers en onderwysers van riglyne te voorsien om prestasie in Afrikaans te verhoog. / The aim of the research focusses on the relationship between thought development (a cognitive variable) and achievement in Afrikaans as a second language. Besides thought development, verbal understanding and memory recollection are also identified as distinctive cognitive variables. Affective variables such as motivation, self-concept and anxiety could also relate to performance in Afrikaans as a second language. Empirical research was conducted amongst 174 High School learners. Cognitive variables, affective variables and learning styles were measured. Resulting from the empirical research, it appears that self-concept, memory recollection, verbal comprehension and motivation are the main variables that impact on the performance of Afrikaans as a second language. Thought process development was not identified as a main factor. Results from the literature study and the empirical research are discussed in order to assist parents and teachers with guidelines to increase achievement in Afrikaans as a second language. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)