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Tshazibana, Vukile Shadrack. "Challenges of instructional leadership in historically disadvantaged schools in South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016059.
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The research presented in this thesis investigates challenges faced by principals in historically disadvantaged schools in terms of their role as instructional leaders facilitating the implementation of curriculum policies. The study consists of two parts. The first study sampled 25 school principals, 80 teachers and 11 department of education officials from the Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth education districts in the Eastern Cape. Data obtained in the first study were generated by administering a pen-and-paper questionnaire and individual interviews to selected participants. The second study employed an online questionnaire that was open to principals, teachers and departmental officials in all provinces of South Africa in order to generate data over as wide a geographic range as possible. Mixed methods were used to analyse the qualitative and quantitative data from the two studies. Thematic analysis techniques were employed to categorise qualitative data and the quantitative data were subjected to analytical techniques to provide descriptive and inferential statistics. The data revealed that school principals view themselves as change agents who should be in the forefront of change and curriculum implementation, and that they believe that they know what is expected of them in this regard. However, they recognise that they are not adequately prepared for the task of instructional leadership. The data also suggest that teachers have expectations that principals should be trained in instructional leadership and work closely with departmental officials in order to provide guidance and leadership at school level to address their professional needs. Problems related to capacity and skills of subject advisors and other district officials were revealed by the study. These issues are generally and informally recognised, but have not been formally raised within the Department of Education. The findings of the study also highlight the fact that, after nearly two decades in the new political dispensation, there are still vast differences within the South African schooling system between school types. These differences are most evident between ex-Model C schools and historically disadvantaged ex-DET schools, and it is recognised that principals in ex-DET schools need support tailored to their particular circumstances and context. The findings in this study support the notion that much needs to be done in South Africa in terms of empowering school principals; especially those from historically disadvantaged schools. The data provide insights into some of the constraints of local context, which enables better understandings of the challenges of instructional leadership in historically disadvantaged schools. These understandings should be of value when considering strategies to support principals in their role of instructional leaders.
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Retchko, Leslie Bowen. "An Examination of Teachers' Reading Instructional Challenges in an Alternative School Setting." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1575.
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In a suburban alternative school, educators of at-risk students reading below grade level often struggled to provide effective reading instruction. As a result, these students were likely to continue to experience academic difficulties, which could limit their career options and their opportunities to contribute to the betterment of society. This study addressed the gap between reading strategies teachers actually used in the classroom and the reading strategies they learned during professional development. The research questions focused on the instructional challenges teachers experienced while working with struggling readers in an alternative school setting. Mastery learning theory and the adult adragogical theory were used in this case study to explore experiences of 6 teachers concerning the use of reading strategies in an alternative middle school setting. Data were collected with interviews, observations, and from archival work samples. Findings revealed that for teachers serving in an alternative school setting, there was a need for additional strategy-related support for struggling readers, collaborative professional development with a focus on literacy, and teacher acquisition of vocabulary and comprehension strategies. The resulted project consists of a data-driven professional development program designed to help instructors teach reading strategies to assist struggling student readers. This project contributes to positive social change through a targeted implementation of instructional literacy practices that teachers in all content areas can use to help struggling readers in an alternative school settings to experience greater academic success.
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Marshall-Stuart, Debra-Dreana. "Blended Learning as an Instructional Strategy to Improve Academic Performance." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5501.
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Higher education institutions in Barbados have introduced blended learning as a strategy to improve students' academic performance and achievement. Despite the implementation of blended learning, the poor student performance and outcomes persist. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how teaching processes and practices at the institution have influenced blended learning to improve student achievement. A social constructivist framework was used to guide the study. The research question addressed the practices and processes used by teachers to increase student learning and performance in a blended learning environment. Data collection involved semistructured interviews with 6 teachers from the study site. Lean coding analysis yielded 4 themes: student engagement, student success, pedagogical and technological challenges, and teacher professional development. Findings were used to create a teacher professional development program for local stakeholders with an emphasis on pedagogical best practices and processes for creating and sustaining an effective blended learning environment. Findings may be used to improve student engagement and academic success at the study site.
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Campbell, Richard Cory. "Primary Teachers' Perspectives on iPad Integration: Barriers, Challenges, and Successes." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3024.
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Despite the rapid expansion of mobile technologies in K-12 schools, recent research has shown that many teachers are ill prepared to take advantage of these new tools. This study was designed to address the problem of lack of effective iPad integration in primary classrooms at an international school in South Korea. The purpose of this case study was to examine primary teachers' perceptions of the implementation of an iPad initiative begun in 2012. Framed by Koehler and Mishra's technological pedagogical content knowledge model (TPACK), the study was guided by research questions that involved teachers' perceptions of the barriers, challenges, and successes regarding iPad implementation in the primary classroom. A purposeful sample of 5 K-2 teachers who use iPads in the classroom was chosen. The case study design entailed semi-structured interviews, classroom observations of each participant, and examination of teachers' lesson plans. Data were coded and analyzed using inductive analysis based on components of a conceptual logic model. Credibility and trustworthiness were ensured through member checking and triangulation of data. Results showed lack of experience, collegial support, and iPad-specific training as barriers and future preparation for teachers as a challenge. Successes were demonstrated through formative assessments and digital portfolios. The resulting project was a comprehensive professional development plan to provide primary teachers with the knowledge and skills to implement technology in the classroom and ongoing support to develop a professional technology learning network. In terms of broad social change, this research and project might provide insight to better prepare educators to make the best use of integrated learning technologies for efficient and effective teaching and learning in classrooms.
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Clarke, Anne-Marie. "A digital narrative inquiry with teachers developing instructional digital stories : opportunities and challenges." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2016. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.706290.
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Technology was highlighted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development and the United Nations Educational Organisation as an important feature in teacher professional development. Both Organisations stressed the importance of teachers having pedagogical understanding of its uses rather than simply being trained to integrate it into classroom practice. The Teaching Council of Ireland responded to this by developing policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education (CPD), aimed at enabling teachers to develop innovative methodologies including technology integration. This inquiry builds on in-school CPD using a framework known as Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge (TPACK) within a situational learning environment. The methodological approach is positioned within digital narrative inquiry concentrating on the narration of four teachers across the curriculum. The design comprises two forms of story by each teacher as data. The first is an instructional digital story for use in a curriculum lesson, while the second is a reflection on the experience of creating and using the instructional digital story. Each teacher's narrative is presented after using a thematic analysis in relation to the TPACK framework, challenges and opportunities. The findings indicate professional development of learning a new technology tool such as Digital Story depends on a teachers ability to see a clear connection between the technology and content as well as its pedagogical uses. The style of instructional story created by each teacher is influenced by personal belief in the value of storytelling for instruction and the appropriateness of its use in certain areas of the curriculum. Common challenges focused on time needed to create, use of personal voice recordings and image selection. Rewards indicated increased self efficacy, greater student engagement and acceleration of learning. The situational learning environment developed enthusiasm to create future Digital Stories and aroused interest from other teachers in the school.
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Anthony, Kenneth Vance. "Educational counter culture motivations, instructional approaches, curriculum choices, and challenges of home school families /." Diss., Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2009. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-03312009-154857.
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Rudolph, Godfrey. "Instructional technology for the teaching of novice programmers at a university of technology." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1401.
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Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Technologyin the Department of Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design Cape Peninsula University of Technology<br>Learning computer programming can be fun, challenging and improve problem solving which is a useful ability in general. A teaching-learning environment with a strong emphasis on problem solving promotes social behaviour and discloses the personal benefits that individuals working in almost any Information Technology position can get from programming knowledge. This research project is looking at the challenges experienced by novice programmers and the negative effect it has on the student and the university. This study will address the knowledge and skills needs of programming students and the challenges for students and educators to evolve from traditional to technology-supported teaching and learning. Computer programming is a cognitively challenging subject and good instructional strategies are important in providing the student with optimal learner support. Novice programmers often struggle to understand how a computer executes a program, which impacts negatively on the delivery of the subject and throughput rates. The majority of first year Information Technology students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology are novice programmers and lack strong logic and reasoning as well as other Information Technology skills that can facilitate their interpretation and application of key concepts in programming. These challenges and negative impact on the academic development of programming students have therefore forced the researcher to investigate innovative teaching strategies and/or instructional technologies that can facilitate novice programmers in learning the basic programming concepts. The purpose of this on-going study is to enhance the traditional method of teaching and the understanding of the problems experienced by novice programmers. This study attempts to respond to the question of what the tentative design principles of instructional technology are that can be used to facilitate novice programmers’ understanding of programming concepts. A mix methodology was considered but at the end a qualitative approach was employed. Multiple sources of data gathering, which include participant observations, video recording, a questionnaire, and document analysis, were used as research instruments. The findings, relative to providing a basis for finding a mechanism to help our first year students to cope with the abstract concepts of programming, reflected the literature review. Other key findings included: Students have little or no prior computer or programming experience Student population is diverse in terms of computer skills and programming knowledge Visualization will help reduce the difficulties in writing programs The overall outcomes of this study suggest that:
Good programming examples that include games should be used Students must be given the opportunity to be more active in their learning. Computerized assistants should be provided for novice programmers A visualization tool similar to Scratch should be considered A basic background in Mathematics is recommended
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Baum, Katie Corinne. "A Qualitative Study of Instructional Practices for English Learners in Elementary Mathematics." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7598.
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It is important for elementary teachers to provide quality mathematics instruction for English Learner (EL) students to close achievement gaps. Elementary mathematics teachers in the Keystone School District were struggling to implement instructional practices for EL students in mathematics as evidenced by communications with teachers, administrators, and documents from the state-required action plan. The purpose of this study was to explore the instructional practices and the challenges encountered by teachers related to providing mathematics instruction for ELs. The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol Model served as the conceptual framework. The research questions focused on the instructional practices that teachers were implementing related to building background knowledge, student interactions, application, and teacher challenges. This study used a qualitative case study design with data being collected through interviews and observations of 8 teachers in 1st through 5th grades. Data analysis was conducted by coding and thematic analysis. The results showed a gap in practice related to supporting ELs during mathematics interactions and measures of accountability. Teachers reported challenges related to the lack of accurate assessments and appropriate instructional resources for ELs in mathematics. Based on the findings of this project study, a professional development program was developed to provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to support EL students in mathematics. This study has implications for positive social change by preparing teachers to provide effective mathematics instruction for EL students through the professional development program as well as informing future district decisions related to EL students in mathematics.
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Sahinkayasi, Hamide. "Contributions And Challenges Of Cognitive Tools And Microteaching For Preservice Teachers'." Phd thesis, METU, 2009. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/2/12610597/index.pdf.
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This study aimed to investigate the potentials of two cognitive tools for instructional planning (Instructional Planning Self-reflective Tool, IPSRT, and Constructivist Planning Self-reflective Tool, CPSRT) and microteaching in gaining instructional planning and teaching skills for preservice teachers. The participants were 51 fourth year students in Computer Education and Instructional Technology program. The study is an action research with three main foci.
The first focus of this study aimed at investigating contributions and challenges involved in the use of the cognitive tools for instructional planning with tutoring from the instructor. More specifically, to what extent the preservice teachers followed these tools during this process, the effects of these tools on preservice teachers&rsquo<br>self-efficacy, the perceived instrumentality regarding instructional planning, and the perceived contributions and challenges presented by these tools were focused. Both tools were introduced to the two sections, in different orders within four weeks. The data for this focus were collected by means of questionnaires, interviews and documents (lesson plans). This focus revealed that<br>expect for writing objectives, the participants could make instructional plans according to the IPSRT. They could also follow the CPSRT to design the instructional goal, required characteristics of learning activities and the assessment. Both tools were found to significantly increase their initial self-efficacy beliefs. They found CPSRT more flexible, while IPSRT easier and more helpful. This focus indicated that IPSRT and CPSRT can be used as supportive tools in preservice teachers&rsquo<br>gaining instructional planning skills. If both tools were used, it would be better to introduce IPSRT at first and then CPSRT.
The second focus of this study was to explore the contributions and challenges of microteaching activities regarding preservice teachers&rsquo<br>instructional planning and teaching skills. The microteaching activities took eight weeks. Throughout this phase, each student planned a 20-minute microteaching with tutoring from the instructor and performed it in the classroom. The performers were formatively evaluated through a microteaching assessment form by the instructor, the teaching assistants and some preservice teachers. Then the performers made a self-reflection assignment about their microteaching performance, considering those evaluations. In the following semester, 15 participants&rsquo<br>perceptions about the contributions and challenges posed by microteaching activities for their instructional planning and teaching skills were obtained through interviews. More specifically, their perceptions about the microteaching planning process with tutoring, performing microteaching, formatively assessing peers&rsquo<br>microteaching performances, being assessed by peers, and doing self-reflection assignment were analyzed. This focus revealed that although preservice teachers perceive microteaching activities as valuable experiences, microteaching would be more beneficial if the pupils were real ones, not their class-mates.
The third focus was to investigate the effects of the cognitive tools and microteaching activities on preservice teachers&rsquo<br>lesson planning and teaching skills in their field teaching. For this aim, 12 participants&rsquo<br>field teaching lesson plans and their performance assessments were analyzed. It was found that many of them preferred using the Microteaching Planning Guide and they had no difficulty in their lesson planning. As to field teaching performance, the analyses of the assessment forms showed that a majority of them performed successfully. Besides, most of them were observed not to have anxiety during field teaching. This focus showed that these cognitive tools and microteaching activities could improve preservice teachers&rsquo<br>self-confidence in lesson planning and teaching skills in real class environment.
Considering to meeting the need for better qualified teachers, this study promised that applying these cognitive tools and microteaching model in schools of teacher education is likely to contribute to the instructional planning and teaching skills of preservice computer teachers. This study also offers suggestive implications for how to improve teaching methods courses with the two cognitive tools and microteaching, as well.
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Wagner, Teri Renee. "Students' and Teachers' Perceptions of the Benefits and Challenges of Design-based Learning in a Middle School Classroom." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/47798.
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This research explores how design-based learning can be used as a pedagogical strategy in K-12 classrooms to foster students' 21st century skills in such areas as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. The research aims to identify what students and teachers who participated in a design-based learning environment perceived to be the benefits and challenges of the project. The findings are used to suggest strategies that can be used to capitalize on the benefits and mitigate the challenges of the strategy.
This research employs a multiple case study methodology to investigate the unique perspectives of three audiences who participated in the study: (1) an eighth grade English teacher, (2) an eighth grade social studies teacher, and (3) fifty eighth grade students. It gives a detailed description of the results of post-implementation interviews during which participants reported on what they perceived to be the benefits and challenges of the project. The results of the interviews are utilized as the primary data source for the findings.
The study reveals that a majority of the participants perceived that students benefitted from the environment. They gained skills in communication and collaboration, developed the ability to empathize by exploring multiple perspectives, gained real-world experience that prepared them for their future by solving problems they identified in their immediate world, and gained knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines. The teachers also benefitted from the environment in that they gained a new respect for their students' skills and abilities, explored and re-defined their own pedagogical philosophies, and improved their own design thinking skills.
While participants reported multiple benefits to the learning environment, they also acknowledged several challenges. Time was a challenge for everyone involved. Teachers perceived keeping students motivated when they faced ambiguity and assessing students to be a challenge. They also noted that administrative support for design-based learning is a challenge that must be overcome in order for wide-scale adoption to be realized. While students also identified many challenges to the environment, they consistently acknowledged that the challenging aspects - communication, collaboration, exploring multiple perspectives, managing real-world constraints, and critical thinking - were ultimately beneficial. The findings translate to an overarching message that design-based learning is hard, but it's worth it.<br>Ph. D.
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Wilson, Tamela. "Perceptions of the Effects of Technical Competence on Female Adult Learners." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7354.
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Colleges and universities face some retention problems for female adult learners over the age of 25 who face technical requirements in higher education courses. However, little is known about how technology influences the experiences of female adult learners. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to identify how female adult learners over the age of 25 perceived the technical demands of the courses in their degree programs and how they coped with those demands. The conceptual frameworks for the study were the adult learning theory, which focuses on self-directed learning, and the transactional distance theory. Participants for this study were 12 female adult learners who reside in Tennessee who have been enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses and were over the age of 25. Data sources included face-to-face and phone interviews. Data were analyzed using open coding to identify patterns and themes. The findings of this study indicated that participants were influenced by the technical demands they faced. Participants attributed the extent of success in their courses to the level of technical competence they possessed during their time as students. Participants used individual coping strategies in their courses as well as resources provided by the institutions they attended. This study contributes to positive social change because it provides information that higher education institutions can use to both increase retention and help female adult learners succeed during their higher education careers.
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Kim, Dajeong. "An Instructional Approach to Introducing Twentieth-century Piano Music to Piano Students From Beginning to Advanced Levels: a Graded Repertoire for Mastering the Challenges Posed by Logan Skelton’s Civil War Variations." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2013. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc407754/.
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Beginning and intermediate piano students typically study the repertoire of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This pedagogical approach leaves them underprepared to approach compositions written since the latter part of the twentieth-century which are significantly different in terms of harmony, rhythm, meter, and compositional procedure. Therefore, a step-by-step method is necessary to prepare a student for the challenges of learning twentieth and twenty-first century piano music. Civil War Variations (1988), by Logan Skelton, is an excellent example of a piece that presents a number of challenges characteristically found in late twentieth-century piano music. The twenty-five variations that comprise the work incorporate a series of twentieth-century musical techniques, namely complex rhythms, extreme dissonance, frequent metric changes, dissonant counterpoint, the inclusion of blues scales and rhythms, and new notations. The purpose of this study is to identify the technical, musical, structural and notational challenges posed by a work such as Logan Skelton’s Civil War Variations; examination of this piece will lead to suggestions regarding repertoire that a teacher may assign to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students in order to prepare them logically and in a step-by-step fashion to cope with and meet the challenges posed by this and other compositions having similar characteristics.
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Pausigere, Peter. "CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES IN EMERGENCY EDUCATION: INSIGHTS FOR MATHS TEACHING AND LEARNING AT A JOHANNESBURG REFUGEE SCHOOL." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2012. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-82956.
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Hoyte, Jennifer. "How the Use of Subjectivist Instructional Strategies in Teaching Multiple Sections of an Eighth Grade Algebra Class in Guyana Relates to Algebra Achievement and Attitude Changes toward Mathematics." FIU Digital Commons, 2017. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3380.
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In Guyana, South America, the Ministry of Education seeks to provide universal, inclusive education that prepares its citizens to take their productive places in society and to creatively solve complex, real-world problems. However, with frequent national assessments that are used to place students in high school, college or into jobs, teachers resort to using familiar strategies such as lecture, recitation and test drilling. Despite their efforts, over 56% of students are failing the Grade 6 assessments, 43% failing 10th grade Mathematics and over 60% failing college algebra courses. Such performance has been linked to students’ lower academic self-concept and their negative attitudes toward mathematics aggravated by an autocratic culture that continues to view the teacher as sole authority.
Subjectivist instructional strategies integrate constructivism and affect by providing a learning experience that gives children more autonomy as they solve contextually relevant algebraic problems. In a quasi-experimental study involving a treatment and control group of eighth grade students at a high school in Guyana, a modified version of the Mathematics Value Inventory was used to measure students’ attitudes towards mathematics before and after the 10-week treatment. Scores on the final examination were used to determine achievement in algebra.
Forty seven students in the treatment group were guided in exploring and discovering concepts for themselves. Formal definitions were delayed until after the students experimented with relatable scenarios. Forty two students in the control group were taught using multiple opportunities to practice. Analysis was done using General Linear Models to determine the variance in achievement and attitude scores accounted for by the instructional strategies while controlling for sex, challenge index, and, pretreatment scores for attitude and achievement. The challenge index was developed to identify outside influences on students’ performance such as: travel time; whether living at home; number in household; sleepiness; noisiness; and, resource availability.
Results were not all as expected but some interesting relationships surfaced between the challenges, attitudes towards mathematics and achievement scores. Ultimately it was determined that the environment in which students had to study and the challenges they faced outweighed the small gains in attitude changes for the treatment group.
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Rogers, P. Clint. "Cross-cultural online instruction analysis of challenges and solutions." Saarbrücken VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2007. http://deposit.d-nb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?id=3006376&prov=M&dok_var=1&dok_ext=htm.
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Drew, Claudine Paula. "Developmental instructional strategies support and assist academically-challenged students in allied dental curriculum /." Access Digital Full Text version, 1994. http://pocketknowledge.tc.columbia.edu/home.php/bybib/11624644.
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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1994.<br>Includes tables. Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Lee Knefelkamp. Dissertation Committee: Harvey Kaye. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 384-407).
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Lunsford, Kristin Joy. "Challenges to Implementing Differentiated Instruction in Middle School Classrooms with Mixed Skill Levels." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5021.
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Implementing differentiated instruction in classrooms with students who have mixed skill levels often results in teachers facing many challenges. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore social studies teachers' perceptions of the challenges they faced when implementing differentiated instruction in classrooms with mixed skill levels and what teachers perceived they needed to help overcome these challenges. This project study was guided by the conceptual frameworks of constructivism from Piaget and Bruner along with the theoretical framework of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. The research questions focused on the viewpoints of teachers on implementing differentiated instruction in their classrooms, what challenges they faced when implementing differentiated instruction in a social studies classroom with mixed skill levels, and what support teachers need to overcome these challenges. Data were gathered using structured interviews of the 10 individual teachers chosen through purposeful sampling from a school in metro-Atlanta, Georgia. Data were transcribed and analyzed using coding by highlighting common words to identify themes to answer the research questions. Data analyses revealed that teachers needed professional development that defined what differentiated instruction is, how to implement it, and how to get to know their students better, as well as time to observe other teachers implementing differentiated instruction. A professional development plan was developed to help meet these needs for teachers. Implications for social change include an improved understanding of differentiated instruction and how to support teachers to overcome the challenges of implementing differentiated instruction. This may lead to better instruction and more academic success for all students which may lead to better assessment scores.
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Nokwali, Mlandeli Philbert. "Challenges in the implementation of technology learning area in the senior phase in some Mthatha schools." Thesis, Walter Sisulu University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11260/245.
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Technology education is an important factor in every learner’s education. It contributes to the intellectual and practical development of the learners to enable them to cope with the challenges of a technological society. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which the learning and teaching of technology were implemented in schools in the Mthatha District. The main research question was: What are the challenges for the implementation of technology learning area in the Senior Phase? Research sub questions were: What support does the Department of Education give to educators?; To what extent have the objectives of implementing the technology learning area been achieved?; and, What suggestions do educators have to improve implementation of technology education? There were 20 Junior Secondary Schools involved in the study. There were two groups of samples: (a) the educators’ sample and (b) the learners’ sample. The educators’ sample: The sample size was 20 educators consisting of those who were teaching technology in either all the Senior Phase grades (Grade 7, 8 and 9) or at least in one of the grades in the senior phase in his/her school. On the researcher’s request, the Principal of each school nominated an educator and hence there was one educator in the educators’ sample from each of the 20 schools. The learners’ sample: The sample size was 40 learners consisting of at least two learners from each of the 20 schools. On the researcher’s request each educator in the educators’ sample nominated two learners from the senior phase. The instrument which was made to collect data was a researcher-designed questionnaire. The researcher personally visited each school involved in the study and gave the questionnaires to the two learners and one educator from that particular school to complete them independently within five days. The researcher personally re-visited each school on a day after the agreed-upon 5-day period but only after confirming over the phone that the questionnaires were indeed completed. The data were analyzed manually. The results obtained revealed that the implementation of the technology learning area is challenged by a number of problems. Those which were specifically identified were: lack of resources especially the rural schools; lack of people who are knowledgeable on Outcomes-based education (OBE) or the OBE modes of learning & teaching technology and its assessment methods, ineffectiveness arising out of large and overcrowded classes, challenges originating from or as a consequence of redeployment and the rationalization of educators and the lack of human resource to assist in the implementation of technology. The study showed the need for the provision of supportive service and continuous contact with educators to offer advice and assistance in order to improve the quality of technology teaching and learning in schools. The professional knowledge and skills of subject advisors as well as educators needed to be extended, refreshed and updated.
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Gonzalez, Anita Cristina. "Challenges in Implementing a Word Study Framework of Spelling Instruction: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study Among First Grade Teachers." The Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563550835658114.
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Matthews, Lou Edward Langrall Cynthia Willey. ""Babies overboard!" the complexities and challenges of incorporating culturally relevant teaching into mathematics instruction /." Normal, Ill. Illinois State University, 2002. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ilstu/fullcit?p3064520.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2002.<br>Title from title page screen, viewed February 21, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Cynthia W. Langrall (chair), Sharon S. McCrone, Darryl A. Pifer, Norma C. Presmeg. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-163) and abstract. Also available in print.
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Thauberger, Carolyn G. "Exploring learning assistance teachers’ needs, supports, and challenges in accessing information about reading instruction." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/33913.
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This exploratory study investigated the needs, supports, and challenges of learning assistance teachers (LATs) in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia (BC), as they sought to develop expertise about reading instruction. Interactions were examined between needs, supports, and challenges, and three contextual factors: (1) distance from a major university, (2) provincial use of LAT qualification standards, and (3) LAT teaching experience.
Fifty LATs were interviewed, half of these from the three school districts in each province. Districts were located approximately one, two, or three hours travel distance from a university. Also interviewed were administrators responsible for learning assistance in each district and one education ministry representative from each province with similar responsibility.
The data showed LATs spent at least half of their time on reading instruction, yet many felt unprepared for this task when hired. After employment, almost all accessed formal and informal learning opportunities about reading instruction. They wanted more information about reading assessment and instruction before they were hired, and continuous information afterward regarding areas of individual need and about new research, methods, and materials. The expectation that LATs should be expert teachers was among the most consistent of reported supports. LATs said this expectation could be enhanced by the use of provincial standards of LAT qualification. LATs were most challenged by time, costs, and travel. Variations in distance, application of standards, and LAT experience also impacted learning needs and choices.
One set of study recommendations came from LATs themselves, and another more interpretive list suggested principles, program types, and actions that could also positively impact LAT expertise. These can be used to enhance LAT access to knowledge in these provinces and elsewhere and thus may positively impact the supply of expert teachers for reading support roles.
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Crissinger, Sarah, and Sveta Stoytcheva. "Adjusting & Advocating: Reflecting on Challenges and Opportunities for Doing Critical Pedagogy as a New Librarian." The University of Arizona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/609830.
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Presentation. Critical Librarianship & Pedagogy Symposium, February 25-26, 2016, The University of Arizona.<br>Many new librarians are eager to bring our existing commitments to social justice to our professional practice. New to the profession, we are anxious to prove ourselves as we learn to navigate complex institutional cultures and pre-established ways of doing things. On the other hand, being new sometimes provides the perfect cover for asking critical questions of entrenched practices. What are the particular challenges of doing critical pedagogy as new librarians? What unique opportunities for advocacy does being new afford? How can we best support each other and seek support from our more established colleagues? This session was a facilitated roundtable discussion.
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Tong, Kwok-pan, and 湯國斌. "Conditions and constraints on innovative pedagogical practices: challenges to educational leadership." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B29400594.
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Ngoyi, Luka. "Benefits and Challenges Associated with Using Virtual Labs and Solutions to Overcome Them." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50619.
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This study investigated the benefits and challenges associated with the use of virtual labs to teach students, as well as solutions to overcome the challenges. This study was because of the need to develop and implement virtual labs in Zambian institutions of learning. There are plans in Zambia to use virtual labs to supplement the existing laboratory infrastructure and their application would be in a blended type of setting.<br />The study comprised the use of interviews of ten career and technical education (CTE) teachers and five CTE administrators who were from various local school systems and one community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The researcher conducted the interviews, analyzed the data, and determined conclusions.
The CTE administrators and teachers all agreed that the benefits of virtual labs included flexibility, hands-on learning, and convenience. With regard to challenges, CTE administrators indicated the following: inadequate teacher preparation for virtual teaching; constant technological changes, which meant more training for them; software problems; and teachers' resistance to the changes in their curricula. Teachers, on the other hand, had the following challenges: inadequate communication between them and the technology centers in the schools, frequent failure of laboratory equipment and software, incompetent students allowed to study virtually, and inadequate training to teach in a virtual environment.
CTE administrators identified three solutions to the challenges which they had faced. In order to ensure that their virtual programs were running smoothly, they felt that adequate funding needed to be obtained and kept in the budget for training new and older teachers in the use of new teaching software. They identified various venues for training teachers, including attendance at conferences, technological expositions, and bringing in software vendors to train the teachers on site. The administrators also thought that providing adequate and prompt technical support when teachers had technical problems could help overcome the identified challenges. On the other hand, CTE teachers thought that collaborating with other teachers who were facing similar problems would be an excellent way to overcome challenges. They also indicated that initial training and continual training to update their skills would help them overcome problems.<br>Ph. D.
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Nthulana, Ipfani. "Challenges faced by Tshivenda-speaking teachers when instructing Grade 4 learners in English." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/60971.
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The South African Constitution promotes multilingualism while acknowledging the maintenance of home languages. Meanwhile the language-in-education policy (Department of National Education, 1994) declares that every learner has the right to receive education in the language that he/she understands best where this is practicable. According to programme requirements of the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 6), two official languages must be selected by a learner of which one should be the home language and the other one used as a first additional language. One of these languages will serve as the language of learning (Department of Basic Education: Programme and Promotion Requirements, 2011) This study outlined the challenges that Grade 4 teachers in the monolingual rural area of Niani face when teaching through English. This case study was designed as a qualitative research underpinned by Krashen's theory of second language acquisition (1982), which underlines the importance of interaction.
The literature reviewed showed how teachers developed strategies to cope when a second language is used as the medium of instruction in monolingual societies. The participants of the study include six Grade 4 teachers who are mother tongue speakers of Tshivenda and two curriculum advisors of Niani in Limpopo province. Data were collected via classroom observations and interviews in order to establish the challenges teachers face when they switch from using Tshivenda to English once the learners move to Grade 4 and how these teachers cope. The findings indicate that teachers in rural monolingual communities in Niani find it difficult to meet the curriculum demands in terms of the medium of instruction. Grade 3 learners move to Grade 4 with little English vocabulary and this makes teaching problematic. Teachers spend most of their time translating the lessons into Tshivenda, a strategy which further limits both teachers' and learners' English exposure. Teachers too' were found not to be sufficiently proficient in English. The significance of the study relates to the educational issues of rural schools that are ignored by officialdom, including the fact that teachers are not adequately prepared to teach in English. In addition, learners transitioning to the medium of English are not sufficiently supported. Hence, policies need revision and interventions to address linguistic shortcomings of teachers and learners ought to be designed and implemented if English remains the medium of instruction.<br>Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016.<br>Humanities Education<br>MEd<br>Unrestricted
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Alazemi, Abdullah. "Teaching of academic subjects in English and the challenges Kuwaiti students face." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/27997.
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This thesis explores students’ views concerning the current English as medium of instruction (EMI) policy at Kuwait’s two public higher education institutions, Kuwait University (KU) and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). In line with the exploratory nature of this study, an interpretivist and social constructivist epistemological stance was implemented to elicit and analyse students’ views and gain their insights on the current situation. The study employed a sequential mixed method design using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (focus groups, semi-structured interviews and semi-structured observations) methods to present a holistic picture. The number of the participants were 12 for the focus groups, 100 for the questionnaire, 11 for the in-depth interviews and 10 teaching sessions were observed. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the quantitative strand data and thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The study revealed that although most participants preferred to learn through English, the current EMI policy raised many concerns. These related to students having to endure an ‘extra burden’ and the additional effort needed to study a subject being taught in a language that was not their mother tongue. The students expressed the view that this resulted in them being unable to gain a deep knowledge of the subject and not attain high grades which then affected their career prospects. These issues arose due to the students not being sufficiently competent in the use of English at the high level expected for degree level work. Students also expressed concerns relating to EMI policy effects on Arab identity and on the use of Arabic as a language of science and academia. Students would prefer a policy that promoted the use of both Arabic and English in their courses which would enable them to benefit from developing their understanding of both languages. The thesis concludes by presenting a recommendation to modify the medium of instruction policy such that it incorporates both English and Arabic. These recommendations have implications for policymakers, teachers and students.
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Sili, Dra Surya. "An exploration of the implementation of literature based instruction in three fourth grade Indonesian classrooms : promises and challenges /." The Ohio State University, 1999. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1488187763844789.
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Rusk, Christina N. "Urban school challenges: Implementation and sustainability of positive behavioral interventions and supports." Scholarly Commons, 2016. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/8.
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Educators are under increasing pressure to improve the climate and safety in urban schools. Unfortunately, schools have addressed school safety concerns by increasing exclusionary measures such as suspensions and expulsions. Knowing that exclusionary measures can have detrimental effects, state legislatures have called for more proactive strategies for positive student behavior and increased school climates. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a proactive, school-wide approach to discipline that shifts the focuses from punitive measure to teaching, promoting, and supporting positive behavior to all students (Suagai & Horner, 2006). As a result, PBIS has been linked to positive school climates and reductions in exclusionary measures. This mixed methods study examined the implementation efforts and barriers to sustained implementation of PBIS in three urban school districts in Northern California. A modified version of the School-Wide Evaluation Tool (SET) was sent to the school site administrators in the three urban school districts in Northern California that had participated in a four day PBIS training. A small return rate was yielded (n=17), therefore only summary data could be reported. School site administrators indicated that the following practices were in place: three to five positively stated rules, rules were posted throughout the campus, a PBIS team has been established, the administrator was an active participant on the team, and an acknowledgment system had been implemented. Discipline data was analyzed from pre-implementation in 2010-2011 and after implementation in 2014-2015 using Paired t-Tests. Results indicated that there was statistical significance for overall suspension, expulsion and truancy data of the three school districts. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were also conducted on pre-implementation and implementation discipline data by ethnicity and types of discipline. No statistical significance was noted for ethnicity and discipline type, but reductions in the number of suspensions and expulsions for various ethnic groups (i.e. African-Americans, Hispanics, and Whites) and discipline types (i.e. violence, disruptive/defiance, and physical injury) were indicated pre-implementation and after implementation. Additionally, six school site administrators were interviewed to understand various barriers to sustained implementation of PBIS. Three themes emerged regarding sustained implementation which included staff buy-in, additional training, and competing priorities and initiatives.
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Bradley, Fiona. "Information literacy and news libraries: the challenge of developing information literacy instruction programs in a special library environment." Thesis, Curtin University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1395.
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This study examines the current situation of training provided to journalists by news librarians in the United States and Australia. The study examines the factors affecting the provision of training and the potential for information literacy instruction to comprise most of the training provided. The definition of information literacy was explored in the context of journalists and news organisations. The study questions the adaptability of the concept to a workplace environment, where organisational and individual development is important. The results of a self-administered questionnaire are presented. Respondents indicated that news librarians are very willing to plan and conduct training, a clear majority agreeing that they should train journalists to search for their own information. Respondents also expressed a need for more training themselves with regard to the skills needed to deliver instruction. The results also found that training is at an early stage in news libraries, with few hours available for planning and conducting training, and mixed success with different training methodologies. A model is suggested as a method of selecting information literacy competencies for individual journalists. The model describes the relationships between individual, organisation, and occupation determined competencies. The study also discusses the implications of the lack of workplace training for journalists, which has impacted upon news libraries' ability to introduce training services. News librarians are providing training, and are pro-active in providing services and information to journalists, but managers do not yet recognise this as a major role for librarians in news organisations.Information literacy instruction needs to become an organisational goal in order to succeed. The difficulties of assessing and evaluating information literacy instruction in the workplace are outlined. The need for measurable outcomes and preevaluation in training are emphasised. Several considerations for further research are detailed, including the need for further clarification of the nature of information literacy in the workplace, as well as the relationship between the role of information literacy instruction in formal university education and the workplace.
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Bradley, Fiona. "Information literacy and news libraries : the challenge of developing information literacy instruction programs in a special library environment /." Curtin University of Technology, Department of Media and Information, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=14147.
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This study examines the current situation of training provided to journalists by news librarians in the United States and Australia. The study examines the factors affecting the provision of training and the potential for information literacy instruction to comprise most of the training provided. The definition of information literacy was explored in the context of journalists and news organisations. The study questions the adaptability of the concept to a workplace environment, where organisational and individual development is important. The results of a self-administered questionnaire are presented. Respondents indicated that news librarians are very willing to plan and conduct training, a clear majority agreeing that they should train journalists to search for their own information. Respondents also expressed a need for more training themselves with regard to the skills needed to deliver instruction. The results also found that training is at an early stage in news libraries, with few hours available for planning and conducting training, and mixed success with different training methodologies. A model is suggested as a method of selecting information literacy competencies for individual journalists. The model describes the relationships between individual, organisation, and occupation determined competencies. The study also discusses the implications of the lack of workplace training for journalists, which has impacted upon news libraries' ability to introduce training services. News librarians are providing training, and are pro-active in providing services and information to journalists, but managers do not yet recognise this as a major role for librarians in news organisations.<br>Information literacy instruction needs to become an organisational goal in order to succeed. The difficulties of assessing and evaluating information literacy instruction in the workplace are outlined. The need for measurable outcomes and preevaluation in training are emphasised. Several considerations for further research are detailed, including the need for further clarification of the nature of information literacy in the workplace, as well as the relationship between the role of information literacy instruction in formal university education and the workplace.
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Barros, Maria Josà Costa dos Santos. "To learn again fractions by means of pedagogical workshops: challenge for initial formation." Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2007. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=821.
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FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do CearÃ<br>The primary concern of the present research is fractionsâ content, focusing on the relevance of such mathematical content to logical-mathematical acquisition. Firstly, a discussion on pedagogueâs early instruction is done, since this professionalâs grounding enables her to teach Mathematics in early series and so it needs to be improved. The aim of this study is to observe how Fedathiâs Sequence methodology, connected with Didactic Engineering, can contribute to enhance the teaching and learning practices of fractions, theoretically and methodologically supported by pedagogical workshops and by the TelEduc Platform. Therefore, the main question this work answers is whether Fedathiâs Sequence methodology, connected with Didactic Engineering, contributes to decrease lacks in the apprehension of the concept of fraction. Participative research methodology scaffolded this work, since it was considered necessary to comprehend the action and participation of investigated subjects. These were students of the 7th semester of the Pedagogy course from the Faculty of Education belonging to Universidade Federal do Ceara. The analysis pointed to the following results: a) the students-teachers have a limited background on fractions; b) they do not know available methodologies to teach Maths; c) there is little contact with information technologies. Thus, the researchers worked to operate real changes in their relationship with fractionsâ content, favoring the attainment of new schemes and restructuring other consolidated ones. It was possible to provide a discussion on the knowledge they already had and the knowledge they thought they had, observing these concerns within the re-elaboration of a new discourse of theirs. It was concluded, during the whole groundwork, that the investigated subjects, that is, future teachers made explicit the need for more study on the subject, in order to develop autonomy and a full reflection on the relation between docentâs theory and practice.<br>O ponto de fulcro desta pesquisa à o conteÃdo das fraÃÃes, destacando-se a relevÃncia deste conteÃdo matemÃtico para a aquisiÃÃo do conhecimento lÃgico-matemÃtico. Inicia-se este trabalho, fazendo uma discussÃo sobre a formaÃÃo inicial do pedagogo, tendo em vista que o preparo deste profissional lhe permitirà ir para as salas de aula lecionar MatemÃtica para as sÃries iniciais e precisa ser bem trabalhado. Objetiva-se com esta pesquisa observar de que modo as metodologias SeqÃÃncia Fedathi, aliadas à Engenharia DidÃtica, podem contribuir para a melhoria do ensino e da aprendizagem de fraÃÃes, tendo como suporte teÃrico e metodolÃgico o uso de oficinas pedagÃgicas e da plataforma TelEduc. Neste sentido, responde-se com esta pesquisa a questÃo principal, mÃvel da realizaÃÃo deste estudo, que foi âverificar se as metodologias de ensino Engenharia DidÃtica e SeqÃÃncia Fedathi contribuem para minimizar as dificuldades na apreensÃo do conceito de fraÃÃoâ. A metodologia de suporte foi a pesquisa-participante, por se considerar a necessidade de aÃÃo e participaÃÃo dos sujeitos investigados. Os sujeitos investigados foram alunos do sÃtimos semestre do curso de Pedagogia da Faculdade de EducaÃÃo da Universidade Federal do CearÃ-FACED/UFC. As anÃlises apontaram os seguintes resultados: a) os alunos-professores tÃm uma visÃo estreita sobre as fraÃÃes; b) desconhecem as metodologias para o ensino de MatemÃtica; c) tÃm concepÃÃes sobre o assunto que nÃo sÃo as reais; d) hà pouco contato com as tecnologias de informaÃÃo. Desta forma, trabalhou-se para operar mudanÃas reais em suas relaÃÃes com o conteÃdo das fraÃÃes, promovendo a consecuÃÃo de novos esquemas e reestruturando outros jà consolidados. Foi possÃvel promover uma discussÃo sobre o que eles jà sabiam sobre o conteÃdo e o que pensavam que sabiam, sendo observadas essas preocupaÃÃes na reelaboraÃÃo de um novo discurso por parte deles. Concluiu-se que, durante a formaÃÃo, que os sujeitos investigados, ou seja, os futuros-professores, explicitaram a necessidade de estudar mais o assunto abordado, para desenvolver autonomia e ampla reflexÃo acerca da relaÃÃo da teoria com a prÃtica docente.
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Lundström, Marie. "Teaching English in Multilevel Classes : How do teachers at Swedish secondary schools face this challenge?" Thesis, Mälardalens högskola, Akademin för utbildning, kultur och kommunikation, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-41001.
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The aim of the study was to investigate how teachers of English in secondary schools experience the challenge of adapting their instruction to meet their students’ differences and needs as learners. Its ultimate purpose was to provide useful information for the development of English teaching and learning practices. As a means to achieve this, six active secondary school teachers of English, working at different schools located in Central Sweden, were interviewed. The method used to collect data was semi-structured interviews, rendering the study qualitative in nature. The concrete research questions posed were the following: What attitudes do the English teachers have towards ability grouping? How do the English teachers experience the challenge of instructing students with different needs as learners? The results indicated that there were rather divergent attitudes among the teachers towards ability grouping. Although, most participants could see that ability grouping would be advantageous in the sense that it would facilitate the teaching situation. A one-size-fits-all type of instruction seemed to be employed by most teachers in the study, where “tailoring” was used to adapt instruction. The study concluded that there were some teachers who seemed to face these challenges more effectively than others, which was also visible in the way they perceived their success in doing so.
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Bungard, Patrick Allen. "MEETING THE DISTANCE EDUCATION CHALLENGE: A GUIDE FOR DESIGNING ONLINE CLASSROOMS." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/587.
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The emphasis on education fluctuates with the economy. When education is encouraged, many individuals flock to colleges and universities to increase earning potential or achieve goals. Thanks to advancements in technology, distance education in the 21st century can be similar to face-to-face education. Students spend many hours sitting in front of a computer completing course work. Although still in infancy stages, online education has vastly improved. Perspectives like teaching adults (andragogy), transformative learning, and teacher immediacy all address teaching individuals from afar. In consultation with these three perspectives, several qualitative measures have been developed aid with online course design. This graduate project intends to assist faculty with setting up an online course using Andragogy, Transformative Learning Theory, and Teacher Immediacy as the backbone. In addition, the Quality Online Course Initiative, Quality Matters, and Quality Online Learning and Teaching tools are applied.
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Nordqvist, Louise. "En förenklad modell avintensivundervisning.- Modellens påverkan på en elev i matematiksvårigheter och modellens möjligheter och utmaningar för lärare." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för naturvetenskap och teknik, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-94474.
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It is the school's responsibility to give the students teaching that can encourage theirdevelopment and learning. One teaching method that has proven to be beneficial for studentsin math difficulties is intensive instruction. The purpose of this study was therefore to study,through a case study, how a simplified model of intensive instruction can impact a student inmath difficulties and his/her learning. The case study also highlights opportunities andchallenges with using the simplified model as a teacher. The results showed that the intensiveinstruction model had a positive effect on the student in several ways, but that the teacher shouldnot be too guiding if the teaching is going to be beneficial for the student. The results alsoshowed that the teacher needs to have good mathematical competence and that the teachingshould adapt the instruction to the student's conditions and needs. Another valuable result isthat the intervention gave positive learning effects in a relatively short time which might makeschools and teachers more willing to try using the simplified model of intensive instruction.<br>Det är skolans ansvar att erbjuda en undervisning som främjar alla elevers utveckling och lärande. Ett arbetssätt som visat sig vara fördelaktigt för att främja lärandet hos elever i matematiksvårigheter är intensivundervisning. Den här studien har därför haft till syfte att, genom en fallstudie, undersöka hur en förenklad modell av intensivundervisning kan påverka lärandet hos en elev i matematiksvårigheter. Fallstudien undersökte även de möjligheter och utmaningar som finns med att som lärare genomföra en förenklad modell av intensivundervisning. Resultatet visade att intensivundervisningen påverkat eleven positivt i flera avseenden men att läraren inte får vara för lotsande om undervisningen ska bli fördelaktig för eleven. Resultatet visade även att läraren behöver ha en god matematisk kompetens och att undervisningen bör anpassas till elevens förutsättningar och behov. Ytterligare ett värdefullt resultat utifrån fallstudien är att interventionen gav resultat på kort tid och det kan bidra till att allt fler skolor och lärare vågar pröva denna undervisningsform.
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Adjabeng, Stanley Kafui Kofi. "The Status and Challenges of Online Distance Education Programs in Post-Secondary Institutions in Ghana." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc984234/.
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The purpose of this study was to identify the status and challenges of online distance education programs in post-secondary institutions in Ghana. This study was a replication of a similar study conducted in Kenya in 2009, at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. This present study was conducted with an online survey using Google survey assessment. The survey requested responses from six post-secondary institutions in Ghana. Out of a total of 450 projected student responses, 309 responses were received with a 69% participation rate. A total of 14 responses were received for instructors out of a projected 30 resulting in 47% participation rate. And for administrators, 8 responses were received out of a projected 12 resulting in a 67% participation rate. Overall the study revealed that Ghana post-secondary institutions have established and incorporated online distance education into their programs, offering both online and blended courses. Some of these institutions established regional centers across the country and incorporated foreign instructors into their programs. The survey also revealed that students were satisfied with the overall online distance education program in their institutions which included the level of instruction, feedback and evaluation. However, there were still challenges revealed from the study that included the high cost of education, frequent power outages, school stoppages as a result of instructor strikes and the need to restructure courses to include projects.
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Mentzer, Nathan. "Academic Performance as a Predictor of Student Growth in Achievement and Mental Motivation During an Engineering Design Challenge in Engineering and Technology Education." DigitalCommons@USU, 2008. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/31.
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The purpose of this correlational research study was to determine if students’ academic success was correlated with: (a) the student change in achievement during an engineering design challenge; and (b) student change in mental motivation toward solving problems and critical thinking during an engineering design challenge. Multiple experimental studies have shown engineering design challenges increase student achievement and attitude toward learning, but conflicting evidence surrounded the impact on higher and lower academically achieving students. A high school classroom was chosen in which elements of engineering design were purposefully taught. Eleventh-grade student participants represented a diverse set of academic backgrounds (measured by grade point average [GPA]). Participants were measured in terms of achievement and mental motivation at three time points.
Longitudinal multilevel modeling techniques were employed to identify significant predictors in achievement growth and mental motivation growth during the school year. Student achievement was significantly correlated with science GPA, but not math or communication GPA. Changes in achievement score over time are not significantly correlated with science, math, or communication. Mental motivation was measured by five subscales. Mental focus was correlated with math and science GPA. Mental focus increases over time were negatively correlated with science GPA, which indicated that the initial score differential (between higher and lower science GPA students) was decreased over time. Learning orientation and cognitive integrity were not correlated with GPA. Creative problem solving was correlated with science GPA, but gains over time were not correlated with GPA. Scholarly rigor was correlated with science GPA, but change over time was not correlated with GPA. (284 pages)
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Womujuni, Vincent. "The Challenges International Students Face in Adjusting to Their New Status as Graduate Students: An Exploratory Case Study." PDXScholar, 2007. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3972.
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Over the last several years, the number of international students attending colleges and universities in the United States has increased substantially. While considerable time, effort, and university resources are often devoted to the recruitment of international students, it is unclear how well institutions are meeting the needs of these students. This growing number of international students requires foreign exchange professionals and university administrators to better understand the reasons why international students pursue higher education in the United States and the challenges they face.
This exploratory case study is to examine the challenges international graduate students encounter in adjusting to their new status as graduate students. Six research questions framed this study: What difficulties do international students face in their first year in graduate school? What adjustments do they need to make in their first year in graduate school? What challenges do continuing international graduate students face? In what ways are perspectives of continuing international graduate students similar to perspectives of beginning international graduate students? What university support resources do international graduate students say are helpful? What PSU support resources are needed, but missing?
The relevant literature addresses academic, social, psychological, cultural, financial, and housing adjustment challenges. The data for this research were collected by interviewing and surveying international graduate students at PSU. Data were analyzed using standard methods of qualitative data analysis.
Consistent with the results from other research, this study reveals the following adjustment challenges: unsatisfactory accommodation; inadequate financial resources; lack of culturally specific programs that are intentional, flexible and accessible; unfamiliarity with the new educational system; limited English proficiency; undeveloped infrastructure for on-going orientation; insufficient health services information; and unavailability of international student mentoring programs.
The findings of this study have the potential to inform both researchers and practitioners as institutions attempt to create sufficient international student support services.
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Eckhart, Tami Marie. "Good strategies for "bad" books." Bowling Green, Ohio : Bowling Green State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=bgsu1237311795.
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Catino, Robert J. "Relationship Between Flow Experience, Flow Dimensions, and the Equivalence of Challenges and Skills in the Web-Based Training Environment." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2000. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2582/.
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This study applied components of Csikszentmhalyis flow theory to the Web-based Training (WBT) environment. Specifically considered were how the equivalence of a learners perceived challenges and skills for an activity can effectively predict the emergence of flow in the WBT environment. Also considered was the ability of flow dimensions defined in flow theory to predict and model the occurrence of flow during WBT activities. Over a period of about one hour, students (n=43) from a southwestern US university engaged in WBT learning activities pertaining to on-line coursework or self-study. A special Web-based software installed on the students computers sporadically reminded them to complete a series of on-line questionnaires which collected data on their flow experience, learning activities, and flow dimensions. The data collection method employed by this study is effectively an electronic, Web-enabled version of, and functionally equivalent to, the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) used in other flow studies. This study employed questionnaires used in prior flow studies to collect data regarding respondents flow experiences and flow dimensions, and developed an on-line instrument to collect data on students learning experiences based on instructional events found in computer-based lessons from Gagné. Significant findings (p<.05) from this study suggest that, in the WBT environment studied, as the relative level of challenge and skill of a learning activity increases, so does the level of flow experienced by the individual. This study also found that flow dimensions are good predictors of flow experience. The results of this study should have important implications for WBT users and instructional designers. Since flow is a positive experience that most individuals wish to repeat, understanding how to facilitate the occurrence of flow, from both the WBT users and instructional designers perspective, is likely to be beneficial to the rapidly emerging field of WBT.
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Yu, Xiao Ping (Amy). "CHINESE CHARACTER CHALLENGER 汉 字 挑 战 者 Supplementary courseware for assisting students learning Chinese characters". Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2680.
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Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.<br>In this thesis, I pinpoint the challenge of character learning as my research problem, which is the subsequent motivation to explain the background and rationale of my research. I also discuss the theoretical concepts of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in relation to cognitive psychology, the constructivist learning theory and Second Language Acquisition theories. This leads to the presentation of my considerations regarding design principles, strategic approach and other relevant decisions.
The multimedia project I designed, named the “Chinese Character Challenger”, a “supplementary courseware for assisting students learning characters”, is an informational and educational-oriented website. It provides learners with the necessary knowledge, hints, tips and sources to cope with their specific learning problems and to achieve their learning potential. It also introduces external resources of learning if learners need further research. The purpose of the website is to assist, to motivate and to further guide students’ learning. To conclude, I have discussed some open issues with regards to adding value in the learning environment.
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Reath, Warren Anne. "Developing multilingual literacies in Sweden and Australia : Opportunities and challenges in mother tongue instruction and multilingual study guidance in Sweden and community language education in Australia." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för språkdidaktik, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-144745.
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This thesis aims to learn about opportunities for and challenges to the development of multilingual literacies in three forms of education in Sweden and Australia that teach or draw on immigrant languages. In Sweden mother tongue instruction and multilingual study guidance are in focus and in Australia, a community language school. Taking an ecological approach to the research sites, the thesis investigates how language ideologies, organization of the form of education and language practices impact on the development of multilingual literacies. A range of linguistic ethnographic data including 75 lesson observations, 48 interviews, field notes and photographs has been analyzed against the theoretical backdrop of the continua of biliteracy (Hornberger, 1989; Hornberger & Skilton-Sylvester, 2000), heteroglossia (Bakhtin, 1981) and emerging theories of translanguaging (García & Li, 2014) to investigate the questions. The thesis ties together the results of four interlocking case studies investigating the above-mentioned forms of education. Study I analyses the syllabus for mother tongue instruction in Sweden and finds that while aligning with the overall values of the curriculum for the compulsory school, a hidden curriculum constrains implementation. In Study II, multilingual practices during multilingual study guidance in Sweden are analysed, and demonstrate how translanguaging helps recently arrived students reach the learning goals of subjects in the Swedish curriculum. In study III, systematic analysis of indexicals reveals contrasting language narratives about language and language development in and around a Vietnamese community language school in Australia. Study IV focuses on mother tongue instruction in Sweden and through analysis of audio-recordings of lessons, interviews and field notes, finds three dimensions of linguistic diversity infuse the subject. Opportunities for the development of multilingual literacies are created when there is equal access to spaces for developing literacies in different immigrant languages, within which language ideologies that recognize and build on the heteroglossic diversity of students’ linguistic repertoires dynamically inform the organization of education and classroom practices. Challenges are created when monoglossic ideologies restrict access to or ignore linguistic diversity and when there is a lack of dynamic engagement with implementation and organization. Basing organization, and classroom strategies around the linguistic reality of the students and the genres they need, benefits the development of multilingual literacies in both settings and can help students become resourceful language users (Pennycook, 2012b, 2014).<br><p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>
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Bell-Nolan, Mary E. "Writing is Worth the Challenges: A Qualitative Study of Teachers' Beliefs, Experiences, and Common Core Tensions with Writing Instruction Across the Curriculum in an Urban High School." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1437157556.
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Van, Winkle Kristina A. "Educating for Global Competence: Co-Constructing Outcomes in the Field: An Action Research Project." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1626442252415126.
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Adkison, Caroline Mary. "Sexuality and related social skills training: Meeting the challenge for adults with developmental disabilities." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1997. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1548.
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Historically, people with developmental disabilities were denied the right to live in and integrate with the society of individuals without disabilities. Landmark legislation and a societal shift over the past two decades, however, have made it possible for people with developmental disabilities to live and work in the communities in which they live.
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Swan, Richard Heywood. "Deriving Operational Principles for the Design of Engaging Learning Experiences." Diss., CLICK HERE for online access, 2008. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/ETD/image/etd2573.pdf.
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Kalikokha, Chimwemwe. "The perceptions of a group of first year undergraduate Malawian students of the essay writing process." Click here to access this resource online, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/396.
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The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the essay writing process of first year undergraduates at Chancellor College (University of Malawi) and to a lesser extent those of the lecturers responsible for teaching academic skills. A mixed methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, was employed in order to obtain richer data for deeper understanding of the students’ writing process. Two hundred students from the humanities and social science faculties responded to a self-completion questionnaire towards the end of semester one. Based on the students’ responses, an open-ended questionnaire was administered to four full time English for Academic Purposes (EAP) instructors. Findings from this study indicate that most students find it very challenging to obtain sufficient and relevant source text information, paraphrase or summarise information, and use an appropriate academic writing style. As solutions to these challenges, the students suggested the need for timely essay writing instruction, availability of resources for essay writing, increased amount of time spent on essay writing instruction, and discipline specific instruction in essay writing. EAP instructors identified lack of teaching and learning materials, large EAP classes, and students’ negative attitude towards the EAP course, as some of the challenges they encounter when teaching the course. The EAP instructors proposed an increase in the number of staff members, making students aware of the significance of the EAP course at an early stage, and the availability of up to date resources, as some of the ways in which the teaching of the course can be improved. Overall, the findings seem to suggest that difficulties that students encounter during the writing process and teaching challenges that EAP instructors face, have great impact on students’ perception of academic writing as well as their approach to writing tasks. The findings also suggest a lack of dialogue between the students and their lecturers. This is evident in students’ unawareness of the nature of the writing demands of their lecturers and disciplines; students’ desire to have timely essay writing instruction; and the lecturers’ concerns about students’ negative attitude towards the EAP course.
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Maholwana-Sotashe, Nikiwe Laura. "Challenges faced by secondary school teachers in integrating ICT into the curriculum: a multiple case study in the Grahamstown Circuit." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003326.
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The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the curriculum has become the major issue worldwide. The education system does not only pursue the integration of ICT into the curriculum because of its popularity in the market system, but because of the role it is perceived to play in the changing curriculum (encourages active construction of knowledge). According to White Paper 7 e-Education policy (2004:17) every South African learner should be able to use ICTs confidently and creatively to develop the skills and knowledge they need to achieve personal goals and to be full participants in the global community by 2013. The central role played by teachers in teaching and learning requires them to have a holistic understanding of ICT integration. Furthermore they should be able to analyse when ICT integration is appropriate according to what is expected from the learner in the teaching and learning process. Drawing on the evidence from a survey of nine secondary schools in the Grahamstown Circuit of the Eastern Cape, this study examines how teachers from three different types of secondary schools: Former Department of Education (FDET) schools, Former House of Representatives (FHOR) schools and Former Model C (FMC) schools perceive the integration of ICTs in the curriculum. The salient ideas of how teachers perceive the integration of ICTs into the curriculum emerge from what they view as benefits of using ICT and what they view as challenges of integrating ICT into the curriculum. Contrary to expectations, the degree of ICT integration within the curriculum did not correspond directly with the availability of sufficient hardware, software or Internet connectivity at the participating schools.
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Nelson, Delore. "Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners in Mississippi Through Professional Development." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5108.
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The problem addressed in this study is that Native American and Hispanic English language learners (ELLs) in a rural Mississippi school district are not performing at the same level as non-ELLs. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the perceived causes of ELL failure and low academic performance on district and state assessments and in general education classes. Guided by Vygotsky's theory of development, which supports teachers and students remaining active in the learning process, research questions focused on what instructional practices general education teachers use to provide instruction for Spanish/Choctaw-speaking ELLs. General education teachers' use of professional learning communities (PLCs), instructional and assessment practices, knowledge of ELLs' instructional needs, and perceptions of professional development (PD) were examined. The purposeful sample for surveys included 33 Kindergarten through12 general education teachers who met the criteria of having the experience of providing instruction to ELLs. Teacher participants completed an online anonymous survey through SurveyMonkey. Six English Language Arts (ELA) teachers and 1 administrator participated in face-to-face interviews. The responses were open coded then analyzed using NVivo 11. Seven themes emerged from the data: differentiation is critical for ELL instruction, assessment should drive instruction, ELLs benefit from evidence based instructional strategies, PLCs support general education teachers, PD is inadequate to support ELLs and teacher needs, PD is needed on ELLs background, and administrators' support PLCs for ELLs' instruction. A 5-day PD project was designed and positive social change promoted by providing staff with evidence based ELL instructional support, resulting in improved ELL learning and achievement.
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Awidi, Isaiah T. "E-learning implementation strategies for an ICT-challenged environment : case of the University of Ghana, Legon." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/573.
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E-learning implementation in higher education continues to gain prominence in both developed and developing countries, and while most universities in ICT-rich environments are exploring different ways of using ICT and multimedia resources to enhance teaching and learning, the same cannot be said about ICT-challenged environments. Nevertheless, the question of successful and sustainable e-learning implementation continues to remain a challenge, particularly in ICT-challenged environments.
The primary purpose of this research was to examine policy and strategy issues that have influenced the process of e-learning implementation at the University of Ghana (UG), given that previous ICT and e-learning initiatives failed to improve teaching and learning. The argument underlying this research is that successful e-learning is based on an institution’s capacity and how effectively the available resources are mobilised, coordinated and managed to develop skills and competencies. Synthesising the theoretical models of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Adoption Model (2003), Collis and Moonen’s 4-E model (2001), and other institutional experiences of e-learning implementation, this thesis argues that there are three thematic domains (Institution, People, and Technology) that e-learning implementation must focus on.
The results of this research show that acquiring technology infrastructure, organising workshops, and asking users to accept and adopt e-learning is not enough to promote and achieve a successful e-learning implementation. Policies, objectives, and strategic level checklists are critical for success using the framework developed in this thesis for ICT-challenged environments.
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Crowell, Victoria. "Teachers' Perceptions of Cultural Change in a Challenged High School During the Implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme." UNF Digital Commons, 2013. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/445.
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Academically failing schools are under scrutiny from government education administrators, policymakers, and the general public, due to chronic inabilities to lower dropout rates and to educate students who can pass high-stakes graduation assessments. States’ efforts to adhere to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act have led to the development of accountability systems to determine adequate yearly progress (AYP) and to assign schools grades, as well as wholesale reassessment of current educational programs, which are often replaced with more rigorous curricula.
Among curricular programs that have been sought as reform measures for academically failing schools is the International Baccalaureate Program (IBP). The IBP’s exacting curriculum has attracted many schools to adopt it as an alternative course of study for advanced students, as well as a rigorous option to build academic capacity among students who have failed to make AYP.
This case study examined teachers’ perceptions of the effect the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) had on the culture of an academically underperforming high school in Valdosta, Georgia. Teacher volunteers from within the IBDP, in addition to teachers who taught standard classes, participated in a series of three semistructured interviews over 1.5 years, during which time the school made its initial application to the International Baccalaureate Organisation and subsequently began implementing the program with the school’s first cohort of students. Additionally, documents relating to the IB application process were examined, and observations of the IBDP teachers with students in their classrooms were conducted. Data analysis utilized the frameworks of educational criticism and narrative analysis.
Teachers within the IBDP reported feelings of increased self-efficacy resulting from their work with both students and community stakeholders. Participant teachers in both IB courses and other programs described an overall improvement in the school’s culture.