Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Interpretive paradigm'
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1
Mix, Walt Mahealani. "An interpretive paradigm for Luke's narrative parables with special reference to allusion and the good Samaritan /." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1993. http://www.tren.com.
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Souza, Alina, and Ghazouani Anas El. "Influential Factors in Innovation Initiatives at a Telecom Equipment Supplier : A Study of Lead Generation and Add-on Sales’ Hindrances and Enablers." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för informatik (IK), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-54448.
Abstract:
Abstract In this research, we aim to look at the inner workings of Lead Generation and Add-on Sales through the eye of the people working directly with it. We do that with the objective of understanding what contributes positively to its success and what can cause problems or hinders it throughout all its stages from generating innovative ideas to implementing and selling them. We have chosen a qualitative method to conduct this study using an interpretive paradigm in performing our analysis of the findings. The data was collected by organizing interviews with participants that we selected in collaboration with Telco’s researchers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded to form our primary data. In addition to that, we have used vast secondary data that was deemed to be relevant to the subject we were researching. After analyzing the results and findings, we look to answer the research questions, which concern the difficulties accompanying the innovative process between initiating an idea and implementing it as well as identifying the enablers and hindrances that arise during the operations of these innovative initiatives called Lead Generation and Add-on Sales. Once factors were identified, further analysis is performed to discuss if these factors are hindrances or enablers to the innovative initiatives at Telco. The frontline employees’ new business ideas (leads) or add-on sales are added as inputs to the ICT systems of this initiative and follow to subsequent phases until reach the commercialization phase in case they succeed, all the phases and processes occur through the ICT systems. In the context of this research, technology plays a key role and not only make the Lead Generation and Add-on sales processes viable but is also a factor that can either facilitate or impede potential leads or add-on sales to succeed. We put forward a model to better illustrate our findings and clarify the reasoning behind them. Despite the delimitations in terms of scope of this research, we believe that our findings and analysis can play a role in contributing to the understanding of factors that can be a barrier in the pursuit for innovation.
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Gallardo, Echenique Eliana Esther. "An Investigation of the Social and Academic Uses of Digital Technology by University Students." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/277423.
Abstract:
Aquest estudi ens presenta una perspectiva diferent de què és el que pensen els alumnes de la URV sobre l’ús de les tecnologies digitals amb finalitat acadèmica i social; i com es senten sobre el fenomen “natiu digital”. L’objecte central d’aquest estudi és entendre com els estudiants universitaris utilitzen les tecnologies digitals i quines són les implicacions del seu ús en l’educació superior. Per abordar aquest objectiu, el investigador va adoptar un enfocament interpretatiu i va desenvolupar una estratègia d’investigació de mètodes mixtes. Les principals tècniques de recollida de dades utilitzades van ser la revisió integradora de la literatura, els qüestionaris en línia i les entrevistes semi-estructurades. L’estudi es va realitzar a la Facultat de Ciències de l’Educació i Psicologia de la Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) de Tarragona, Espanya.
La comunicació cara a cara, les xarxes socials, el correu electrònic personal, els missatges de text i el telèfon mòbil són les formes preferides de comunicació i connexió amb els altres. La majoria dels estudiants es comuniquen en grups via Facebook i WhatsApp que estan inclosos com part del seu procés d’aprenentatge per compartir informació relacionada amb la classe. Els resultats ens suggereixen que el seu coneixement tecnològic no és el que s’esperaria per els representants de la generació de natius digitals. Els resultats no confirmen l’afirmació que existeix una bretxa tecnològica entre els estudiants més joves i els seus companys de major edat. De fet, ambdós utilitzen les mateixes tecnologies en la seva vida quotidiana, com el ordenador, els telèfons mòbils (WhatsApp), el Internet, el correu electrònic i el Facebook; però això no ha de portar a la conclusió que la nova generació d’estudiants ha desenvolupat sofisticades habilitats tecnològiques.Este estudio nos presenta una perspectiva diferente de qué es lo que piensan los alumnos de la URV acerca del uso de las tecnologías digitales con fines académicos y sociales; y cómo se sienten sobre el fenómeno "nativo digital". El objetivo central de este estudio es entender cómo los estudiantes universitarios utilizan las tecnologías digitales y cuáles son las implicaciones de su uso en la educación superior. Para abordar este objetivo, el investigador adoptó un enfoque interpretativo y desarrolló una estrategia de investigación de métodos mixtos. Las principales técnicas de recogida de datos utilizados fueron la revisión integradora de la literatura, cuestionarios en línea y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. El estudio se realizó en la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación y Psicología de la Universidad Rovira i Virgili (URV) de Tarragona, España. Comunicación cara a cara, redes sociales, correo electrónico personal, mensajes de texto y el teléfono móvil son los modos preferidos de comunicación y conexión con los demás. La mayoría de los estudiantes se comunica en grupos vía Facebook y WhatsApp que son incluidas como parte de su proceso de aprendizaje para compartir información relacionada con la clase. Los resultados nos sugieren que su conocimiento tecnológico no es lo que se esperaría para los representantes de la generación de nativos digitales. Los resultados no confirman la afirmación de que existe una brecha tecnológica entre los estudiantes más jóvenes y sus compañeros de mayor edad. De hecho, ambos utilizan las mismas tecnologías en su vida cotidiana, como el ordenador, teléfonos móviles (WhatsApp), Internet, correo electrónico y Facebook; pero esto no debe llevar a la conclusión de que la nueva generación de estudiantes ha desarrollado sofisticadas habilidades tecnológicas.
This study presents a different perspective of what URV learners think about their use of digital technologies for academic and social purposes and how they feel about the “Digital Native Generation” phenomenon. The central aim of the study is to understand how university learners use digital technologies and what are the implications of their use for higher education. To address this aim, the researcher adopted an interpretivist approach and developed a mixed-method research strategy. The main data collection techniques used were integrative literature review, online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted in the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology at the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Tarragona, Spain. Face-to-face interaction, social networks, personal email, text message and mobile cellphone were the preferred modes of communicating and connecting with others. Most of students’ communication is in groups via Facebook and WhatsApp and had integrated them as part of the learning process to share class-related information. The results suggest that their technological knowledge is not what would be expected for representatives of the digital native generation. The findings do not support the claim that there is a substantial gap between more technologically adept younger students and their older classmates. Indeed, both used many of the same technologies in their everyday lives, with computer, mobile phones (WhatsApp), the Internet, e-mail (personal and institutional account) and Facebook; but this should not lead to the conclusion that the new generation of students has developed sophisticated technological abilities.
4
Tipuna, Kitea. "Whakawhiti whakaaro, whakakotahi i a tatou convergence through consultation : an analysis of how the Māori world-view is articulated through the consultation processes of the Resource Management Act (1991) : a thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the Master of Arts, 2007 / Kitea Tipuna." Click here to access this resource online, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/370.
5
Zakre, Kenan. "The Use Of Learning Management Systems In Primary Schools : A Qualitative Study Among Teachers In Sweden." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för informatik (IK), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-81310.
Abstract:
Information and Communication Technology is used in the education field in Sweden toimprove learning quality. The aim of this research is to investigate the use of LearningManagement Systems in primary schools, in the specific context of the role of LearningManagement System (LMS) in learning and teaching processes from teachers‟perspectives. Furthermore, This Thesis aims to explore teachers‟ perceptions of how touse this learning management system which is used in primary Swedish schools.Six teachers from two different primary schools in small municipality in the south ofSweden participated in semi-structured interviews. The theoretical model of UnifiedTheory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) inspired this qualitativeresearch along with the other related past studies. This quantitative model was only usedto sensitize the research process, for collecting and analysing qualitative data in thisstudy.The different elements of the theory such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy,social influence and facilitating conditions along with studies helps in conducting studybasedon qualitative approach for analysing the interviews. The research results indicatethat teachers were content with the usage of this learning management system, but thereis a lack of knowledge regarding this system. The system is helpful in performanceevaluation, planning, communication and overall working for routine tasks. Theresponses of interviews showed that teachers are not trained for using the features ofLearning management system in the way that it is designed for. The findings showed thatteachers require the support from professionals to integrate the system into their routineplanning. Furthermore, they also emphasise on the need to make the system user-friendlywith easy navigation. The findings of this study were compared to previous studies, anda further comparison was carried out regarding how it relates to the determinants andmoderating factors such as peer influence, internal perceptions and motivations, timeconstraints, organisational structure and facilitating conditions. Hence, support andtraining are needed to enhance learning and teaching through this Learning managementsystem.
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Duckworth, Jean Ellen. "Straddling paradigms : an interpretive hermeneutic exploration of the experience of midwives practising homeopathy." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2015. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/12130/.
Abstract:
This study aimed to explore the experiences of midwives who were also homeopaths as they attempted to straddle the different philosophical and practice paradigms they encountered in each domain. It also explored the implications of their experience on their practice. Over recent decades the National Health Service (NHS) has moved towards a scientific-bureaucratic perspective, in which the emphasis is on the use of evidence-based frameworks. It has been argued that this development has moved the focus in healthcare away from ‘caring’. In parallel, there has been an increase in the demand for complementary and alternative medicines in the United Kingdom (UK), and elsewhere. In responding to this call a number of midwives have taken up training opportunities in massage, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, acupuncture and homeopathy, amongst others. There are no studies however, that have examined the impact of training as a homeopath on midwives and their practice. After a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, this study used an interpretive hermeneutic framework to explore the experience of midwives who trained as homeopaths. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven midwife homeopaths. The findings were analysed using three different lenses. The first of these conceptualised and explored the midwives narratives as personal and professional metamorphoses, as they changed from midwife to homeopath or midwife homeopath. Secondly, the data were framed using a Heideggerian lens, which illuminated a process of transformation into being authentic practitioners. This demonstrates how authenticity allowed the participants to (re) engage with, and further value the therapeutic relationship as a fundamental element of their clinical practice. The final lens explored the impact engendered of being authentic on the therapeutic relationship that developed between midwife homeopath and the women in their care. The conclusion was drawn that the therapeutic relationship developed by an authentic practitioner via a homeopathic consultation is transferable to other healthcare practitioners, and offers a challenge to practice based in notions of scientism and bureaucracy. Further exploration of these phenomenon’s could help to deliver on the drive to deliver compassionate personalised care across the NHS as a whole.
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Kolaki, Maria. "Mobile Payment Use and Mobile Payment Transactions by Older Adults : A Qualitative Study." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för informatik (IK), 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-66953.
Abstract:
The research outlined in this thesis focuses on the effects of implementation and use of mobile payments as experienced by older adults aged 55-75, as qualitatively examined through research interviewees (hereafter participants of this study) made up of individuals with varying cultural and technological backgrounds, who are acclimated to Greece’s culture and have lived within the country for at least a decade. Their own perception and reception of the practice allows for a more comprehensive look into the practical application of the technology within the country. No empirical studies are available on the aforementioned topic, despite the high importance and need for such study. Therefore, this research is carried out through a literature review. It then analyzes two models namely technology acceptance model (TAM) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. It applies a phenomenological research method and provides us with a more concise, contextualized background into the widespread application of m-payment and m-commerce within the country. This research contributes new knowledge to m-payment and m-commerce through theoretical and empirical research and benefits the interpretation of a recently emerging phenomenon. The research results are useful to various groups associated with mpayments and m-commerce. Future research directions concerning this phenomenon involve the reception and enhancement of m-payment methods by older adults.
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Flores, Moreno Adhemir. "La reciprocidad puesta a prueba. Hacia una fenomenología social del cambio climático en sociedades pastoriles del sur andino peruano." Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2015. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/119583.
Abstract:
Given that the pastoral societies of the Peruvian Andes have seldom participated in scientific and political debates about climate change, this paper aims to explain and account for the languages of beliefs, meanings, and experiences of those principally affected from a philosophical and anthropological approach. In a time of ecological crisis, not only is the world of certainties or the significant experiences of the highland shepherds put into question, but also there is an opportunity forthe critique of the relationships of reciprocity in the totality of what exists, offering answers to various inquiries through different interpretative paradigms or language games. With the same strength with which the accounts of the peasants are able to show that crisis, critic, and creation go essentially hand-in-hand, there rises the need to establish limits to the scientific or dogmatic pretention of reducing the debate about climate change solely to closed decisions of expert groups or autonomous power centers, apart from all political process of discussion and dialogue with those mainly affected. Thence comes the ethical demand to initiate processes of democratization that can give a voice to the marginalized and include them in the procedures of public deliberation about climate change by means of reciprocity, social cooperation, and symbolic exchanges on equal standing.Dado que las sociedades pastoriles de los Andes peruanos pocas vecesparticipan en los debates científicos y políticos sobre el cambio climático, este artículo pretende explicitar y dar cuenta de los idiomas de creencias, las significaciones y las vivencias de los principales afectados, desde una aproximación filosófica y antropológica. En una época de crisis ecológica, no solo se pone en cuestión el mundo de certidumbres o las experiencias de sentido de los pastores de altura, sino que estos también encuentran una ocasión propicia para la crítica de las relaciones de reciprocidad en la totalidad de lo existente, así como para ofrecer respuestas a sus diversas interrogantes desde diferentes paradigmas interpretativos o juegos de lenguaje. Con la misma fuerza con que los relatos de los campesinos permiten mostrar que crisis, crítica y creación van esencialmente unidas, emerge la necesidad de poner límites a la pretensión cientificista o dogmática de reducir el debate sobre el cambio climático a decisiones cerradas de grupos de expertos o de centros de poder autonomizados, al margen de todo proceso político de discusión y de diálogo con los principales afectados. De allí resulta la exigencia ética de iniciar procesos de democratización que puedan dar voz a los marginados y los incluya en los procedimientos de deliberación pública sobre el cambio climático, mediante la reciprocidad, la cooperación social ylos intercambios simbólicos en pie de igualdad.
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Ponelis, S. R. (Shana Rachel). "An exploratory study of business intelligence in knowledge-based growth small, medium and micro-enterprises in South Africa." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28042.
Abstract:
Small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) play an important part in all economies but particularly in developing economies. Growth 'SMMEs seek to grow either in size, revenue and/or asset value by reinvesting available resources; these enterprises tend to spend their available resources on operational when it comes to information and communication technology (ICT). But these systems, whilst necessary are not sufficient. They are geared toward capturing data but not producing information. Business intelligence (BI) can provide decision-makers, who in SMMEs are predominantly owner-managers, with access to information that enables them to make informed decisions on where to apply limited resources. Because BI requires operational systems to be in place to gather the data it is the logical next step. Despite increasing discussion in the press and amongst BI practitioners, academic research with regard to BI in SMMEs remains sparse. Since the potential contribution of BI to SMMEs can only be assessed by first understanding current information practices and needs in such enterprises, the purpose of this study is to explore the use of use of BI to support strategic, tactical and operational decision-making. This research uses an interpretive approach to collect data using semi-structured interviews from the owner-managers of six knowledge-based growth SMMEs in South Africa selected through purposive sampling. The research results suggest that BI can play an important role in knowledge-based growth SMMEs but that support and guidance is needed to ensure that BI is used appropriately to fully exploit available data for decision-making in addition to expanding available data sources. Future research can adopt a more rigorous positivist approach to confirm the findings of this study, expand the population to other sectors in South Africa and/or SMMEs in other countries. An action research methodology can also be used to apply BI interventions in SMMEs to investigate specific BI solutions in-depth. The research may be of value to participating and other SMME owner-managers, policy makers, government agencies, business advisers, and academic researchers.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Information Science
unrestricted
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Trettel, Adam Michael. "Augustine, City of God 14 : an interpretative study." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/28961.
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This thesis provides an interpretative study of Augustine of Hippo’s City of God, book 14. The introduction explains how the thesis demonstrates that Augustine only partially endorses a model of emotional control through reason, and asserts that the key to his emotions doctrine is not to be found in an affections-passions dichotomy. It also addresses Augustine’s engagement with Platonism in the text, and, using work by Volker Drecoll, explains how the commentary-style project is able to situate City 14 within the Pelagian controversy ca. A.D. 419. The following seven chapters proceed uninterruptedly through City 14, clarifying Augustine’s argumentative aims and making use of secondary scholarship and philological tools to investigate points of fine detail. Chapter 1 explores City 14.1, his recapitulation of City 11-13 and his setting out of the initial two-cities dichotomy. Chapter 2 explores City 14.2-5, in which Augustine critiques Manichean or Platonist positions that the body is bad or evil. Chapter 3 explores City 14.6-9, and Augustine’s explication of the Biblical doctrine of emotions. Chapter 4 explores City 14.10-15, and the theme of the primal Fall and the will being ‘spontaneous’. Chapter 5 explores City 14.16-20, and Augustine’s exploration of the disobedience of the genitals in all forms of sex, including married life. Chapter 6 explores City 14.21-25, in which Augustine discusses the workings of Adam and Eve’s hypothetical sexual experience in the Pre-Fall Paradise. Chapter 7 explores City 14.26-28, in which Augustine recapitulates City 14.10-25, and comments on the workings of Providence, before hurtling towards the final dichotomy about the two cities being separated by their ‘loves’. A conclusion reviews the main points of the thesis. The thesis makes extensive use of German and French scholarship, of the CCL 48 Latin text, and the tools of the CAG 3 Augustine database; it occasionally contests the chapter divisions found in modern editions.
11
Dworsky, Joel Garrett. "Ghosts on the Coast of Paradise: Identifying and Interpreting the Ephemeral Remains of Bermuda's 18th Century Shipyards." W&M ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626650.
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Mortágua, Ana Rita de Almeida. "O trabalho em equipa em contexto de educação de infância: conceções e práticas das equipas pedagógicas." Master's thesis, Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/6130.
Abstract:
Mestrado em educação pré-escolarO tema principal deste Relatório é o trabalho em equipa, em contexto de Educação de Infância, a partir da análise das conceções e das práticas dos membros das equipas pedagógicas – a saber, das educadoras e das assistentes operacionais. O objetivo deste estudo é compreender como é que as equipas pedagógicas entendem o trabalho em equipa e como é que o constroem, procurando articular as experiências vividas nos períodos de estágio, em contexto de creche e jardim de infância, com a reflexão decorrente dos quadros teóricos existentes sobre esta temática. O estudo baseou-se, do ponto de vista da metodologia de investigação, no paradigma interpretativo e na metodologia qualitativa, inspirando-se na abordagem da Investigação-Ação. Neste sentido, tem como finalidade compreender de que forma o trabalho em equipa constitui um contributo fundamental para o bom funcionamento de uma determinada equipa pedagógica e, consequentemente, para o bem-estar das crianças. Por outro lado, com este estudo também pretendo contribuir para a otimização do trabalho em equipa, através da identificação de estratégias/propostas com vista à melhoria das práticas desenvolvidas. No decorrer deste estudo foram tomadas determinadas opções de recolha e análise de informação – nomeadamente a observação, inquérito por questionário e análise documental –, com vista à identificação das conceções e das práticas de trabalho em equipa dos elementos das equipas pedagógicas. Finalmente são tecidas algumas considerações sobre o decorrer deste estudo bem como sobre as dificuldades sentidas.
The main theme of this report is teamwork, in the context of Childhood Education, from the analysis of the conceptions and practices of members of educational teams - namely the educators and operating assistants. The objective of this study is to understand how the pedagogical teams understand teamwork and how they build it, trying to articulate the experiences of the training periods, in the context of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, with due consideration of existing theoretical frameworks on this topic. The study was based, in terms of research methodology, in the interpretive paradigm and qualitative methodology, inspired by the research-action approach. In this sense, aims to understand how team work is a major contribution to the smooth functioning of a particular pedagogical team and consequently to the well-being of children. Moreover, this study also intends to contribute to the optimization of teamwork by identifying strategies / proposals for improving practices developed. During this study certain options for the collection and analysis were taken – Including observation, questionnaire survey and document analysis – for the identification of ideas and work practices of the elements of the educational teams team. Finally some considerations are presented about the course of this study as well as the difficulties encountered.
13
Stjerndorff, Gröhn Pia. "Using information to provide safe care for neonatal care unit patients : Medical staff interprets their use of information and communication technologies." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för informatik (IK), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-97519.
Abstract:
2017 became the beginning of the Childbirth Crisis of Sweden, as a result of underbudgeting and understaffing, creating an environment where patient safety and availability was questioned. Additionally, information and communication technology rapidly take a larger role in the field of healthcare, nourishing new solutions for old processes. This explorative research was conducted to answer how information and communication technologies, and communication techniques, are used and could be used to provide safe care for patients. This study was conducted with 10 participants working as medical staff at a Swedish neonatal care unit. The medical staff who participated consisted of registered nurses, certified pediatric nurses, pediatric nursing assistants, and one nursing assistant. The approach of this research was through system thinking in the tradition of soft systems thinking. The data collection was performed with a combination of semi-structured interviews and card sorting. The collected data were processed, organized, and interpreted with the three c’s of analysis and thematic analysis. The results of this study are complemented by rich pictures. The empirical findings of this study describe a neonatal care unit known at its hospital to be the one unit holding the largest number of different devices. The medical staff at the researched NCU are using information and communication technology in a combination together with specific communication techniques, to create an understanding of their patients’ conditions. The study connects a state of safe care to the training and knowledge of the information and communication technologies, and communication techniques used at the neonatal care unit. The combination of the information and communication technologies, and communication techniques used at the NCU are vital tools, conclusive to the medical staff when providing safe care for patients. This study provides an insight into one Swedish neonatal care unit, based on the interpretations of its medical staff.
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Krumrei, Phillip Dale. "The relevance of secularization for interpreting and nurturing spirituality in Dutch Churches of Christ an analysis of the relation of pre-modern, modern, and post-modern paradigms of faith and the practice of prayer /." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1992. http://www.tren.com.
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Sellbjer, Stefan. "Real konstruktivism : Ett försök till syntes av två dominerande perspektiv på undervisning och lärande." Doctoral thesis, Växjö universitet, Institutionen för pedagogik, 2002. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:vxu:diva-540.
Abstract:
The starting-point of the thesis was that teachers to a large extent teach on the basis of intuitive theories. This creates a tendency that a number of frequent conceptions, pedagogical and didactic theories, experiences of one's own school days etc. become parts of a more fragmentary structure of ideas, rather than a coherent theory of teaching. With the aim of creating a deeper understanding of questions related to teaching and learning, two dominating perspectives were described initial. By putting the intuitive ideas in relation to basic paradigmatic assumptions a picture was given of what the teacher has to know in order to thoroughly understand a certain perspective. In addition, examples of pedagogical theories were presented that can be referred to the perspective in question, which teachers can adopt to qualify their understanding. A critical discussion of the paradigmatic assumptions paved the way for a third perspective, where thoughts occurring in the other two were partly combined. Here a theoretical basis was also presented to explain why the use of mental tools of thinking, especially such that are linked to knowledge theory may lead the teacher to a more reflective way of dealing with questions of teaching and learning. The third perspective was illustrated, first with four examples of how teaching can be performed, and then also in the form of in-service training for teachers. In the empirical section and in the final conclusion the perspectives were illustrated, discussed and examined critically. On the basis of questionnaires answered by upper secondary school teachers, interviews and observations, assumed examples of intuitive theories were presented. The empirical material was also analysed from the same starting-points as the formulation of the perspectives. Ten teachers' systems of intuitive theories about teaching and learning could thus be constructed. Five of these were presented and a comparison with the perspectives was made. Some analyses, however, turned out to agree best with a further perspective, which had not been focused on in the thesis. It was also found that teachers' practice can be enriched by being confronted with scientific knowledge. The value of such knowledge was illustrated through the evaluation of an inservice programme for teachers.
16
Peirce, Heather Jean. "The dynamics of learning partnerships : case studies from Queensland." Queensland University of Technology, 2006. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16248/.
Abstract:
This study examines the emerging notion of learning partnerships. As the study of such partnerships is a nascent research field, no single definition has yet emerged in the literature. However, within an uncertain and rapidly changing global context, two strategic initiatives have been identified which will support individuals, communities and organisations in their transition to a knowledge-based economy whilst building capacity for change and renewal. These two strategies are fostering learning communities/regions/towns and developing learning partnerships between multiple stakeholders. The term "learning partnership" has appeared in a wide variety of literatures including those of adult learning, management, social science and education. Working papers and emerging case reports identify a diversity of applications and a range of operational models or configurations that link multiple stakeholders. Learning partnerships have been associated with vocational education and training, innovation and research, lifelong learning, organisational learning and knowledge cultivation. These literatures reveal a paucity of Australian research to explain how multiple stakeholders form and develop these configurations, particularly in the Queensland context. The purpose of this study is to build deeper understanding of the meaning of a learning partnership in the Australian and (more precisely) the Queensland context. A working definition of a learning partnership, adopted as the basis for the research, indicates a strategy designed to foster continuous learning, collaboration, innovation and renewal in response to the demands of the knowledge-based economy and knowledge and learning societies. The research focuses on organisational arrangements in order for the researcher to gain deeper understanding from the key stakeholders in their work environments. Three diverse situations were selected for detailed exploration of their issues, relationships, activities, processes and working knowledge. With a view to contributing to emerging theory, an organisational case study methodology was adopted to identify and explore the nature of the relationships and issues confronting the key stakeholders in three Queensland-based learning partnerships. An interpretive theoretical framework draws on the social theory of symbolic interactionism and the "systems thinking" of General Systems Theory. An interpretivist perspective influenced the case study research strategy and guided data collection, analysis and reporting. Within the case studies, data collection methods included observations, informal meetings, synergetic focus groups, semi-structured interviews, diary notes, researcher memos and documents. From these multiple data sources, the researcher was able to assemble three case files. The inductive process for within-case analysis for the case reports, and later, cross-case analysis, integrated as a form of constant comparison technique, was used as a basis for presenting findings. These findings are reported as three separate "in progress" models to address three interrelated research questions. The case reports explain complex and interconnected organisational arrangements - evolving, adapting and responding to internal and external tensions. While there is considerable activity which could be regarded as representing learning partnerships, there is no cohesive policy framework to support such partnerships, and much ambiguity, "muddy" definitions and unclear terminology. It appears that a "new breed" of knowledge-worker is emerging - linking, networking, interacting, exchanging - to work across organisational intersections. The study shows that like "herding cats", co-ordinating and managing the inter relationships at the organisational intersection take time, resources, vision, processes for interaction, individual willingness and "in-kind" support. Whilst there is opportunity for linking disparate groups to cross-fertilise ideas, working knowledge, and information, and there is the potential to cultivate a knowledge and learning ecosystem (a fertile compost heap for knowledge generation and an innovative learning system) - "intellectual horsepower" - such configurations may also derail, realign or stagnate. It is individual stakeholders who form the relationships, interact, share ideas, and build networks, and it is the individual who maintains the relationships, engages in the process and learns from the experience. Therein lies a paradox between the strength of diversity of the collective (synergies) and their weakness as the relationships may be compromised by a single individual who withdraws or transfers. Drawing on a computing analogy, this could be akin to "corruption" in a system which may not be sufficiently robust to tolerate ambiguity, or a system that is too inflexible to survive threats while maintaining the momentum to adapt and renew. On the basis of this research it would appear that a more robust or resilient paradigm is emerging with interconnected, blurred boundaries and much "talking and thinking" about more sustainable futures. The study identifies these as indicative of wider social and economic changes. The thesis proposes three conceptual models as particularly useful in interpreting these "shifting systems and shifting paradigms": the concentric, the centripetal, and the plutonic.
17
Brenner, Daniella. "Women's perceptions of ageing." Diss., 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2327.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore women's perceptions of ageing in order to shed light on how individual women feel about getting older.
The qualitative interpretive research paradigm was chosen for the purposes of this study. In-depth interviews were held with three women who gave their accounts of their perceptions of ageing. The data was analysed using hermeneutic thematic analysis.
The accounts of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes which emerged. Recurring themes in the accounts of all three participants were linked with the literature.
This study provided rich descriptions of women's perceptions of ageing and helped to create new insights and meanings both for the participants and the readers.
The information gained could serve as guidelines for clinical practice and future research.Psychology
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
18
Jacobs, Rochelle. "Exploring the role of spirituality in coping of traffic officers." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18751.
Abstract:
The main purpose of this study is to explore the role spirituality plays in the coping of traffic officers within the South African Traffic Services. A sample of ten traffic officers participated in the study, and data was obtained by means of open-ended questions during in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise spirituality, to conceptualise coping, and to theoretically explore the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers. Specific aims for the empirical study were: to gain a better understanding of how traffic officers experience the role of spirituality in coping with their role within the South African context; to provide a framework that can assist with creating an understanding of the role spirituality plays in coping as a traffic officer; and to formulate recommendations for possible future research that explores the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers within the discipline of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, more specifically in employee and organisational wellness, and career counselling.
The research findings showed that traffic officers in the sample all utilised spirituality in the workplace to various extents, and that they exhibited adaptive coping abilities when doing so. They associated less spirituality or a lack of spirituality with weaker coping abilities. It was found that spirituality in the traffic officers is informed by a foundation of spirituality or religion, purpose to their work and life, their connection to their spiritual source, and the fruits of spirituality. Their coping ability was influenced by upbringing and background, by stressors from their work environment and by coping mechanisms. The role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers culminated in their ability to interpret the meaning of spirituality, and then to implement spirituality in order to cope.Industrial & Organisational Psychology
M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)
19
Du, Plessis Elizabeth Susan Catherina. "Factors influencing managers' attitudes towards performance appraisal." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19158.
Abstract:
An increasing number of reports indicate that managers are opposed to performance appraisal. It is important to understand why managers have favourable or unfavourable attitudes towards performance appraisal and it is necessary to investigate the causing factors of these attitudes. The aim of this research was therefore to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence managers’ attitudes towards performance appraisal. This study was conducted within the interpretive research paradigm and situated in a medium-sized organisation within the financial services industry. The sample was purposefully selected and the data were collected through in-depth interviews and naïve sketches. The data were analysed applying Tesch’s descriptive analysis method.
The main findings indicated that managers who needed to conduct performance appraisals perceived and experienced performance appraisal as an uncomfortable and emotional process that might cause them to become defensive. Moreover, it was revealed that the managers experienced uncertainties about aspects of performance appraisal, such as the purpose of performance appraisal, what must be measured and frequency of performance appraisal. As a result of such uncertainties, managers might not always have the ability or readiness to conduct performance appraisals, especially when the performance appraisal contains negative performance feedback. Furthermore, the organisational context might put managers in an undesirable situation to distort performance ratings of employees in order to achieve organisational goals or the manager’s personal goals, which in turn
influence the attitude of the manager. The findings of the study can assist organisations in influencing managers’ attitudes more positively and in enhancing the overall performance appraisal process.Industrial and Organisational Psychology
M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)
20
Van, Niekerk Annelize. "The impact of senior management on middle management's experience of integrity." Diss., 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4783.
Abstract:
A rise in the number of high-profile cases of management failure and leadership
misconduct increased the awareness of one of the core challenges of management,
namely to lead responsibly and with integrity. The environment which senior managers
create and within which middle managers need to function seems to have a direct bearing
on the moral behaviour and integrity of the middle manager. The aim of this research was
therefore to gain a better understanding of how middle managers view the impact of senior
managers on their experience of integrity. There is an increasing need in organisations for
responsible leadership, leadership with integrity and leadership towards developing the
integrity of the follower. This study was conducted within the interpretive research
paradigm. Sampling was directed by criterion-based guidelines, focusing on current middle
managers from different industries in the private sector. In-depth interviews were
conducted and the data was analysed using a grounded theory method.
The main findings indicated that senior managers should engage in two debates with
middle managers in the organisation. Firstly, integrity is not something that is
demonstrated but rather means that leaders can be differentiated from other leaders when
they lead with integrity. Secondly, defining integrity and linking it to personal standards and
values, as well as aligning these standards and values to the organisational strategy,
vision and mission, are important. The findings of this study can assist senior managers
with decreasing unethical behaviour and increasing integrity in the organisation. The
research provided a basic framework that can assist in creating a positive context for the
viii
relationship between senior managers and middle managers within which to function, in
order to decrease unethical employee activity and increase integrity.Industrial and Organisational Psychology
M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)
21
Jacobs, Rochelle Dorothy. "Exploring the role of spirituality in coping of traffic officers." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18751.
Abstract:
The main purpose of this study is to explore the role spirituality plays in the coping of traffic officers within the South African Traffic Services. A sample of ten traffic officers participated in the study, and data was obtained by means of open-ended questions during in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise spirituality, to conceptualise coping, and to theoretically explore the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers. Specific aims for the empirical study were: to gain a better understanding of how traffic officers experience the role of spirituality in coping with their role within the South African context; to provide a framework that can assist with creating an understanding of the role spirituality plays in coping as a traffic officer; and to formulate recommendations for possible future research that explores the role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers within the discipline of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, more specifically in employee and organisational wellness, and career counselling.
The research findings showed that traffic officers in the sample all utilised spirituality in the workplace to various extents, and that they exhibited adaptive coping abilities when doing so. They associated less spirituality or a lack of spirituality with weaker coping abilities. It was found that spirituality in the traffic officers is informed by a foundation of spirituality or religion, purpose to their work and life, their connection to their spiritual source, and the fruits of spirituality. Their coping ability was influenced by upbringing and background, by stressors from their work environment and by coping mechanisms. The role of spirituality in the coping of traffic officers culminated in their ability to interpret the meaning of spirituality, and then to implement spirituality in order to cope.Industrial and Organisational Psychology
M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)
22
Ursulet, Adriana. "Le rôle médiateur du biais d’attribution d’intention hostile dans la relation entre l’agressivité et la personnalité antisociale : une étude des potentiels reliés aux évènements." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1866/25145.
Abstract:
Tous les jours, dans le monde, des comportements agressifs sont commis à l’égard d’individus, causant des préjudices physiques, psychologiques et financiers. En réponse à une provocation, ces agressions sont dites réactives et peuvent être alimentées par des biais cognitifs d’attribution d’intention hostile et des styles de personnalité antisociale. Comblant un trou dans la littérature scientifique, cette étude a pour but d’évaluer le biais d’attribution d’intention hostile ainsi que son rôle dans la relation entre la personnalité antisociale et l’agressivité réactive. Dans cette perspective, les participants étaient invités à répondre à des questionnaires évaluant la personnalité, les processus cognitifs et l’agressivité. Puis, pendant l’enregistrement de leur activité cérébrale, ils devaient lire des scénarios d’interactions sociales et attribuer une intention aux comportements décrits comme ambigus et provocateurs. Nous avons analysé la N400, une composante de potentiels reliés aux évènements, associée à la présentation d’intentions inattendues hostiles ou non hostiles après chaque scénario. Des analyses de corrélations de Pearson et de régressions linéaires multiples ont été réalisées pour examiner la validité de notre modèle de médiation. Les résultats montrent que la N400 est plus forte lors de la présentation d’intention non hostile inattendue que lors de la présentation d’intention hostile inattendue dans les régions centropariétales. La personnalité antisociale et la violation des attentes hostiles étaient reliées positivement à l’agressivité réactive. La personnalité antisociale prédisait l’agressivité réactive même à l’ajout de la violation des attentes hostile (Z = .30, p = .76) ou de la violation des attentes non hostiles (Z = -.32, p = .75) comme médiateur. En somme, le rôle médiateur du biais d’attribution d’intention n’est pas confirmé et d’autres études sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre le lien entre la personnalité antisociale et l’agressivité réactive.Every day, around the world, aggressive behaviors are committed against individuals, causing physical, psychological and financial harm. In response to provocation, these assaults are said to be reactive and can be fuelled by cognitive biases of attributing hostile intent and antisocial personality styles. Filling a gap in the scientific literature, the purpose of this study is to evaluate hostile intent bias and its role in the relationship between antisocial personality and reactive aggression. To this end, participants were asked to complete questionnaires assessing personality, cognitive processes and aggression. Then, while recording their brain activity, they were asked to read scenarios of social interactions and to attribute intent to behaviors described as ambiguous and provocative. We analyzed the N400, an event-related potential component associated with the presentation of unexpected hostile or non-hostile intentions after each scenario. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the validity of our mediation model. The results show that the N400 is stronger in the presentation of unexpected non-hostile intent than in the presentation of unexpected hostile intent in the centro-parietal regions. Antisocial personality and violation of hostile expectations were positively related to reactive aggression. Antisocial personality predicted reactive aggression even with the addition of hostile expectation violation (Z = .30, p = .76) or non-hostile expectation violation (Z = -.32, p = .75) as a mediator. In sum, the mediating role of intention attribution bias is unconfirmed and further studies are needed to better understand the link between antisocial personality and reactive aggression.
23
Lehmann, Lando Leonhardt. "Theology and the Gospel in a new paradigm." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/13888.
24
Phaiphai, Thanyani. "An analysis of teachers' experiences in Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement implementation in intermediate and senior phase primary schools : Vhembe district." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/27540.
Abstract:
This thesis explored teachers’ experiences in curriculum implementation in primary schools in the Vhembe district. Curriculum implementation prompts thinking and learning of new things in the teachers’ day-to-day workplace. Primary school teachers are pillars of strength in contributing to the children’s future success. The thesis presents a contribution to the knowledge of curriculum implementation at the school level through a case study and a qualitative research approach as it aimed to comprehend and describe teachers’ practices and experiences on the implementation of the curriculum, which is a social phenomenon that includes ideas, thoughts, and actions. The thesis takes an appropriate starting point in arguing that curriculum implementation prompts thinking and learning of new things in the teachers’ day-to-day workplace. The context of the argument is primary school teachers’ lived experiences in South Africa in the face of curriculum change. The researcher critically argues that South Africa is amongst many countries that experienced curriculum challenges and resorted to change and one of the changes was in the form of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) which signalled a shift in teaching approaches. In this new way of teaching, teachers seem lost and therefore apply traditional teaching methods. Teachers are expected to apply curriculum changes and develop new skills through qualification improvement, but it is questionable whether the challenges that the teachers themselves recognise as important are taken into cognisance.
The researcher elaborated eight recommendations in relation to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. Some of the recommendations are summarily as that education curriculum advisors from the Limpopo Department of Education be appointed to visit all schools to aid and assess the implementation. It is also recommended that the Department of Basic Education must retrain all primary school teachers for a week during school vacation. These recommendations are of paramount importance and the Limpopo Department of Education should consider them as a priority. As the government can intervene by funding the implementation of the CAPS in the training and reskilling of teachers.Curriculum and Instructional Studies
Ph. D. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)
25
Heap, Nicholas Ian. "The synoptic and dynamic paradigms of city planning : re-interpreting planning methods through Newtonian physics and chaos theory." Thesis, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6264.
Abstract:
The goal of city planning is the ordering of the city. Modern city planners have
adopted a particular paradigm of order, originally developed during the Industrial
Revolution when the profession of city planning came into existence. This "synoptic"
planning method replaced traditional views of order with a new world-view which
stressed a 'scientific' understanding of natural ordering processes. Because the natural ordering processes described by Newtonian physics were the only ones known to Victorian science, city planners have subsequently understood scientifically-valid 'order' to be limited to that produced by "Newtonian systems". The characteristics of Newtonian systems are examined in the thesis, and are related to specific aims and assumptions of synoptic planning as revealed in examples of theory and practice.
Since the late 1950's, many practical and theoretical shortcomings of the synoptic
planning method have become apparent. While there have been many attempts to reform
the practice of synoptic planning, its fundamental reliance upon the axioms of linear dynamical systems has barely been acknowledged, let alone questioned. As a result, none of the reforms suggested in planning methods to date have managed to resolve the profession's current crisis of faith. However, recent scientific discoveries have been made regarding a second type of natural ordering processes, popularly termed "chaos", and referred to as "Lorenzian systems" within the thesis. Given that Lorenzian systems are order-creating processes, and that city planning seeks to promote order, this thesis argues that in addition to "synoptic" planning, there could additionally be a method of "dynamic" planning based upon the
characteristics of Lorenzian systems. Consequently, the characteristics of Lorenzian systems are also explored, and their axioms are extrapolated to create a hypothetical method of "dynamic" planning. Independent precedents in planning theory and practice
which accord with the aims and assumptions derived for this hypothetical method are
employed to demonstrate the plausibility of dynamic planning.
Because dynamic planning may well prove similarly ineffective in important areas of
city planning, the thesis concludes that dynamic planning should be seen as a useful
adjunct to, but not a replacement for, synoptic planning.
26
Smith, Deborah Elaine. "A New Paradigm for Interpreting Stress Inversions from Focal Mechanisms: How 3D Stress Heterogeneity Biases the Inversions Toward the Stress Rate." Thesis, 2006. https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/2060/4/Chapter1.pdf.
Abstract:
Current stress studies often utilize stress inversions of earthquake focal mechanisms to estimate four parameters of the spatially uniform stress tensor, three principal stress orientations, and a ratio of the principal stresses. An implicit assumption in these studies is that earthquakes are good random samplers of stress; hence, the set of earthquake focal mechanisms within some region can be used to estimate the spatial mean stress state within the region. Numerical simulations indicate some regions, such as Southern California, have sufficient stress heterogeneity to bias the stress inversions toward the stress rate orientation and that stress studies using stress inversions need to be reinterpreted by taking this bias into account. An outline of how to subtract out this bias to yield the actual spatial mean stress is presented.
Numerical simulations demonstrate that spatially heterogeneous stress in 3D can bias stress inversions of focal mechanisms toward the stress rate tensor instead of the stress. Stochastic models of 3D spatially heterogeneous stress are created, synthetic earthquake focal mechanisms are generated using the Hencky-Mises plastic yield criterion, and results are compared with Hardebeck's Southern California earthquake catalog [Hardebeck, 2006]. The presence of 3D spatial stress heterogeneity biases which orientations are most likely to fail, a bias toward the stress rate tensor. When synthetic focal mechanisms are compared to real data, estimates of two stress heterogeneity parameters for Southern California are obtained: 1) A spatial smoothing parameter, α≈0.8, where α describes the spectral falloff of 1D cross sections through a 3D grid for the three principal stresses and three orientation angles. 2) A heterogeneity ratio, HR ≈ 1.25, which describes the relative amplitude of the spatial stress heterogeneity to the spatial mean stress. The estimate for α is tentative; however, varying α for α ≤ 1.0 has little to no effect on the observation that spatially heterogeneous stress biases failures toward the stress rate. The estimate for HR is more robust and produces a bias toward the stress rate of approximately 40%. If the spatial mean stress and the stress rate are not aligned, the average focal mechanism failure mechanism should yield a stress estimate from stress inversions, approximately halfway between the two.
27
Frias, Ana Margarida. "Organização do espaço e dos recursos educativos em contextos de infância." Master's thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/7977.
Abstract:
O presente projeto de investigação que intitulei “Organização do espaço e dos recursos educativos em contexto de infância: Conceções e práticas das educadoras de infância” remete, como o seu título indica, para a temática da organização do espaço e dos recursos educativos. O objetivo principal que orientou o desenvolvimento do projeto foi compreender e interpretar as conceções e o sentido pedagógico que as educadoras atribuem à organização do espaço e dos materiais, enquanto recursos educativos. A um mesmo tempo, este estudo tem também como intencionalidade, melhorar os espaços existentes nas salas de creche e jardim de infância de forma a criar maiores desafios e experiências nas aprendizagens realizadas pelas crianças.
Do ponto de vista metodológico, este projeto de investigação foi pensado no âmbito do paradigma interpretativo, através da metodologia qualitativa em educação, sendo por isso induzido e foi desenvolvido numa abordagem da Investigação-Ação. Foi necessário fazer opções metodológicas de recolha e análise de informação, mas também de intervenção e por sua vez, da sua interpretação.
As fontes de recolha de informação consideradas mais adequadas para este estudo foram a observação participante e inquérito por entrevista. A análise da informação foi realizada através da análise de conteúdo e da interpretação.
Os contextos de estudo foram as salas das instituições onde decorreram os dois estágios, no âmbito do curso Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e as participantes do estudo foram as educadoras cooperantes que acompanharam o meu estágio. Pretendi que as educadoras cooperantes/participantes estivessem presentes, ou seja, sempre atualizadas, durantes as diferentes fases do estudo.
Concluída a elaboração deste projeto de investigação posso inferir que as conceções e práticas das educadoras no que se refere à organização do espaço e dos recursos educativos, estão associadas aos modelos pedagógicos, perfilhados pelas educadoras, bem como às conceções que têm sobre a criança.This investigation project which I have titled “Organization of space and educational resources in childhood context: conceptions and kindergarten teacher practice” refers, as its title indicates, to the thematic of the organization of space and educational resources. The main objective that guided the development of the project was to understand and interpret the conceptions and the pedagogical sense that the kindergarten teachers attribute to the organization of space and materials, as educational resources. At the same time, this study also has the intention to improve existing spaces in the nursery and garden-care rooms in order to create greater challenges and experiences in the learning achieved by the children. From a methodological point of view, this investigation project was thought under the interpretive paradigm, through the qualitative methodology in education and is therefore induced and was developed in a research-action approach. It was necessary to make methodological choices of collection and analysis of information, but also intervention and in turn, their interpretation. The sources of information collection considered most appropriate for this study were participant observation and interview survey. The analysis of the information was done through content analysis and interpretation. The contexts of study were the rooms of the institutions where the two internships took place within the Masters in Preschool Education, and the study participants were cooperating teachers who followed my internship. I intended that the cooperating teachers / participants were present, i.e., always updated, during the different phases of the study. Concluded the elaboration of this investigation project I can infer that the conceptions and practices of the teachers in relation to the organization of space and educational resources are associated with the pedagogical models adopted by the educators as well as with the conceptions that they have on the child.
Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal
28
Harper, Gary Ogden. "An interpretive biography of Saint Nicholas applying contextual analysis to the historical and mythological evolution of Santa Claus to create new teaching and learning paradigms /." 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1859366251&sid=3&Fmt=2&clientId=14215&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009.Title from title screen (site viewed October 15, 2009). PDF text: ii, 139 p. ; 348 Kb. UMI publication number: AAT 3369345. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.
29
Udombana, Nsongurua Johnson. "Shifting institutional paradigms to advance socio-economic rights in Africa." Thesis, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1978.
Abstract:
The thesis offers new paradigms for advancing socio-economic rights in Africa. Many States Parties to human rights instruments have failed to promote the common welfare of their citizens partly because of the justiciability debate, which continues to complicate intellectual and practical efforts at advancing socio-economic rights. The debate also prevents the normative development of these rights through adjudication. Furthermore, traditional human rights theory and practice have been state-centric, with non-state actors largely ignored in the identification, formulation, and implementation of human rights norms. Yet, the involvement of non-state entities in international arena has limited states' autonomies considerably, with serious implications for human rights. Transnational Corporations (TNCs) have capacities to foster economic well-being, development, tenchnological improvement, and wealth, but they also often cause deleterious human rights impacts through thei employment practices, environmental policies, relationships with suppliers and consumers, interactions with governments, and other activities.
The thesis argues that socio-economic rights are normative and justiciable. It argues that traditional approaches are no longer sufficient to secure human rights and calls for a dismantatling of some structures erected by doctrinal systems; for realignment of relationships among social institutions; and for integrated bundles of fundamental interests that harness benefits of human rights norms and widen the landscape to commit both formal and informal regimes. Fashioning out a new paradigm for advancement of socio-economic rights requires addressing state capacity. It requires an integrative and global interpretive framework. It requires, finally, a new paradigm to commit non-state actors in Africa. The illustrative chapter uses the rights to work and to social security as templates for some prescriptions towards reaslising socio-economic rights in Africa.Jurisprudence
LL.D.
30
Emslie, Annemarie. "An analysis of collaborative efforts towards violence prevention in urban secondary schools." Diss., 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/24556.
Abstract:
The purpose of the current study was two-fold. Firstly, to explore and describe how school staff members, learners and parents collaborate to prevent violence at two urban secondary schools and secondly, to help school staff members, parents and policymakers to gain a better understanding of the complex and multi-faceted problem of addressing school violence, which should result in guiding them to adopt effective strategies to prevent violence. The ecosystemic perspective, which is an integration of ecological and systems theories combined with the typology of violence, was the theoretical lens through which the phenomenon of adolescent learner violence was viewed. The study was rooted in the sociological interpretative research paradigm and a qualitative descriptive and exploratory case study design was employed. Multi-method data collection strategies (individual, dyad, triad and group interviews; document reviews) were employed to obtain trustworthy data from the three population units of analysis (school staff members, learners and parents) at the two selected urban secondary school sites situated in Johannesburg, South Africa. The inductive qualitative content analysis of the framework approach was used to give a transparent account of the data analysis process. Constant comparative analysis was employed to discover the emergent themes. The main research findings were interpreted by relating the results to the research purpose, the socio-ecological theoretical framework and the existing knowledge base on collaborative strategies for violence prevention. The findings of the current study suggest that family-school collaboration in violence prevention is especially important for families with adolescent children. Adolescence is characterised by many physical and psychological changes and development. Adolescents strive to find their independence and establish their own identities. However, this experimentation may lead to risk-taking or antisocial behaviour. Contrary to current belief, the findings of the current study suggest that adolescent learners want their parents to be involved in their lives and that parents want to support their children’s education but may lack the know-how. The learners explicitly expressed their need for the support and guidance of both their parents and also the school staff members in withstanding the peer and societal pressures that can result in their acting in aggressive or violent ways at school. To promote the positive development of all young people, the school staff members and most centrally young people and their families, must actively work together to establish positive and effective family-school collaborative partnerships as part of their violence prevention strategies. CopyrightDissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Curriculum Studies
unrestricted