Дисертації з теми "Education and training sciences"

This study evaluated two methods of conducting staff training. One method was a pyramidal training approach and the other method consisted of an outside consultant training the direct care staff. A group design consisted of two experimental conditions. In the first experimental condition, the supervisors of two community based day programs for developmentally disabled individuals were trained in the principles of applied behavior analysis and feedback techniques. The supervisors then trained their direct care staff in the material they had learned. In the second experimental condition, the direct care staff were trained in the principles of applied behavior analysis by the experimenter. The pyramidal training group was expected to show a quicker increase in the percentage of correct teaching procedures and show a longer maintenance of these skills. The results indicated that pyramidal training was more effective in teaching staff how to use correct teaching procedures with consumers in community settings. Also, the results showed that the pyramidal training group maintained the improvement in their teaching procedure at a 3-month follow up as compared to the direct staff training group. Pyramidal and direct staff training have not been compared directly in previous studies.

In Plastic Surgery, learning objectives have been outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, however, a defined curriculum to meet these objectives is absent. Several factors are reducing the practicality of the current time-based model and as a result, a competency-based training model has been proposed to replace the traditional model. Implementation of a competency-based curriculum requires several steps including the identification of both specialty specific procedures and procedural steps. The present project aims to develop a methodology for identifying procedural steps for individual Plastic Surgery procedures. Previous studies have highlighted the lack of resident exposure to several areas of Plastic Surgery, particularly aesthetic surgery. Avenues for increasing resident exposure and training opportunities must be explored. An additional aim of this project is to achieve this through the development of a pilot simulator mannequin for aesthetic surgery training. The identification of Plastic Surgery procedural steps together with simulator training is a novel step forward towards implementation of competency-based education in Plastic Surgery training.
En chirurgie plastique, le Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada propose des objectifs d'études bien définis, cependant il n'y a pas de curriculum défini afin d'atteindre ces objectifs. Plusieurs facteurs réduisent l'aspect pratique du modèle en fonction du temps existant, et comme résultat, le modèle d'enseignement basé sur la compétence fut proposé pour remplacer le modèle traditionnel. La réalisation d'un curriculum basé sur la compétence demande autant l'identification des procédures spécifique de cette spécialité que des étapes procédurales. Ce projet tend à développer une méthodologie pour l'identification des étapes procédurales pour chacune des procédures de la chirurgie plastique. Les études précédentes ont démontrées que les résidents manquent d'exposition aux connaissances de plusieurs domaines de la chirurgie plastique, particulièrement vrai pour la chirurgie esthétique. Il est donc important, pour les résidents, d'explorer tous les avenues pour augmenter cette exposition et leurs opportunités de formation. La cible additionnelle de ce projet est d'atteindre ces objectifs par le développement d'un mannequin-simulateur pilote pour l'entraînement en chirurgie esthétique. L'identification des étapes procédurales en chirurgie plastique, en concert avec l'entraînement par simulateur, engendre une nouvelle étape vers la réalisation d'une éducation basée sur la compétence en chirurgie plastique.

The purpose of this study was to examine how much K-12 science teachers working in a virtual school experience a community of practice and how that experience affects personal science-teaching efficacy and science-teaching outcome expectancy. The study was rooted in theoretical frameworks from Lave and Wenger's (1991) community of practice and Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy beliefs. The researcher used three surveys to examine schoolteachers' experiences of a community of practice and science-teaching efficacy beliefs. The instrument combined Mangieri's (2008) virtual teacher demographic survey, Riggs and Enochs (1990) Science-teaching efficacy Beliefs Instrument-A (STEBI-A), and Cadiz, Sawyer, and Griffith's (2009) Experienced Community of Practice (eCoP) instrument.

The results showed a significant linear statistical relationship between the science teachers' experiences of community of practice and personal science-teaching efficacy. In addition, the study found that there was also a significant linear statistical relationship between teachers' community of practice experiences and science-teaching outcome expectancy. The results from this study were in line with numerous studies that have found teachers who are involved in a community of practice report higher science-teaching efficacy beliefs (Akerson, Cullen, & Hanson, 2009; Fazio, 2009; Lakshmanan, Heath, Perlmutter, & Elder, 2011; Liu, Lee, & Lin, 2010; Sinclair, Naizer, & Ledbetter, 2010). The researcher concluded that school leaders, policymakers, and researchers should increase professional learning opportunities that are grounded in social constructivist theoretical frameworks in order to increase teachers' science efficacy.

This thesis covers two major aspects of pharmacy education; undergraduate education and pre-registration training. A cohort of pharmacy graduates were surveyed over a period of four years, on issues related to undergraduate education, pre-registration training and continuing education. These graduates were the first-ever to sit the pre-registration examination. In addition, the opinions of pre-registration tutors were obtained on pre-registration training, during the year that competence-based assessment was introduced. It was concluded that although the undergraduate course provided a broad base of knowledge suitable for graduates in all branches of pharmacy, several issues were identified which would require attention in future developments of the course. These were: 1. the strong support for the expansion of clinical, social and practice-based teaching. 2. the strong support to retain the scientific content to the same extent as in the three-year course. 3. a greater use of problem-based learning methods. The graduates supported the provision of a pre-registration continuing education course to help prepare for the examination and in areas inadequately covered in the undergraduate course. There was also support for the introduction of some form of split branch training. There was no strong evidence to suggest that the training had been an application of undergraduate education. In general, competence-based training was well regarded by tutors as an appropriate and effective method of skill assessment. However, community tutors felt it was difficult to carry out effectively due to day-to-day time constraints. The assistant tutors in hospital pharmacy were found to have a very important role in provision of training, and should be adequately trained and supported. The study recommends the introduction of uniform training and a quality assurance mechanism for all tutors and assistants undertaking this role.

This study, based on a constructivist approach to teaching a difficultpart of the Geology Syllabusfor 16-17 year olds concerned with the Theory of Plate Tectonics attempts to make the teaching process in Earth-sdences easier, more enjoyable and more productive. The first step was to investigate misconceptions held by a sample of 270 students after spedalist teaching concerning the nature and origin of continents, oceans, continental drift, the Earth's magnetic field and plates. The second step involved the designing of a teaching and learning model. This starts with a recognition phase, in which students elicit their views and is followed by reflexion and reconstruction phases which analyse, rethink and reorganize students' knowledge. It ends with a re-evaluation phase. The third step was to plan and implement suitable cuniculum materials.This design incorporated suggestions from the history and epistemology of science and took into account many of the precursor hypotheses and theories which were later subsumed by the all-embradng Theory of Plate Tectonics. Four Units corresponding to each one of the topics referred to above were constructed. The last two units were implemented with an "experimental" group of five students during a five-weekperiod of extra specialist teaching. These studies demonstrate: (i) A rich vein of ideas, tapped before and after the normal period of teaching, which differ from those of the sdentific consensus. Some of these ideas reveal similaritieswith historicalsteps in the construction of Earthsoences ' knowledge and others seem to be imponed from others areas of scence, (ii) The potential of the teaching model as a framework for the designing of curriculum materials; (lii) That materials designed in accordance with the proposed model diminished students' learning difficulties; (iv) That students' conceptual changes were promoted; (iv) A list of precise recommendations which might be used in a normal secondary school's sdence classrooms.

Includes bibliography.
The aim of this study was to critically analyse the funding and expenditure patterns of institutions training health personnel. This included an investigation of the distribution of income from the various sources by geographic areas (i.e. by province), between historically white and black training institutions and between those institutions that are attached to academic hospital complexes and those which are not. The study also attempted, where possible, to determine the unit costs of training different cadres if health personnel. The methodology included a review of the literature on health personnel education and training, a questionnaire survey of nursing colleges and PDoHs in South Africa, and analysis of the Department of Education's South African Post-secondary Education (SAPSE) data base, which records and monitors the funding, staffing and student data of universities and technikons in South Africa.

The purpose of this study was to determine if first graders could learn how to write while writing to learn. An inquiry cycle was developed to guide the students as they learn content area material. Writing to learn activities were selected that promote, or facilitate, the thinking process of the inquiry cycle. The writing to learn activities are: freewriting, brainstorming, questioning, graphic organizers, review writing, and elaboration writing. Twenty-five first graders learned about our solar system and plans by engaging in these writing to learn activities. Finding. The writing to learn activities provided the students with opportunities to go through the steps in the writing process of composition, as well as provide opportunities to go through the steps in the inquiry cycle to learn new information about the topic. In addition to writing and concept development, the writing to learn activities encouraged collaborative learning and reflective teaching practices.

This is a four year longitudinal study into learner experiences of transition from the General Education and Training band to the Further Education and Training band in science. The study focused on Natural Science in the GET band and Physical Science in the FET band and used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The learners who participated in the study were a unique cohort. They were in grade 1 when Curriculum 2005 was introduced in 1997. They were also the last group of learners in 2005 that completed their compulsory schooling (grade 9) under the outcomes based C2005 in which content was not prescribed. The curriculum was revised and content was re-introduced in 2006 when they started grade 10 (FET) with teachers who were mostly not trained in Outcomes Based Education. In 2008 they were the first matriculants from the new curriculum. Their progress and experiences from the GET band to the FET band should have therefore generated a lot of interest from both the political and educational perspectives. This study is exploring their particular situation. There is a gap between curriculum 2005 and the National Curriculum Statement. Learners in this study who were doing grade 9 Natural Science in 2005 under c2005 were greatly disadvantaged by the curriculum that did not prepare them adequately for grade 10 Physical Science. Initially, there was an increase shown in interest in science from grade 9 to grade 10 but this interest declined as learners progressed to grade 12. During their progress from the GET phase to the FET phase their transition was characterized by a decline in interest in Physical Science caused by lack of practical work, loss of the closer student-teacher relationships and disappointment when their expectations of teaching strategies were not met. They themselves described the transition as difficult. However, the achievement in the examination of those who were post positivist-oriented was better than the achievement of those who were empiricist-aligned. When faced with problems of conceptual understanding, they resorted to guess work and rote application of concepts and algorithms. Although these findings were derived from a study of learners in only one school from a poor township in South Africa, they are consistent with other reports in the literature. Copyright
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
unrestricted

This report details the development of a training program intended to teach instructional designers (IDs) and subject matter experts (SMEs) how to develop online courses. The training was developed for Utah Valley University's Aviation Science department in order to help meet a course production deadline. The development process follows the Diamond model and a variation on that model was used in producing the training course. Once the training had been developed and implemented, qualitative data was gathered from both IDs and SMEs to help evaluate the training. Additionally the development time and cost for each course was analyzed. The training was shown to have improved production time and in turn, reduce the cost of each course. However, the feedback from the SMEs and IDs indicated that while the training was informative, the use of animated video and narration was less helpful. The biggest improvement was seen to have come from the IDs own improved understanding and confidence in developing their courses.

Noncompliance in children constitutes a major problem for educators and is often the precursor for several other common behavior problems (e.g., aggression and tantrums). Errorless compliance training, derived from the errorless learning model, uses positive methods of behavior change and may be an ideal intervention for classroom settings. The child is likely to make fewer errors (i.e., noncompliant responses) during training, because the child begins with easier requests and progresses to more difficult requests. Therefore, the need for punitive consequences for noncompliance is eliminated. Research has not been published on the use of errorless compliance training in a classroom setting. The present study examined the effectiveness of errorless compliance training on noncompliance of four preschool-aged children in a daycare classroom setting. Two of the four children demonstrated significant gains in compliance. Results indicated that errorless compliance training may be an effective, nonpunitive method of increasing child compliance; however, further research is necessary to identify the variables that influence treatment efficacy.

This research project examined the effects of a training program that focused on helping youth volunteers create a learner-centered interaction at an Aquarium. This study explored whether this learner centered training resulted in an increased ability to identify learner-centered engagement as well as reported changes in practice.

Most research on training programs and professional development, that introduces learner-centered strategies examines adult teachers working in formal environments. This study examined youth volunteer staff in an informal science institution that participated in a weekly one-hour training for four weeks during their eight week long summer volunteer program.

The data showed that some of topics introduced in the learner centered training, such as the importance of visitors' prior knowledge and the use of objects, were identified more often as good practice after the training. In addition, participants seemed to hold on to some of their original perceptions of good practices, such as providing positive reinforcement and modifying their physical posture to make the visitors feel comfortable. The investigation also revealed that conversation patterns changed in some participants' practice as a result of the training.

The motivation for this thesis arose from personal dissatisfaction with the way I was tutoring in-service courses on biotechnology for teachers. Biotechnology is a area of science and technology which raises many controversial issues and I felt unable to discuss in a meaningful way such issues. I therefore began to research into the inclusion of value issues in science and technology education. The literature indicated that values are fundamental in decision-making and that values are a consequence of the beliefs, constructs or frameworks of meaning people hold. A study of the literature about the nature of technology and science was followed by a brief review of the inclusion of values in education. The area for the research was identified as educators' beliefs and perceptions about science and technology and the influence of these on the inclusion of awareness of values in teaching. Adopting an interpretive methodology, in-depth interviews were the main research technique but the interview questions were derived from the quantitative analysis of a questionnaire. The main research findings indicate that educators believe that science is socially constructed knowledge and that all aspects of technology are value-laden, yet the same educators present a positivistic, impersonal view of science and the only values addressed in technology are relate to economics and marketability. It is postulated that an impersonal, deterministic image of science and technology is not conducive to the inclusion of a wide range of values. In the concluding chapters the need for educators to reflect on their beliefs is emphasised and possible ways to do this explored.

The study reported in this thesis is of an attempt to get some insight into two under-explored areas - the practice of a constructivist approach in science teacher education and in the teaching of science. An overview of the Portuguese Educational System is presented with the purpose of identifying the context within which this study was conducted. A preliminary study aimed at investigating reasons accounting for pupils' attitudes towards "physics" and "physics teaching and learning" is reported. From it, evidence is obtained supporting the view that a "cultural transmission" perspective underlies current physics teaching. A constructivist approach to physics education is proposed as a fruitful alternative to the prevalent practice. It is argued that the approach is compatible with current philosophies of science as those of Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos and Feyerabend. Aims for physics teaching in general education were derived within the psychological perspective of George Kelly and his constructivist view of knowledge. Rogers' developmental model of the adoption process of an innovation was used as a framework for designing a scheme to promote change in student teacher's perspectives in the direction of constructivism and for developing teaching skills appropriate for teaching within this latter perspective. The choice of a research methodology compatible with the assumptions underlying this study was justified by analysing the two main methodological approaches used in educational research. The main study reported in the thesis was aimed at investigating the applicability and effectiveness of the scheme designed within three contexts: i) the course of "Physics Didactics" given by the author to thirteen student teachers in two consecutive years at the university of Aveiro (Part A); ii) the year of teaching practice of five of these student teachers (Part B); iii) the first year of professional life of three of the student teachers, (Part C). In Part A of the main study an investigation is reported into the implementation of the four stages (awareness, interest, trial and evaluation) of the adoption process of the innovation with thirteen student teachers. In Part B, five case studies are presented based on the implementation of the adoption stage by student teachers in their teaching practice. The implementation of the adoption stage in the first year of professional life of three of the student teachers is presented in Part C of the main study. Despite different institutional contexts during their teaching practice and first year of professional life, the three novice teachers were able to maintain a constructivist perspective in their schools. Difficulties encountered in the implementation of the scheme in the three contexts are reported as well as some possible ways for overcoming these difficulties. In the last chapter of the thesis conclusions are drawn concerning the effectiveness of the scheme designed, the research methodology followed and the adoption of a constructivist approach to Science Teacher Education. Recommendations and suggestions for further research are also presented in this last chapter.

Health care for the mentally disabled is often hindered by the inability of patients to identify and communicate their health problems to their health care professional. This study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-patient communication skills training program for mentally disabled individuals. Forty-two participants who received a regular decanote shot (an injected anti-psychotic medication released over time) were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. The treatment consisted of three 90-min skills training sessions on symptom monitoring, medication management, and communication skills. Assessments were conducted at an injection appointment pretreatment, posttreatment, and at follow-up. Participants were assessed by pencil-and-paper test on the acquisition of symptom monitoring and medication management skills. In addition, patients were observed in an audio-recorded interaction with their nurse. Results identified that communication training was effective in increasing the participation of patients during a nurse's visit at posttest and at up to a 1-month follow-up. Explanation of results and recommendations for improvements for future studies are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education, 2007.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-07, Section: A, page: 2902. Adviser: Terrence C. Mason. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Apr. 14, 2008).

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative multiple case study explored the subjective experiences of four science teachers during the transition process from Natural Sciences in the General Education and Training (GET) band to Life Sciences in the Further Education and Training (FET) band. The study was guided by one main research question and four sub-questions. Data were collected using simple observation, an open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and photographic evidence. The study revealed that the experiences of the teachers are dependent upon their years of teaching experience, the quality of in-service training and workshops, available resources, the support the teacher receives from the school and the Department of Education and how each school is individually managed. The findings in this study further revealed that teachers feel alone and abandoned by the Department of Education, as there is very little to no support and communication between the teachers and the Department. The teachers reported that there is a misalignment between the content and assessment requirements in Grade 9 and Grade 10, which causes learners to struggle to adapt in Grade 10. Teachers then resort to measures such as structuring the GET more like the FET and reorganising and modifying the content of Natural Sciences across grades 8 and 9 in an effort to better prepare learners for Grade 10 Life Sciences. All the teachers who participated in the study revealed that they did not receive sufficient training to assist them with the transition process from GET to FET. Reasons offered included that in-service training and workshops focused more on administration instead of providing teachers with the necessary context-specific training required to implement the National Curriculum Statement. It is therefore evident that highly skilled teachers are needed to ensure a smooth transition from GET to FET. Teachers need to participate in curriculum initiatives, as it is the teachers who are ultimately responsible for implementing new curriculum initiatives.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie kwalitatiewe veelvuldige gevallestudie is die subjektiewe ervarings van vier wetenskaponderwysers tydens die oorgangsproses van Natuurwetenskappe in die Algemene Onderwys en Opleiding (AOO-)band na Lewenswetenskappe in die Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO-)band ondersoek. Die studie is deur een hoofnavorsingsvraag en vier subvrae gerig. Data is deur eenvoudige waarneming, ’n oopeinde-vraelys, semigestruktureerde onderhoude en fotografiese bewyse ingesamel. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat die ervarings van onderwysers afhang van hul onderwyservaring, die gehalte van indiensopleiding en werkswinkels, beskikbare hulpbronne, die ondersteuning wat die onderwyser van die skool en die Departement van Onderwys ontvang, en hoe elke skool individueel bestuur word. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon voorts dat onderwysers vervreem en afgesonder van die Departement van Onderwys voel, aangesien daar baie min of geen ondersteuning en kommunikasie tussen die onderwysers en die Departement is nie. Die onderwysers voer aan dat daar nie ooreenstemming is tussen die inhoud en assesseringsvereistes in graad 9 en 10 nie, wat meebring dat leerders sukkel om in graad 10 aan te pas. Onderwysers wend hulle dan na maatreëls soos om die AOO meer soos die VOO te struktureer en die inhoud van Natuurwetenskappe in graad 8 en 9 te herorganiseer en te wysig in ’n poging om leerders beter vir Lewenswetenskappe in graad 10 voor te berei. Al die onderwysers wat aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het, het aangedui dat hulle nie genoegsame opleiding ontvang het om hulle met die oorgangsproses van AOO na VOO te help nie. Redes hiervoor het ingesluit dat indiensopleiding en werkswinkels meer op administrasie fokus as wat dit onderwysers van die nodige konteksspesifieke opleiding voorsien om die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring te implementeer. Dit is duidelik dat hoogs opgeleide onderwysers nodig is om ’n suksesvolle oorgang van AOO na VOO te verseker. Onderwysers behoort toegelaat te word om insette tot kurrikuluminisiatiewe te lewer, aangesien dit uiteindelik die onderwysers is wat verantwoordelik is vir die implementering van nuwe kurrikuluminisiatiewe.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Currulum and Instruction, 2005.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-06, Section: A, page: 2159. Adviser: William Harwood. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed Nov. 27, 2006)."

An examination of the trainee experience in a competency based training programme. In a high-risk industry, having highly trained personnel is taken very seriously. This four year training programme produces highly qualified and skilled individuals and this research examined the experience of progressing through the training programme through the trainees' lens. Learnings include two consistent elements contribute to a negative trainee experience: Evaluation Methods that produced a tension between memorisation and learning and Trainer Practices that lacked student-centred, research informed methods that would likely improve the trainee success rate as well as the overall trainee experience.

Within successful Inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-focused High Schools (ISHSs), it is not only the students who are learning. Teachers, with diverse backgrounds, training, and experience, share and develop their knowledge through rich, embedded professional development to continuously shape their craft, improve their teaching, and support student success. This study of four exemplars of ISHSs (identified by experts in STEM education as highly successful in preparing students underrepresented in STEM for STEM majors in college and future STEM careers) provides a rich description of the relationships among the characteristics of STEM teachers, their professional development, and the school cultures that allow teachers to develop professionally and serve the needs of students. By providing a framework for the development of teaching staffs in ISHSs and contributing to the better understanding of STEM teaching in any school, this study offers valuable insight, implications, and information for states and school districts as they begin planning improvements to STEM education programs. A thorough examination of an existing data set that included site visits to four ISHSs along with pre- and post-visit data, provided the resource for this multiple case study with cross-case analysis of the teachers and their teacher professional development experiences.

Administrators in these ISHSs had the autonomy to hire teachers with strong content backgrounds, philosophical alignment with the school missions, and a willingness to work collaboratively toward achieving the schools' goals. Ongoing teacher professional development began before school started and continued throughout the school day and year through intense and sustained, formal and informal, active learning experiences. Flexible professional development systems varied, but aligned with targeted school reforms and teacher and student needs. Importantly, collaborative teacher learning occurred within a school-wide culture of collaboration. Teachers were guided in establishing open lines of communication that supported regular engagement with others and the free flow of ideas, practices, and concerns. As a result of this collaboration, in conjunction with intentional pathways to teacher leadership, teacher professionalization was deliberately and successfully fostered creating an environment of shared mission and mutual trust, and a shared sense of responsibility for school-wide decision-making and school outcomes.

Business organizations are decreasing funding for training. The problem investigated in this study was to determine if there was a relationship among the leadership behavior of training leaders, the use of newer methods of training, and organizational profitability. A sample of 57 organizations from the Fortune 500 was surveyed to determine leadership behavior and the use of newer methods of training. The Leadership Practices Inventory was used to measure leadership and the Affective Communication Test was used to measure charisma. Profitability data were obtained from the literature. Return on assets, return on equity, the Moody's Corporate Bond Rating, and the Standard and Poor's Opinion were used as profitability measures. Correlation and regression analyses were used to analyze the data. No relationships were shown between leadership behaviors and training methods or between leadership behaviors and profitability. A positive relationship was shown between the number of newer training methods used and organization profitability as measured by return on assets. The following were the newer training methods: (a) accelerated learning, (b) case study methods, (c) computer-based training, (d) experiential exercises/games/simulations, (e) interactive video instruction, (f) multimedia, (g) non-computerized self-study, (h) problem-based learning, and (i) video teleconferencing.

The aim of this thesis is to find out about the nature of science views held by British Muslim science teachers teaching in Muslim secondary schools, and whether or not these views have any impact on how they teach the National Curriculum. In the course of the study the views of a sample of non-Muslim science teachers and Muslim teachers teaching in state schools were elicited. The instrument used was the philosophy of science questionnaire based on systemic networks developed by Koulaidis and Ogborn (1989). The results were processed on the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) database, and followed by interview with a sample of Muslim science teachers and classroom observations of some selected lessons. The central finding was that the differences between Muslim teachers (in my sample) in their perceptions of science were not sufficiently clear to merit categorisation in an absolute sense. Predominantly, teachers (both Muslims and non-Muslims in my sample) tended to hold eclectic or mixed views about the nature of science, adhering to a diversity of elements taken from different philosophical positions. For Muslim science teachers teaching in Muslim schools, the teaching of science was driven by the principle of glorifying the Creator. In one sense, the science was taken as read, in that the focus of science teachers was not to explore how scientific knowledge was gained or to question its validity, but to display the authority of the Quran and its predictive power. Finally, some recommendations are made for improving the awareness amongst Muslim science teachers of nature of science issues. Further research that needs to be conducted in this area is also discussed.

The purpose of the present study was to replicate a student motivation training program (Hughes, 1990) and extend the investigation by including the relationships between student motivation training and achievement, attendance, and classroom behavior. Participants were all 4th- and 5th -grade students from two elementary schools. A separate -sample, pretest-posttest control group design was used. The study addressed eight questions regarding the effects of student motivation training. Results indicated that student motivation, teacher perceptions of student motivation, and the number of motivational idea units on two of three writing samples were enhanced as a result of the training program. No significant differences were found for math and reading grades, attendance data, number of discipline slips received, and the third writing sample. Implications for further research and interventions are discussed.

Induction programs are essential in addressing the unique pedagogical and content needs of secondary science teachers. Yet most secondary science teachers have little access to general induction programs, and even less opportunity to participate in specialized science induction programs. This study examined the impact of a science-focused induction program on the practices and beliefs of first-year secondary science teachers from different teacher preparation programs. Eight teachers from four different teacher preparation programs participated in this study. All of the teachers were monitored throughout the academic year in order to understand their teaching beliefs, instructional practices, and induction program experiences. The analysis of data revealed that four of the beginning teachers implemented at least one "science as inquiry" lesson. All four of these teachers also maintained their incoming student-centered teaching beliefs or shifted towards more student-centered beliefs throughout the year. Teachers from the M.Ed. (science emphasis) program implemented more frequent and less mechanistic inquiry lessons than teachers from other preparation programs. The other four teachers had more traditional practices but their beliefs were maintained throughout the year with little or no regression towards more teacher-centered beliefs. The analysis of data also revealed that all of the first-year secondary science teachers received support from the science-focused induction program, with teachers from the M.Ed. (science emphasis) program receiving more philosophical support, and the other teachers receiving more instructional support. This study reinforces the importance of induction programs for all teachers, in the presence of support from a science-focused induction program, reform-based practices, such as "science as inquiry," are more likely to occur. Induction programs, however, must be configured to provide different types of support to meet the needs of teachers from different teacher preparation programs and backgrounds.

In the last 5 years, industries have begun to recognize a growing gap in the production of college graduates in areas of STEM. Researchers in various industries believe this gap will create a significant loss of competitive edge in the STEM fields, which will leave the United States pursuing STEM graduates from foreign countries and may ultimately leave the US behind in the industry of science, technology and innovation. This qualitative study analyzes the value and impact of STEM teacher leaders in secondary education. A phenomenological study was conducted with 10 secondary school science and math teacher leaders in order to gain a better understanding of teacher leaders' perceptions, classroom practices and the role of a STEM teacher leader. This study addresses the following research questions: 1) What attributes define effective STEM teacher leaders, according to teacher leaders who have completed the Center for Math and Science Teaching system? 2) What success strategies, among teacher leaders of the Center for Math and Science Teaching program, have enabled further development of teacher leadership? 3) What is the best model in developing teacher leaders, according to literature from 2005 to present? 4) What is an optimal model of developing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teacher leaders within secondary education? This research aims to explore teacher leaders' perceptions of their role as a teacher leader based on strategies learned from CMAST and past experiences. Findings from this study provide critical data for making informed decisions on including important elements when implementing an effective STEM teacher leader system or program, and the impact it can create on science and math teaching and learning in secondary education. The investigator concludes this study with the development of a STEM teacher leader model that merges these findings with existing research.

This dissertation characterized trainings designed to prepare citizen scientists to collect ecological data in natural outdoor settings. Citizen scientists are volunteers who participate in scientific activities under the guidance of professional scientists and organizations. The work of citizen scientists greatly expands the data collection possibilities in natural resource management and increases science literacy among participants and their social communities. The general problem is that some scientists and land managers view the data collected by citizen scientists as unreliable. The specific problem is the absence of educational training measurement in citizen science program design and analysis with which to ascertain the learning gains of trained citizen scientists.

Through a sequenced methodology of data analysis, survey, and semi-structured interviews, deductive descriptors and codes guided a directed content analysis of data collected. The analysis indicated strong alignment between citizen science, andragogy, and social learning theory. The sample revealed a bimodal distribution related to the type of data collected and the subsequent training design. Little training existed when data collection involved photography only. Citizen scientists brought prior skills to the task but did not need to gain new procedural learning to complete their data collection task. When citizen scientists collected more complex measurements, classroom and field mentoring facilitated learning.

Citizen science leaders described their perception of the reliability of their citizen scientists’ data collection efforts. Computer technologies validated photo and water quality data. Therefore, quantitative data analysis supported the perception of data reliability. Terrestrial data had a range of reliability qualifications including video and paper quizzing, field observation of methods implemented, periodic data checks, and follow-up mentoring when data quality was poor. Managers of terrestrial citizen science programs were confident in the reliability of the data for the land management, policy, and research applications required.

The combination of theory and practice in all forms of teacher training has always been a topic of debate in policy and research. Research examining university training of preschool teachers in Sweden highlights problems in the application of theory in practice in preschool teacher training. Specifically, the kind of problem identified is the lack of opportunities given to students to apply the knowledge gained through the university courses during their internships at the preschools. As a result a “gap” is created between the theory learnt and the application of this theory into practice, which in turn limits the opportunity for professional development. The meaning of professional development is to improve the knowledge and skills that the students have about their profession. The aim of this study is to understand student perspectives in relation to the combination of academic vs. practice-oriented coursework in preschool teacher training in Sweden. Specifically, this study examines the preferences of undergraduate preschool education students in Sweden regarding academic vs. practice-oriented courses, as well as if and how these courses contribute to their professional development. Final year student of a preschool education program at a college in southern Sweden completed an online survey to assess their perspectives on academically oriented and practice-oriented courses of their program. Students, regardless of whether or not they had previous experience working in early childhood education and care, reported that practice-oriented courses helped them with their professional development. Student also declared that the theory learnt through their academically oriented courses generally proved to be applicable in practice. Two types of future research are proposed in order to capture a wider variety of student perspectives about their training program as preschool education teachers.

This study assessed the effectiveness of an HIV/AIDS psychoeducational intervention and skills training package for a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS, the chronic mentally ill. Twenty-seven participants were randomly assigned to either a treatment or no treatment control group. Elements of the intervention were (a) education about HIV transmission and high risk groups, (b) problem-solving skills training, and (c) behavioral skills training based on education needs identified in a previous study of the same population. Pretest and posttest measures were administered to both the treatment and control groups in order to assess differences and improvement. Results showed improvements from pretest to posttest in the treatment group's HIV/AIDS knowledge, behavioral and role-play skills in high-risk situations, self-efficacy in utilizing learned skills, and intention to use these skills. The same improvement did not occur in the control group. Follow-up data and implications of the study are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, School of Education, 2008.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Jul 28, 2009). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-12, Section: A, page: 4620. Adviser: Valarie L. Akerson.

Technology is a critical component of modern-day success. Advancements in technology have improved communication between individuals and companies. Technological advancements have allowed students to earn college degrees online. People who habitually use technology expect a high level of performance and support. As new technologies are implemented, such as complex web services or new operating systems, the dependence for information technology (IT) support grows in demand. Even learning curves can be cumbersome without proper assistance from IT professionals. Companies and institutions must accommodate user needs by implementing fast, efficient, and friendly support. In order to offer optimal customer support, representatives must be knowledgeable of the products and services that are supported. At Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) IT Helpdesk, a training program called Consultant Accelerated Development and Education in Technology (CADET) focuses on software, hardware, customer service, and procedures mandated by the IT Division. Prior to CADET, the Student Certification program was used to train student consultants. The Student Certification program was developed to satisfy training needs that allowed consultants to support end-user technical issues. CADET was developed in 2008 to replace the Student Certification program. This study explored the question if CADET training is more effective in preparing consultants to do their jobs than the Student Certification program. The study investigated the effectiveness of CADET training compared to the Student Certification program by surveying IT Helpdesk student consultants. The survey results indicated which program was more adequate. Both programs contained the same training content, but training delivery methods differed. A t-test was used to compare both programs and determine the outcome of the study’s hypotheses. The Student Certification program did not accommodate different learning styles. The teaching methods only included traditional classroom-style delivery. CADET training did accommodate different learning styles, delivering training through a wide variety of formats including video, audio, assessment, assignment, and face-to-face training. The research focused on the importance of addressing different learning behaviors. The study suggested that CADET is more adequate in preparing students to do their job duties. When both Student Certification survey and the CADET survey were compared, CADET training is more adequate in 26 out of the 27 training sessions. The results suggested that learning style accommodation is directly related in the success in the CADET training program over the Student Certification program.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Bibliography
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated a single research question, that is: How do teachers experience the implementation of the Further Education and Training (FET) National Curriculum Statement (NCS) for Physical Science? The focus of the study was on searching the inner consciousness of Physical Science teachers as they engaged with the teaching of the subject on a daily basis. It is in the inner consciousness where one finds the truth about people’s perceptions, beliefs, emotions, challenges and convictions about/towards phenomena that the study sought to determine. In so doing, this study searched for phenomenological truth about the daily realities Physical Science teachers are faced with, as they implement the NCS. Phenomenological truth is floatable, precarious in nature, and subject to an individual’s perception of truth. It is important to note that phenomenological truth makes no reference to absolute truth. At the time this study was conducted the NCS was the only policy document with legal status for schools in South Africa. As a result the NCS influences and directs the pedagogical practices of teachers. This is because the NCS has a specific expectation of Physical Science teachers with regards to their understanding of the content, the delivery of the content, the learning environment, and professionalism. Through searching the consciousness of teachers, they revealed how they experienced what they do in the Physical Science classroom. In other words, how they experience what, how, when and who they teach. Probing into the consciousness of teachers and how they experience the implementation of the NCS provides valuable insight into the quality of curriculum delivery. This study did not only focus on the implementation of the NCS, but also examined why it might be difficult for teachers to change their practices. Phenomenology is both a theory and a method. The study was guided by the ideas of Edmund Husserl - who is regarded by many phenomenologists as the father of phenomenology, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and many other phenomenologists. Husserl (cited in Derrida, 1967) believed that we should begin any explanation with experience, which is a scientific description that does not presuppose any significance of the existence of the metaphysical world. By delving into the complexities of experience one can locate the flowing life of an individual’s consciousness as it occurs. Husserl posited the belief returning to the things themselves (cited in, Derrida, 1967; Spanos, 1976; Groenewald, 2004) to describe the purity of experience as data. In this study I sampled three teachers and employed a phenomenological methodological framework to capture their lived experiences. I used one-on-one semi-structured face-to-face interviews to construct the data. In addition, field notes were used to turn the direct experiences and observations of the participants into vivid descriptions. In phenomenology researchers use field notes to make the voice of people heard in the text. I drew on Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty’s philosophical pathways that a person must be understood from his position within a specific time and place to present the findings. The major finding in this study showed that the teachers’ consciousness, with respect to Physical Science teaching was negatively influenced by the legacy of apartheid-education. This negative consciousness through which they framed their thoughts and filtered their ideas became the collective mindset through which they personified their teaching. The study revealed that the delivery of the NCS (by the teachers) was mostly axiomatised by old habits and images in their thoughts engrained in their memory under apartheid education. The findings also showed that their (teachers’) consciousness with regards to the NCS unconsciously oscillated between the present and the past and that they continuously and unconsciously bring the past (old ideas and beliefs) into the present. The teachers constantly have to struggle against the phenomenological self or attitude and ceaselessly suppose and follow thoughts of pre-comprehension or preconception.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om die volgende navorsingvraag te beantwoord: Hoe ervaar onderwysers die implementering van die Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO) Nasionale Kurrikulum Verklaring (NKV) vir Fisiese Wetenskap? Die hoofdoel was om meer insig te verkry oor wat binne onderwysers se psige plaasvind soos hulle op ‘n daaglikse basis hul uitleef in die Fisiese Wetenskapsklaskamer binne die raamwerk van die NKV. Dit is binne die psige waar hul persepsies, diepgewortelde waardes, emosies, en uitdagings rondom die NKV rus. Om hierdie rede is die studie geïntresseerd om die fenomenologiese waarheid van die alledaagse realiteite waarmee hulle aanhoudend gekonfronteer word, te myn. Fenominologiese waarheid is vloeibaar en verskil van persoon tot persoon en hou geen verwysing met absolute waarheid nie. Toe hierdie studie plaasgevind het, was die VOO NKV die enigste wettige beleidsdokument vir die deelnemers. Die onderwysers was dus verplig om die voorgeskrewe beginsels soos in die NKV saamgevat toe te pas in die voorbereiding en aanbieding van hul lesse. Die NKV beskryf in diepte die inhoud vir elke graad (10-12), hoe die inhoud aangebied moet word, die klaskamer atmosfeer, asook die professionalitiet van die opvoeders. Al die antwoorde soos saamgevat in laasgenoemde, lê bine die psige van die onderwysers. Die ondersoek van die psige van die onderwysers lei tot ‘n begrip van hoe, wat en waarom Fisiese Wetenskaps-onderswysers doen wat hulle doen. Alhoewel die fokus van hierdie studie op die implementering van die NKV is, dra dit ook by tot groeiende kennis aangaande hoekom onderwysers dit moeilik vind om hulle praktyke te verander wanneer dit kom by die hernuwing van ‘n kurrikulum. Fenomenologie is beide ‘n navorsingsmetode en ‘n teorie. Die literatuuroorsig van hierdie studie is geinspireer deur die idees van Edmund Husserl, wat bestempel word as die vader van fenomenolgie, asook Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, en veskeie ander fenomenoloë. Derrida (1967) is oortuig daarvan dat enige verduideliking akkuraat beskryf kan word indien geleefde ervaring in ag geneem word. Geleefde ervaring spreek direk tot die onderliggende psige van ‘n individu, en deur die psige te ondersoek, is dit moontlik om ‘n individu se oortuigings ten opsigte van sy/haar geloof, persepsies en uitdagings, asook hoe die individu reageer op hierdie aspekte te verstaan. Husserl gebruik die uitdrukking ‘returning to the things themselves’ wanneer hy verwys na die belangrikheid en oorspronlikheid van ervaring (vermeld in, Derrida, 1967; Spanos, 1976; Groenewald, 2004). Om hierdie rede is ‘n fenomenologiese metode gevolg om die lewenservaringe van drie swart onderwysers vas te vang. Hierdie fenomenologiese vertolkende ondersoek word deur veelvoudigemetodes van inligtingsinsameling gekenmerk. Inligting in hierdie studie oor die deelnemers se ervaringe is vekry deur middel van individuele onderhoude, en die ontleding van die inhoud daarvan. Addisionele inligting is verkry deur veldnotas. Die doelwit van die veldnotas was om die deelnemers se direkte ervaringe en waarnemings in besonderhede te beskryf. Die ontledingsbenadering van elke deelnemer is gedoen binne die raamwerk van Husserl, Heidegger en Merleau-Ponty wat gegrond is op teorieë wat die belangrikheid van plek en tyd uitbeeld. Die resultate van hierdie studie het getoon dat die onderliggende psige van elke deelnemer deur die nalatenskap van apartheid negatief beïnvloed is. Hierdie negatiewe denkpatrone waardeur die onderwysers se idees formuleer vorm die kollektiewe ingesteldheid waardeur hulle hul onderrigswêreld skep. Verder het die studie onthul dat hul aanbieding van die NKV meestal gedryf word deur ou gewoontes wat binne hul denke gekristalliseer het. Hulle vind dit dus moeilik om deur hierdie ou gewoontes te breek. Hul denke wissel gedurig tussen die verlede en die hede en roep die verlede voortdurend binne die hede. Alhoewel die bevindinge van hierdie studie gekoppel is aan plek en tyd is daar ‘n konstante struweling tussen die fenomenologiese self en hul ou gesette denke.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An analysis of a teacher development programme known as the Cluster Project is central to this research. Study of the form, processes and outcomes of the project model draws attention to teacher professional development (TPD) as a critical strategy for improving science education in primary schools. High quality teaching at the foundational level supports children develop the appropriate level of knowledge that would allow them to take up and succeed at science at higher levels. With the object of strengthening primary science education the Primary Science Programme (PSP) implements a Cluster Project in Western Cape schools. The project model offers training workshops, classroom guidance and essential resources to support teachers develop both their knowledge and teaching competencies to teach science well. Training workshops are designed to build teachers’ understanding of critical science concepts, improve science content knowledge, and offers guidance with curriculum implementation and assessment of learning. In-classroom support and team-teaching, supported with teaching and learning materials and other resources, assists with improving teaching practice in context. This interpretive case study analyses the Cluster Project model and its processes within three theoretical frames: activity theory, complexity theory, and a research-developed qualitative framework to trace teacher professional development. Activity theory is applied to the purpose, organization and function of the Cluster Project, while complexity theory probes the meaning and implications of educational change for teachers and TPD. The qualitative framework with its five critical indicators of autonomy, knowledge, practice, and collaboration and continuing development analyses empirical evidence of TPD with respect to six teacher participants. Activity theory draws attention to the use of flexible adaptive teacher professional learning models which can accommodate frequent change to curriculum and context, and further highlights the importance of promoting collaboration and reducing contradictions in order to improve learning outcomes. Complexity theory expands understanding of teacher professional learning through its focus on the critical concepts of pedagogy, holism, learning as a nonlinear process, the unpredictability of teaching and learning, networking and connectedness, change by emergence and self-organization, changing environments, and teacher development programmes as open, complex adaptive systems. This research observed the six teacher participants were able to improve aspects of their teaching of science, thereby achieving a measure of professional development, although this was not a general observation within the Cluster Project teacher population. Research findings show that teachers’ active participation in meaningful practical science experiences promotes teacher learning, improves practical science in the classroom, and encourages the ready take-up of helpful and innovative science teaching ideas and strategies. This research recommends that practical science teaching, integrated with language and mathematics teaching, should form an essential part of education and training programmes for both pre-service and in-service primary and high school science teachers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die analise van`n onderwyser-ontwikkelingsprogram, bekend as die Groepsondersteunings Projek, is die kern van diè navorsing. Studie van die vorm, prosesse en uitkomste van die projekmodel, vestig die aandag op onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling as `n kritiese strategie vir die verbetering van wetenskaponderrig in primêre skole. Hoë gehalte onderwys in die grondslagfase, ondersteun die kinders se ontwikkeling op `n geskikte vlak van kennis wat hulle in staat sal stel om wetenskap verder te neem en daarvan `n sukses te maak op senior vlak. Met die doel om wetenskaponderrig te versterk in die primêre skool, implimenteer die Primêre Wetenskap Program (PSP) tans `n Groepsondersteunings Projek in die Wes-Kaapse skole. Die model voorsien opleiding deur slypskole, klaskamerleiding en noodsaaklike leerhulpmiddels om onderwysers se kennis en onderrigvaardigheid, om wetenskap as vak goed te onderrig, te ontwikkel. Opleidingsslypskole fokus daarop om onderwysers se begrip van kritiese wetenskaplike konsepte en opgradering van wetenskapinhoudskennis op te bou en ook om te help om die kurrikulum te implimenteer en kinders se leerwerk te assesseer. Klaskamer ondersteuning en span-onderrig, met die hulp van onderrig-en leerhulpmiddels, help met die verbetering van die onderwyspraktyk in konteks. Diè interpreterende gevallestudie analiseer die Groepondersteunings Projek model en die prosesse binne drie teoretiese raamwerke, die aktiwiteits-teorie, kompleksiteits-teorie en `n stel aanwysers wat ontwikkel is om bewyse van onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling te ontleed. Die aktiwiteits-teorie is toegepas op die doel, organisering en funksie van die Projek, terwyl die kompleksiteits-teorie die betekenis en implikasies van die opvoedkundige verandering vir onderwysers en onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling ondersoek. Die stel aanwysers met vyf kritiese fokuspunte: outonomie, kennis, praktyk, samewerking en voortdurende ontwikkeling, lei die analise van ses onderwyser-deelnemers se professionele ontwikkeling. Die aktiwiteits-teorie beklemtoon die belangrikheid van aanpasbare professionele leermodelle wat gereelde verandering aan die konteks en kurrikulum kan akkommodeer, en beklemtoon ook die belangrikheid om samewerking bevorder, teenstrydigheid te verminder en om sodoende die leeruitkomste te versterk. Die kompleksiteits-teorie verbreed die insig van onderwyser se professionele leer deur die fokus te plaas op die kritiese konsepte van pedagogiek; holisme; leer as `n nie-lineêre proses; die onvoorspelbaarheid van onderrig en leer; netwerk en aaneenskakeling; verandering deur die ontstaan en self-organisasie; veranderende omgewings en onderwyser-ontwikkelingsplanne as oop, komplekse aanpasbare stelsels. Diè navorsing het waargeneem dat die ses onderwyser-deelnemers in staat was om aspekte van hul wetenskap-onderrig te verbeter en sodoende was hulle in staat om `n mate van professionele ontwikkeling te behaal alhoewel dit nie `n algemene waarneming binne die Groepsondersteunings Projek se onderwyspopulasie was nie. Navorsingsbevindings dui aan dat onderwysers se aktiewe deelname aan betekenisvolle, praktiese wetenskapondervindings, leer kan bevorder en begrip kan bevorder van `n praktiese implimentering daarvan in die klaskamer en moedig die geredelike opname van nuttige en innoverende leer-idees en strategieë aan. Die navorsing beveel aan dat praktiese wetenskap-onderrig, integreer met tale en wiskunde, `n noodsaaklike deel moet vorm van onderwys-en opleidingsprogramme vir voor-diens en in-diens primêre en hoërskool wetenskaponderwysers.

Currently, effective treatment strategies for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited. A widely used treatment method is exercise rehabilitation, which has a multitude of benefits on quality of life, improving exercise tolerance and decreasing hospitalizations. However, patients with more severe cases of COPD are unable to train at exercise intensities high enough to significantly improve disease-related skeletal muscle abnormalities such as losses in muscle mass and strength. Our group has recently shown the feasibility and safety of an eccentric (ECC) cycle training intervention in COPD as an alternative modality that can load the muscle four times as much as typical concentric (CON) cycle training at the same metabolic cost (Rocha Vieira, Baril et al. 2011). However, the skeletal muscle adaptations to ECC cycling compared to CON cycling in COPD have not been examined in the literature. In our study, patients were randomized to either an ECC (n=8) or CON (n=7) cycle training group to train for 10 weeks, three times per week for 30 minutes and matched for metabolic cost at 60-80% CON V̇O2peak. Pre and post-training assessments were taken of the patient's body composition, peak muscle strength and muscle fiber type and size by immunolabeling cross-sections of vastus lateralis muscle needle biopsies. Compared to CON training, we found that ECC training resulted in significant increases in lean body mass with an accompanying decrease in body fat mass. Along with this we found that, ECC training resulted in significant increases in muscle strength, whereas CON training did not. At the single fiber level, we found that CON resulted in increases in average fiber size that was principally drive by an increase in type 1 fiber size, however no changes were seen in patients performing ECC training. In both groups no significant changes in fiber type proportions occurred with training. ECC cycling had a moderately greater augmenting effect on lean muscle mass and strength than CON cycling, making it a useful alternative for severe COPD patients due to its high force production at an equivalent metabolic cost, which may prove important in preventing disease related muscle atrophy.
Actuellement, on constate un manque de stratégies de traitements efficaces pour les patientes atteints de maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique (MPOC) sévère. Une méthode de traitement des plus répandues est l'exercice de réadaptation qui possède de nombreux bienfaits tels que l'amélioration de la qualité de vie, l'augmentation de la tolérance à l'effort et une diminution du nombre d'hospitalisations. Cependant, dans les cas les plus sévères plusieurs patients ne sont pas en mesure de faire de l'exercice à une intensité assez forte pour améliorer les anomalies des muscles squelettiques, une caractéristique importante de la MPOC, comme la perte de la masse musculaire, la force musculaire et un changement des proportions des fibres. Récemment, notre groupe de recherche a démontré la faisabilité et la sécurité d'une intervention en entraînement en cycle de musculation excentrique (EXC) dans les cas de MPOC. En effet, l'exercice excentrique permet d'ajouter 4 fois plus de résistance musculaire que l'entraînement en cycle concentrique (CONC) typique, et ce, au même cout métabolique. Par contre, les adaptations des muscles squelettiques au cycle EXC en comparaison à celles au cycle CONC dans les cas de MPOC n'ont pas été documentées dans les publications. Dans cette étude, les patients ont été randomisés en deux groupes, EXC (n=8) ou CONC (n=7) pour dix semaines d'entraînement, 3x par semaine pour 30 minutes pour un même coût métabolique CONC de 60-80% V̇O2max. Les mesures ont été prises avant et après l'entraînement : la composition corporelle, la force musculaire maximale, une biopsie à l'aiguille du vaste latéral pour l'analyse de l'expression protéinique MHC et pour la grandeur de la fibre musculaire. Les résultats ont démontré qu'en comparaison avec l'entraînement CONC, l'entraînement EXC permet une augmentation significative de la masse corporelle maigre accompagnée d'une diminution de la masse corporelle grasse. De plus, nous avons remarqué que l'entraînement EXC a résulté en une augmentation significative de la force musculaire, mais l'entraînement CONC n'a pas résulté en une augmentation significative de la force musculaire. Néanmoins, l'entraînement CONC a résulté en une augmentation plus grand de la grandeur des fibres en moyen et spécifique à fibres qui expresse le protéine MHC type 1. En les deux groupes, il n'y a pas un changement significatif des proportions des fibres après l'entraînement. L'entraînement EXC a résulté en une augmentation plus grande de la composition corporelle et la force musculaire que l'entraînement CONC. L'entraînement EXC est une alternative utile pour éviter la perte de la masse musculaire dans les patients plus sévère a cause de la diminution de la coûte métabolique et l'augmentation de la force musculaire pendant l'entraînement.

Published Article
The study addresses a concern in higher education and specifically in Health Sciences and Technology regarding integrated and authentic assessment with an outcomes-based approach. From the information generated, an assessment model is proposed for application in Health Sciences and Technology. By applying the Delphi technique, a validated assessment model is presented for assessment in outcomes-based education and training in Health Sciences and Technology. The process and product of the research should add value to the assessment of learning in the outcomes-based approach in higher education with specific reference to Health Sciences and Technology.

Interactive engagement environments are critical to students' conceptual learning gains, and often the instructor is ultimately responsible for the creation of that environment in the classroom. When those instructors are graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), one of the primary ways in which they can promote interactive engagement is through their interactions with students.

Much of the prior research on physics GTA-student interactions focuses on GTA training programs (e.g. Ezrailson (2004); Smith, Ward, and Rosenshein (1977)) or on GTAs' specific actions and beliefs (e.g. West, Paul, Webb, and Potter (2013); Goertzen (2010); Spike and Finkelstein (2012a)). Research on students' ideas and behaviors within and surrounding those interactions is limited but important to obtaining a more complete understanding of how GTAs promote an interactive environment.

In order to begin understanding this area, I developed the Issues Framework to examine how GTA-student interactions are situated in students' processes during physics problem solving activities. Using grounded theory, the Issues Framework emerged from an analysis of the relationships between GTA-student interactions and the students procedures and expressions of physics content in and surrounding those interactions.

This study is focused on introducing the Issues Framework and the insight it can provide into GTA-student interactions and students' processes. The framework is general in nature and has a visually friendly design making it a useful tool for consolidating complex data and quickly pattern-matching important pieces of a complex process.

Four different categories of Issues emerged spanning the problem solving process: (1) Getting Started, (2) Solution Approach, (3) Unit Conversions, and (4) Other. The framework allowed for identification of the specific contents of the Issues in each category as well as revealing the common stories of students' processes and how the interactions were situated in those processes in each category.

Through the stories, the Issues Framework revealed processes in which students often focused narrowly on procedures with the physics content expressed through their procedures and only sometimes through conceptual discussions. Interactions with the GTA affected changes in students' processes, typically leading students to correct their procedures. The interactions often focused narrowly on procedures as well but introduced conceptual discussions more often than students did surrounding the interactions. Comparing stories across GTAs instead of across categories revealed one GTA who, more often than other GTAs, used conceptual discussion and encouraged students' participation in the interactions.

The Issues Framework still needs continued refinement and testing. However, it represents a significant step toward understanding GTA-student interactions from the perspective of students' processes in physics problem solving.

This paper explores the impacts of an induction program on three beginning secondary science teachers. These teachers participated in a beginning teacher support program, the goal of which was to help bridge the gap between preservice experiences and traditional in-service education opportunities. The goal of the support program was to provide needed support, encourage the implementation of inquiry-based methodologies, and dispose teachers to reflect upon their teaching experiences. The study describes these beginning teachers' beliefs about teaching and learning and explores how these conceptions, along with instructional practices, developed during the induction period. Descriptions of each teachers' development were enriched through attention to individual personal backgrounds and professional contexts. Descriptive case studies were based on a framework established by the data collection, which then guided comparison of individual experiences and contexts across cases. There were several conclusions. First, development of beliefs about teaching and learning varied across cases over the span of the induction period. Second, the differing degree of inquiry-based implementation can be attributed to the context in which each teacher worked. Finally, the differing degree of impact of the program from one individual to the next can be explained in part by the beliefs about teaching and learning that participants brought to the program, as well as the context in which each participant worked.

The purpose of this study was to explore teacher leaders' experiences as they attempted to establish collaborative structures and relationships resulting in improved science instruction at their schools. Teacher leaders were middle school science facilitators, full-time classroom teachers who acted as liaisons between the science teachers at their schools and a change initiative funded by the National Science Foundation. This was a qualitative study, using interviews to create a case study. The researcher used a three-part interview design developed by Seidman (1991). Six research questions served as a framework for the data analysis. Participants identified the following as factors which contributed to their success: support from the principal, other science teachers, central staff personnel, and the district-wide group of science facilitators; professional development; and the successful completion of a scope and sequence for science instruction. Factors identified as hindering their success were: lack of support or conflict with the principal; resistance to change; time constraints; a district policy which limited meeting time; teacher and administrator turnover; tension between the middle school and junior high school models; and personal doubts. From descriptions of their understanding and exercising of leadership, the researcher concluded that teacher leaders had become empowered. The school culture was seen to have a great effect on teacher leaders. The contrasts between a school with a positive culture and another school in disarray were presented. Structures such as summer institutes and release time during the school day were identified as critical for giving teachers the time needed to establish more collaborative working relationships. Once greater trust and understanding were present, teachers were better able to examine their teaching practices more critically. Participants identified mentoring of new members, a continuing role for science facilitators, and central support as necessary for ensuring the sustainability of the changes made during the years of the grant initiative. The researcher concluded that teacher leaders can be a powerful force for bringing about change in schools when provided with training and time during the school day to work with colleagues.

This study has investigated the effectiveness of an initial teacher training programme provided by the Omani Colleges of Education in preparing science teachers. To understand the phenomena of this research, to give a picture as clear as possible of the topic under study and to determine the information that needs to be collected, a framework was established. A combination of qualitative and quantitative tools (questionnaires, interviews and document examination) was used to meet the aims of this study. The questionnaires and interviews were designed and tailored to relate specifically to the teachers' competencies that are required by the Omani Reformed General Education (the Basic Education: Stage Two). In addition, the importance and effectiveness of the programme's components were also investigated. The questionnaires were conducted with all the student science teachers in the final academic year, 2000/2001, and all the teacher educators in the departments of educational studies in all the six Omani Colleges of Education. Sub-samples of student teachers and teacher educators were interviewed. In addition, some newly qualified teachers were also interviewed. To carry out a careful analysis, a framework of data analysis was developed. The results are divided into three main sections. The first section addresses student teachers' competencies. The second section reports the participants' evaluation of the importance and effectiveness of the pedagogical courses. The third section covers the respondents' evaluation of the importance and the effectiveness of practicum aspects. In addition, results that emerged from the two last open-ended questions in the questionnaires and interviews and the effects of some variables on student teachers' competencies are presented. This study has indicated that while student science teachers demonstrated their ability in some competencies, they were deficient in the majority. In general, the results have indicated that approximately 86.96% of the competencies were rated to be average whereas only 10.87% of these competencies were viewed to be above average (i.e. competent). In addition, the majority of responses indicated that student teachers could use some experiential learning methods and some different assessment tools to a limited extent but not effectively. Furthermore, student science teachers are not fully prepared to use a problem-solving approach and ICT in teaching science. This research has produced interesting and useful data about the student teachers' competencies and the curriculum of the colleges and the manner in which it was implemented. It has not only shown a serious gap between the actual needs of science teachers (importance) and their preparation (effectiveness) by the colleges but identified also the areas of weakness. Some factors affecting the acquisition of the student teachers' competencies are addressed. Recommendations have been made for the Ministry of Higher Education for the development of the existing science teacher education programmes, and for the Ministry of Education (in-service teacher training). Issues for further research are also addressed