The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how students relates to and perceives the schoolswork with the value base. To answer my purpose has been two studies conducted. The first study aimed at finding out students' perceptions regarding the content and Concretization of the value base and on their perceptions of participation and retention of this work. This study was conducted using a questionnaire survey.The second study has aimed to highlight the approach embodied by the schools' plans and treatment plans. This sudy has been conducted trough a review of policy documents available on the websites of education departments, municipalities and schools.

The purpose of this study is to find out teachers view on manipulatives as a way to concretize a certain mathematical content and to highlight knowledge and experiences within the range of using manipulatives to concretize. By answering the questions below different approaches a teacher may have towards the manipulatives and how that may impact on student?s learning will also be discussed in comparison to mainly traditional and socially constructive theories of learning.What is the teachers view on manipulatives as a way to concretize?What purpose do they have when using manipulatives?According to the teachers, what does it mean to concretize a certain mathematical content?According to the teachers, what connection is there between manipulatives and concretizing?Through interviews and observations conclusions can be made that the teachers are in general positive towards using manipulatives as a way to concretize a certain mathematical content although the definition of what a manipulative is differ somewhat between the teachers. The teachers working with manipulatives do it in a well thought out fashion but more research is needed to furthermore define the purpose of using manipulatives. Few countries spend so much time concretizing and working with manipulatives as Sweden do, but still Sweden score below the OECD-average on the mathematical PISA-tests.

Research indicates that a more hands-on education in mathematics could improve how students relate to mathematics. Laboratory mathematics is a way of making mathematics more concrete.  How is the purpose of laboratory mathematics perceived? This thesis has its focus on the pupils? perceptions of the purpose of laboratory mathematics, but the intention of the teacher involved is also investigated. The main research questions asked were:What is the teacher's definition of laboratory mathematics?Which is the teacher's purpose in using laboratory education?How do the students perceive the purpose of the laboratory teaching of mathematics?To answer the questions, I conducted a series of qualitative interviews.

ProblemIdeation in group is used by many, often as a tool for creating new and innovative ways to solve problems and creating change. Groups may have difficulties to move from the phase of inspiration to the phase of ideation, if information and ideas aren?t defined in the team.The authors claim that this process can be helped by providing practical tools that are adapted and tested for the purpose. The reason is to foster Concretization of volatile thoughts in form of inspiration and information.PurposeThe study aims to investigate how Storyboard as a tool can be used to concretize thoughts and inspiration in a group before ideation.MethodIn order to collect empirical data the authors along with four other facilitators, conducted 24 DO TANK:s for the innovation contest Smart Lunch. The empirical data where then analyzed using theories related to the topic.

The aim of this master thesis is to study the relationship between general ethics and professional ethics, to attain an understanding of which values that are given priority in the profession of the librarian regarding personal encounter towards library users. The posed questions are: How can fundamental ethical principles be understood through the view of public librarians? How can policy documents regarding librarian ethics be understood through the view of public librarians? How can policy documents regarding librarian ethics be problematized in relation to fundamental ethical principles? We used four focus groups consisting of public librarians. Three theoretical frameworks create the base of the analysis; four fundamental ethical principles, ethical guidelines for Swedish librarians and recommendations for Swedish librarians in the reference service. Three main issues emerge in the study; equalistic personal encounter where the principle of justice is emphasized but also problematized, library users? integrity which mainly coincide with the principle of autonomy and finally the librarian?s professional role which are being defined by librarian specific competence to refrain violation of the principle of injury avoidance.