Conceções de aprendizagem de adolescentes em acolhimento institucional

Abstract

The main focus of this study involves the analysis of adolescent learning’s conceptions in the 3rd cycle living in a situation of institutional care. For the literature review carried out it was found that the conceptions of learning affect approaches to learning and, consequently, influence motivation and academic performance. Furthermore, also the data provided by Annual Report Characterization of Foster Care, published annually by the Social Security, let us realize that this population is in a state of academic failure. Therefore, in order to analyze which are the conceptions of students in institutional care and its relationship to academic performance, the study proceeded to carry out semi-structured interviews, where, in a first part we try to find answers to several questions about the learning (Grácio, 2002), while the second part focuses mainly on the projections of these teens for the future. This analysis allowed us to realize what conceptions do these teenagers in residential care have. The interviews were administered in 55 young people in residential care. Of the 55 adolescents, 5 were welcomed in Temporary Shelters and 50 lived in homes for children and youth. The eight institutions where interviews were conducted were located in the districts of Braga and Porto. Ratings were also collected for the 1st school term of these young people. These data were analyzed and we proceeded to an analysis of how they relate to conceptions of these students. The results of data analysis indicate an identification of conceptions of learning, mostly the reproductive kind. We also see that these young people conceptualize the learning as a means to achieve a better future. This conception comes first identified and is very present in the collected data. The data also underscore the relevance of development studies in the education of young people in residential care.

Date of Award	2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Luísa Mota Ribeiro (Supervisor)