Learning Environment and its Association with Student Satisfaction Among Mathematics Students in Brunei Darussalam

This article reports a study of lower secondary mathematics classroom learning environment in Brunei Darussalam and its association with students' satisfaction with learning mathematics among a sample of 1565 students from 81 classes in 15 government secondary schools. Students' perceptions of the classroom learning environments were assessed with a version of the My Class Inventory (MCI) that had been modified for the Brunei context. The study revealed a satisfactory factor structure for a refined three-scale version of the MCI assessing cohesiveness, difficulty and competition. This finding is noteworthy because the factorial validity of the MCI has not previously been established in past research in other countries. Also each scale displayed satisfactory internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity and was able to differentiate between the perceptions of students in different classes. A one-way MANOVA revealed that students generally perceived a positive learning environment in mathematics classes. Also the study supported earlier research suggesting that boys and girls hold different perceptions of the same classroom learning environments. Relationships between student satisfaction and classroom environment were investigated using simple and multiple correlation analyses, using both the individual student and class mean as units of analysis. Associations between satisfaction and the learning environment were statistically significant both at student and class levels for most MCI scales. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

深度学习背景下的初中英语教学策略探究

英语深度学习是对英语课堂教学的一个新探索,是提高英语课堂教学质量、实现英语课堂教学目标、提升学生英语应用能力的有力措施,是英语课堂教学研究和发展的新方向.对于英语教师而言,深度学习强调教师要突破过去英语课堂教学中的思维定式,构建有深度的英语课堂;对于学生而言,深度学习鼓励学生质疑浅层学习,自主进行深入探索和研究.文章从...     

高中英语课堂环境与学习成果的关系研究

课堂环境与学习成果的关系一直是西方课堂环境研究的热点。本研究运用《中学英语课堂环境量表》作为测量工具,测量了高中生对英语课堂环境的感知与其英语学习态度和学习成绩之间的关系。研究结果表明:课堂环境是影响二语学习成果的主要因素之一,积极的课堂环境可以改善和提高学生的二语学习成果。课堂环境通过直接效应和中介效应共同影响二语学习成果,其中任务取向对二语学习成果的预测力最大。     

An inquiry into the delivering of a British curriculum in China

This paper reports a qualitative inquiry on teaching a British undergraduate management programme to Chinese students in China. The research objectives were to develop a deeper understanding of challenges students face in their academic learning within an English speaking and study environment, and to enhance organisational learning through developing practical pedagogical techniques to improve classroom interactions. A longitudinal participatory action research strategy was employed. The subjects were second and third year undergraduate students who were studying for dual-degrees in international tourism management at a Sino-Foreign educational institute. The inquiry found that various instructional techniques could help the students engage with fellow students and the lecturer in the classroom setting. We conclude that, in addition to linguistic factors, normative values of education in Chinese culture ought to be appreciated so that Chinese students’ learning needs can be better served.     

独立学院大学英语第二课堂建设的探索——以四川师范大学文理学院为例

在独立学院开展大学英语第二课堂是目前独立学院大学英语教学的客观现状所要求的一种教学改革,同时也是营造大学校园双语语言与双语文化氛围的一个有效途径。本文以独立学院的实际情况为背景,通过对四川师范大学文理学院大一至大四400位学生大学英语学习状况的调查,探讨了开展大学英语第二课堂的必要性和现状,并提出了相关的完善措施,希望能为独立学院的英语教学改革提供可参考的实践案例。     

The nature of Chinese Language classroom learning environments in Singapore secondary schools

This article reports findings from a classroom environment study which was designed to investigate the nature of Chinese Language classroom environments in Singapore secondary schools. We used a perceptual instrument, the Chinese Language Classroom Environment Inventory, to investigate teachers’ and students’ perceptions towards their Chinese Language classroom learning environments using six dimensions, namely, Student Cohesiveness, Teacher Support, Involvement, Cooperation, Task Orientation and Equity. The investigation was carried out using a sample of 1,460 secondary three (Grade 9) students from 50 Chinese Language classes in 25 Singapore government secondary schools. The nature of the Chinese Language classroom learning environments was interpreted from analyses of the perception scores obtained, as well as from various comparisons of the perception scores between different groups. Although both the Chinese Language teachers and students perceived their present classroom learning environments positively, they would like improvements in all the six dimensions of the classroom learning environments under investigation. Also teachers perceived a more positive classroom learning environment than their students in the same class. In addition, female students perceived their actual and preferred classroom environments more positively than their male counterparts.     

Alternative perspectives on authentic learning environments in elementary science

There are multiple views of a learning environment, each having the potential to contribute to our understanding and valuing of learning. In this study, the teacher's view was positive, concerned with children's ownership of ideas and positive self esteem, and based primarily on a view that in order to learn, students need to be actively engaged in activities that are enjoyable and challenging. The researcher had two perspectives, both differing from the teacher's. Consistent with social constructivism the students interacted freely with one another, learned about structures, and produced models that reflected their goals. From this perspective the learning environment was rich. But there was something missing in this classroom — the utilization of resources to assist in reproducing the culture of science. From the perspective of cultural reproduction the learning environment was impoverished.Present approaches to the study of learning environments are grounded in a tradition of using questionnaires to elicit perceptions of the experiences and preferences of students and teachers in terms of constructs selected for their salience to researchers. Although these constructs have changed over the past 20 to 30 years to reflect theoretical models applied to the teaching and learning of science, the use of different methods and theories in the study of learning environments, particularly in elementary grades, offers the promise of improving the quality of learning and teaching science. Studies of elementary students undertaken by Roth and his colleagues in Canada (e.g., Roth, 1996) and Ritchie and Hampson (1996) in Australia are particularly relevant to this chapter. The studies have yielded implications for teaching and learning in terms of fresh theoretical perspectives based on the use of qualitative approaches to the study of learning environments in which technology was used to build ideas about canonical science.When Ms. Scott was first approached about participating in a study she agreed and suggested that building castles would provide a suitable context. Her grade 2 classroom was in an elementary school in the northern part of Florida and contained students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The ethnic composition of the school was approximately 60% Caucasian and 25% African American with the remaining 15% consisting of Asian American and Hispanic students. Few students in grade 2 had limited English proficiency.The interpretative research methods used accessed multiple data sources and were responsive to experiences during intensive visits to the grade two classroom during a three week sequence of activities. Ms. Scott and her students were given multiple opportunities to discuss their roles in their own language. Artifacts from the classroom were collected and intensive analyses of videotapes and 35 mm photographs taken by the teacher were undertaken. This chapter is based on complementary perspectives which are presented in the next two sections. The first incorporates a narrative from Ms. Scott; the second is derived from the researcher's analysis and interpretation of data from the study.     

Parent and student perceptions of classroom learning environment and its association with student outcomes

This research is distinctive in that parents’ perceptions were utilised in conjunction with students’ perceptions in investigating science classroom learning environments among Grade 4 and 5 students in South Florida. The What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire was modified for young students and their parents and administered to 520 students and 120 parents. Data analyses supported the WIHIC’s factorial validity, internal consistency reliability and ability to differentiate between the perceptions of students in different classrooms. Both students and parents preferred a more positive classroom environment than the one perceived to be actually present, but effect sizes for actual-preferred differences were larger for parents than for students. Associations were found between some learning environment dimensions (especially task orientation) and student outcomes (especially attitudes). Qualitative methods suggested that students and parents were generally satisfied with the classroom environment, but that students would prefer more investigation while parents would prefer more teacher support. The study provides a pioneering look at how parents and students perceive the science learning environment and opens the way for further learning environment studies involving both parents and students.     

A Study of Computer-Assisted Learning Environments in Singapore

The present study filled some gaps in past learning environment research in that, first, it involved the development of a new instrument tailor-made specifically for use in computer-assisted learning (CAL) classrooms and, second, it provided one of the rare examples of an evaluation of computer-assisted learning based on its impact on the nature of a classroom learning environment as perceived by students. In addition, the research was conducted in the unique milieu of the Singapore school system, and it investigated associations between students' outcomes and the classroom environment in computer-assisted learning settings.     

Coteaching/Cogenerative Dialoguing: Learning Environments Research as Classroom Praxis

Critical educators have leveled a methodological critique against traditional forms of classroom research because they both objectify teachers and students and lead to results that do not enhance praxis. Over the past decade, we have developed coteaching as a context for learning to teach and supervising teaching, on the one hand and, on the other, as a method for doing research on and evaluating teaching. Coteaching involves an equitable inquiry into teaching and learning processes in which all members (or representatives thereof) of a classroom community participate – including students, teachers, student teachers, researchers, and supervisors. In this article, we articulate coteaching in terms of activity theory and the associated first-person methodology for doing research on learning environments that is relevant to praxis because it constitutes an integral part of praxis. A detailed case study exemplifies coteaching and the associated research on learning environments.     

Changing the metacognitive orientation of a classroom environment to enhance students’ metacognition regarding chemistry learning

Concerns persist regarding science classroom learning environments and the lack of development of students’ metacognition and reasoning processes within such environments. Means of shaping learning environments so that students are encouraged to develop their metacognition are required in order to enhance students’ reasoning and learning. Interventions should account for the nature of the subject material to be learned. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the efforts of university researchers and a classroom teacher to change the learning environment of a year 11 chemistry classroom. Changes in participants’ perceptions of their learning environment and corresponding changes in their metacognition and associated reasoning are documented. The teacher’s use of language that explicitly targeted students’ metacognitive knowledge altered their metacognition. Students reported changes in their learning environment and an increased awareness of how they considered chemistry might be learned. Classroom environment instruments can act as reliable indicators for monitoring changes in psychosocial dimensions of classroom environments that can be directly related to students’ metacognition.     

Effectiveness of National Board Certified (NBC) teachers in terms of classroom environment, attitudes and achievement among secondary science students

No previous research has employed learning environments criteria in evaluating the effectiveness of the system of teacher certification sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Because the litmus test of any professional development effort is the extent of the changes in teaching behaviours in participating teachers’ classrooms, our study drew on the field of learning environments in evaluating the effectiveness of National Board Certified (NBC) teachers in terms of their students’ perceptions of their classroom environments. A sample of 443 students in 21 Grade 8 and 10 science classes taught by NBC teachers in South Florida was compared with a matched group of 484 students in 17 classes taught by non-NBC teachers in terms of classroom environment (as assessed by the What Is Happening In this Class?) and students’ attitudes and achievement. Statistically significant differences (with small to medium effect sizes ranging from 0.14 to 0.35 standard deviations) were found in favour of NBC teachers for numerous classroom and environment scales (Teacher Support, Involvement, Task Orientation, Investigation and Cooperation) and for student attitudes.     

基于网络虚拟环境的大学英语体验式教学研究

体验式学习是以学习者为中心,通过真实或虚拟地经历某一事件或过程,并经过反思来获得知识、发展能力、生成情感的学习方式,它注重学习的情境性、交互性、亲历性,符合英语学习的特点和要求。本研究借助"第二人生"为代表的网络虚拟环境进行体验式英语学习的探索,并通过访谈了解"第二人生"对学生学习英语的影响以及学生对此种学习方式的态度。研究发现,"第二人生"下的英语学习可以增强学生的英语学习动机,为学生听说能力的培养提供丰富的活动和生动的学习环境,是对英语课堂教学的有益补充,基于网络虚拟环境的英语教学具有很大的研究和开拓空间。     

社会建构主义理论在高职院校英语教学中的应用

社会建构主义教学理论强调外语教学过程以学生为中心,突出认知主体;教师转变角色,由"主讲"变为"主导";注重开展交互性学习,重视创设语言环境,加大英文输入;培养学生自主学习能力和注重知识重现的原则。高职院校英语教学要以社会建构主义理论为指导,改革教学方式方法,以提高学生语言应用技能。     

Learning environment,motivation, and achievement in high school science

In a study of the relationship between high school students' perceptions of their science learning environments and their motivation, learning strategies, and achievement, 377 students in 22 introductory science classrooms completed surveys in the fall and spring of their ninth‐grade year. Hierarchical linear regression was used to model the effects of variables at both the classroom and individual level simultaneously. High intraclass agreement (indicated by high parameter reliability) on all classroom environment measures indicated that students shared perceptions of the classroom learning environment. Controlling for other factors, shared perceptions that only the most able could succeed in science classrooms and that instruction was fast‐paced and focused on correct answers negatively predicted science achievement, as measured on a districtwide curriculum‐linked test. Shared perceptions that classrooms focused on understanding and independent thinking positively predicted students' self‐reported satisfaction with learning. Implications of these results for both teaching and research into classroom environments are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 347–368, 2003     

让语言学习回归真实世界--美国整体语言教学案例分析

别具风格的整体语言教室 ,是充满让学生使用语言的情景的特殊环境 ;与生活世界紧密相连的语言学习 ,使整体语言教学帮助学生通过课程去感知和理解自己的世界 ;英语教学与其他学科的统整 ,让语言作为一种媒介 ,一种载体 ,在利用语言探究其它学科知识的过程中 ,使语言技能得到发展     

Classroom Environment Instruments: Development,Validity and Applications

Few fields of educational research have such a rich diversity of valid, economical and widely-applicable assessment instruments as does the field of learning environments. This article describes nine major questionnaires for assessing student perceptions of classroom psychosocial environment (the Learning Environment Inventory, Classroom Environment Scale, Individualised Classroom Environment Questionnaire, My Class Inventory, College and University Classroom Environment Inventory, Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction, Science Laboratory Environment Inventory, Constructivist Learning Environment Survey and What Is Happening In This Class) and reviews the application of these instruments in 12 lines of past research (focusing on associations between outcomes and environment, evaluating educational innovation, differences between student and teacher perceptions, whether students achieve better in their preferred environment, teachers' use of learning environment perceptions in guiding improvements in classrooms, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, links between different educational environments, cross-national studies, the transition from primary to high school, and incorporating educational environment ideas into school psychology, teacher education and teacher assessment).     

信息技术环境下英语课堂有效教学探析

信息技术环境下的英语教学体现数字化、多媒体化、网络化及智能化的特点．为学生提供了立体化的英语教学环境。其优势不仅在于其丰富的学习资源。更在于为学生提供了一个相互学习、交流的非线性学习空间,能使英语教学真正做到走出课本、跨出课堂、走向世界,为英语课堂的有效教学开辟了新的途径。     

Changing the Learning Environment to Enhance Explaining and Understanding in a Year 12 Chemistry Classroom

Internationally there is concern in relation to the traditional learning environments evident in many science classrooms and the levels of understanding of science developed by students in such environments. Further, students have generally been found to be poor in relation to thinking in terms of models or theories and in terms of evidence to support their theories. The majority of research on classroom environments has focused on characterising the learning environment in classrooms rather than monitoring changes to a class's or an individual's perceptions to their learning environments as a consequence of interventions. This study reports an attempt to change the learning environment in a classroom and documents changes in participants' perceptions of their learning environments and the corresponding changes in a teacher's and her students' perceptions of their reasoning and understanding that such changes facilitated. A community of learners in which students and teachers began to understand the processes and the value of reasoning in terms of theories and evidence was developed as a result of the involvement of the researchers with the teacher and her class of students. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.