Student Attitudes Toward Impairment and Accessibility: an Evaluation of Awareness Training for Urban Planning Students

Within the urban planning profession, designing for the needs of people with impairments has rarely been a significant feature of planning theory and instruction. Given the role of urban planners in affecting the opinions of policy-makers and the public, the prevalence of negative and misinformed attitudes among planning professionals toward impaired populations has been highlighted as requiring study. This paper reports on the effectiveness of awareness training with regard to its influence on the attitudes of urban planning students toward the needs of people with impairments and accessible design. Using an established attitude assessment instrument (the Attitudes Towards Disablement Scale), pre and post-awareness training data were collected from 112 urban planning students. Results from the present study suggest that awareness training can result in significant attitude changes, independent of the student’s gender or prior familiarity with impairment. The paper concludes with recommendations and caveats for planning education and research.

COGNITIVE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARD THE AGED OF DENTAL AND MEDICAL STUDENTS

The need for the incorporation of training in geriatrics and gerontology into basic medical and dental education has recently been recognized. Studies that have attempted to measure the attitudes of medical and dental students toward the aged have been extremely limited. The present study, part of a larger study of attitudes and knowledge among 700 health workers, examines the attitudes and knowledge of over 283 dental and medical students at different stages in their professional education, using Rosencranz and McNevin's Aging Semantic Differential and Palmore's Short Quiz on Facts on Aging. No significant deterioration or improvement in attitudes toward the aged was found in the course of medical and dental education. Correlational analysis revealed a complex relationship between knowledge and attitude scores.     

INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUES: A TESTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN

Children's attitudes about growing old and about the elderly themselves are in large part influenced by negative images projected by the media and through lack of actual experience in interacting with older people. To counter this situation and to provide an opportunity for positive attitude shift, an educational program has been developed for 10‐ and 11‐year‐old students. Growing Up — Growing Older is a developed unit of instruction relying on a package of software including films and printed support materials. A strong experiential component is provided through structured intergenerational dialogues, facilitated by visiting older volunteers.

The program was field tested using both a treatment and control population. Survey methodology was used to determine pre‐ and post‐experience stages of attitude awareness and understanding of the elderly. Although the study population did not demonstrate the level of negative attitude we had anticipated from the literature, post‐experience testing indicated a positive shift. More significant is the demonstrated increase in level of awareness of aging issues and of older persons as a result of the educational experience. Finally, the treatment population increased significantly the percentage of old people they interacted with outside the classroom. This increased familiarity and awareness of the elderly can be expected to continue to produce attitudes based more on fact than on fancy.     

家长教育态度对初中生学习的影响

学生身心全面发展是21世纪人才培养的客观要求，家庭教育对学生全面发展的影响不可忽视。在对三明市区初中生的家长进行抽样调查研究中，表明家长教育态度存在严重问题，家长的教育态度、教育方式不但会影响学生人格的形成与发展，同时也影响学生的学习成绩。这一研究为促进社会重视家庭教育，为初中生创造良好学习环境。促进身心健康发展提供理论依据。     

Middle school students’ attitudes toward physical education

The purpose of this study was to determine middle school students’ attitudes toward physical education using an attitude instrument grounded in attitude theory. In addition, this investigation also sought to ascertain if gender and grade level influence student attitudes toward the subject matter. Participants for this study were 995 students from grades 6 to 8. A previously validated attitude instrument based on a two-component view of attitude with scores that showed evidence of reliability and validity was used. Overall all students had moderately positive attitudes toward physical education. There was, however, a decline in attitude scores as students progressed in grade level. Higher grades had lower mean scores.     

对在校大学生艾滋病宣传教育效果的调查研究

随着艾滋病在我国的蔓延,经性传播感染艾滋病病毒的高学历人群比例显著增加,在校大学生应该成为预防艾滋病重点人群.本文通过对广东6所高校在校大学生的问卷调查发现:在校大学生的艾滋病相关知识认知度偏低,艾滋病相关态度较为积极,艾滋病相关行为风险性较高;同时由于在校大学生对艾滋病的知识与态度具有显著相关性,且不同的宣传途径对相关的知识、态度、行为的影响不同;因此艾滋病预防教育需要学校、媒体、社会等多方面的配合,政府在其中应起协调和促进作用.     

Attitudes of high-school students taught using traditional and reform mathematics curricula in middle school: a retrospective analysis

This paper presents findings from a larger research project that provides insight into the attitudes of high-school students who were taught using different types of mathematics curricula when they were in middle school. A total of 44 12th-grade students from 10 high schools in the same urban school district were interviewed. Eighteen (41%) of them had been taught using a reform curriculum in middle school and 26 (59%) had been taught using a more traditional curriculum. Using Di Martino and Zan’s three-dimensional model for attitude, we found that the high-school seniors who had been taught using the reform curriculum in middle school harbored attitudes toward mathematics that differed significantly from the attitudes of those who had been taught using a traditional curriculum in middle school. Our analysis of the student interviews culled seven themes that provide fine-grained information about the students’ attitudes toward mathematics. Significantly greater percentages of reform students than traditional students had a relational Vision of mathematics as opposed to an instrumental Vision; however, there was no significant difference between the proportions of reform and traditional students who had a positive Emotional Disposition toward mathematics or a positive Perceived Competence in mathematics.     

Observing Interprofessional Collaboration: Impact on Attitude and Knowledge Acquisition

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in the medical field is an important factor for good clinical outcomes and should be taught as early as in undergraduate medical education. Since implementing IPC training is an organizational challenge, students are often limited in their opportunities to experience real-life IPC. Therefore, an approach where students observe successful IPC activities of role models in an applied anatomical format was proposed. It was studied whether observing IPC activities in undergraduate anatomical education has an impact on both students' attitude toward IPC and on knowledge acquisition. Further, it was examined whether the attitudes and knowledge of students from different medical disciplines were influenced in different ways. Therefore, 75 medical students and thirty-eight physiotherapy students participated in a study with the task of observing a live broadcast of an interprofessional teaching session. Participants were asked about their attitudes toward interprofessional learning, their evaluation of professional responsibilities, and their profession-specific knowledge before and after observing the IPC session. The participants' attitude toward interprofessional learning improved for both groups of students. Moreover, students of physiotherapy adjusted their evaluation of their own and others' professional responsibilities after observing IPC. In both student groups, knowledge increased, in particular, with respect to the field of knowledge in other professions. So, observing IPC can modify students' attitudes and support knowledge acquisition. The implementation of IPC observations provides students from various healthcare disciplines with a clearer impression of professionals' responsibilities and gives learners the opportunity to acquire knowledge from healthcare fields unfamiliar to them.     

Impact of Adaptive Materials on Teachers and their Students with Visual Impairments in Secondary Science and Mathematics Classes

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, important in today’s world, are underrepresented by students with disabilities. Students with visual impairments, although cognitively similar to sighted peers, face challenges as STEM subjects are often taught using visuals. They need alternative forms of access such as enlarged or audio‐converted text, tactile graphics, and involvement in hands‐on science. This project focused on increasing teacher awareness of and providing funds for the purchase of supplemental adaptive resources, supplies, and equipment. We examined attitude and instructional changes across the year of the programme in 15 science and mathematics teachers educating students with visual impairments. Positive changes were noted from pretest to posttest in student and teacher perspectives, and in teacher attitudes towards students with disabilities in STEM classes. Teachers also provided insights into their challenges and successes through a reflective narrative. Several adolescent students resisted accommodations to avoid appearing conspicuous to peers. Teachers implemented three strategies to address this: providing the adaptations to all students in the class; convincing the student of the need for adaptation; and involving the class in understanding and accepting the student’s impairment. A variety of teacher‐created adaptations for various science and mathematics labs are reported. Another finding was many adaptations provided for the student with visual impairment benefitted the entire class. This study supports the claim that given knowledgeable, supportive teachers, and with appropriate accommodations such as tactile or auditory materials, students with visual impairments can be as successful and engaged as other students in science and mathematics.     

The impact of population education in Baltimore

Results of an evaluation of the impact of 1 of 4 population education units offered as part of the 9th grade urban studies curriculum in the Baltimore City school system are reported. The theme of the unit, called B-more or Baltimore, is that Baltimore City has qualities and problems similar to those of other urban areas but is also unique. 908 students exposed to the B-more unit and 205 controls participated in the evaluation in the fall of 1978. Gathering of demographic information on students participating in the evaluation was restricted. The impact of the B-more unit was measured along knowledge, attitude and behavior dimensions through written questionnaires and verbal interview questions. The unit was found to have succeeded in increasing knowledge about Baltimore's resources, increasing ability to utilize these resources, and teaching basic population and urban concepts. Students exposed to the B-more unit were more knowledgeable about their urban environment as illustrated by mapping tasks, and the majority reported that they had learned things that were new and/or important to them from the curriculum. B-more students had more positive attitudes toward the Baltimore suburbs than control students and more negative attitudes toward population growth. Little evidence was noted of changes in behavior resulting from the B-more unit. Recommendations are offered for strengthening the B-more unit and its impact on students.     

Social Reinforcement Counseling as an Adjunct to a Course in Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine what effects social reinforcement counseling has on attitudes toward teaching and accuracy of teacher attitude self-estimation held by beginning education students. Teacher attitudes were assessed by the MTAI. Seventy-eight education students at the Ohio State University were randomly divided into three groups that received individual counseling, group counseling, and no counseling for four sessions with social reinforcement as the major technique. The results of the study lend support to conclusions which follow. First, social reinforcement counseling in individual or group setting is more effective for changing attitudes toward teaching, but not effective for increasing students' accuracy of self-estimated teacher attitudes. Second, social reinforcement counseling in groups is as effective as individual counseling for changing MTAI scores of beginning education students.     

The Attitudes of Physical Education and Sport Students towards Information and Communication Technologies

Studies that examine the attitudes toward information and communication technologies (ICT) among physical education and sport students, pre-service teachers and teachers are fairly limited, even though the investments in information and communication technologies at schools and universities have reached an efficient level. This study investigates the attitudes of physical education and sport students and pre-service teachers towards ICT, and the relationship between their attitudes and certain variables such as age, gender, departments, computer familiarity, frequency of computer use and computer ownership. Computer attitude scales were administered to 337 students and pre-service teachers of physical education and sports, and the data collected were analyzed statistically. It was found that the students and pre-service teachers of physical education and sports have positive attitudes toward information and communication technologies, and there are significant correlations between their attitudes and certain variables such as gender, grade, computer ownership, and computer instruction. Recommendations are provided.     

Transferring theory into practice: A model for professional development for science education reform

Instituting reform in science education requires teachers who are knowledgeable in science content, process, and inquiry pedagogy. Most elementary and middle-grades teachers are not teaching reform-based science and need training to be able to do so. Project LIFE, a state systemic initiatives professional development program for middle-grades life science teachers, has been successful in improving the science content knowledge, process skills, and attitudes toward teaching science of 90 teachers during the first 3 years of the project. Data collected through classroom observations, surveys, and tests given to students of project teachers and students of matched nonproject teachers revealed a significant positive impact of the project in classrooms. The essential characteristics of the project are described as a guide for individuals planning or delivering reform-based science education professional development. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 35: 73-88, 1998.     

Modifying attitudes toward persons with hearing impairments. A comprehensive review of the research

Negative attitudes toward persons with hearing impairments adversely affect their opportunities and self-concepts. Thus, modifying such attitudes is of concern to educators and researchers. An exhaustive search of the literature yielded 12 reports of research on modifying attitudes toward persons with hearing impairments. The research results were mixed--some studies even yielded negative attitude outcomes--and the quality of the studies was not high. Of the treatments studied, properly structured contact in particular showed promise for improving attitudes toward persons with hearing impairments.     

Cognitive Style,Gender, Attitude toward Computer‐assisted Learning and Academic Achievement

This paper reports an investigation of cognitive style, gender, attitude toward using computer‐assisted learning (CAL) and academic achievement among university students. A Group Embedded Figures Test was used to assess students’ cognitive style and a questionnaire was used for the evaluation of students’ attitude toward CAL. The results revealed that students have positive attitudes toward CAL but they were not prepared to rely entirely on CAL. A 2 x 2 ANOVA was used to investigate the effect of cognitive style and gender on the attitude toward CAL. The results revealed that male students preferred using CAL significantly more than females and field dependent students were more prepared to rely entirely on CAL than field independent students. On the other hand, there was a significant difference between males and females in their achievement scores in favour of the male group. But there was no difference between field dependence and field independence groups in their achievement. The results also revealed no significant relationship between students’ attitudes toward CAL and their achievement in these courses.     

Attitude and commitment to school of successful secondary school students / Actitud y compromiso hacia la escuela en estudiantes de secundaria considerados de éxito escolar

In this article, we analyse the attitude toward school that successful students of post-compulsory education possess. We understand school success as a concept that takes into account academic results, but also includes the desire to continue studying, while often overcoming difficulties at school. The data were taken from a sample of 26 students (12 girls and 14 boys) enrolled in Baccalaureate studies and vocational training. It was collected from detailed interviews, context questionnaires and the photolanguage technique. The results show that students are clearly committed to education, which takes the form of positive attitudes toward schoolwork and tasks (perseverance, effort, respect for the rules) and to the development of a defined life project and a high-level of satisfaction with their education. Baccalaureate students, particularly girls, more clearly express these traits.     

Traditional Chinese Values and Attitudes of Chinese University Students toward People with Intellectual Disabilities

The purpose of the study was to explore relationships between traditional Chinese values and attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities. A total of 534 college students in China participated in the study. Two instruments that measure Chinese values and attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities were used. Results indicated that the value of cultivation of virtues (benevolence, humanity, and a sense of justice) was positively related to attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities; and that the values of social traditionalism and cultural inwardness (cultural superiority and intolerance) were negatively correlated with attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, university students majoring in special education or with more knowledge of disabilities had more favourable attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities than university students majoring in regular education or with little knowledge of disabilities. Implications of the findings are discussed in the context of socio‐economic environments in China.     

Supporting children and families: lessons from Sure Start for evidence-based practice in health,social care and education

According to the relevance of teacher attitudes in the teaching process as well as to the great number of discussions among experts of pre-school education, it was interesting to examine the students of pre-school teaching about their attitudes toward the use of computer among pre-school children. The sample consisted of N = 40 students from regular study and N = 37 students of irregular study of Pre-school education from Faculty of Teacher Education in Rijeka. Their attitudes have been investigated using an 18-item questionnaire created for the purposes of this study only. Overall, it was determined that future pre-school teachers have no clear and decisive general attitude toward the use of computer among pre-school children. In addition, they have shown from neutral to more positive attitudes according to all other items but with certain conditions. The discussion resulted with the recommendations for pre-school teacher’s education.     

The Strong Vocational Interest Blank and Occupational Proficiency*

Abstract

While the original Estes Attitude Scale Toward Reading is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the attitudes of secondary students toward reading, its vocabulary and sentence structure made it too difficult to use with elementary students. The purposes of this study were: (a) to simplify the Estes Scale without changing the concepts, (b) to validate the modified instrument, and (c) to investigate the relationship between attitude and reading achievement among elementary students. A total of 697 students from urban and rural areas and from grade levels three through six were involved. Student and teacher reading criterion measures, used to validate the Estes Scale, were employed to assure validation consistency. With the attitude scale as the treatment variable, and grade level and criterion measures as the classification variables, several two-way ANOVAs were computed for each criterion measure. It was found that the main effects, grade level and criterion measure, were highly significant for each ANOVA. Correlation between attitude and achievement scores was significant but low. It was concluded that the modified instrument can be used as a screening device to differentiate students with high and low attitudes toward reading.     

Attitudes Toward Computers of Gifted Students and their Teachers

One of the prerequisites for acceptance and implementation of computers in an educational system is a positive attitude of both teachers and students toward their use. This research, therefore, focuses on differences in attitudes toward computers between male and female teachers, female and male gifted students, and teachers and gifted students. Samples consisted of 217 gifted students (115 males and 102 females) and 125 teachers (30 males and 95 females) in the Amman Educational District, Jordan. Computer attitudes were measured by means of the Attitudes of Both Teachers and Students Toward Computers Questionnaire, and compared statistically to variables such as performance in mathematics, IQ, gender, teachers’ experience in teaching and computing, and teachers’ training. Results showed that participants are generally positive towards computers, and there were no significant differences in attitude between gifted students and teachers or between males and females. Attitudes towards computers, however, may be predicted by performance in mathematics and by IQ scores.