Cultural Dimensions of the Learning Environment in Brunei

The aim of this research was to study (a) trends in culturally sensitive factors (gender equity, collaboration, deference, competition, modeling, and congruence), of students in lower secondary (LS), upper secondary (US), and tertiary (TS) learning environments and (b) the gender differences in these trends. The study included 2,212 subjects (LS, 41.2%; US, 37.2%; TS, 21.5%; male, 39.3%; female, 60.7%) from Brunei. Data were collected by administering the Classroom Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ) to the students. A steady increase in gender equity was observed from LS, through US to TS. The mean values on deference, modeling, and congruence scales were comparable for LS and US, whereas values decreased significantly for TS. It is also important to find ways to improve the magnitude of the factors in those educational institutions where students perceived low values.     

Cultural learning environment of upper secondary science students

The aims of this research were to validate the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire in the Brunei context and to evaluate culturally sensitive factors (gender equity, collaboration, deference, competition, teacher authority, modelling and congruence) of upper secondary students’ learning environment. The subjects of this study were 831 upper secondary science students from coeducational schools in Brunei. The data were collected by administering the Cultural Learning Environment Instrument developed by Fisher and Waldrip. Factor analysis and reliability results showed that the instrument was suitable for evaluating the six culturally sensitive factors associated with the cultural learning environment of Bruneian upper secondary students. The results also suggested that students believed both genders were treated equally in their classes. The students viewed that they were to some extent dependent learners; however, they were willing to give their independent views in their classes. The data also suggest that students perceived that they were equally cooperative and competitive. The culturally sensitive factors of the students’ cultural learning environment were not influenced by their gender, but regional variations in values for some of these factors were observed. Further research has been recommended to investigate how the students were equally cooperative and competitive, as well as what factors contributed to the regional differences.     

Using a Conceptual-Change Approach to Help Preservice Science Teachers Reorganize Their Knowledge Structures for Constructivist Teaching

This study, based on constructivist learning theory, examined how effectively preservice chemistry teachers (N = 43) can be educated to think flexibly and to reorganize their thinking in a way that may complement diverse ways students approach the subject domain. The teacher's cognitive structure was assessed prior to and after a conceptual change intervention using flow-map narrative analyses. There was a significant change in the organization of the preservice teacher's narrative after the conceptual change intervention, including greater networking of ideas and more thematic development of the content. Hence, a conceptual change approach may be a useful way to educate teachers to be more responsive to student individual differences when planning and delivering science lessons.     

Cultural communication learning environment in science classes

Classroom communication often involves interactions between students and teachers from dissimilar cultures, which influence classroom learning because of their dissimilar communication styles influenced by their cultures. It is therefore important to study the influence of culture on classroom communication that influences the classroom verbal and nonverbal interactions. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new instrument to assess eight scales of students?? classroom communication learning environment: Body Language, Communication Rate, Communication Loudness, Eye Contact, English Usage, Verbal Support, Intra-gender Communication and Inter-gender Communication. The instrument was administered to 1,723 upper-secondary biology students in Brunei government schools. The alpha reliability (0.58?C0.91) and discrimination validity (0.08?C0.13) coefficients for these scales were within acceptable ranges. Statistically significant ??² coefficients suggested that the instrument was able to differentiate between participating biology classes. Students perceived a low level verbal support and sometimes higher teacher communication rate in their classes. Dialects other than English, which is the medium of instruction, have been used in biology classes to some extent. There is a strong tendency for intra-gender than inter-gender communications in classes, which could limit the effectiveness of teaching and learning in constructivist classes     

Attitudes and achievement of Bruneian science students

The aim of this study was to evaluate attitudes towards and achievement in science of Form 3 students studying in single-sex and coeducational schools in Brunei. The results demonstrated significant differences in attitudes towards and achievement in science of male and female students in single-sex schools and students in coeducational schools. These differences were at moderate level. In single-sex schools, the girls achieved moderately better in science than the boys despite their attitudes were only marginally better than the boys. However, there were no gender differences in attitudes towards and achievement in science of students in coeducational schools. The attitudes towards and achievement in science of girls in single-sex schools were moderately better than those of girls in coeducational schools. Whereas the attitudes towards and achievement in science of boys in single-sex schools were only marginally better than the boys in coeducational schools. However, further research to investigate (a) if these differences are repeated at other levels as well as in other subjects, and (b) the extent to which school type contributed towards these differences is recommended.     

Upper Secondary Bruneian Science Students’ Perceptions of Assessment

The aims of this study were to evaluate reliability and validity of the Students’ Perception of Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), to evaluate students’ perception on assessment, and to evaluate gender‐based, grade‐based, and ethnicity‐based differences in students’ perceptions. The validity and reliability coefficients revealed that the SPAQ was suitable for assessing students’ perceptions on five assessment dimensions. The average scale‐item mean values for all the scales were less than 3.0, which indicates a need to address these dimensions of assessment at classroom level. The mean value for Student Consultation scale was 1.96 out of 4, indicating a need for special attention in this area. The perceptions of students grouped on the basis of gender and of grade level groups were comparable, but on the basis of ethnic groups were statistically significantly different. Assuming these differences to be real, does it mean that teaching approaches will need to be addressed? Future research in this area is warranted.     

Societal Perceptions of Agriculture: A Brunei Case Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of Bruneian lower secondary students, and, their teachers and parents of agriculture.

Desisgn/methodology/approach: The sample of the study was 151 lower secondary agriculture students, and, their 138 parents and eight teachers. The data, using one-shot case study (pre-experimental design) survey design, were collected by administering three survey instruments (20 items each) covering four scales: (1) importance of agriculture, (2) knowledge of agriculture, (3) agriculture training in schools, and (4) parent/teacher support to students. The items in the instruments were modified to make them suitable for students, teachers and parents, without changing their content and context.

Findings: The findings suggest that the respondents' perceptions (teachers mean scores being the highest) were positive and they agreed that agriculture and its training at schools are important for the nation; people should have knowledge of agriculture and related fields, and, parents should support their children to study agriculture. Forms 1, 2 and 3 students' perceptions about the four scales were significantly different, but not of age and gender based groups. Parents' educational qualifications influenced their perceptions not the gender.

Practical implications: The Brunei government should improve agriculture training facilities at secondary level and start tertiary agriculture institutions to attract quality students to the field and to minimise its dependence on expatriates.

Originality/value: The findings will guide the Brunei government to achieve its vision to produce highly knowledgeable and skilled locals and have a competitive and dynamic economy.     

Culturally-Sensitive Factors in Teacher Trainees' Learning Environments

The aims of this research were to cross-validate the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ) in the local context of Brunei and to evaluate culturally-sensitive factors (gender equity, collaboration, deference, competition, teacher authority, modelling and congruence) in teacher trainees' learning environments. Data were collected from 475 teacher trainees enrolled at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam by administering a slightly modified version of the CLEQ (Fisher & Waldrip, 1997). Factor and reliability analyses supported the instrument's suitability to evaluate six of the seven culturally-sensitive factors (excluding teacher authority) associated with the cultural learning environment of Bruneian teacher trainees. The students generally believed that both genders are treated equally and that they are independent learners, although, to some extent, they were reluctant to give their independent views in their classes. Further research is recommended for investigating the factors that contribute to the unusual finding that the students were equally cooperative and competitive. The data revealed no gender differences in trainee teachers' perceptions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.