Elementary school teachers' perception of desirable learning activities: a Singaporean perspective

A total 209 teachers (103 initial and 106 experienced) of various elementary schools in Singapore rated the perceived children's desirable learning activities on a five-point Likert scale. Four factors emerged (50.5 per cent variance): conventional learning activities; motivational activities; student-directed activities that foster independence and collaboration; and teacher-directed group activities. Two clusters were formed: motivational learning activities, and all kinds of learning activities. About half of the initial teachers belonged to each of the clusters, while the majority of experienced teachers (83 per cent) belonged to the latter cluster. Multivariate analysis of variance on the items yielded a main significant effect for initial and experienced teachers. Implications of the study for Singaporean classroom learning are presented.