Dimensions Of Learning Environments Research Articles

Family learning environments in Scandinavia: dimensions, types and socioeconomic profiles

In this paper, we use data from 44 Danish families to develop a new conceptual framework for analysing family learning environments and how they shape children’s opportunities in the Scandinavian context. We use data from qualitative interviews and a new smartphone app to outline six key dimensions of family learning environments that intersect in four types, which we label Expansive curators, Recreational home dwellers, Casual pragmatists and Disempowered strugglers. The dimensions and types of family learning environments provide a conceptual framework for (1) identifying a set of mechanisms that might explain intergenerational associations in socioeconomic outcomes; (2) linking dimensions of family learning environments often studied in isolation (e.g. family activities and networks); (3) incorporating dimensions of learning environments rarely considered (e.g. day care and children’s use of digital devices); and (4) distinguishing socioeconomic gradients in family learning environments.

Using gamification to support learning in K‐12 education: A systematic literature review

AbstractUsing gamification to support learning in K‐12 education has received much attention from scholars in recent years. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of how gamification should be used to effectively enhance the learning experiences of K‐12 students. The purpose of this review was to synthesize research findings on the use of gamification in K‐12 education and to propose an evidence‐informed framework. This framework will guide teachers and scholars in developing gamified learning environments that are effective in improving K‐12 students' learning. In this regard, 54 empirical studies (out of 907 peer‐reviewed articles), dating from 2008 through 2021, were reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guideline. The findings were systematically categorized into four essential dimensions of learning environments inspired by Biggs' 3P teaching and learning model, ie, ‘individual factors’, ‘environmental factors’, ‘learning process’ and ‘learning outcome’. The review yielded rich findings concerning each dimension, providing K‐12 teachers and scholars with a comprehensive overview of research findings on using gamification for educational purposes. Meanwhile, the findings indicated the lack of empirical studies regarding constructively aligned gamified courses, in which the different dimensions of the adopted framework are implemented and evaluated coherently. The paper concludes by presenting several suggestions and directions for future research to address this shortcoming. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Gamification has demonstrated the potential to enhance learning outcomes in K‐12 education. There are instances where the findings suggest neutral or negative effects of gamification on students' learning outcomes. There is a lack of a comprehensive overview of empirical findings concerning the effectiveness of gamification in K‐12 education. What this paper adds The study highlights the potential of gamification in enhancing cognitive, affective and behavioural learning outcomes in K‐12 education, mainly by increasing motivation, engagement and competitiveness. The study provides a comprehensive overview of empirical studies on using gamification in K‐12 education. The study proposes an evidence‐informed framework that can serve as a blueprint for developing constructively aligned gamified learning environments for K‐12 education. Implications for practice and/or policy The study presents several up‐to‐date and empirically rooted calls for future research on using gamification in K‐12 education. The study makes evidence‐based recommendations for the effective integration of gamification in K‐12 education.

The Evolution of the Field of Learning Environments Research

This article reviews half a century of remarkable expansion and internationalisation in the field of learning environments research, including milestones such as the creation of the American Educational Research Association’s Special Interest Group on Learning Environments and Springer’s Learning Environments Research: An International Journal. Several widely used, extensively validated and economical questionnaires for assessing learning environments (e.g., What Is Happening In this Class? WIHIC) are discussed. A review of research identifies how learning environment researchers have generated robust knowledge about how to improve student outcomes through creating positive learning environments; demonstrated the value of including learning environment dimensions as process criteria of effectiveness when evaluating educational programmes and teaching methods; and provided teachers with straightforward approaches to use in action research aimed at improving their students’ learning environments. To facilitate and motivate future research and practical applications, the 56-item WIHIC is included in an appendix, and some newer and emerging lines of research are identified (e.g., cross-national studies; the physical environments of educational buildings and learning spaces; and advances in methods of statistical analysis for learning environment studies).

Investigation of Prospective Teachers’ Attitudes towards Classroom as a Learning Environment

In this study, the attitudes of teacher candidates towards the classroom as a learning environment was aimed to be examined. In order to determine the attitudes of teacher candidates towards the classroom as a learning environment, survey methods was used. The population of the research consisted of freshman and final grade students studying at the education faculty of a state university. The convenience sampling method was used while selecting the sample in the study. Accordingly, data were collected from 348 prospective teachers. The data of the research was obtained via the “Attitude Scale towards Classroom as a Learning Environment" developed by Çetin, Demirkan, and Çetin (2020). The data was analyzed with non-parametric tests. As a result of the research, it was determined that prospective teachers’ attitude scores towards the classroom as a learning environment were at a moderate level. Attitudes of female prospective teachers towards the classroom as a learning environment are more positive than those of males. Women find class less boring. The students of the fine arts education department see the classroom as indispensable in terms of the learning environment, in contrast to the students of the mathematics and science education department and the special education department. Students with a medium level perception of academic success have more negative attitudes towards the classroom as a learning environment than those with a good perception of academic success. Prospective teachers who are not satisfied with their department consider the classroom an indispensable learning environment compared to those who are partially satisfied. In light of the findings, it was suggested that classroom environments in education faculties should be improved in terms of classroom learning environment dimensions to help prospective teachers to develop positive attitudes.

What Students Value Most: A Qualitative Examination of Learner Experiences in a Fully Online Degree Program

Background: Enrollment in online degree programs has grown rapidly in U.S. higher education institutions, but much of the research on online learning draws from student experiences in a singular online course. Student experiences in fully online programs likely differ from the experience of taking a one-off online class, especially as students become more familiar with online learning after multiple courses. Yet, research examining student experiences in fully online programs remains sparse. Objective: In this exploratory and theory-building study, we examine student experiences after they have taken multiple courses in a fully online degree program. Relying on the perspective of students, our goal is to better understand what elements of fully online learning programs are most valued by learners. Setting: We examine a fully online EdD program in leadership and learning at a private university in the United States. The program includes a series of courses that all include both asynchronous (e.g., readings and lecture videos) and synchronous activities. For synchronous sessions, students log in with their computers every week using teleconferencing software that allows them to interact with the instructor and with classmates in real time. Research Design: We qualitatively analyze student interview data. We employ the How People Learn Framework to guide our analysis and extend our understanding of two of its key learning-environment dimensions: the learner-centered and community-centered dimensions. We purposively sampled 31 students for the semistructured interviews. To analyze interview transcripts, we used a grounded theory approach that began with line-by-line codes that we aggregated into categorical tags that were used to support the emergent themes. Results: We find that students value four learner-centered program characteristics (diversity, authenticity, safety, and individuality) and five community-centered program structures (facilitating peer-to-peer interactions, establishing norms and expectations, differentiating for learning preferences, explaining the strengths and limitations of technology, and supporting student-driven initiatives). Conclusion: We discuss cognitive tensions in students’ self-reported perceptions of their experiences and highlight the need for future research to examine how online learning programs can be better structured to support students in diverse and inclusive learning communities.

Distance learning perceptions during the coronavirus outbreak: Freshmen versus more advanced students

AbstractBackgroundThe outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) at the beginning of 2020 forced most higher education institutions to shift immediately from traditional learning to distance learning and emergency remote teaching (ERT).ObjectivesThis research aimed to capture the authentic sounds of this unusual learning experience from the field while it was still fresh and to explore congruence with existing models of online learning success factors. We also aimed to examine the differences between freshman students and more advanced students (second year onwards) with regard to the emerging data and its respective model.MethodsDuring the second semester of 2020, 170 Tel Aviv university students majoring in various fields responded to an online questionnaire consisting of open‐ended questions.Results and conclusionsThe researchers classified the themes retrieved from 1559 statements into a framework of critical success factors for distance learning. The framework included five dimensions: course, student, instructor, learning environment and institution. Well‐known benefits of distance learning emerged, among them flexibility and personalized learning pace. Nevertheless, the findings revealed that the rapid transition to distance learning posed challenges and difficulties, mainly concerning the readiness of students and instructors for this form of teaching and learning. The number of statements in instructor dimension indicated the importance of providing support and training to instructors and staff. Significant differences were found in students' perceptions according to the year standing. More advanced students made more ‘internal’ references, attributing more statements to student and learning environment dimensions. In contrast, freshman made more ‘external’ references, attributing more statements to instructor and course dimensions than students in their second year and onwards.Major takeawaysThe results may help in planning and preparing for times of crisis. From a broader perspective, the findings may help in designing ways to incorporate distance learning.

The digital home learning environment and its relation to children’s ICT self-efficacy

With the rapid progress of technological development, self-efficacy in reference to digital devices (i.e., information and computer technology [ICT] self-efficacy) is an important driver that helps students to deal with technological problems and support their lifelong learning processes. Schools, peers, and home learning environments are important sources for the development of positive self-efficacy. Expanding on previous research, we investigated the associations between different aspects of the digital home learning environment and students’ ICT self-efficacy. The moderation effects of gender were also tested. A total of 651 children answered a questionnaire about different digital home learning environment dimensions and estimated their ICT self-efficacy using an adapted scale—Schwarzer and Jerusalem’s (1999) general self-efficacy scale. Using the structural equation modeling technique, a digital home learning environment containing six different qualities of parental support was investigated. Families’ cultural capital, parents’ attitudes toward the Internet, and shared Internet activities at home contributed positively to ICT self-efficacy. We observed small gender differences, with the moderation effect being nonsignificant. The results help researchers and practitioners to understand how different dimensions of the digital home learning environment support ICT self-efficacy. We will discuss how parents can enhance the home learning environment and how teachers can integrate this knowledge into formal education.

Healthcare student-patient relationship and the quality of the clinical learning environment \u2013 a cross-sectional study

BackgroundRelationships with patients are seen as the core component of establishing the quality of patient-centred care and promoting patients’ autonomy and relevant use of services. A clinical learning environment that emphasizes relationship-based healthcare is essential for encouraging future healthcare professionals to work in partnership with patients. There is also broad agreement that the insight of patients should be used actively in healthcare students’ clinical learning. The aim of this study was to describe healthcare students’ perceptions of their relationship with patients and the quality of the clinical learning environment and to identify factors associated with both of these.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using an electronic questionnaire was applied to collect data from 1644 Finnish healthcare students, mostly nursing students, between January 2018 and May 2018. The data were analysed statistically using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation coefficients, and multifactor analysis of variance.ResultsStudents perceived the level of the student-patient relationship and the role of the teacher as good while pedagogical atmosphere, premises of care, premises of learning, and supervisory relationship were perceived to be at very good level. The correlations between the student-patient relationship and all clinical learning environment dimensions were perceived as moderate. Furthermore, a number of student-related factors associated with the student-patient relationship and the quality of the clinical learning environment were detected.ConclusionsIn this study, the rarely explored perspective of the student-patient relationship within the context of the clinical learning environment was included. The student-patient relationship and the quality of the clinical learning environment were perceived as good by the students, with a number of determining factors affecting these perceptions. Giving the student-patient relationship a role in clinical education may be conducive to students’ learning with the patient in focus, and may thus promote the competence needed in the rapidly evolving healthcare environment and the changing scope of clinical practice.

Learning environments' influence on students' learning experience in an Australian Faculty of Business and Economics.

We investigated how learning environments–involving their physical, pedagogical, and psychosocial dimensions–influence students learning experiences in an Australian Faculty of Business and Economics. Qualitative data collection involved observations of eight classrooms over a semester, four focus groups with 21 students and interviews with six educators. The study provided deeper understanding of the dynamic and complex intrinsic interrelations of learning environment dimensions over time, addressing previous gaps in research. It identified and analysed spaces and practices, educational activities, and students’ subjective experiences in different learning environments to illustrate how these multiple elements intersect and influence on the students’ experience. The mixed methods used in the research helped to uncover a broader view of the learning environment and its interdependent influences over time on students’ learning experiences. One practical implication is that any strategies to support a more holistic student learning experience through more effective use of learning environments should be developed at an institutional level.

Teachers’ pre-occupancy evaluation of affordances in a multi-zone flexible learning environment – introducing an analytical model

ABSTRACT Teaching in new kinds of learning environments could prove challenging, and a successful transition is facilitated by user involvement. This article reports results from the planning and rebuilding phase of a multi-zone flexible learning environment. On two occasions, one virtual and one on-site walk-through, two groups of secondary school teachers conducted pre-occupancy evaluations, indicating possibilities, challenges and activities in the four zones visited. Analyses of their perceptions of affordances, inspired by Gibson, indicated two kinds of material affordances: organisational and educational. Organisational affordances had a major influence on the kinds of educational activities that were described. Rather than coming up with new types of activities, it seemed as though their pre-occupation evaluation of the flexible learning environment made teachers consider new ways of organising the existing activities. An analytical model, TEALE, illustrating teachers’ evaluations of learning environments is introduced, and further research on organisational dimensions of learning environments is suggested.

Academic Boredom and its Relationship with the Dimensions of Learning Environments as Perceived by Undergraduates in the Special Education Department at King Khalid University

Academic Boredom and its Relationship with the Dimensions of Learning Environments as Perceived by Undergraduates in the Special Education Department at King Khalid University

The Relationship Between Learning Environment and Expectations and Perceptions of Graduate Students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Background Many factors involve in the process of education i.e., the teacher, curriculum, and learning environment. The educational climate has an exact and tangible relationship with the expectations and perceptions of students, especially students of medical sciences universities, and particularly, the graduate ones. Objectives The current study aimed at investigating the relationship between learning environment and expectations of graduate students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Methods The present cross sectional study was conducted on 193 graduate students from April to July 2017. The subjects were selected by stratified random sampling and weighting methods from each faculty. Data were collected through Dundee ready education environment measure (DREEM) and SERVQUAL instruments. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS. P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results Among the subjects, 62.2% were male and 52.0% single; however, 76.2% were masters’ students and 23.8% PhD candidates. From the students’ point of view, the educational climate had a better status among the learning environment dimensions. In terms of students’ expectations and perceptions of the learning environment, the tangibles and the client consideration dimensions got the highest mean scores as 42.8 and 88.8, respectively. There was a significant relationship between marital status and learning environment (P = 0.04). There was also a significant relationship between students’ perception of educational services and their semester number (P = 0.04). Conclusions It is better to use student-centered viewpoints in educational planning. Students’ satisfaction can be improves by providing appropriate learning spaces and optimizing the existing ones. Adjusting students’ expectations by familiarizing them with the line and staff constraints in higher education can play a significant role in enhancing the quality of educational services.

Relationship between the Chinese Language Classroom Environment and Students' Motivation to Learn Mandarin in Malaysia

Associations between the nature of Mandarin Classroom Environments and Malaysian Chinese Independent High school students' motivation to learn Mandarin was investigated using a perceptual measure approach. A sample of 460 grade 8 students from 4 Independent Chinese High schools were involved in the study. The Mandarin Classroom Environment Inventory (CLCEI) (Chua, 2004) was used to investigate teachers' and students' perceptions towards their Mandarin classroom learning environments in six dimensions, namely 'Student Cohesiveness', 'Teacher Support', 'Involvement', 'Cooperation', 'Task Orientation' and 'Equity'. Students' motivation to learn Mandarin was examined using the Chinese Language Motivation Scale (CLMOTS) (Soh, 1993). Two statistical procedures, simple correlational analysis and multiple regression analysis, were used to examine the relationships between students' motivation to learn Mandarin and the nature of their Mandarin classroom learning environments. The results show that students' motivation to learn Mandarin was positively correlated with all the six learning environment dimensions. Multiple regression analysis show that students' motivation to learn Mandarin was associated with three dimensions of the learning environments, 'Teacher Support', 'Task Orientation', and Equity. Task Orientation had the most significant association with students' motivation to learn Mandarin.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, STUDENTS’ BELIEFS, AND SELF-REGULATION IN LEARNING PHYSICS: STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING

Studies of correlations between students’ beliefs and various aspects of student learning become one of the fastest growing research areas in the field of education and psychology. The aim of the current research was to analyze the correlations between learning environments, students' beliefs, and self-regulation in learning physics through structural equation modeling (SEM). There were 1010 students from the existing five public high schools in Jambi city, Indonesia, participating in the research. Three self-report questionnaires including (1) WIHIC, (2) CLASS, and (3) MSLQ were used to collect the research data. The data analysis showed that students’ beliefs were significantly and positively correlated with multiple dimension of self-regulation in learning physics (critical thinking and peer learning); while the dimension of sense-making and problem-solving ability significantly related to the affective component of self-regulation (test anxiety). However, the dimension of students’ beliefs did not have any significant effect on all of the self-regulation components. Additionally, learning environment dimensions were significantly related to students’ beliefs about physics on the dimension of conceptual connection and related to all of the self-regulation dimensions. Keywords: learning environment, self-regulation, students' beliefs, structural equation modeling.

A Model Proposal for the Evaluation of Chemistry Education in the Context of Learning Environment

The aim of this study was conducted to evaluate chemistry education in the context of the elements that form the learning environment. The weights of learning environment components were determined by Analytic Hierarchy Process. The significance levels of learning environment dimensions were also calculated. According to the findings of the study, the order of the relative weights of personal interest was found as the highest weighted component. Among the components of the learning environment, the second-order weight is competition, participation in the third place, teacher support in the fourth and innovation in the last component. In addition, the global weights of sub-component was calculated. The evaluations study was conducted to evaluate the 9th grade chemistry course learning environment based on the opinion of the teacher who works as the head of chemistry course in a high school in Ankara were indicated that 61.8% of the chemistry course in the research has a medium learning level.

Emerging understandings of mindfulness through experiential awareness

ABSTRACTMindfulness practices are increasingly used in classrooms to enhance the well-being dimensions of learning environments. New Zealand policy documents draw on a bicultural perspective that promotes a holistic framing of well-being. This paper will consider the transformative possibilities of a mindfulness-based breathing intervention in two New Zealand classrooms of students aged between 10 and 12 years old. Operational definitions of mindfulness include awareness of emotional, cognitive, and physical experiences rather than a focus on a state of mind. Using authentic inquiry, we draw on multi-theoretical and multi-methodological perspectives to explore observing/noticing/attending to sensations/perceptions/thoughts/feelings associated with a classroom mindfulness intervention. Specifically, we examine students’ increased awareness and evolving understandings of mind | body connections that emerged during cogenerative dialoguing. We found that students puzzled over whether it is possible to separate physical, mental and emotional states. We consider the implications of the mindfulness-breathing intervention in generating participants’ insights into well-being and wellness.

Students’ engagement profiles in mathematics according to learning environment dimensions: Developing an evidence base for best practice in mathematics education

The Best Practice in Mathematics Education project was funded by the Australian Office of the Chief Scientist, to examine promotion of students’ learning, engagement and aspirations in this core learning domain. We draw upon cross-sectional survey data from 551 students in grades three to nine to examine how students’ mathematics engagement relates to key dimensions of their learning climate (mastery or performance focused classrooms), teacher enthusiasm, and school caring. Engagement is known to be associated with positive school outcomes and influenced by environmental factors. Less known is whether, and the extent to which, students have different profiles of engagement across component dimensions (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, &amp; Paris, 2004); and, how profiles may differ according to experienced environment dimensions. We first develop profiles of adolescents’ behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement using multilevel latent class analysis, educing three profiles of ‘engaged’, ‘compliant’, and ‘disengaged’ students, who systematically differed on experienced environmental factors. Mastery focused classrooms, enthusiastic teachers and caring school environment were experienced most by engaged, and least by disengaged students; performance focused classrooms were unrelated to engagement profiles. Identified patterns will be of particular use to teachers in understanding how class, teacher, and school influences together shape students’ own engagement in mathematics.

Factors influencing students’ learning approaches in auditing

Purpose This paper aims to report on an investigation to understand factors influencing students learning approaches in the discipline of auditing. Design/methodology/approach By using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students research instrument the learning approaches of students in auditing at a South African residential university were measured on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This was followed by focus group discussions to obtain a deeper understanding of the factors that influenced the ways their audit studies were approached. Findings The results revealed a contrasting view with that presented in the literature, in that senior students were more inclined to adopt a surface approach. This could be attributed to learning environment dimensions such as the teaching and assessment practices as well as students’ perceptions of the workload. Further statistical analysis revealed that gender and race influenced students’ learning approaches at specific levels. Research limitations/implications The data are drawn from audit students at a residential university in South Africa; the findings of the study may thus not be generalisable beyond that context. Originality/value The study extends the existing student learning literature by adding perspectives from the discipline auditing. It could stimulate educators’ scholarly interest in pedagogic research which could contribute to curriculum and teaching method changes that equip audit educators to promote deep learning.

Do learning environments differ across subjects and nations: Case studies in Hawaii and Singapore using the WIHIC questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to survey a sample of high school students in Hawaii and Singapore about what they perceive to be helpful aspects of classroom environments in their learning of science and humanities subjects. The What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire was administered in the fall of 2003 to 73 high school students in Hawaii and 70 high school students in Singapore. These students were asked to respond to statements that focused on their actual and preferred environments in science and humanities classes for the three dimensions of learning environments of student cohesiveness, student involvement, and task orientation in the actual and preferred classroom. Principal component analyses were conducted separately for the data collected in the science and the humanities classes to make sure that the questions represented the anticipated factors in each of these two subject areas. A three-way multivariate analysis of variance was also conducted for all three dimensions of learning environments for differences in scores on items in the WIHIC questionnaire for the actual classroom subtracted from scores for the preferred learning environment. Results of this test revealed that the primary difference between students in high schools in Hawaii and Singapore was that students in the high schools in Hawaii wanted more student cohesiveness and involvement than the students in high schools in Singapore regardless of the subject. Another interesting finding was in the dimension of task orientation, for which the interaction between student nationality and subject was statistically significant.

An application of the TROFLEI in secondary-school science classes in New Zealand

Background and purpose The present study reports on the findings of a study conducted in New Zealand using the actual and preferred forms of a classroom environment instrument, the Technology-Rich Outcomes-focussed Learning Environment Inventory (TROFLEI) and three affective outcome scales. Main aims of this study were to validate the instrument for use in New Zealand; to investigate differences between students’ perceptions of (a) actual and preferred learning environments, (b) year levels and (c) gender; and to investigate associations between science classroom learning environment, attitude and self-efficacy. Sample TROFLEI was administered to 1027 high-school students from 30 classes. Design and method The 80-item TROFLEI assesses 10 classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, investigation, task orientation, cooperation, equity, differentiation, computer usage and young adult ethos. The three affective outcome scales used in the study are attitude to subject, attitude to computers and academic efficacy. Results The validity and reliability of the TROFLEI and three affective outcome scales for use in New Zealand were established. Differences in actual and preferred scores confirmed that students participating in the study sought better learning environments. Female students generally perceived their technology-related learning environment more positively. Year-13 students had consistently higher means for most (8 out of 13) of the learning environment dimensions. Statistically significant associations were found between the scales of TROLFLEI and three affective outcome scales. Conclusions The results of this study assist us in understanding the psychosocial learning environments in New Zealand in a technology-supported classroom and to determine its effectiveness in terms of selected learner outcomes.