School Learning Environment Research Articles

Repositioning Universal Basic Education: A Need For Teachers Retraining And Motivation For National Development

Motivation is the driving force that generates and sustains action towards the achievement of a set goal. It is closely related and affects teachers’ efficiency and effectiveness in the classroom, which have far reaching implications for national transformation since the teacher is the live wire of education enterprise. This paper delves into the place of motivation for repositioning Universal Basic Education (UBE) for national transformation. The status of UBE teachers’ motivation was portrayed in relation to motivational factors and it is evident that UBE teachers lack proper motivation and this affects their service delivery negatively. The lack of motivation among UBE teachers is evidence in the poor and irregular payment of salaries as well as lack of incentives; work overload, poor teaching environment and facilities as well as low status of teachers in the society. The paper also elucidated the roles of motivation in teaching profession for national transformation. These roles include: Production of goal-oriented teacher; production of conscientious and pain-staking teacher; helps to make a teacher maintain a friendly classroom environment; and helps to check brain drain in the teaching profession. Suggested strategies for motivating UBE teachers for national transformation include: enhancement and prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances; provision of car and housing loans; provision of free medical services for teachers and their children/wards; provision of free and compulsory in-service training, and provision of better teaching and learning environment in UBE school. Conclusion was drawn.
 
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Validating the Influence of School Learning Environment on Students’ Academic Performance in Selected Universities in Central Uganda

The global demand for higher education has been steadily increasing, leading to a rise in student numbers. This surge in enrollment has significant implications for students' learning environment, including factors such as class size and the availability of lecturers. The study was purposely to validate if the learning environment influences students’ academic performance in universities in Central Uganda. The study used 381 final-year undergraduates and 19 lecturers from Nkumba University and Kyambogo University, using a convergent parallel mixed methods research design. The study took both a subjective and objective epistemological stance. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale structured questionnaire, interview guides, and findings corroborated with a documentary review. The correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between students’ learning environment and academic performance in the selected universities in Central Uganda (r=.457, p=.000<0.05), and regression analysis showed that all the constructs of students’ learning environment explain 26.7% of the variation in students’ academic performance (R²=0.267). Findings from the study may direct evidence-based policy reform in Uganda’s higher education. The limitations of the study included the selection of a small sample of only two universities which cannot be generalized to all universities in Uganda. The study recommends that policymakers and university management focus on improving the learning environment in universities in Central Uganda.

Local Geographic Variations in Children’s School Readiness - A Multilevel Analysis of the Development Gaps in England

The educational attainment levels of children in state-funded schools in England are lower than in many countries with comparable levels of economic development. There are also striking differences at the local level across England. To understand these differences it is important to examine children’s development in their early years. This research uses multilevel analysis of the National Pupil Database to investigate child development at ages 4 and 5 years old at the individual, school and local levels including within a case study urban area. Child development is assessed using teachers’ observations to measure what is termed School Readiness. This is based on a child’s communication, literacy and numeracy skills and their physical, personal and social development. The findings reveal substantial differences in School Readiness at the individual, school and local area levels including in terms of sex, ethnic background, age in the school year, welfare benefit entitlement and local area income deprivation level. Such differences are also evident across the separate Early Learning Goals that are used to assess School Readiness. Between local areas children with similar backgrounds can vary considerably in their likelihood of being categorised as School Ready. Many children face multiple disadvantages as a consequence of different interlinked factors including where they live. The gap in the levels of School Readiness has long-term implications for the individuals themselves and for society more widely. Whilst increasing the levels of School Readiness is a key target in the UK Government’s Levelling Up policy, tackling the stark inequalities will take considerable investment, highly targeted support and engagement across the home and school learning environments.

Determinants of Private Tutoring Demand in Rural India

: Private tutoring participation is increasing in several developing countries, and this expansion has attracted the interest of scholars spanning disciplines of economics, sociology and history. This paper presents a theoretical model of private tutoring demand. The model incorporates the household and school characteristics in a developing country context and demonstrates the source of gender gaps in access to private tutoring. Using a recent database from India and employing a hurdle model approach, the paper also provides estimates of the drivers of private tutoring participation and spending for pre-secondary students. Our results indicate evidence of gender gaps in private tutoring access, and that the socio-economic profile of a student is positively correlated with tutoring demand. Further, school quality indicators are negatively correlated with tutoring participation, suggesting that students at ‘better’ schools rely less on tutoring. Overall, the findings suggest that tutoring demand is influenced by a mix of demand-side (household, community drivers) and supply-side (school quality and learning environment) factors. The results bring into focus the equity implications of tutoring growth and the need to improve school quality in order to reduce the dependence on private tutoring.

TEACHERS AS FACILITATORS

This study examines the essential role of educators as facilitators of personalized learning environments in moroccan schools. As education systems around the world increasingly recognize the importance of personalized learning to meet the various needs of students, understanding the specific role of teachers is becoming paramount. This research examines the practices, challenges and potential opportunities faced by educators in implementing personalized learning approaches in moroccan classrooms. The study uses a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Qualitative data is obtained through in-depth interviews with teachers exploring their views on personalized learning and the associated roles and responsibilities of educators. In addition, a survey questionnaire is distributed to teachers to collect quantitative data, which allows a broader understanding of the prevalence and effectiveness of personalized learning practices in different school contexts. The data collected will be analyzed using thematic analysis and statistical techniques to identify emerging themes, models and correlations. The results of this study will contribute to all existing knowledge on personalized learning and highlight the specific challenges and opportunities faced by educators in moroccan schools. By exploring the role of teachers as facilitators in personalized learning environments, this research will inform education decision-makers, administrators and teachers themselves on effective strategies to promote personalized learning approaches in moroccan classrooms. The expected implications of this research include the identification of best practices and strategies to integrate personalized learning into the moroccan education system. The results of the study could lead to the development of teacher training programs, professional development initiatives and policy recommendations that meet the needs of educators and students in personalized learning environments. Finally, this research aims to support the improvement of educational practices in moroccan schools, by promoting a student-centered approach that promotes personalized learning experiences.

Superior Educational Institution Model in Elementary School: The Case Study of Education in Banjar District, Indonesia

The demands of globalization make competition occur in all fields, including in the world of education. This study aims to identify and describe the characteristics of a superior school characteristics in the context of superior school development management that emphasizes more on the school climate or culture, such as interpersonal relationships between individuals throughout the school community, learning environment, learning model, pleasant environment, principal leadership, teacher skills, school morale, and spirit correlate positively and significantly with personality and academic achievement of graduates. This phenomenological research reveals the phenomenon of experience obtained based on consciousness in several individuals. This research setting includes SD Negeri Indrasari 1, SD Negeri Indrasari 2, and SD Negeri Tambak baru Ulu, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. The three schools were chosen based on the similar characteristics of the school. Namely, it is a public school with A / B accreditation, is in a wetland environment area, and is a favorite school in the region. The results of the research show that the integrated integration between national, local, and typical curricula with Islamic foundations has proven to be able to run in Leading Schools by producing good graduates, institutional management applied at the school level as well as learning management is expected to be a model or basic framework to become a future school.

Synergy between School Principals and Foundation Chairs in Building a Quality Learning Environment

This research aims to determine the synergy of top management within the educational foundation in the school's efforts to create a quality educational environment at Albuhari Labuhanbatu Vocational School. The research was conducted using qualitative descriptive methods at Albuhari Labuhanbatu Vocational School 2023. Data collection methods in this research used interview, observation and documentation techniques. Research shows that funds play a role as supervisors, mentors and coaches in implementing the development of a quality learning environment. This is seen in the selective decisions of administrators and the selection of teaching staff. The principal is the engine that drives the process of creating a quality learning environment. Creating a quality learning environment in schools requires three elements: input, process, and results. These three things are interdependent. Without good implementation and learning processes, the results of an educational institution will not be optimal. There are many obstacles in developing a quality learning environment, but with the cooperation and involvement of all parties in the school, such as the foundation and the principal, all of these can be overcome. Foundations, principals, and staff must work together to overcome the challenges that hinder the development of quality learning environments. It can be concluded that the role of the foundation in creating a quality educational environment at Al-Bukhari Labuhan Batu Vocational School has been quite effective. This shows that the Foundation plays an important role and synergizes well with the school principal in developing a quality learning environment at Albuhari Labukhanbatu Vocational School.

Program Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum (AKM) di Sekolah Dasar

The challenge of education is the low quality of education in Indonesia. Basic competency assessment is needed for students to be able to improve self-quality and positive participation. The purpose of this study is to describe the minimum competency assessment program (AKM) in elementary schools. The research method uses literature study methods from various book sources and scientific journals on Google Scholar through the Publish or Perish application. The stages of literature study research through: 1) making research questions, 2) reviewing literature, 3) choosing literature that is appropriate to the topic, 4) analyzing literature content, 5) compiling literature review articles, and 6) publishing literature articles. The results showed that the measurement of the quality of education certainly requires an assessment. AKM is a process to collect information about student learning progress. Based on observations in several schools and literature reviews, teachers have difficulty in following AKM because of their limited understanding of AKM and computer optimization in accessing AKM programs. The AKM program aims to measure the extent of students' literacy and numeracy skills in a school. This AKM program also measures the character and learning environment in a particular school. It can be concluded that in 2022, the results of AKM in several elementary schools based on quality report cards have reached the medium category, meaning that these elementary schools have met the minimum standards.

Assessing the Implementation of School Discipline Policy in Ghanaian Basic Schools

As part of the effort to create safer and more protective learning environments in Ghanaian schools, the Ghana Education Service in 2017 officially banned all forms of corporal punishment and required teachers to adopt a positive discipline toolkit based on a manual prescribed as an alternative to corporal punishment. This study sought to investigate the implementation of the alternative positive discipline policy in the basic schools of Ghana. The study utilized qualitative research approach to gather data from 15 teachers through semi-structured interviews. Based on thematic analysis, the study showed that the teachers used many discipline methods per the policy on school discipline. They included writing lines, manual work, physical punishments, time-out periods, classroom rules, appointment and withdrawal of positions, and counselling to manage students’ behavior. The study, however, found that teachers perceive the positive discipline methods to be ineffective in managing students’ behavior compared to the use of corporal punishment. The implication drawn from the study was that despite the use of some alternative discipline methods by the teachers, they have not abandoned all forms of corporal punishments in schools. The study therefore recommended, among other things, that school leaders and other authorities institute surveillance and monitoring systems to check violators and sanction teachers who refuse to employ the non-violent discipline methods prescribed by the Ghana Education Service.

Soft Skills Don’t Have To Be Hard: Embedding Soft Skills Instruction in Moroccan Secondary Schools

In an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, the need for the development and mastery of soft skills has perhaps never been greater. Schools can play a key role in soft skills education, but implementation in the classroom has faced a range of challenges that have impeded instruction. One solution is embedding soft skills within an extant academic curriculum, with the advantages that the academic infrastructure is already in place, and few additional materials or time are needed. This field study found that embedding soft skills had excellent outcomes, even with limited resources, materials, and training, a notable first step in the long road toward urgently needed, facilitated, and measurable soft skills instruction in the secondary school learning environment.

Моделирование образовательного пространства кадетской школы-интерната как потенциала для самореализации воспитанников

The research is relevant because there are not enough studies investigating the potential of cadet institutions’ learning environment regarding its impact on pupils’ self-realization. The purpose of the research is to study a set of conditions of the learning environment of a cadet boarding school that shape pupils’ self-realization. Hypothesis: successful self-realization of cadets at a boarding school depends on three factors: modeling of the learning environment (it should include theoretical and methodological justification, identification of resources and conditions for successful self-realization of cadets), determination of criteria, indicators and diagnostic tools, and development and testing of extracurricular activities, additional education programs, innovative technologies, methods, forms and socio-cultural practices. The study is designed to last three years (2021–2024). Methods: theoretical analysis of scientific literature; analysis and synthesis of teachers’ experience in cadet boarding schools; modeling of the learning environment of a cadet boarding school. The theoretical model includes such components of the learning environment of a cadet boarding school as conceptual, resource-environmental, motivational-value, contentactivity and evaluative-effective. Participation in projects is considered to be a leading activity that provides cadets with opportunities for self-realization. To study self-realization, the authors’ questionnaire “The study of self-realization of cadets in the learning environment of a cadet boarding school” was developed (the authors are E. V. Kamaeva, L. P. Shustova, N. A. Lobankova). This questionnaire diagnoses pupils’ satisfaction with the conditions of the learning environment in a cadet boarding school in terms of their self-realization in various activities. Results: the authors have carried out a theoretical analysis of the problem of how to create a learning environment in cadet institutions; the authors have also identified the resources and conditions for successful self-realization of pupils at a cadet boarding school; additionally, the authors have determined the criteria and indicators to monitor the effectiveness of this process as well as the directions and content of cadet self-realization activities. Main conclusions: modeling the learning environment of a cadet boarding school and testing it in practice will contribute to the successful development of the processes of personal and professional self-determination of cadets and their self-realization in various types of socially useful activities. The educational-methodical and scientific-methodical support of the process of self-realization of pupils at a cadet boarding school developed on the basis of the pedagogical model can be used to create the learning environment in cadet institutions of the Ulyanovsk region and Russia.

The journey of reimagining school: Moving from islands of excellence to sustainable and equitable systems change

This article explores how schools and the systems that support them can make the shift from traditional ways of “doing school” toward new, more effective ways that are supported by both research and practice. It illuminates stories of successful approaches to promote developmental relationships and safe, supportive learning environments in schools, in the context of intractable education systems, a global pandemic, and a renewed political and social reckoning with equity and justice.

Experiences with Racism Among Asian American Medical Students

Asian American physicians have experienced a dual pandemic of racism and COVID-19 since 2020; understanding how racism has affected the learning environment of Asian American medical students is necessary to inform strategies to promoting a more inclusive medical school environment and a diverse and inclusive workforce. While prior research has explored the influence of anti-Asian racism on the experiences of Asian American health care workers, to our knowledge there are no studies investigating how racism has impacted the training experiences of Asian American medical students. To characterize how Asian American medical students have experienced anti-Asian racism in a medical school learning environment. This qualitative study included online video interviews of Asian American medical students performed between July 29, 2021, and August 22, 2022. Eligible participants were recruited through the Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association and snowball sampling, and the sample represented a disaggregated population of Asian Americans and all 4 medical school years. The medical school experiences of Asian American medical students. Among 25 participants, Asian ethnicities included 8 Chinese American (32%), 5 Korean American (20%), 5 Indian American (20%), 3 Vietnamese American (12%), 2 Filipino American (8%), and 1 (4%) each Nepalese, Pakistani, and Desi American; 16 (64%) were female. Participants described 5 major themes concerning their experience with discrimination: (1) invisibility as racial aggression (eg, "It took them the whole first year to be able to tell me apart from the other Asian guy"); (2) visibility and racial aggression ("It transitioned from these series of microaggressions that every Asian person felt to actual aggression"); (3) absence of the Asian American experience in medical school ("They're not going to mention Asian Americans at all"); (4) ignored while seeking support ("I don't know what it means to have this part of my identity supported"); and (5) envisioning the future. In this qualitative study, Asian American medical students reported feeling invisible within medical school while a target of anti-Asian racism. Addressing these unique challenges related to anti-Asian racism is necessary to promote a more inclusive medical school learning environment.

The Safe Learning Environment in the United Arab Emirates Schools and Its Relationship to the Development of Creative Thinking Among Students

The study aimed to assess the relationship between a safe learning environment in Emirati schools and the development of student's creative thinking. Using a descriptive method with stratified random sampling, the researchers selected a sample of 500 male and female teachers. Two questionnaires were employed: one assessing the safe learning environment (20 items) and another measuring creative thinking (20 items). Results indicated a high teacher perception of a safe learning environment, with statistically significant chi-square values for all items. Similarly, teachers perceived a high level of creative thinking development, with significant chi-square values for all items. Gender and experience did not show statistically significant differences in the perception of a safe learning environment. However, teachers with over 10 years of experience demonstrated higher levels of creative thinking development. Notably, a significant correlation was found between a safe learning environment and the development of students' creative thinking in Emirati schools. This study aligns with the UAE Ministry of Education's mission to create a safe and creative educational system that meets the needs of a globally competitive knowledge society. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-014 Full Text: PDF

Investigation on the Effect of Methods Used in Teaching in Primary School on Student’s Academic Performance in All Saints Primary School 1, Owode-Egba, LGA Ogun State, Nigeria

This research aimed to investigate the effect of methods used in teaching in primary schools on students’ academic performance at All Saints’ Anglican Primary School 1, Owode-Egba, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State. The study utilized a descriptive survey research method, selecting 7 teachers from the study area through simple random sampling. Two research questions were raised, and data were collected for the study using a hypothesis. The analysis involved frequency count, percentage, and Pearson correlation for inferential statistics. Findings revealed that teachers at All Saint’s Anglican Primary School 1 heavily utilize student-centered and student-teacher interactive methods. However, the analysis showed that the extent of using different teaching methods did not correlate with students’ performance in the class. Conclusions drawn from the study suggest that teachers generally use these methods with a high extent, and students perform satisfactorily in their subjects. Nevertheless, there was no significant relationship between the teachers’ extensive use of these methods and students’ satisfactory performance in science. Based on the identified limitations and findings, the following recommendations are made: Encourage a student-centered learning environment in secondary schools as it promotes higher-level learning outcomes more effectively than traditional teacher-centered approaches. Eliminate biases in teaching method selection based on exclusive knowledge to improve students’ academic performance. Create a conducive learning atmosphere to enhance students’ learning experiences. Additionally, teachers should increase their knowledge of various instructional strategies to keep students engaged and motivated during the teaching-learning process.

Assessing a New Medical School in Zambia Using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measurement: A cross-sectional study

Background: Learners’ perception of learning environment reflects educational program’s effectiveness. For new medical schools, determining effectiveness of teaching and learning is desirable quality assurance process.
 Aim: To determine pioneer medical students’ perception of learning environment of a new school using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measurement (DREEM).
 Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study design was adopted. Consenting medical students in second and third years of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree program were surveyed with a questionnaire comprising a demographic competent and 50 DREEM items. Non-probability sampling was adopted. Completed questionnaires were sorted and rated. The resulting quantitative data were analysed for mean scores with SPSS 21 software. Mean total scores and mean scores in five subscales were determined. Scores on individual items were also analysed. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess dataset reliability. 
 Results: The study recorded 137 participants, 54.2 % females and 45.8 % males. Mean age was 22 (± 4.03) years. Mean total DREEM score was 117.5 (58.8 %) and interpreted as “more positive than negative.” Scores in subscales of perception of learning, perception of teachers, academic self-perception, and perception of atmosphere, were positive with mean scores of 62.9 %, 60.2 %, 63.4 %, and 55.6, respectively. Subscale of social self-perception rated poorly with mean score of 48.9 % and interpreted as “not a nice place.” Single items revealed five major problem areas: lack of adequate support, authoritarian leadership, over-emphasis on factual learning, poor memorizing, and excessive stress. 
 Conclusion: This analysis revealed major problems and weaknesses in the new school and addressing them could improve educational quality.

Pembuatan Video Profile TK Kartika I-1 Medan Helvetia

This Community Service focuses on creating a video profile for TK Kartika I-1 Medan Helvetia, a pre-school educational institution committed to providing quality education to young children. The aim of this research is to create an engaging and informative video profile that serves as an effective means of introducing the school to the wider community, prospective students, and parents. The research involves collaboration between the research team, the production team, and the school. The research process begins with in-depth interviews with the headmaster, teachers, staff, and parents to gather relevant information about the school's excellence, educational programs, and learning environment at TK Kartika I-1 Medan Helvetia. Additionally, footage is captured at various locations within the school to showcase teaching and learning activities, creative endeavors, and social interactions in a fun-filled ambiance. Diligent editing is carried out to craft the video profile with appropriate audio-visual elements, suitable background music, and engaging narration to enhance its appeal and emotional impact. The result of this endeavor is a comprehensive video profile that showcases the uniqueness and excellence of TK Kartika I-1 Medan Helvetia. The video provides a clear picture of the school's holistic educational approach, positive learning environment, supportive facilities, and the successes of students both inside and outside the classroom. It is anticipated that this video profile will serve as an effective tool in promoting TK Kartika I-1 Medan Helvetia to prospective students and parents and improving the school's image in the eyes of the community. Through broader promotion on social media and other online platforms, this video profile is expected to reach a wider audience of prospective students and families, thereby supporting the school's efforts to shape a generation that is creative, competent, and ready to face future challenges.

Complicating Cultural Reproduction Theory: A Critical Multilevel Analysis of Systematic Inequality in U.S. Schools

The purpose of the current study is to examine malleable school practices and norms that contribute to inequitable school learning environments based on student background. Using multilevel structural equation modeling (SEM) with the U.S. sample of PISA 2015, this study examines the extent to which student-level access to inquiry-based science learning opportunities and academic press mediates the relationship between intersectional student background and scientific literacy outcomes, as well as the influence of school-level context, tracking, and academic climate variables on student learning opportunities, perceptions of academic press, and science outcomes. After accounting for variance explained at the school level, OTL was not a significant mediator of the relationship between student intersectional background or gender and scientific literacy outcomes. However, academic press was a significant mediator at the student level, and was a significant negative predictor of science achievement. At the school level, while tracking was not a significant predictor of mean school science achievement, tracking was a predictor of mean school academic press and OTL inquiry-based science. There were significant differences in school academic climate based on school context, and school-level perceptions of academic climate were significant predictors of science achievement, findings that can inform education policy and practice.

School District Equity Initiatives That Impact Access to Accelerated and Advanced Learning

Equity and access to advanced learning opportunities have been issues of concern for educators in the field of gifted education for decades. Gifted programs are noted as some of the most segregated learning environments in schools today. This study was designed to investigate how school districts have addressed educational equity through the lenses of school district administrators. Researchers conducted semistructured 1-hr interviews with 32 superintendents or their designees (e.g., gifted coordinator, Director of Equity, etc.) about school district initiatives designed and implemented to improve equity and access to advanced and accelerated learning opportunities, with a focus from 2015 to early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked about the definition of educational equity in their district, targeted equity initiatives in highly capable programs, challenges or barriers they encountered when they implemented change, and their experiences with diversifying their work force and professional development. Findings included changes in curriculum and improving access to advanced learning opportunities while addressing persistent challenges in school funding and diversifying the workforce. The findings of this study addressed a significant gap in gifted education research: actions taken by school district administrators that went beyond changes in identification processes to increase equity and access to advanced learning opportunities.

The Ups, Downs, and Potentials of Implementing Video Clubs in Museums

ABSTRACT Professional development opportunities for museum educators are often short-term experiences that are void of reflections to support one’s professional growth and practices within a collaborative environment. Video clubs may serve as an effective approach to supporting the professional growth and practices of educators in museum settings. Video clubs are composed of a group of educators engaged in video-based reflections around their work and interactions with others. In collaboration with six museums, we considered how video clubs, developed and implemented to promote professional growth and learning in school learning environments, would translate to a museum learning environment with a specific focus on interactions of failure experiences in STEAM-related making programs. In this paper, we highlight benefits, challenges, learnings, and recommendations as a way to support museums interested in establishing and implementing reflective practices within video recording and video sharing.