Learning Environment Research Research Articles

Research on teacher–student relationships and learning environments: Context, retrospect and prospect

The program of research on teacher–student relationships described in this issue is an important part of the field of classroom learning environments, although it has its own distinctive and significant features. The questionnaire on teacher interaction (QTI), the main instrument used in this research, follows the strong tradition in learning environments research of using the perceptions of the participants in the classroom. Although this research program originated in the Netherlands, it now is truly international and the QTI has been translated into and validated in over a dozen languages. Not only has past research consistently replicated the advantages of positive teacher–student relationships in terms of promoting improved student outcomes, but positive teacher–student relationships also are worthwhile process goals of education. In the future, it would be desirable for the QTI to be used more frequently by teachers as a feedback instrument for guiding improvements in their classroom relationships with their students, and that qualitative data-collection methods are used more often in conjunction with the use of the QTI in research on teacher–student interaction.

Students’ perceptions of primary teachers’ interpersonal behavior and of cultural dimensions in the classroom environment

Within the domain of learning environments research many studies have investigated students’ perceptions of their teachers’ interpersonal behavior. The present study adds to this line of research by (a) focusing on primary education, rather than secondary education, (b) establishing associations between perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior and perceptions of cultural elements of the learning environment rather than uniquely focusing on interpersonal behavior, (c) linking perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior to affective student outcomes taking into account perceptions of cultural elements of the learning environment. Results of correlation analyses and multilevel analyses of variance, conducted on perception and outcome data of a sample of 2178 Australian years 5, 6 and 7 students in 103 primary classrooms are presented. Students’ perceptions of their learning environment were mapped with the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) and a primary version of the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ). Results indicate that, after correction for covariates, teacher proximity (QTI) and congruence (CLEQ) are significantly associated with students’ enjoyment in science. Also, strong associations were found between teacher proximity and all of the CLEQ scales.

Introduction: Measuring Instruction

Introduction: Measuring Instruction

Learning Environments Research

Learning Environments Research

An exploratory study on singaporean secondary school students’ perceptions of choral learning

This paper explores 122 secondary school students’ perceptions of the choral learning environment. A survey questionnaire was developed taking into consideration the responses of a pilot study in which students were requested to list what they liked and disliked about the choir. The participants rated their degree of agreement on a five-point scale on psychosocial and other perspectives of choral learning. Three research questions were posed: (1) What are Singaporean secondary school students’ perceptions of choral learning? (2) Are there any gender differences in their perceptions of choral learning? (3) Are there any across school differences in their perceptions of choral learning? The findings of the study were discussed from the perspective of Singapore’s education and learning environment research.

Learning Environments Research in Asia: Editor's Introduction

A recent book entitled Studies in Educational Learning Environments: An International Perspective not only traces the remarkable expansion of the field of learning environments internationally, but it also provides a unique focus on the distinctive contributions made by Asian researchers. Asian researchers have translated and cross-validated questionnaires that originated in the West, and have used them in various lines of research. Gaps in Asian research on learning environments and desirable directions for future research are considered.

Emergence of Learning Environment Research in South Africa: Editors' Introduction

This introduction provides information about the learning environment strand of the Third International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education which was held in January 2003 in East London, South Africa. The theme of the conference and the titles of key note addresses and selected presented papers are provided together with information about the forthcoming published Proceedings and the next conference.

Development of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory: using the theoretical framework of learning environment studies to assess nursing students' perceptions of the hospital as a learning environment.

Clinical learning is an integral part of nursing education; yet, clinical education has been problematic. Why are some clinical experiences better than others? Various studies have indicated that not all practice settings are able to provide student nurses with a positive learning environment. The clinical learning environment is a multidimensional entity with a complex social context. Classroom learning environment research based on psychosocial educational conceptual frameworks has been well established in the past 30 years, with evidential benefits. Previous research on clinical learning environment was examined. However, minimal studies have been conducted on hospital learning environments from the psychosocial educational perspective. To maximize nursing students' clinical learning experiences, the author developed the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory based on the theoretical framework in psychosocial education.

Coteaching/Cogenerative Dialoguing: Learning Environments Research as Classroom Praxis

Critical educators have leveled a methodological critique against traditional forms of classroom research because they both objectify teachers and students and lead to results that do not enhance praxis. Over the past decade, we have developed coteaching as a context for learning to teach and supervising teaching, on the one hand and, on the other, as a method for doing research on and evaluating teaching. Coteaching involves an equitable inquiry into teaching and learning processes in which all members (or representatives thereof) of a classroom community participate – including students, teachers, student teachers, researchers, and supervisors. In this article, we articulate coteaching in terms of activity theory and the associated first-person methodology for doing research on learning environments that is relevant to praxis because it constitutes an integral part of praxis. A detailed case study exemplifies coteaching and the associated research on learning environments.

Multiplicity and flexibility as design features - a case study of a web-based collaborative learning community for diverse learners

Assisted by technological advances, web-based instruction is being widely used to prepare learners for future challenges. The internet provides the possibility of erasing geographic and interpersonal boundaries among people from diverse backgrounds. The purposes of this article are: (1) to examine and discuss multiplicity and flexibility as essential elements in designing web-based courses integrating online collaborative learning; (2) to discuss implications of multiplicity and flexibility for future research and development of online collaborative learning environments.

Technology Integration and the Classroom Learning Environment: Research for Action

This article describes initial results of a collaborative action research endeavor between a regional university and a local school (Grade 6 level) using learning environments research to monitor alignment of classroom learning activities with a constructivist viewpoint while integrating technology into the curriculum. Student perceptions as measured by the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) were explored. Teacher logs, teacher interviews, and fieldnotes from team discussion groups and classroom observation provided further understanding of interactions in the classroom. A one-way analysis of variance in which the set of four classroom learning environment variables for the CLES, the set of five variables for each of the CLES-Mathematics and the CLES-Science and time of administration (prior to technology integration and after technology integration) yielded no significant changes in student perceptions of the classroom learning environment over the duration of the academic year. Interpretation of results led teachers to construct a new set of questions and a new plan of action to bring their classroom learning environment into closer alignment with a constructivist perspective for teaching and learning.

Validation and Use of an Instrument to Assess University-level Psychosocial Environment in Australian Universities

This article extends the field of learning environment research by reporting the validation and use of the University-Level Environment Questionnaire (ULEQ) which assesses institutional-level psychosocial environment in universities. The ULEQ has seven scales: Academic Freedom, Concern for Undergraduate Learning, Concern for Research and Scholarship, Empowerment, Affiliation, Mission Consensus and Work Pressure. The sample consisted of 489 academics from 52 departments in 28 Australian public universities. Validation data showed that scales of the ULEQ have satisfactory internal consistency, sensitivity to different department environments and minimal overlap. Results of three analyses conducted in this study illustrated the usefulness of the ULEQ. Significant differences between three types of universities were revealed for four scales: Academic Freedom, Concern for Research and Scholarship, Empowerment and Mission Consensus. No significant differences were found for comparisons of Education, Biology and English departments. A comparison of male and female academics' perceptions of the university-level environment found that females perceived their environment more positively than males. This study demonstrated the utility of the ULEQ in learning environment research in college and university settings.

Cultural Factors of Science Classroom Learning Environments, Teacher‐Student Interactions and Student Outcomes

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to assess culturally sensitive factors of science students' learning environments, and to examine associations between these factors, students' achievement of enquiry skills, students' attitudes to science and teacher‐student interactions. A measure of culturally sensitive factors of the learning environment, namely the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ), was developed. The instrument, which was influenced by Hofstede's four dimensions of culture (power‐distance, uncertainty‐avoidance, individualism, and masculinity‐femininity) and past learning environment research, contained seven scales. With a sample of over 3500 secondary science students, the reliability of the CLEQ scales ranged from 0#lb69 to 0#lb86 and showed acceptable discrimination between the scales as the mean correlation between scales ranged from 0#lb04 to 0#lb22. Regression analyses indicated that the most consistent predictors of teacher‐student interpersonal behaviour were the collaboration, deference, competition, teacher authority and modelling scales. The most consistent predictors of students' attitudes and achievement were equity, competition, deference, modelling and congruence.

Catalysing student autonomy through action research in a problem centred learning environment

This autobiographical article describes action research, utilising a hermeneutic dialectic methodology, on the efficacy of problem-based learning. In the emergent research design, the research focus for the teacher evolved as: “Can I, as an instructor, teach science in such a way that: the use of science in real life is emphasised; an interdisciplinary approach is utilised; assessment is an integral part of instruction; and learning is student-driven, not teacher directed?” To answer this research question, the article focuses on the emergence of students' critical thinking skills, the relevance of science concepts taught, the interdisciplinary nature of the problems addressed, the use of alternative methods of assessment, and the changing roles of the teacher and the students. One significant finding reported in the article is the development of student autonomy, as the problem-based learning format allowed students freedom to pursure diverse research agendas and to accept increasing responsibility for their own learning.

Learning Environments Research, Lifeworld Analysis, and Solidarity in Practice

Learning environments research is generally premised on an assumption that something like an environment independent of the individual can be identified. However, research in many disciplines questions this assumption. I outline here a phenomenological perspective of theorizing the environments in which we act and to which we react, our individual lifeworlds. Lifeworld analysis requires a sense of solidarity. Because it allows an understanding of the world of the Other, it constitutes a lens particularly important and useful in teaching as praxis.

SELF EFFICACY THEORY AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH

The purpose of this article is to bring to the attention of educators interested in student perceptions of the learning environment the concept of self-efficacy. Social learning theorists define perceived self-efficacy as a sense of confidence regarding the performance of specific tasks. Our premise is that student self-efficacy beliefs regarding academic performance can have important implications for improving learning environments and, consequently, student outcomes. We believe that focusing on students' academic self-efficacy could alter student perceptions of the learning environment. Unlike most beliefs systems, which can be highly personal, academic self-efficacy is generally a belief that is addressable in a classroom context. Therefore, understanding more about the reciprocal relationship between the learning environment and students' academic self-efficacy beliefs should be a fruitful focus for learning environment research.

Suspending Disbelief: Improving Writing, Research, and Team-Building Skills in a Peer-Centered Learning Environment

The author presents a timetable for assigning and completing research papers. The timetable tasks include a feasibility study, a performance appraisal, and an on-going peer-centered revision process. The timetable provides a means for improving students' research, writing, and presentation skills and involves the whole class in a simulation of a complex work environment by requiring students to work collaboratively on projects composed of several components. During the semester, students gain confidence in their ability to analyze problems, gather and sort through a variety of source material, and work cooperatively with their peers. Students discover that the timetable process helps them overcome resistance to change and procrastination. Finally, students develop management skills that will help them in their careers.

Relationships between Teacher-Student Interpersonal Behaviour and Teacher Personality

Past learning environment studies have shown the importance of teacher-student interpersonal behaviour in determining student learning outcomes. This study provides a distinctive contribution to learning environment research in that it investigated the relationship between student and teacher perceptions of teacher-student interpersonal behaviour using the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) and teacher personality using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). A sample of 108 teachers from eight secondary colleges (Grades 11 and 12) in Tasmania, Australia completed the MBTI and QTI and the students in one of the classes of each teacher completed the QTI. A greater positive association was found between teacher personality and self-perception of student-teacher interpersonal behaviour than between teacher personality and their students' perceptions. Teacher personality appeared to be consistently associated with teacher self-perception of being friendly, helpful, giving freedom, responsibility and opportunity for independent work in class, uncertainty, maintaining a low profile and being passive. Students' perceptions of their teacher's interpersonal behaviour were related to the personality of the teacher in regard to how much freedom and responsibility students thought they were allowed. The relative proportions of the 16 personality types of the MBTI in the sample were determined and the college teachers were heavily represented by TJ (Thinking-Judging) types of personality (47.5 percent).

Collaborating in the Evolution of a Middle School Science Learning Environment.

This study describes a collaborative study involving a teacher and university researcher using learning environment research to transform a middle school science learning environment. Habermas' idea of knowledge constitutive interests (technical, practical, and emancipatory) is used as a perspective to make sense of the learning environment. Student perceptions of science and the nature of science were explored. Classroom observations and student interviews were the primary data sources. Students perceived science as primarily a set of facts to be learned and did not view it as an inquiry method or a social process. Despite the characterization of the course by the teacher and students as ‘hands-on’ and ‘experimental’, technical interests were prevalent. Through negotiation, a plan of action was outlined for recreating the learning environment to make it more practical and emancipatory, as well as more consistent with contemporary perspectives on the nature of science.

A Multilevel Analysis of Learning Environments and Student Attitudes

An investigation of relationships between students’ attitudes towards chemistry and their perceived laboratory environments was carried out using a sample of 1592 final year secondary school students in 56 chemistry classes in 28 randomly selected co‐educational government schools. This study is distinctive in that it marks the beginning of science classroom environment research in Singapore and because it pioneers the use of the Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) in learning environment research. The Chemistry Laboratory Environment Inventory (CLEI), a modified version of the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory, was used to assess students’ perceptions of the learning environment in chemistry laboratory classes. Students’ chemistry‐related attitudes were assessed using the Questionnaire on Chemistry‐related Attitudes (QOCRA), which is based on the Test of Science‐related Attitudes. Environment‐attitude relationships were examined using conventional multiple regression analysis and the more rigorous HLM. Positive associations emerged between the nature of the chemistry laboratory classroom environment and the students’ attitudinal outcomes