Pupil Perceptions Research Articles

PERCEPTIONS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AND ITS IMPACT IN SCHOOL

This article examines the impact of music-making activities on children's development. It considers the musical perceptions of pupils in mainstream schools and the effect of classical music on their momentary emotional state. It also presents strategic models for integrating classical music samples into the learning process, which are tailored to the age range of students and the music curriculum to serve the music educator.

Measuring School Well-Being in Primary Education: A Systematic Review

The aim was to explore the literature for instruments that assess school well-being, identifying their design features and construct appropriateness. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020, and the PICO strategy to formulate the research questions. Fifty-two articles on instruments to assess pupils' school well-being were analysed using an interpretive approach. The results showed that school well-being is a topic of global interest, with China standing out, with non-uniform growth since 2007, being most notable in 2018 and 2019. Longitudinal and qualitative studies have appeared more frequently in recent years. The presence of multidimensional instruments stood out, with no consensus on the identification of the items to be assessed from a holistic perspective. This study paves the way for the design of a questionnaire that operationalise school well-being, considering not only the literature, but also the direct perceptions of pupils.

Prevalence of Dental Fear and Anxiety among School Children in Zawia City, Libya

Odontophobia, also known as dental fear and anxiety (DFA), is a type of phobia that can negatively affect the dental and oral health of people who experience it. This phobia has psychosocial characteristics that make it complex to address in dental practice. Dealing with dental fear is a challenging issue in dentistry for various reasons. Although this issue has been studied in children for quite some time around the world, no such studies have been conducted in Zawia, Libya. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) among pupils aged 5 to 12- years in public and private schools in Zawia City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Zawia City over three months. In the survey, 205 students were randomly selected from several private and public schools. All participants were given a self-reported questionnaire containing ten closed-ended questions about DFA. After collecting the data, the results were analyzed based on gender and school type and entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet for further analysis. Results of the study showed that 31.71% of all pupils experienced dental fear and anxiety (DFA). Furthermore, the slight variations in fear levels based on school type indicate that the school environment may influence a pupil's perception of dental visits. Most private school students experienced DFA during physical contact with their dentists and upon seeing dental anesthesia injections. Whereas pupils attending government schools experienced DFA when hearing voices during treatment. Across all areas studied, female students reported slightly higher levels of anxiety than male students. Based on the survey results, it is evident that many pupils experience high levels of dental fear and anxiety (DFA). This highlights the need for intervention and attention in such situations, as DFA can significantly affect a pupil's dental experience and oral health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to address these fears and anxieties to improve the overall dental experience of pupils and promote better oral health

School Climate and Pupils’ Progress

The school climate shapes the day-to-day learning experiences of the pupils, which influences their motivation, engagement, and academic achievement. This study sought to determine the parents’ perception of school climate, the level of pupils’ progress, and the significant relationship between the school climate and pupils’ progress among the six (6) schools of Talisayan District, Division of Misamis Oriental, during the Second Quarter of the School Year 2023-2024. There was a total of one hundred twelve (112) Grade 2 parents’ respondents through stratified random sampling method. This study utilized an adapted and modified survey questionnaire developed by Karen Parker Thompson, coordinator of family involvement and community resources for the Alexandria City Public Schools. It employed the mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to ascertain the significant relationship between parents’ perception of school climate and pupils’ progress. The study found that the respondents have a Very High perception of the school climate, specifically the caring learning environment. Almost half of the respondents have an Outstanding rating. A significant strong positive correlation exists between the school climate and pupils’ progress, thus rejecting the null hypothesis and that the school climate fosters a caring learning environment. It is therefore recommended to create a school environment that is conducive, safe, and supportive to pupils’ learning and academic growth. Meanwhile, it is believed that parents agree with enhancing the effectiveness of problemsolving strategies in school.

Pupil Voices: Review of Factors Influencing Pupil Participation in Primary School Physical Activity

ABSTRACT Context Because the purpose of school-based physical activity (PA) interventions is to improve academic and/or health-related outcomes for children, their views must be considered for such programs to be successful. To inform the development of acceptable initiatives, a need exists to examine and synthesize pupil perspectives. Objective This review explores what is known about primary-aged pupils’ perspectives on school-based PA and qualitatively synthesizes the factors that influence pupil participation. Design This rapid qualitative review was conducted systematically and followed the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Eligibility Criteria Peer-reviewed articles published in the English language between January 2013 and April 2023 that reported qualitative data on primary school pupil participation in school-based PA were included. Study Selection Databases searched were Medline (Web of Science), ERIC (Education Collection-ProQuest), and EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, Education Source, ERIC, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, SportDiscus, CINAHL complete, Medline Full Text, Humanities Source Ultimate). Twenty-one articles that included qualitative evaluations of pupil participation in school-based PA from the pupil perspective were included. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measured was pupil perceptions of factors that influence their participation in school-based PA. Results Ten themes emerged from the pupil data. The most prevalent was fun and enjoyment, followed by perceived health benefits, social interaction, and perceived academic benefits. Autonomy, appropriate level of challenge, perceived motor competence, school culture and environment, outdoor play, and influence of teachers were also identified. Conclusion To promote participation in PA, schools must support autonomy with developmentally appropriate equipment and space to facilitate physically active games. Positive and encouraging adults must maintain socially safe environments where pupils can be active with their friends. Physical education must be highly regarded, and pupils should have multiple opportunities to engage in PA throughout the school day.

ESL Learning Environment for B40 Primary School Pupils: Issues, Challenges and Strategies

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of low-income parents and pupils in a primary school on improving the current policy management with regard to financial assistance, and other related aids to improve students’ academic performance including the English Language. Method/design/approach: A case study qualitative study design was employed. Data was collected by a semi-structured individual interview involving 40 pupils from Sarawak, Malaysia. The data from the interview responses were triangulated using observation and document analysis. The data gathered was analysed thematically. Results and conclusion: The findings were divided into three themes which are the Current Policy for B40 pupils in Improving ESL Learning, the challenges faced and the support that pupils require to improve ESL Learning. The findings indicate that parents face difficulties meeting the pupils’ demands at school, which go beyond fundamental necessities that include providing adequate updated resources to assist 21st-century education, mental and emotional support for today’s generation. B40 pupils are concerned with demanding resources such as devices connected to the internet, reference books in English and motivational workshops. The limitations of B40 pupils are more apparent now, due to vast technological advancements in education. Research implications: This study could assist the relevant authority in developing a policy on managing support to B40 households for educational purposes by producing a new outline to assist B40 in the education atmosphere nowadays. Originality/value: This study explores low-income parents and pupils' perceptions of educational support policies in Sarawak, Malaysia, focusing on ESL learning. It provides insights into challenges faced by B40 households, offering recommendations for policy development and improved educational outcomes.

The Influence of Mobile Devices and Social Networks on the Development of Perception of Primary School Pupils

Substitution of the traditional way of perception by interaction with virtual reality can disrupt the natural course of a child’s mental development. The purpose of the research is to use the theoretical analysis of the issue in order to reveal the indicators of the perception development at the primary school age, as well as to conduct an empirical diagnostics of the students’ perception, of the peculiarities of rationing the interaction time of the younger generation with virtual reality in the family, and of the nature of the digital information assimilated by children. Methodology. The research presents the analysis of the empirical data obtained as a result of a survey of first-graders’ parents. The survey was aimed at identifying the features of controlling by the older generation of the use of mobile devices, as well as the content of virtual pages viewed by children. Moreover, diagnostics of the level of visual, auditory, and spatial perception was carried out in groups of students by means of the techniques “Graphic Test”, “Reproduction of Rhythms According to an Auditory Sample”, “Visual Gnosis Study”. The reliability of the research results is provided by the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the empirical data. Conclusion. The research demonstrates that the longer the child is in virtual reality, the less parents can control the assimilated information that the child gets when using electronic devices; the less developed is children’s ability to assimilate the motor program, its automation, the ability to switch from one movement to another when performing educational assignments that involve reproduction of graphic samples; the lower is the activity rate; and the higher is the fatigue.

Perceptions of Agriculture by Elementary School and College Students in Mezam Division of North West Cameroon: A Qualitative Analysis

The study explored the perceptions of primary school pupils, secondary, and high school students in the Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Existing literature points to declining youth interest in agriculture grounded on a largely negative perception of the sector, however, there is scant data on youth perception of agriculture in Cameroon. In the face of rising youth unemployment, there is a need to generate relevant data that can inform policies relating to youth entry and participation in the country’s agriculture. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 7 primary, secondary, and high schools respectively. The data were analyzed using the thematic approach, leading to the emergence of themes. The findings of the study indicate that pupils and students have largely positive perceptions of agriculture which are however not translated into high aspirations for career development in the sector, suggesting a need for targeted actions at various levels of the educational system. Further research that addresses perceived determinants of youth attraction to agriculture in the country, will contribute to informing youth-specific policy towards agriculture.

Homework’s Implications for the Well-Being of Primary School Pupils—Perceptions of Children, Parents, and Teachers

Teachers and educational researchers explore various approaches to make homework more engaging and enjoyable, intending to improve the well-being and academic performance of primary school students. The study aimed to identify practices with positive and negative effects on students’ well-being when doing homework. The views of those involved in giving, doing, and assessing homework were captured from three perspectives, namely, teachers, students, and parents. In May–June 2022, six online focus groups were conducted with the participation of 13 teachers, 11 parents, and 16 primary school students from a Romanian school. The thematic analysis identified the homework that the children (do not) like; their reactions when they receive, do, and are assessed for such homework; and suggestions on how to improve the homework. The results revealed that homework assignments that make young schoolchildren feel capable, effective, appreciated, and rewarded; homework done in teams in the form of competitions or games; parental involvement in collaborative homework; and homework with creative elements are effective ways that contribute to the well-being of primary school pupils when doing homework. Repetitive, lengthy, tedious, overloaded homework generates frustration, discouragement, and emotional reactions such as crying, abandonment, anxiety, and sleep deprivation.

INTEGRATED LEARNING IN A MODERN SCHOOL IN THE CONTEXT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

The article is aimed at defining the concept of integrated learning and features of the implementation of this educational technology in modern general education institutions. In defining the key concept, the mechanisms of integration between the basic disciplines, which are appropriate for the use of integrated learning in the modern school, are considered. It is noted that integration can be carried out by two key mechanisms, each of which is aimed at the perception of pupils of the surrounding world as a whole, regardless of which aspect of science is its knowledge.The article reveals the essence of the integrated approach to education, its significance and impact on changing the structure of a particular subject, which is an important element in improving the effectiveness of the educational process. In addition, the article describes in detail the action of mechanisms in the implementation of the basics of an integrated lesson, as well as the content and operation of didactic principles for implementing an integrated approach.The main research methods are: Analysis of literature sources, observation, survey, generalization and statistical analysis.The article focuses on identifying opportunities for introducing distance learning into Ukrainian education using an integrative approach.The main results of the study give grounds for asserting that the active and professional use of distance education opportunities by teachers will contribute to solving the educational problems that have arisen in modern Ukraine. These changes will help build new ways of development and prospects for Ukrainian educators, based on the relevance and widespread use of online education.The authors proposed their own definitions of the concepts "value orientations", "personal values", "value orientations of Ukrainian youth".

Exploring General Education Teachers’ Perceptions of Pupils with Learning Difficulties: A Qualitative Approach

Pupils with learning difficulties attending general classes face a plethora of thorny situations both during their learning processes and socialization. General education teachers are to support and actively engage pupils with learning difficulties in classroom settings by employing a range of teaching strategies, while they, sometimes, face difficulties to this end. The qualitative research presented in this article aims to explore general education teachers’ perceptions regarding pupils with learning difficulties. Under this rationale, 21 General education teachers participated in semi-structured interviews, focusing on their perceptions regarding education and treatment of learning difficulties. The study data suggest that participants recognize certain features as far as it concerns the causes of learning difficulties and highlight their potential actions during the teaching process even though they sometimes feel unprepared to facilitate this aim. They, also, emphasize the need for communication between all school agents as well as appropriate teaching means and infrastructure as determining factors for their educational work when it comes to pupils with learning difficulties. Further, implications are offered for the necessary actions that need to be taken for General education teachers’ better preparation and support, namely a scientific network of psychologists and school counselors as well as the need for in-service professional development.

"Svag elev" som social representation i Statens offentliga utredningar

Classifications of pupils as ‘weak’ have featured during the last century in Sweden and are still present in contemporary descriptions of pupils. This study aims to develop knowledge about how ‘weak pupil’ as a social representation has been (re)produced in governmental inquires during 1923–2019 and explores how a temporal perspective might deepen the knowledge on a current classification such as ‘weak pupil’. In focus are the governmental inquiries concerning current or historical compulsory school forms. The following research questions are posed: To what extent has ‘weak pupil’ been present as a classification? How has ‘weak pupil’ as a social representation been (re)produced? Which patterns of stability and change can be identified in the (re)production of ‘weak pupil’ as a social representation? Through social representations theory, this study suggests that classifications and social representations of pupils as “weak” have been present during the last century. There are elements of both stability and change in the themes that construct “weak pupil” as a social representation, but there are indicators that ‘weak pupil’ as a social representation is more fossilized in contemporary writings. Perceptions of pupils in relation to perceptions of ’normality’ seem to be a stable construction over the last century.

The Impact of an Elementary Whole-School Nurturing Approach: A Controlled Multiple-Perspective Follow-Up Study

Introduction. Children’s social and emotional wellbeing is associated with subsequent academic achievement and behavioural outcomes, as well as functioning in later life. Nurturing approaches are one way of developing such wellbeing. Whole-school approaches to nurturing have been discussed in the literature, but no studies of any quality have evaluated effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether whole-school nurturing had any effect on children’s wellbeing from the perceptions of pupils, parents and teachers. Method. The present study in primary (elementary) schools is controlled, has follow-up, and multiple perspectives from teachers, parents and pupils. Pupils (n=322) from Years/Grades 1, 3 and 4 (aged 6, 8 and 9) (Years limited by school staff time availability) in three intervention and three control schools and their parents and teachers participated over two years. On a pre-post basis, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used with teachers and parents and the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale (SCWS) with pupils. Results. On the SDQ for Teachers, the pre-post Total Difficulties scores and the Prosocial scores were significantly better for the intervention than the control group. On the SDQ for Parents, both intervention and control groups improved, and there was no difference. On the SCWS for Children, again both intervention and control groups improved, and there was no difference. Discussion and Conclusion. The nurturing intervention group was significantly better than controls according to the perceptions of Teachers, but for parents and children both intervention and control groups improved. A number of recommendations for future research were made, and implications for practitioners and policy-makers outlined.

DIGITALIZED MODULES THROUGH KOTOBEE APPLICATION: A TEACHING INTERVENTION ON IMPROVING PUPILS’ PERFORMANCE LEVEL IN SCIENCE SUBJECT

Accessible lesson inputs serve as motivation and basis for grasping science concepts, especially in online classes. Pupils fail to review these teacher-given inputs in blended modular and synchronous settings. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of digitalizing modules through Kotobee Author and Reader application on pupils’ performance level in science. Using a quantitative approach and a one-group pretest-posttest design, twenty-six (26) Grade 4 pupils of Jimenez Central School (JCS) enrolled in the school year 2020-2021 participated in the study The Division evaluated and validated Science quarterly assessment was used as the instrument for this study. Utilizing statistical tools such as Actual Mean, Hypothetical Mean, the z-test, and the t-test, the instrument's data were analyzed and interpreted. Results of the study showed the following: (1) the performance level of the pupils before the intervention did not meet expectations, (2) the performance level of the pupils after the intervention was satisfactory, and (3) there was an improvement in the pupils’ performance level in science when Kotobee-digitalized modules were used. The researchers recommend the following: (1) teachers could conduct a follow-up study to improve pupils’ academic performance level in other subject areas, (2) teachers could initiate a similar study on pupils from other grade levels, and (3) researchers could determine the perceptions of pupils, teachers and parents in the utilization of the Kotobee Author and Reader application.

Unpacking physically active learning in education: a movement didaktikk approach in teaching?

ABSTRACT This paper explores teachers’ educational values and how they shape their judgements about physically active learning (PAL). Twenty one teachers from four primary schools in Norway participated in focus groups. By conceptualising PAL as a didaktikk approach, the findings indicated that teachers engaged with PAL in a way that reflected their professional identity and previous experiences with the curriculum. Teachers valued PAL as a way of getting to know pupils in educational situations that were different from those when sedentary. These insights illustrate how PAL, as a didaktikk approach to teaching, can shift teachers’ perceptions of pupils’ knowledge, learning, and identity formation in ways that reflect the wider purposes of education. The paper gives support to a classroom discourse that moves beyond the traditional, sedentary one-way transfer of knowledge towards a more collaborative effort for pupils’ development.

Incorporating movement breaks into primary school classrooms; a mixed methods approach to explore the perceptions of pupils, staff and governors

BackgroundPublic health guidelines for children advocate physical activity (PA) and the restriction of continuous sedentary time. Schools offer an attractive setting for health promotion, however school-based interventions to increase PA typically fail, and primary school children may spend most of the school day sitting down. Classroom movement breaks have been identified as an attractive opportunity to address this concern and may positively influence behaviour, but little is known about the barriers to implementing movement within lessons from a multi stakeholder perspective. The purpose of this study was to explore (1) the perceptions of primary school pupils, staff members and governors regarding classroom movement breaks, and (2) their perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing PA into the classroom.MethodsThirty-four pupils (Key Stages 1 and 2, ages 5–7 y) took part in a focus group discussion. Sixty-four staff members and twenty governors completed a questionnaire and an optional follow up semi-structured telephone interview. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsPupils, staff members and governors expressed an enthusiasm for movement breaks provided that they were short, simple, pupil-guided and performed at the discretion of the teacher. Time and concerns regarding transitioning back to work following a movement break were identified as key barriers by pupils and staff. Governors and some staff expressed that favourable evidence for movement breaks is needed to facilitate their adoption, particularly regarding the potential for improvements in cognitive functioning or classroom behaviour.ConclusionThere is a wide appeal for classroom-based activity breaks, when delivered in a manner that is not disruptive. Future research which examines the potential benefits of such activity breaks is warranted.

The teacher’s self-constructed approaches to collaborate with newcomer parents in the Norwegian elementary reception class

In Norway, newly arrived immigrant children often start their schooling in special groups called reception classes. This study aims to examine one Norwegian reception teacher’s perceptions and practices of collaborating with the children’s parents. The empirical analyses are based on a qualitative approach with interviews and video observations of the teacher. Affirming earlier research about parent–teacher collaboration in Norway, the study shows that the teacher has developed her own practices of parent–teacher collaboration. Contradicting earlier research, the findings highlight that despite challenges, the teacher experiences collaboration with newcomer parents positively. This article presents activities the teacher engages in within and outside the classroom to foster mutual learning and parental involvement. In the discussion, the teacher’s approaches are not judged as right or wrong, perfect or imperfect, but rather appreciated as self-constructed and self-initiated approaches to collaborating with newcomer parents. The main result is that despite challenges, if the teacher appears to be motivated and has positive/pluralistic perceptions of immigrant pupils and their parents, then s/he finds ways to collaborate with newcomer parents. This article concludes with teachers’ practice recommendations for schools and some directions for future research.

Applying the mixed-blessings model and labeling theory to stigma in inclusive education: An experimental study of student and trainee teachers' perceptions of pupils with ADHD, DLD, and intellectual disability.

Institutional and individual stigmatization represent major barriers that prevent children with disabilities from accessing education. It can be presumed that children with disabilities are labeled as such even in inclusive educational settings and that teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education and children with disabilities play a crucial role in this context. Against this background, the present study aims to (a) apply and conceptualize the mixed-blessings model in the context of stigma-related reactions to children's disability labels in inclusive education and (b) shed light on the causal attributions of teachers that underlie stigma-related attitudes toward children with various disabilities. A 3 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 online experiment examined the ways in which disability-specific causes and symptoms, the type of disability in question, the children's sex, and efficacy cues regarding educational efforts affect future teachers' attitudes toward and expectations of inclusive education as well as their social distance toward children with disabilities. The participants in this experiment were N = 605 German student and trainee teachers representing different types of teaching professions. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that, in particular, the cause attributed to the disability, the depicted type of disability and the probability of learning success led to changes in attitudes. Respondents' teaching self-efficacy and their status as students or trainees emerged as moderators of the effect of pupils' type of disability. As a result, teacher education and training as well as communication regarding pupils with disabilities require a high degree of sensitivity to disability-specific and efficacy-related cues to prevent (accidental) professional or institutional stigmatization.

Teachers’ changed perceptions of pupils’ motivation for learning through professional development: the moderating role of classroom ethnic composition

ABSTRACT This study assessed the effect of a teacher professional development (PD) programme that incorporated culturally responsive teaching on Chinese kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of learning motivation of ethnic minority (EM) vs. Chinese pupils in Hong Kong. The moderating role of classroom ethnic composition was examined. Forty-five teachers in the intervention group attended 20 sessions of PD courses over 10 months, whereas 40 teachers who did not attend the current programme formed a control group. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to assess teacher perceptions of learning motivation and engagement of Chinese and EM pupils. Hierarchical structure of data was accounted for with multilevel modelling. Results showed that the intervention resulted in positive changes in teacher perceptions of learning motivation of EM (vs. Chinese) pupils among teachers working in classrooms with low proportions of EM pupils when compared to teachers in the control group. The findings highlighted that teachers’ cultural diversity training programmes should be evaluated in relation to classroom ethnic composition and other contextual factors that influence the quality and frequency of interethnic contact.

Classroom exclusions: patterns, practices, and pupil perceptions

ABSTRACT This paper examines the under-researched phenomenon of classroom exclusions and their implications for school exclusions. Responses from nearly 1500 secondary school pupils indicate that being expelled from the classroom is a common phenomenon. On average, one-third of pupils have been asked to leave the classroom at some point in the previous year. However, it is more common in some schools, and for some pupils, than others. Most often, excluded pupils stand in school corridors with nothing to do. Not only does classroom exclusion lead to a loss of learning time, it may mark the beginning of a trajectory towards school exclusion. Whether it takes on this more serious significance may depend on the extent to which the pupil perceives the teacher’s action as appropriate and fair. The paper concludes that classroom exclusions are worthy of investigation not only for lost learning time but because of their significance for future school exclusion. However, in unravelling whether a classroom exclusion ‘matters’, it is important to examine not only the circumstances which led to it, but the pupil’s perception of the legitimacy of the teacher’s action.