Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes

This thesis reports on the modification, validation and application of a classroom learning environment questionnaire. This thesis is distinctive in that parents' perceptions were utilised in conjunction with students' perceptions in investigating science classroom learning environments am...

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Main Author: Allen, Debra
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Curtin University 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1252
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author Allen, Debra
author_facet Allen, Debra
author_sort Allen, Debra
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This thesis reports on the modification, validation and application of a classroom learning environment questionnaire. This thesis is distinctive in that parents' perceptions were utilised in conjunction with students' perceptions in investigating science classroom learning environments among Grade 4 and 5 students in South Florida. The What is Happening in this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire was modified for young students and their parents. Data from samples of students and parents were analysed to check the reliability and validity of the modified questionnaires and to examine similarities and differences between parents' and students' perceptions of the learning environment. Associations between parents' and students' perceptions of the science learning environment and student outcomes (attitude and achievement) were also investigated in this study. Parents and students were interviewed to check further the validity and reliability of questionnaires and to enhance the richness of the quantitative findings. Interviews with parents and students, along with classroom observations, offered some insights into the quantitative findings. Data analyses supported the WIHIC's factorial validity, internal consistency reliability and ability to differentiate between the perceptions of students in different classrooms. Both students and parents preferred a more positive classroom environment than the one perceived to be actually present, but effect sizes for actual-preferred differences were larger for parents than for students.Associations were found between some learning environment dimensions (especially Task Orientation) and student outcomes (especially attitudes). Qualitative methods suggest that students and parents were generally satisfied with the classroom environment but that students would prefer more investigation while parents would prefer more teacher support. The study provides a pioneering look at how parents and students perceive the science learning environment and opens the way for further learning environment studies involving parents and students.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-12522017-02-20T06:39:51Z Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes Allen, Debra TOSRA student achievement science education WIHIC This thesis reports on the modification, validation and application of a classroom learning environment questionnaire. This thesis is distinctive in that parents' perceptions were utilised in conjunction with students' perceptions in investigating science classroom learning environments among Grade 4 and 5 students in South Florida. The What is Happening in this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire was modified for young students and their parents. Data from samples of students and parents were analysed to check the reliability and validity of the modified questionnaires and to examine similarities and differences between parents' and students' perceptions of the learning environment. Associations between parents' and students' perceptions of the science learning environment and student outcomes (attitude and achievement) were also investigated in this study. Parents and students were interviewed to check further the validity and reliability of questionnaires and to enhance the richness of the quantitative findings. Interviews with parents and students, along with classroom observations, offered some insights into the quantitative findings. Data analyses supported the WIHIC's factorial validity, internal consistency reliability and ability to differentiate between the perceptions of students in different classrooms. Both students and parents preferred a more positive classroom environment than the one perceived to be actually present, but effect sizes for actual-preferred differences were larger for parents than for students.Associations were found between some learning environment dimensions (especially Task Orientation) and student outcomes (especially attitudes). Qualitative methods suggest that students and parents were generally satisfied with the classroom environment but that students would prefer more investigation while parents would prefer more teacher support. The study provides a pioneering look at how parents and students perceive the science learning environment and opens the way for further learning environment studies involving parents and students. 2003 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1252 en Curtin University fulltext
spellingShingle TOSRA
student achievement
science education
WIHIC
Allen, Debra
Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title_full Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title_fullStr Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title_short Parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
title_sort parent and student perceptions of the science learning environment and its influence on student outcomes
topic TOSRA
student achievement
science education
WIHIC
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1252