Lecture Notes For Session 4 - Assessing Learning Environment II

Brief Recap:

In the beginning of this module, we were given a big picture of what the learning environment is, and we were introduced to the wide array of different instruments for assessing the learning environment, which are widely used in quantitative research. But, there is also qualtitative research, which can serve to complement the quantitative results of a research too.

What defines the school learning environment?

Many aspects make up the learning environment and we can categorise them according to the following groups:

1) Students: students' learning styles and needs, students' attitudes, student to student relationships
2) Teachers: pedagogies, teachers' attitudes to bring out the best in every child, interaction with pupils (rapport)
3) School: school culture/climate, physical aspects, shared vision among staff, discipline, leadership, support staff, funds, security, school leaders' vision, discipline, leadership,
4) Outside influences: parents' support (or lack of it),

An instruement that was explained in detail today was the SLCEQ - School Level Environment Questionnaire (Quantitative research). A sample of this survey can be found on Appendix 2 in the course pack. These questions are spread out in the survey to prevent respondents' detection of 'simialr' questions and to expose them to some kind of 'variety' so that they do not get bored with similar questions. This sort of arrangement also prevents inaccurate results due to boredom/ fatigue/ detection.

The questions are varied and can be grouped according to different categories (see below for classification). We were also using Moos's schema - Personal Development, Relationship, System Change/ Maintenance to label the categories below. (see right hand side)

1) Student support

2) Affiliation - sense of belonging

3) Professional interest - eg: Teachers frequently discuss teaching methods and strategies with each other

4) Achievement orientation

5) Staff freedom - To what extent do teachers take part in voicing concerns?

6) Participatory decision making - relates to school matters, policies

7) Innovation

8) Resource adequacy

9) Work pressure

There are some factors to consider when administering a survey to respondents, especially pupils. They are:

1) Consider the attention span of the pupils - Approximately 25 Qns for sec school pupils

2) Phrase the sentences positively, arrange from 'Positive' scale to 'Negative' scale - "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree"

3) Assign a 4 pt Liker Scale - omit 'Not Sure' because respondents have the tendency to choose that.

4) Consider pupils' command of the language - Do not use too difficult words which are beyond their level of understanding