Skip to main content
Log in

Why learning environment matters? An analysis on how the learning environment influences the academic motivation, learning strategies and engagement of college students

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Learning Environments Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current work focused on how the learning environment of college students influenced their academic motivation, choice of learning strategies, and level of engagement in the classroom. The study is important because these variables are known to contribute to student achievement and success. Using a cross-sectional predictive design, a total of 1002 college students participated in the research by answering four standardized scales (college and university classroom environment inventory, academic motivation scale, motivated strategies for learning questionnaire and student course engagement questionnaire). The learning environment was positively related to college students’ academic motivation [F (9,1001) = 14.645, R2 = .117, p < .05], [F (9,1001) = 21.202, R2 = .161, p < .05], the choice of learning strategies [F (9,1001) = 11.268, R2 = .093, p < .05], [F (9,1001) = 21.738, R2 = .165, p < .05] and the level of student engagement [F (9,1001) = 17.350, R2 = .136, p < .05].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aitken, N. D. (1982). College student performance, satisfaction, and retention: Specification and estimation of a structural model. The Journal of Higher Education, 53(1), 32–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1982.11780423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, G. J., & Walberg, H. J. (1974). Learning environments. In H. J. Walberg (Ed.), Evaluating educational performance: A sourcebook of methods, instruments, and examples. CA McCutchan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist, 28(2), 117–148. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep2802_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bascia, N. (2014). The school context model: How school environments shape students’ opportunities to learn. In Measuring What Matters, People for Education. Toronto: November 8, 2014. https://peopleforeducation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MWM-Quality-Learning-Environments.pdf

  • Braxton, J. M. (2002). Introduction: Influences on college student learning. Peabody Journal of Education, 77(3), 1–5. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/1493273

  • Burgess, O. (2015). Cyborg teaching: The transferable benefits of teaching online for the face-to-face classroom. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 11(1), 112–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies based on the educational concept of innovation and entrepreneurship. Open Access Library Journal, 3(6), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1102780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Church, M. A., Elliot, E. J., & Gable, S. L. (2001). Perceptions of classroom environment, achievement goals and achievement outcomes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(1), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.93.1.43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, M. H., & Schroth, C. A. (2010). Examining relationships between academic motivation and personality among college students. Learning and Individual Differences, 20, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2009.10.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dart, B. C., Burnett, P. C., Purdie, N., Boulton-Lewis, G., Campbell, J., & Smith, D. (2001). Students’ conceptions of learning, the classroom environment and approaches to learning. The Journal of Educational Research, 93(4), 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220670009598715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Kock, A., Sleegers, P., & Voeten, M. J. M. (2004). New learning and classification of learning environments in secondary education. Review of Educational Research, 74(2), 141–170. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074002141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., Vallerand, R. J., Pelletier, L. G., & Ryan, R. M. (1991). Motivation and education: The self-determination perspective. Educational Psychologist, 26(3 & 4), 325–346. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep2603&4_6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dorman, J., & Adams, J. (2004). Associations between students’ perceptions of classroom environment and academic efficacy in Australian and British secondary schools. Westminster Studies in Education, 27(1), 69–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/0140672040270106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., & Midgley, C. (1989). Stage-environment fit: Developmentally appropriate classrooms for your adolescents. In C. Ames & R. Ames (Eds.), Research on motivation in education Goals and cognitions (Vol. 3, pp. 13–44). Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., Midgley, C., Wigfield, A., Buchanan, C. M., Reuman, D., Flanagan, C., & MacIver, D. (1993). Developing during adolescence: The impact of stage-environment fit on adolescents’ experiences in schools and families. American Psychologist, 48, 90–101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.48.2.90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., & Roeser, R. W. (2009). Schools, academic motivation, and stage-environment fit. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (3rd ed., pp. 404–434). Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farr, T. (2014, June 10). The importance of environment in education [Web log post]. Retrieved from: https://blog.udemy.com/importance-of-environment/

  • Fast, L. A., Lewis, J. L., Bryant, M., Bocian, K. A., Cardullo, R. A., Rettig, M., & Hammond, K. A. (2010). Does math self-efficacy mediate the effect of perceived classroom environment on standardized math test performance? Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(3), 729–740. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, D. L., & Fraser, B. J. (1983). Validity and use of the classroom environment scale. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 5(3), 261–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, D., Henderson, D., & Fraser, B. (1997). Laboratory environments & student outcomes in senior high school biology. The American Biology Teacher, 59(4), 214–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J. (1979). Assessment of learning environment in elementary-school classrooms. The Elementary School Journal, 79(5), 297–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J. (1998). Classroom environment instruments: Development, validity and applications. Learning Environmental Research, 1, 7–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J., & Fisher, D. L. (1983). Use of actual and preferred classroom environment scales in person-environment fit research. Journal of Educational Psychology, 75(2), 303–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J., Giddings, G. J., & McRobbie, C. J. (1992). Assessment of the psychosocial environment of university science laboratory classrooms: A cross-national study. Higher Education, 24, 431–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J., & Griffiths, A. K. (1992). Psychosocial environment of science laboratory classrooms in Canadian schools and universities. Canadian Journal of Education, 17(4), 391–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, B. J., & Treagust, D. F. (1986). Validity and use of an instrument for assessing classroom psychosocial environment in higher education. Higher Education, 15(1–2), 37–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freiberg, H. J. (1998). Measuring school climate: Let me count the ways. Educational Leadership, 56(1), 22–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gherasim, L. R., Mairean, C., & Butnaru, S. (2012). Prediction of school performance: The role of motivational orientation and class environment. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 3931–3935.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratez, K. A. (2006). The psychology of learning environments. In D. G. Oblinger (Ed.), Learning spaces. Retrieved from www.educause.edu/learningspaces

  • Guay, F., Mageau, G. A., & Vallerand, R. J. (2003). On the hierarchical structure of self-determined motivation: A test of top-down, bottom-up, reciprocal, and horizontal effects. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(8), 992–1004. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167203253297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guthrie, J. T., & Anderson, E. (1999). Engagement in reading: Processes of motivated, strategic, knowledgeable, social readers. In J. T. Guthrie & D. E. Alvermann (Eds.), Engaged reading: Processes, practices, and policy implications (pp. 17–45). Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutman, L. M., & Eccles, J. S. (2007). Stage-environment fit during adolescence: Trajectories of family relations and adolescent outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 43(2), 522–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.2.522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamann, D. L., Mills, C., Bell, J., Daugherty, E., & Koozer, R. (1990). Classroom environment as related to contest ratings among high school performing ensembles. Journal Research in Music Education, 38(3), 215–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Handelsman, M. M., Briggs, W. L., Sullivan, N., & Towler, A. (2005). A measure of college student course engagement. The Journal of Educational Research, 98(3), 184–191. https://doi.org/10.3200/JOER.98.3.184-192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hazrati-Viari, A., Rad, A. T., & Torabi, S. S. (2012). The effect of personality traits on academic performance: The mediating role of academic motivation. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 32, 367–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, H., Reeve, J., & Deci, E. L. (2010). Engaging students in learning activities: It is not autonomy support or structure but autonomy support and structure. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(3), 588–600. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B. (2001). Towards a new classification of nonexperimental quantitative research. Educational Researcher, 30(2), 3–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen, D. H., & Land, S. M. (2002). Theoretical foundations of learning environments. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, P. (1972). A real predicament. Science, 175, 977–978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lammers, W. J., & Smith, S. M. (2008). Learning factors in the university classroom: Faculty and student perspectives. Teaching of Psychology, 35(2), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/00986280802004586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lizzio, A., Wilson, K., & Simons, R. (2010). University students’ perceptions of the learning environment and academic outcomes: Implications for theory and practice. Studies in Higher Education, 27(1), 27–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070120099359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, S. D., Wernsman, J., & Rose, D. S. (2009). The relation of classroom environment and school belonging to academic self-efficacy among urban fourth- and fifth-grade students. The Elementary School Journal, 109(3), 267–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger, R. L., Boschee, P. F., Haugen, T., & Schnobrich, B. L. (1979). The classroom as learning context: Changing rooms affect performance, Journal of Educational Psychology, 71(4), 440-442.

  • Moos, R. (1973). Conceptualization of human environments. American Psychologist, 28, 652–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (1979). Evaluating educational environments. Jossey-Bass Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (1991). Connections between school, work, and family settings. In B. J. Fraser & H. J. Walberg (Eds.), Educational environments: Evaluation, antecedents, and consequences (pp. 29–53). Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Insel, P. (Eds.). (1973). Issues in social ecology: Human milieus. National Press Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Moos, B. S. (1978). Classroom social climate and student absences and grades. Journal of Educational Psychology, 70(2), 263–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newmann, F. M. (1992). Student engagement and achievement in American secondary schools. Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogundokun, M. O. (2011). Learning style, school environment and test anxiety as correlates of learning outcomes among secondary students. IFE PsychologIA, 19(2), 321–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pai, P. G., Menezes, V., Srikanth, S., & A. M., & Shenoy, J. P. . (2014). Medical students’ perception of their educational environment. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 8(1), 103–107. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2014/5559.3944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T. (1984). College environmental influences on students’ educational aspirations. Journal of Higher Education, 55(6), 751–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T., Walberg, H. J., Junker, L. K., & Haertel, G. D. (1981). Continuing motivation in science for early and late adolescents. American Educational Research Journal, 18(4), 439–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, H., Kaplan, A., & Ryan, A. M. (2011). Positive classroom motivational environments: Convergence between mastery goal structure and classroom social climate. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(2), 367–382. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pekrun, R., Frenzel, A., Goetz, T., & Perry, R. P. (2007). The control-value theory of achievement emotions: An integrative approach to emotions in education. In P. A. Schutz & R. Pekrun (Eds.), Emotions in education (pp. 13–36). Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Phelan, P., Davidson, A., & Yu, H. (1996). Adolescents worlds: Negotiating family, peers, and school. Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pintrich, P. R., & DeGroot, E. V. (1990). Motivational and self-regulated learning components of classroom academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 33–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pintrich, P. R., Smith, D. A. F., Garcia, T., & McKeachie, W. J. (1991). A manual for the use of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED338122

  • Ramsden, P., Martin, E., & Bowden, J. (1989). School environment and sixth form pupils’ approaches to learning. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 59, 129–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rathman, K., Herke, M. G., Hurrelmann, K., & Ritcher, M. (2018). Perceived class climate and school-aged children’s life satisfaction: The role of learning environments in classrooms. PLoS ONE, 13(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raviv, A., Raviv, A., & Reisel, E. (1990). Teachers and students: Two different perspectives?! Measuring social climate in the classroom. American Educational Research Journal, 27(1), 141–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reyes, M. R., Brackett, M. A., Rivers, S. E., White, M., & Salovey, P. (2012). Classroom emotional climate, student engagement and academic achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), 700–712. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, A. M., & Patrick, H. (2001). The classroom social environment and changes in adolescents’ motivation and engagement during middle school. American Educational Research Journal, 38(2), 437–460. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312038002437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schunk, D. H. (1999). Social-self interaction and achievement behavior. Educational Psychologist, 34, 221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2015). Research methods in psychology (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shih, S.-S. (2014). The relationship among Taiwanese adolescents’ perceived classroom environment, academic coping and burnout. School Psychology Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.11037/spq0000093

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, E. A., & Belmont, M. J. (1993). Motivation in the classroom: Reciprocal effects of teacher behavior and student engagement across the school year. Journal of Educational Psychology, 85, 571–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suhre, C. J. M., Jasen, E. P. W. A., & Harskamp, E. G. (2007). Impact of degree program satisfaction on the persistence of college students. Higher Education, 54(2), 207–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-2376-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tasgin, A., & Tunc, Y. (2018). Effective participation and motivation: An investigation on secondary school students. World Journal of Education, 8(1), 58–74. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v8n1p58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, E., & Moos, R. (1974). Personal correlates of contrasting environments: Student satisfaction in high school classrooms. American Journal of Community Psychology, 2, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallerand, R. J., Pelletier, L. G., Blais, M. R., Briere, N. M., Senecal, C., & Vallieres, E. F. (1992). The academic motivation scale: A measure of intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation in education. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52, 1003–1019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walberg, H. J. (1984). Improving the productivity of America’s schools. Educational Leadership, 41(8), 19–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walberg, H. J., & Anderson, G. J. (1968). Classroom climate and individual learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 59(6, Pt.1), 414–419.

  • Walberg, H. J., & Greenberg, R. C. (1997). Using the learning environment inventory. Social and Emotional Learning, 54(8), 45–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, C., & Mayer, R. (1986). The teaching of learning strategies. In M. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of research on teaching (pp. 315–327). Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, D. (1993). Academic involvement at university. Higher Education, 25(2), 133–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolfolk, A. (2013). Educational Psychology (12th ed.). Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, S., & Cowen, E. L. (1982). Student perception of school environment and its relationship to mood, achievement, popularity, and adjustment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10, 687–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zandvliet, D. B., & Fraser, B. J. (2005). Physical and psychosocial environments associated with networked classrooms. Learning Environments Research, 8, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-005-7951-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zandvliet, D. B., & Straker, L. M. (2001). Physical and psychosocial aspect of learning environment in the information technology rich classrooms. Ergonomics, 44(9), 838–851. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130117116

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryan Francis O. Cayubit.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cayubit, R.F.O. Why learning environment matters? An analysis on how the learning environment influences the academic motivation, learning strategies and engagement of college students. Learning Environ Res 25, 581–599 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-021-09382-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-021-09382-x

Keywords

Navigation