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Assessing multidimensional students’ perceptions of twenty-first-century learning practices

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Abstract

This study attempts to design a survey to assess students’ perceptions of twenty-first-century learning practices in their classrooms and the resulting knowledge creation self-efficacy among the students. In addition, it also explores the relationships among the various dimensions of twenty-first-century learning practices. Four hundred and eighty-two primary school students from a Singapore school that focuses on the pervasive use of ICT within its school curriculum responded to the survey. The validation of the survey yielded satisfactory reliability and validity through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results also showed that the subscales that survey students’ perceptions of critical thinking, creative thinking, and authentic problem-solving were more dominant predictors of their knowledge creation efficacy as compared to their perceptions about the learning processes.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by research Grant Number NRF2011-EDU002-EL005 entitled Building Blocks for Developing Twenty-First-Century Competences.

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Correspondence to Feng Deng.

Appendix: the items of the survey

Appendix: the items of the survey

Self-directed learning (SDL)

SDL1. In this class, I make plans for how I will study

SDL2. In this class, I set goals for my studying

SDL3. In this class, I think about different ways or methods I can use to improve my study

SDL4. In this class, I adjust the ways I study based on my progression

SDL5. In this class, I try to check my progress when I study

Meaningful learning with ICT (MLT)

MLT1. In this class, I use the computer to organize and save the information for my learning

MLT2. In this class, I use the computer to record my ideas for my learning progress

MLT3. In this class, I use the computer to remix/reorganize information from other resources

MLT4. In this class, I construct ICT-based materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides, word documents, mindmaps) to represent my understanding

MLT5. In this class, I find out useful information on the Internet to help my learning

Collaborative learning (CoL)

CoL1. In this class, my classmates and I actively work together to learn new things

CoL2. In this class, my classmates and I actively discuss different views we have about things we are learning

CoL3. In this class, my classmates and I actively work together to complete tasks

CoL4. In this class, my classmates and I actively share and explain our understanding

CoL5. In this class, I get helpful comments about my work from my classmates

Critical thinking (CriT)

CriT1. In this class, I think about other possible ways of understanding what I am learning

CriT2. In this class, I consider different opinions to see which one makes more sense

CriT3. In this class, I provide reasons and evidences for my opinions

Creative thinking (CreT)

CreT1. In this class, I generate many new ideas

CreT2. In this class, I create different solutions for a problem

CreT3. In this class, I suggest new ways of doing things

CreT4. In this class, I produce ideas that are likely to be useful

Authentic problem-solving (APS)

APS1. In this class, I investigate the reasons that give rise to real-world problems

APS2. In this class, I learn about real-life problems that people have

APS3. In this class, I am challenged by many real-world problems (e.g., water shortage, racial harmony, environmental issues)

APS4. In this class, I practice solving real-world problems

APS5. In this class, I apply the knowledge I have to solve real-life problems

Knowledge creation efficacy (KCE)

KCE1. I am able to build explanations/theories about things related to the issues that I am learning

KCE2. I am able to connect different ideas to form new ideas

KCE3. I am able to create useful knowledge on my own

KCE4. I am able to generate new ideas about what I am learning

KCE5. I am able to design things that may be useful

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Chai, C.S., Deng, F., Tsai, PS. et al. Assessing multidimensional students’ perceptions of twenty-first-century learning practices. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 16, 389–398 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-015-9379-4

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