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Kindergarten students’ and parents’ perceptions of science classroom environments: Achievement and attitudes

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Abstract

This study, involving the modification, validation and use of a learning environment questionnaire for both kindergarten students and their parents, is significant because prior learning environment research has normally involved neither parents nor such young students. A questionnaire, which was based on the What Is Happening In this Class? and assessed actual and preferred teacher support, involvement, cooperation and equity, exhibited sound factorial validity, internal consistency reliability and the ability to differentiate between classrooms. Parents perceived a more favourable actual classroom environment than students, but students preferred a more favourable environment than parents. Associations were found between kindergarten students’ achievement and attitudes and the nature of the learning environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Mathematics Education Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, 6845, Australia

    Esther Robinson & Barry J. Fraser

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  1. Esther Robinson
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Correspondence to Barry J. Fraser.

Appendix: Wording of Items in English and Spanish Versions of Student Actual Form of the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) Questionnaire

Appendix: Wording of Items in English and Spanish Versions of Student Actual Form of the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) Questionnaire

Teacher Support

The teacher likes me

The teacher helps me when I have trouble doing work

The teacher talks to me

The teacher’s questions help me understand

Apoyo del Maestro

Yo le caigo bien al maestro

El maestro me ayuda cuando tengo dificultades haciendo el trabajo

El maestro me habla

Las preguntas del maestro me ayudan entender

Involvement

I share my ideas

My ideas are used during science class

Other kids discuss with me how to work out science problems

I explain how I work out problems

Participacion

Comparto mis ideas

Se usan mis ideas durante la clase de ciencia

Otros ninos discuten problemas de ciencia conmigo

Explico como resolver problemas

Cooperation

I help other kids with the work the teacher gives them

Other kids and I work together like a team

I share my supplies with other kids

I learn from other kids in my science class

Cooperacion

Trabajo con otros estudiantes en esta clase

Trabajo bien con otros ninos en un equipo

Comparto mis susministors con otros estudiantes asegun trabajamos

Aprendo de otros ninos en mi clase de ciencia

Equity

The teacher helps me the same way he/she helps other kids

I am treated the same way as other students in my science class

I get the same chance to participate as other kids

The teacher likes my work as much as the other kids’ work

Equidad

El maestro me ayuda de la misma manera en que el/ella ayuda a otros ninos

Soy tratado de la misma manera como otros estudiantes en mi clase de ciencia

Tengo las misma oportunidades para participar como otros ninos

Al maestro le gusta mi trabajo de la misma manera como el trabajo de los otros ninos

Items are scored 3, 2 and 1, respectively, for the responses Always, Sometimes and Never

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Robinson, E., Fraser, B.J. Kindergarten students’ and parents’ perceptions of science classroom environments: Achievement and attitudes. Learning Environ Res 16, 151–167 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-013-9138-6

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