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Students’ perceptions of the learning environment in tertiary science classrooms in Myanmar

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Abstract

We investigated students’ perceptions of their science classroom environments with the use of the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire at the university level in Myanmar. The translated questionnaire was administered to 251 students in first-year science classes at a university. Both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported the reliability and factorial validity of the Myanmar version of the WIHIC. The constructs of the WIHIC were significantly correlated, but gender differences were not detected in correlations between WIHIC scales. Future research is needed to see if our Myanmar version of the WIHIC fits other samples in schools and universities in this context. It is also suggested that future studies include measures of student attitudes and academic achievement to permit investigation of associations between the learning environment and student outcomes in this country.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emirates College for Advanced Education, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Myint Swe Khine

  2. Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Barry J. Fraser & Ernest Afari

  3. Yangon Technological University, Yangon, Myanmar

    Zeya Oo

  4. Noble Management Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

    Thein Thein Kyaw

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  1. Myint Swe Khine
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  2. Barry J. Fraser
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  3. Ernest Afari
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  4. Zeya Oo
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  5. Thein Thein Kyaw
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Correspondence to Barry J. Fraser.

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Khine, M.S., Fraser, B.J., Afari, E. et al. Students’ perceptions of the learning environment in tertiary science classrooms in Myanmar. Learning Environ Res 21, 135–152 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-017-9250-0

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