An Evaluation of Elementary School Science Kits in Terms of Classroom Environment and Student Attitudes

Autor/inn/en	Houston, Linda Scott; Fraser, Barry J.; Ledbetter, Cynthia E.
Titel	An Evaluation of Elementary School Science Kits in Terms of Classroom Environment and Student Attitudes
Quelle	In: Journal of Elementary Science Education, 20 (2008) 4, S.29-47 (19 Seiten) PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1090-185X
Schlagwörter	Elementary School Science; Classroom Environment; Teaching Methods; Science Instruction; Grade 3; Grade 4; Grade 5; Learning Modules; Instructional Effectiveness; Textbooks; Instructional Materials; Test Validity; Test Reliability; Student Attitudes; Educational Environment; Texas + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Klassenklima; Unterrichtsklima; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; School year 03; 3. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 03; School year 04; 4. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 04; School year 05; 5. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 05; Learning module; Lernmodul; Unterrichtserfolg; Textbook; Text book; Schulbuch; Lehrbuch; Lehrmaterial; Lehrmittel; Unterrichtsmedien; Testvalidität; Testreliabilität; Schülerverhalten; Lernumgebung; Pädagogische Umwelt; Schulumwelt
Abstract	Student perceptions of classroom environment can provide useful criteria for evaluating educational alternatives. The My Class Inventory (MCI) was used with 588 3rd- to 5th-grade students in Texas in evaluating the effectiveness of instruction using a textbook, science kits, or a combination of both. Various analyses attested to the factorial validity and reliability of the MCI and suggested that using science kits was associated with a more positive learning environment in terms of student satisfaction and cohesiveness. Higher student satisfaction was found in classrooms with greater cohesiveness and less friction and competition. Qualitative data generally supported the findings from surveys. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Western Illinois University. Document and Publications Services, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Tel: 309-298-1917; Fax: 309-298-2869; e-mail: DPS@wiu.edu; Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/jese/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10