Rekha Koul

An application of the TROFLEI in secondary-school science classes in New Zealand

Background and purpose The present study reports on the findings of a study conducted in New Zealand using the actual and preferred forms of a classroom environment instrument, the Technology-Rich Outcomes-focussed Learning Environment Inventory (TROFLEI) and three affective outcome scales. Main aims of this study were to validate the instrument for use in New Zealand; to investigate differences between students’ perceptions of (a) actual and preferred learning environments, (b) year levels and (c) gender; and to investigate associations between science classroom learning environment, attitude and self-efficacy. Sample TROFLEI was administered to 1027 high-school students from 30 classes. Design and method The 80-item TROFLEI assesses 10 classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, investigation, task orientation, cooperation, equity, differentiation, computer usage and young adult ethos. The three affective outcome scales used in the study are attitude to subject, attitude to computers and academic efficacy. Results The validity and reliability of the TROFLEI and three affective outcome scales for use in New Zealand were established. Differences in actual and preferred scores confirmed that students participating in the study sought better learning environments. Female students generally perceived their technology-related learning environment more positively. Year-13 students had consistently higher means for most (8 out of 13) of the learning environment dimensions. Statistically significant associations were found between the scales of TROLFLEI and three affective outcome scales. Conclusions The results of this study assist us in understanding the psychosocial learning environments in New Zealand in a technology-supported classroom and to determine its effectiveness in terms of selected learner outcomes.

Makerspace in STEM for Girls: A Physical Space to Develop Twenty-First-Century Skills.

Abstract Makerspace has been lauded as a new way forward to create communities, empower students and bring together enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels “to tinker” and create. Makerspace education has been touted as having the potential to empower young people to become agents of change in their communities. This paper examines how a Makerspace approach can capture the imagination and creativity of female primary school students, and engage them in integrated STEM-based projects. The study scaffolded female tertiary undergraduate students to mentor small groups of girls to complete a project in a STEM Makerspace situated in classrooms. The data generated and analysed from this study were used to determine how Makerspace STEM-based projects were enacted, how they engaged and supported the girls’ learning, and considers the future of a Makerspace approach as a way to progress integrated STEM education.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS FOR THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT

Abstract Chemistrystudents’ perceptions of the chemistry laboratory learning environment were investigated in Jakarta State University. An already existing instrument Chemistry Laboratory Environment Inventory (CLEI) questionnaire was translated into Bahasa Indonesia and administered to 410 university students in three different years of chemistry study. Data analyses supported the validity and reliability of the instrument when used in this context and there were no statistically significant differences in mean scores for gender and programme of study. However, the mean differencesin students’ perceptions of their laboratory environment were statistically significant by year level. These differences were further validated by the interview data. Qualitative data were obtained from laboratory observations and interviews with the students. Furthermore, both quantitative and qualitative data confirmed that students wished for an improved laboratory learning environment in terms of more opportunities to explore their own interests and to work with better laboratory equipment. The chemistry department staff could use the information from this study to guide them in making changes for improving the learning process in the laboratory.