Developing a Structural Model of Classroom Environment and Affective Outcomes in Australian High Schools

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Learning Environments Poster Session

Abstract

Associations between classroom environment and affective outcomes were investigated in Australian high schools. The What Is Happening In this Class (WIHIC) was used to assess 7 classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, investigation, task orientation, cooperation, and equity. Three student outcomes were assessed: academic efficacy, attitude to subject, and attitude to computer use. The sample consisted of 1,256 grade 11 and 12 students nested in 61 classes from 10 schools. Following scale validation, multilevel models with the 7 WIHIC scales as explanatory variables and the outcome scales as response variables were conducted. A structural model that fits the data was developed. Overall, this study shows that students’ perceptions of the classroom environment are related significantly with affective outcomes.

Author

• Jeffrey P. Dorman, Monash University