Classroom Learning Environment and Student Attitudes Toward Science in a Biology-for-Educators Course

• In Event: Advances in Learning Environment Studies

Abstract

Throughout the history of the learning environments field, a major application of classroom environment assessments has been in the evaluation of educational programs. However, few of those evaluations have focused on teacher education programs. In this study, we assessed the learning environment (Constructivist Learning Environment Survey, CLES) and student attitudes (Test of Science-Related Attitudes, TOSRA) to provide criteria of effectiveness in evaluating a biology course for pre-service teachers at the Early Childhood to Grade 6 levels. Generally, improvements in attitudes, especially on the Normality of Scientists scale, were observed over the duration of the course. However, students generally preferred a more-constructivist learning environment than the one that was perceived as being actually present based on CLES scales.

Authors

• Christopher Sean Long, University of North Texas

• Barry J. Fraser, Curtin University

• Ruthanne Thompson, University of North Texas

• Pamela E. Harrell, University of North Texas

• Karthigeyan Subramaniam, University of North Texas