ERIC Number: EJ824142
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1361-1267
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Creating Optimal Work Environments: Exploring Teacher Flow Experiences
Basom, Margaret R.; Frase, Larry
Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, v12 n2 p241-258 2004
The purpose of this article is to provide a new perspective on the intricacies of the work life in schools that motivate and satisfy teachers. The authors review the literature related to the improvement of school environments and the concept of "flow" as defined by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi (1990). He describes flow as a "state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at a great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it" (p. 4). These experiences when applied to classrooms have the potential of enhancing teachers' work environments and increasing their effectiveness, thereby increasing student achievement. A review of research over several years indicates that the frequency of principals' classroom visits predicts teacher flow experiences in the following areas: (a) teacher self-efficacy, (b) teacher-perceived school efficacy, (c) teacher-perceived efficacy of other teachers, (d) teacher-perceived organizational effectiveness, and (e) teacher-perceived efficacy of evaluations and professional development programs. Each of these those variables is discussed and suggestions incorporated so administrators can build work environments where teachers have greater opportunities to experience flow. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Organizational Effectiveness, Work Environment, Job Satisfaction, Teacher Motivation, Predictor Variables, Administrator Role, Organizational Climate, Organizational Theories, Teaching Experience, Teaching (Occupation), Teaching Load, Performance Factors, Quality of Working Life
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A