ERIC Number: EJ957603
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003-Dec
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
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Constructivist Beliefs about the Science Classroom Learning Environment: Perspectives from Teachers, Administrators, Parents, Community Members, and Students
Haney, Jodi J.; Lumpe, Andrew T.; Czerniak, Charlene M.
School Science and Mathematics, v103 n8 p366-377 Dec 2003
This study examines the perceptions of teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and high school students about the science learning environment. The participants were active members of a grant project aimed at creating community action teams. Varrella and Burry-Stock's (1997) Beliefs About Learning Environments (BALE) Instrument was used as a theoretical model for constructivist belief identification and comparison. Two primary questions were explored: (a) What are the beliefs of the teachers and other school community members about the science learning environment? and (b) How do these belief structures compare? Analysis of the BALE responses indicated that, although beliefs varied greatly, the administrators and teachers possessed the most constructivist beliefs. The authors suggest that identifying the beliefs of teachers, as well as those of the entire school community, is crucial. If the school community does not believe in (or understand) the recommendations, the chance for long-lasting reform is improbable.
Descriptors: Constructivism (Learning), Community Action, Educational Environment, Science Instruction, Administrator Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Community Attitudes, Measures (Individuals), Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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