A study on classroom environment and learning of the students at secondary

Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.4, 2014
26
A Study on Classroom Environment and Learning of the
Students at Secondary Level
Nayab Javed, Abida Nasreen (Ph.d)
University of the Punjab, Lahore
Abstract
The purpose of the study to find out the motivational factors in the classroom that affects the learning.
The objectives of the present study were To find out motivational factors for student learning in the classroom,
the teacher’s role in the classroom environment, the strategies to maintain healthy learning environment in the
classroom, role of discipline in maintaining healthy learning environment in the classroom, variation in
responses of male and female students for different factors of classroom learning environment questionnaire. The
target population is male and female students of different government secondary school of Lahore. Total 5
schools were taken and the sample of the study was 150 students. Furthermore, 30 students were taken from each
school. The sample was selected through simple random and cluster sampling. A questionnaire was used as a
tool. The data was analyzed on the basis of descriptive statistics under the frequency option, percentages, Mean,
Standard deviation and T-test. The study indicated that there is no significance differences exist about perception
of discipline in classroom for students and regarding teaching strategies used by teachers on the basis of gender.
But students motivational level different in male and females.
Keywords: learning, Classroom, Environment, Students.
Introduction
Learning is process by which people acquire change in their behavior, improve performance, recognize their
thinking, or discover new ways of behaving and new concepts and information. Learning environment refer to
the social, psychological and pedagogical context in which learning occurs and which effects students
achievements and attitudes (Fraser, 1998). A classroom is place where teacher and student communicate each
other. Classroom normally consists of a teacher, students, and physical facilities and teaching aids together they
build up a classroom culture. It is true that physical facilities and teaching aids have their own importance, but
the key to whole process of education lies with the classroom. The surroundings of the classroom have great
influence on the student learning that is called classroom learning environment. Classroom learning environment
has been defined as an array of inner characteristics that differentiates one school from another and could
influence the behaviors of every teacher (Elliat, 2000).
The environment of classroom plays a vigorous function in educational structure of Pakistan. Classroom is the
space of learning because of this key purpose it should be more comfortable and closer to acquire. The relaxing
and interesting classroom environment may invigorate process of healthy learning (Griffin, 1990; Richmond&
MacCroskey , 2000). There are basically two types of environment in classroom , the one which hold by the
teacher the other is physical environment both are mainly and subsequently influential. Moreover, the seating
position of the student is also sub sequential factor that affects the students learning (Holliman and Anderson,
1986; Benedict and Hoag, 2004; Perkins and Wieman, 2005; Marlowe et al.,2006). The other factor is proximity
that is the distance between teacher and student does matter in learning and better understanding in the classroom
(Becker et al., 1973; Holliman and Anderson ,1986 ; Banning , 1993 ; Benedict and Hoag ,2004). The discipline
is also the key factor in the classroom environment that is the most prevailing problem in the current education
system. Teacher can’t deliver the required content unless the classroom will be disciplined.
Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study were:
• To find out motivational factors for student learning in the classroom.
• To find out the teacher’s role in the classroom environment.
• To find out the strategies to maintain healthy learning environment in the classroom.
• To find out the role of discipline in maintaining healthy learning environment in the classroom.
• To find out the variation in responses of male and female students for different factors of classroom learning
environment questionnaire.
Research questions
• What is the role of motivation in the classroom learning environment?
• Is teacher’s role important for students in classroom learning environment?
• What are the teaching strategies used by teacher in the class room environment?
• In which ways the teacher create disciplinary environment for students in the classroom?

Vol.5, No.4, 2014
27
• Is there any variation in responses of male and female students for different factors of classroom learning
environment questionnaire?
Delimitation
There are many factors that affect student learning in the classroom such as classroom, classroom climate, school
climate, teacher’s role, teacher’s personality, teacher’s motivation, socio-economics, status of students,
individual differences of students, student-teacher relationship, technology, audio-visual aids, teaching style,
student behavior, discipline but our focus of the study will only factor as student’s motivation, teaching,
teacher’s role and discipline. Due to lack of time and resources study was delimited to the five girls and boys of
secondary schools. Area of research was delimitated to the city of Lahore. The private schools were not
including in the study.
Methodology
The target population is male and female students of different government secondary school of Lahore.
Total 5 schools were taken, the sample of the study was 150 students .Furthermore, 30 students were taken from
each school. The sample was selected through simple random and cluster sampling. A questionnaire was used as
a tool. For this purpose structured questionnaire technique were used. The responses of questionnaire were in the
form of five potential likerd scales used in this research. The instrument was validated through repeated
consultation with the supervisor. Researchers personally visited the institutions for the collection of required
information. Students of the institutions cooperated with the researchers.
Analysis of data
Data obtained through the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively first data was categorized and
coded numeric way like 1,2,3,4,5 then entered in SPSS(statistical package for Social Sciences) and it was tabbed
under 5 stand for strongly agree,4 stand for agree, 3 stand for neutral, 2 stand for disagree, 1 for strongly
disagree. The data was analyzed on the basis of descriptive statistics under the frequency option, percentages,
Mean, Standard deviation and T-test.
Motivational techniques used by teachers for students in their better learning.
Scale F %
Strongly Agree 17
99
33
11.3
66.0
22.7
Agree
Undecided
Disagree 1 .7
Strongly Disagree 0 0.0
Total 150 100.0
This table shows that 11.3% students were strongly agreed interestingly, more than half
percentage of students (66.0%) were agreed with the statement that “motivation techniques
used by teachers in the classroom for student’s better learning” While .7% students could not
make any decision about the statement and 11.3% were disagreed with the statement.

Vol.5, No.4, 2014
28
Teaching strategies enhance student learning in the classroom.
Scale F %
Strongly Agree
63
78
09
42.0
52.0
6.0
Agree
Undecided
Disagree
0
0
Strongly Disagree 0 0
Total 150 100.0
The above table indicates that 42.0% students were strongly agreed, 52.0% were agreed while
6.0% students could not make any decision regarded this statement that “diversity in teaching
strategies enhance student’s learning.”
Frequency analysis of the importance of teacher’s role in student better learning.
Scale F %
Strongly Agree
36
58
50
24.0
38.7
33.3
Agree
Undecided
Disagree
6
4.0
Total 150 100.0
Table 4.4 indicates that 24.0% students were strongly agreed, 38.7% were agreed, with the
statement that “the role of teacher is important in student better learning” while 33.3% students
could not make any decision about the statement and 4.0% were disagreed.
Good discipline in the classroom create healthy learning environment for students
Scale F %
Strongly Agree
37
85
26
24.7
56.7
17.3
Agree
Undecided
Disagree
2
1.3
Total 150 100.0
The above table shows that 24.7% students were strongly agreed, more than half percentage of
the students 56.7% were agreed while 17.3% could not make any decision and 1.3% were
disagreed about the statement “good discipline helping teacher’s to create healthy learning

Vol.5, No.4, 2014
29
environment”.
Gender wise analysis of the good discipline in the classroom create healthy learning environment for
students.
Factors Gender N Mean St. D
Student motivation Male 75 4.0400 .60270
Female 75 3.7200 .53423
Teaching Male 75 4.4533 .57641
Female 75 4.2667 .60030
Teacher’s role Male 75 4.0000 .88532
Female 75 3.6533 .76217
Discipline Male 75 4.1067 .76359
Female 75 3.9867 .60389
In the above table the highest mean from all the factors is 4.4533 (male) of “teaching” The lowest Mean is
3.6533(female) of “teacher’s role”.
T- Test on perception of teaching methods for male and female students in the classroom.
Gender N Mean S.D t-value df Sig.
Male 75 40.9200 5.53065 2.167 148 .032
Female 75 39.0267 5.16216
The above table shows that t-value 2.167 with df = 148 is not significant at P> 0.05 level of significance. Mean
score for both qualification groups are M=40.9200, S.D= 5.53065, M=39.0267, S.D=5.16216 respectively. This
shows that there is not significant Mean difference of Teaching on the base of Gender.
T-test for teacher’s role on the basis of gender
Male 75 28.0800 5.26015 3.366 148 .001
Female 75 25.3467 4.66874
The above table shows that t-value 3.366 with df = 148 is significant at P< 0.05 level of significance. Mean
score for both qualification groups are M=28.0800, S.D= 5.26015, M=25.3467, S.D= 4.66874 respectively.
Result shows that there is highly significant Mean difference of teacher’s role on the basis of Gender.
T- Test for perception of male and female students regarding discipline in the classroom.
Male 75 37.4933 5.54679 1.495 148 .137
Female 75 36.2267 4.80026
The above table shows that t-value 1.495 with df = 148 is not significant at P> 0.05 level of significance. Mean
score for both qualification groups are M=37.4933, S.D= 5.54679, M=36.2267, S.D= 4.80026 respectively.
Result indicates that there is not significant Mean difference Of Discipline between male and female students.
Summary
In present study researchers want to find out “the study of factors of classroom environment and learning” The
research was conducted on classroom learning environment including student’s motivation, teacher’s role,
teaching and discipline.The most fundamental educational force in the learning process is not the curriculum nor
the methods and strategies used, but the amount of the motivation processed or generated. It is a vital nerve of
learning which stimulates the mind and body and generates a readiness for learning. The knowledge which
teacher has in his mind imparted to the students through the process is called “teaching”. Teaching is very major
factor because without teaching effective learning cannot take place. Teaching cannot successful until a teacher
cannot play his role in the learning process because teacher’s role is not just to impart knowledge through the
best suited method of teaching, but also to stimulate, guide and encourage the learners acquire knowledge by
themselves. When we talk about the factors of classroom like student’s motivation, teaching and teacher’s role,

Vol.5, No.4, 2014
30
we cannot complete our discussion without talking about the “discipline”. Without maintain discipline
institutional objectives related to the classroom cannot be achieved. In short, we can say that every factor of
classroom has their own worth for students’ better learning.
Findings
1. It was found that 77.3% students were agreed and .7% were not agreed with the statement that “by
using different techniques teachers can enhance students’ motivation in the classroom for their better learning.”
2. Majority of 94% students were agreed while 6.0% students could not make any decision about the
statement that “diversity in teaching strategies enhance students learning.”
3. Nearly 62.7% students were agreed, only 4.0 were disagreed and 33.3% students could not make any
decision about the statement “the role of teacher is important in students’ learning”.
4. Mostly 81% students were agreed while 1.3% was disagreed and 17.3% remained un decided about the
statement that “good discipline helping teachers to create healthy learning environment in the classroom”.
5. It was found that out if four factors i.e. students’ motivation, teaching strategies, teacher’s role and
discipline, “teaching” strategies were considered the most important factor with Mean value=4.4533 to motivate
the students and “teacher’s role” has lowest mean =3.6533.
6. The Mean score of male was =36.1333 with variability =4.99008 and Mean score of female was
=33.5200 with variability=4.3611 and t=3.414 at p=.001<0.05 which showed that there is significance difference
of students motivation on the basis of gender.
7. The independent sample showed that there is no statistical Mean difference (Male Mean=40.9200) and
female Mean=39.0267with variability was =5.16216, t=2.167 at p=.032>0.05 which showed that perception of
teaching methods are difference in male and female students.
8. The Mean score of male was =28.0800 with variability=5.26015 and female Mean =25.3467 with
variability =4.66874, t=3.3666 at p=.001<a=0.05 which showed that there is highly significance main difference
about the perception of students of teacher’s role on the basis of gender.
9. The male Mean was =37.4933 with variability=5.54679 and female mean was =36.2267 with
variability=4.80026,t=1.495 at p=.137 >a=0.05 which showed that there is no significance difference exist about
perception of discipline in classroom in male and female students.
Conclusion
On the basis of findings following conclusions were drawn:
1. Teachers can increase students’ motivation in the classroom by using different motivational techniques.
2. Most of the students were satisfied that diversity in teaching strategies used by teacher enhances
students’ learning.
3. It was concluded that teacher plays vital role for creating learning environment in the classroom.
4. Majority of the respondents agreed that maintaining the discipline in the classroom is necessary for
students’ better learning.
5. According to our research students motivational level different in male and females.
6. The result of research showed that there is no significant difference of male and female students
regarding teaching strategies used by teachers.
7. It was concluded that the perception of teacher’ role is highly different for male and female students.
8. The study indicated that there is no significance differences exist about perception of discipline in
classroom for students on the basis of gender.
Recommendation
1. Teacher should use different techniques to enhance students’ motivational level for their effective
learning.
2. To activate students in the class teacher should use variety of teaching tactics to avoid boredom.
3. Teacher should play an active and positive role for students in the classroom.
4. Teacher should use good management and discipline in classroom for students’ better learning.
5. Teacher should use such motivational techniques so that the difference between male and female
students can be decreased.
6. Teacher should use different teaching methods according to the content by keeping in view the mental
level of students.
7. With the passage of time teacher should change his/her methods of teaching.
8. Teacher should apply different strategies in an effective way so that the students may be fully involved
in their lessons.

Vol.5, No.4, 2014
31
9. The teacher should aware of the use of the classroom management strategies so that teacher should use
these strategies according to the need of the students.
10. For creating effective learning environment teacher should also pay attention to psychological
environment as well as physical environment of the classroom.
By using these strategies teachers can create a better learning environment for students.
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