Overview

This chapter reports on a study of classroom environments in emerging Internet (web capable) classrooms in British Columbia, Canada. The study involved an evaluation of the physical and psychosocial learning environments in these settings through a combination of case studies and questionnaires. This study focuses on the results obtained from the administration of a student questionnaire designed to measure aspects of the psychosocial learning environment in these settings and to relate these factors to students satisfaction with learning and to other physical aspects of the learning environment. A version of the What is Happening in this Classroom (WIHIC) instrument and Computersized Classroom Environment Checklist (CCEC) were administered to 358 high school students in 22 classrooms from 6 schools around the province. Analysis of classroom environment data revealed that student autonomy/independence and task orientation were associated with satisfaction with learning. Relating data to physical measures such as the workspace and visual environments demonstrated significant associations between the physical and psychosocial learning environment in technology-rich classrooms. Further qualitative data suggest that factors related to teaching styles, classroom design and the learning environment, interact to influence students satisfaction with learning.

1. Introduction

This chapter describes a study of the overall physical and psychosocial learning environment associated with classrooms using Internet (web based) technologies. Importantly, it also attempts to explore the degree to which physical and psychosocial factors interact to either facilitate or constrain students satisfaction with their learning in these settings. These factors should be considered...