Cultural Perspectives on Learning Environments
Affecting Academic Achievement---an International Comparison Between Confucian Countries and Anglo Countries
Open Access
Author:
Hu, Yu
Graduate Program:
Educational Theory and Policy
Degree:
Master of Arts
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
None
Committee Members:
Katerina Bodovski, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
Confucianism Cultural Difference Learning Environment
Abstract:
This study compared the effects of diverse learning environments on students’ learning outcomes in Confucian countries and Anglo countries. Using data from the Program for International Student Assessment 2009 (PISA 2009), varied learning environments were studied based upon variables including their disciplinary climates, student-teacher relations and teacher behaviors. Learning outcomes observed included students’ reading, mathematics and science scores. The results showed that all three learning environment variables had positive and statistically significant effects on students’ reading, mathematics and science scores. In Confucian countries, student-teacher relations had additional positive effects on students’ reading, mathematics and science outcomes, and the effect of the disciplinary climate in Confucian countries was significantly larger than its effect in Anglo countries.
