The Factorial Validity of a Measure of Students' Perceptions of the Learning Environment for Science in Preservice Elementary Teacher Education

Abstract

An instrument was developed to measure students' perceptions of 12 specific features in the learning environment for science in institutions concerned with preservice elementary teacher education. Factor analysis of the perceptions of specific features yielded two group factors, and the reliabilities of the tests of specific features and of group factors were shown to be adequate, both in the initial test development stage and in subsequent confirmatory studies. The instrument appears to be promising for the investigation of both individual differences in perception and differences in learning environments between institutions. Additional research is needed to confirm the validity of two constructs identified: General Orientation towards Science and Academic Climate.