Students' perceptions of classroom activities: Are there grade-level and gender differences?

Abstract

The authors investigated whether differences existed in perceptions of class activities for students in Grades 3-8 and between genders. Specifically, the frequency that students perceived opportunities for interest, challenge, choice, and enjoyment in their classrooms was assessed using the affective instrument, My Class Activities (M. Gentry & R. K. Gable, 2001). Significant main effects existed for grade level and gender, with no interaction of the 2 variables. In general, middle school students found their classroom activities less frequently interesting and enjoyable, with fewer opportunities for choice, than did elementary students. These variables declined steadily from lower to upper grades. Girls indicated that their class activities were more frequently interesting and enjoyable than did boys, which contributed to the significant gender differences.

Psychometric Indicators of the “Students’ Perceptions of Classroom Activities Questionnaire”

“…The results of calculating reliability coefficients are shown in Table 1. Indicators of reliability coefficients show that this questionnaire has sufficient and acceptable reliability and the coefficients obtained are analogous to the results achieved by Gentry, Gable and Rizza (2002) and Karshky, et al (2009Karshky, et al ( , 2011. …”

“…The "students' perceptions of classroom activities questionnaire" (SPCA-Q) has been made by Gentry, Gable and Rizza (2002) to measure students' perceptions of classroom activities. This scale has 31 questions and 4 subtests as follows: Interest (8 questions), challenge (9 questions), choice (7 questions) and enjoyment (7 questions).…”

“…One of these questionnaires is a "students' perceptions of classroom activities questionnaire" made by Gentry, Gable and Rizza (2002). This questionnaire has been widely used to measure perceptions of classroom activities on a global scale (For example, the questionnaire validity and reliability have been approved in studies conducted by Karshky, et al (2009, 2011), Church, Elliot and Gable (2001, Rizza (2001, 2002), Sünger and Güngören (2009) and also in most cited studies.…”

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AbstractThe present study aims to investigate the factorial validity and reliability of a "students' perceptions of classroom activities questionnaire" made by Gentry, Gable and Rizza (2002) Gable and Rizza (2002) and Karshky, et al (2009Karshky, et al ( , 2011 (AGFI= 0.85, GFI= 0.90, RMSEA= 0.056, RMR= 0.07, CFI= 0.91). So, this questionnaire can be a useful tool for assessing students' perceptions of classroom activities.

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Disciplinary Climate and Student Achievement: Evidence from Schools and Classrooms

“…They are both inexpensive and easy to collect and the student's view of the classroom environment presents a unique perspective (den Brok, Brekelmans, & Wubbels, 2004;Gentry, Gable, & Rizza, 2002;Peterson & Stevens, 1988). While much research has been done in testing the reliability and validity of postsecondary student reports (Greenwald, 1997;Marsh, 1987), the literature for the compulsory school level is sparse.…”