Abstract/Notes: This study explored how narrative was being used to foster meaning-making in Montessori, Steiner, Government and Catholic schools. In-depth interviews of twelve teachers from the four educational settings were used to collect the teachers' stories that comprised the data on narrative use. NUD*IST software was employed to organise data and to focus on emerging concepts through data analysis. A wide spectrum of narrative uses related to meaning making was revealed. These varied understandings support using narrative to foster insight on three levels relating to several theoretical views of narrative and its importance.

Language: English

Published: Sydney, Australia, 2001

Abstract/Notes: Central to this study is the Kankakee, Illinois School District 111 magnet school program, including a comparison of the magnet program to the regular or non-magnet curriculum program in Kankakee. Findings indicated that magnet students exhibited greater gains in some areas, including test results, as compared to their nonmagnet counterparts, supporting the idea that student, teacher, and parent choice of a learning environment has a direct impact on learning results.

Language: English

Published: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 2006

Abstract/Notes: The rapid pace of changes faced by todays young people calls for pedagogical practices that equip them not only with knowledge but also with the ability to think effectively, flexibly, and independently. This process rely on performance monitoring, a fundamental function of learning. When individuals notice something unexpected, such as an error, they tend to pause. In learning from this discrepant event, they adapt their behavior accordingly. Although performance monitoring is essential for academic learning and improves throughout childhood, its susceptibility to educational influences has not been studied. Pedagogical traditions differ on how they teach children to learn from feedback and errors. Traditional education provides children from one age group with opportunities to engage in work, and then to learn about and correct their performance later based on a teachers feedback and evaluation. By contrast, Montessori education focuses on supporting children in self-correcting in real time. It utilizes specialized materials that encourage childrens self-discovery of relevant concepts, and multi-age classes in which children discuss answers as they work. Here, we compared performance monitoring in children aged 4-15 years attending traditional or Montessori classes. Our multimodal approach (behavior, EEG, and MRI) revealed that 1) cortical regions related to performance monitoring un- dergo significant changes between the ages of 5 and 13 years; 2) children of that age do not process errors as adults do, and 3) pedagogical practices modulate both be- havior and neural responses. More specifically, the behavioral, morphometric and EEG neural data reveal significant differences in how students notice and react to errors, and in how they self-correct. fMRI analyses reveal difference in brain net- work connectivity between students from the two groups, and suggest differences in error correction strategies. Finally, higher academic performances were not at- tributable to higher executive functions, but rather differences in creativity abilities. Our work suggests that how students learn from errors reflects childhood schooling experience. Performance monitoring styles are also likely associated with youths cognitive flexibility more broadly, influencing how they react to novel or unex- pected outcomes. [Au vu du rythme effréné des changements auxquels sont confrontés les jeunes, il est essentiel que les pratiques pédagogiques ne se concentrent pas uniquement sur la transmission de connaissances, mais également sur leur capacité dapprendre de manière efficace, flexible et indépendante. L’élément central à cette entreprise est de favoriser une approche autodirigée et orientée sur les processus, dans laque- lle les élèves développent la capacité d’apprendre de leurs erreurs. Ce processus est appelé la gestion de la performance. Bien que la gestion de la performance soit essentielle aux apprentissages scolaires et se développe durant l’enfance, sa sus- ceptibilité aux influences pédagogiques n’a pas encore été étudiée. Ici, nous avons comparé la gestion de la performance chez des enfants âgés de 4 à 15 ans, issus de classes traditionnelles ou Montessori. Alors que les pratiques pédagogiques traditionnelles mettent l’accent sur le fait que les élèves apprennent à partir des commentaires des enseignants, les pratiques pédagogiques Montessori encouragent les élèves à travailler de manière autonome avec du matériel spéciale- ment conçu pour permettre de faire et dapprendre de leurs erreurs. Notre approche multimodale (comportement, EEG, IRM) nous a permis de dévoiler que 1) les ré- gions corticales liées à la gestion de la performance subissent des changements im- portants entre 5 et 13 ans; 2) les enfants de cet âge ne traitent pas l'erreur de la même manière que les adultes, et que 3) les pratiques pédagogiques modulent à la fois le comportement et les réponses cérébrales. Ce travail constitue une première étape connectant la recherche sur la gestion de la performance avec l’émergence des habitudes mentales chez les enfants dans leurs environnements scolaires, avec des implications directes pour la recherche en développement, les professionnels de l’enfance, et les politiques.]

Language: English

Published: Lausanne, Switzerland, 2020

Abstract/Notes: Problemas dos mais simples aos mais complexos estão presentes no dia-a-dia das pessoas. Assim, diferentes áreas da Psicologia têm estudado os processos psicológicos relacionados à resolução de problema (RP), destacando-se a interface entre RP e processos educacionais. Embora as habilidades de RP sejam aspectos chave do processo educacional, há controvérsias sobre como promovê-las em ambiente escolar. O Método Montessori (MM) é uma das estratégias educacionais que têm como um de seus propósitos desenvolver essas habilidades em sala. Desse modo, esta Tese conduziu estudos com diferentes delineamentos – correlacional e quase experimental – com o objetivo de analisar se o MM promove habilidades gerais de RP. Devido à carência de instrumentos brasileiros que avaliam este construto, no primeiro capítulo é apresentado o processo de construção das Escalas de Resolução de Problema (ERP), incluindo elaboração de itens, grupos focais (N = 24) e análise por juízes (N = 23), bem como estudos (N = 767) para a obtenção de evidências de validade baseadas na estrutura interna e estimativas de fidedignidade para as ERP. Análises fatoriais confirmatórias evidenciaram que as ERP possuem duas escalas (Habilidades de Resolução de Problemas (HRP) e Orientação em Relação ao Problema (ORP)) com consistência interna satisfatória. As ERP foram utilizadas em um estudo (Capítulo 2) que teve como objetivo comparar as habilidades de RP de estudantes (N = 91) de escolas tradicionais e montessorianas, sendo que, no último caso, considerou-se a fidelidade de implementação (Montessori Clássico ou Montessori Suplementar), além de variáveis demográficas e educacionais. Não foram obtidas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os alunos dos dois tipos de escolas pesquisadas. ORP não se associou às variáveis demográficas e educacionais investigadas e, ao classificar HRP em níveis (baixo, médio e alto), observou-se um escore mais elevado de alunas com níveis médios. Com o objetivo de analisar os efeitos de um processo de educação matemática baseado em princípios do MM no desenvolvimento de habilidades de RP, conduziu-se um quase experimento (Capítulo 3) com alunos de quarto e quinto anos do Ensino Fundamental (N = 18). Após serem subdivididos em Grupo Montessori (GM) e Grupo Ensino Tradicional (GET), eles participaram de um processo de educação matemática. As ERP foram aplicadas pré e pós-educação matemática. Foram observados ganhos tanto em HRP quanto em ORP, ainda que limitados, no GM. Todavia, GM e GET não 5 diferiram quanto ao desempenho em matemática. É possível afirmar que, apesar de outras pesquisas serem necessárias para obter mais evidências de validade e estimar sua fidedignidade, as ERP possuem propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias. Também há evidências de que o MM pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de habilidades de RP. Porém, no último caso, também são necessárias mais evidências empíricas, especialmente aquelas obtidas em salas de aula e não em experimentos. Desenvolver as habilidades de RP dos discentes é fundamental, pois elas são essenciais tanto no processo de ensino-aprendizagem quanto na vida. [Problems, from simple to complex ones, are present in people's daily lives. The way each person responds to them is related to several psychological correlates, such as better psychological adjustment. Thus, different areas of Psychology have studied the psychological processes related to problem-solving (PS), emphasizing the interface between PS and educational processes. Even though PS skills are key aspects of the educational process, there are controversies about how to promote them in the school environment. The Montessori Method (MM) is one of the educational strategies that has as one of its purposes to develop these skills in the classroom. Thus, this thesis has conducted studies with different designs - correlational and quasi-experimental - with the objective of analyzing whether the MM promotes general PS skills. Due to the lack of Brazilian instruments that assess this construct, the first chapter presents the construction process of the Problem-Solving Scales (ERP), including the elaboration of items, focus groups (N = 24) and analysis by judges (N = 23), as well as studies (N = 767) to obtain evidence of validity based on internal structure and reliability estimates for ERP. Confirmatory factor analyzes showed that the ERP have two scales (Problem Resolution Skills (PSS) and Problem Orientation (PO)) with satisfactory internal consistency. The ERP were used in a study (Chapter 2) that aimed to compare the PS skills of students (N = 91) of traditional and montessorian schools and, in the latter case, implementation fidelity was considered (Classic Montessori or Supplemented Montessori). Associations were also made between these skills and demographic and educational variables. There were no statistically significant differences between the students of the two types of schools researched. PO was not associated to the demographic and educational variables investigated and when PSS was classified in levels (low, medium and high), a higher score of students with average levels was observed. In order to analyze the effects of a mathematical education process based on MM principles on the development of PS skills, a quasi-experiment (Chapter 3) was conducted with students of fourth and fifth grades of Elementary School (N = 18). After subdividing them into Montessori Group (MG) and Traditional Schooling Group (TSG), they participated in a process of mathematical education. The ERP were applied pre and post-mathematical education. There were gains in both PSS and PO, albeit limited, in 7 the MG. However, MG and TSG did not differ in mathematical performance. It is possible to state that, even though other studies are necessary to obtain more evidence of validity and to estimate its reliability, the ERP have satisfactory psychometric properties. There is also evidence that the MM can contribute to the development of PS skills. However, in the latter case, more empirical evidence is also needed, especially those obtained in classrooms rather than in experiments. Developing the PS skills of the students is fundamental, since they are essential both in the teaching-learning process and in life itself.]

Language: Portuguese

Published: Juiz de Fora, Brazil, 2017

Abstract/Notes: El presente proyecto de investigación se realizó con el objetivo de analizar la manera en que el Método Montessori contribuye al desarrollo de la expresión oral del Idioma Inglés en los niños de Educación Inicial del Centro Educativo Margarita Naseau en el periodo 2019-2020. El sustento teórico se orientó en la aplicación educativa, materiales didácticos, rol del docente y la enseñanza del idioma inglés. Por lo tanto, el proyecto tiene un enfoque cuali-cuantitativo, de carácter descriptivo y a su vez correlacional, bajo la modalidad socioeducativa que corresponde a una investigación aplicada porque se basa en datos reales. Las técnicas aplicadas en esta investigación fueron encuesta a los docentes y lista de cotejo a los estudiantes del Centro Educativo con el objetivo de determinar cómo el método Montessori contribuye al desarrollo de la expresión oral del idioma Inglés en los estudiantes. Una vez realizado el análisis e interpretación de resultados se concluyó que la aplicación del Método Montessori así como ayuda al niño a ser independiente también lo ayuda aprender diferentes idiomas y además se determinó la importancia que tiene para mejorar la expresión oral. La propuesta en base a los resultados es la elaboración de una guía de actividades lúdicas que incluye la aplicación del Método Montessori y los diferentes materiales a utilizarse.

Language: Spanish

Published: Quito, Ecuador, 2020

Abstract/Notes: In this study, 173 preschool teachers (80 non-Montessori teachers and 93 Montessori teachers) were given a survey at two early childhood professional conferences that examined their beliefs about Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). The purpose of this study was to (a) investigate preschool teachers' beliefs about Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and Developmentally Inappropriate Practice (DIP); (b) discover the similarities and differences in the factor structures of the Teacher's Beliefs Scale (TBS) between the study conducted by Charlesworth, Hart, Burts, Thomasson, Mosley, and Fleege in 1993 and the current study about DAP; (c) discover the similarities and differences of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and Developmentally Inappropriate Practice (DIP) beliefs between Montessori teachers and preschool teachers; and (d) investigate the factors that are related to teachers' beliefs about DAP and DIP. The Teacher Beliefs Scale (TBS) was used to assess preschool teachers' beliefs about DAP and DIP. Factor analysis was used to support the validity of TBS in the current study. Multiple t-tests were used to identify the differences in developmental appropriate/inappropriate beliefs between Montessori and non-Montessori teachers. Multiple regression analyses were used to explain the relationship between variables of 173 Montessori and non-Montessori preschool teachers. Results of the study showed that a majority of preschool teachers agreed with 22 Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) and 12 Developmentally Inappropriate Practices (DIP). Responses to seven items were different from the original study (Charlesworth et al., 1993). There was a significant difference on Inappropriate Activities and on Appropriate Child Choice between non-Montessori and Montessori teachers. There was a relationship between teachers' beliefs about DAP and teachers' educational backgrounds, teaching experiences, ethics, and DAP understanding level in the current study.

Language: English

Published: Greeley, Colorado, 2003

Abstract/Notes: The highlights of Montessori's accomplishments are embodied in her cosmic views and organized into a Cosmic Plan of Education while she worked in the hills of Kodaikanal, India. The fruition of these cosmic views came late in her life and appeared to be synonymous with the development of her relationships with the warm and accepting Indian people. During this periodi Montessori devoted her energies to understanding how children naturally unfold into purposeful, yet interdependent individuals. Through all the professional challenges that Montessori faced in her lifetime as an educator of young children, her focal point continued to be 'the child'. This was especially true in connection with children during their transitional stage of growth from five- to seven-years of age when the acquisition of social, spiritual and cultural values are so strong. Montessori not only shared her methods and ideas with the people of India, but these people, in turn, influenced her views significantly enough to have caused her to formulate The Cosmic Plan of Education. This plan was designed especially for the transitional-age children but incapsulated within it was Montessori's own new-found East-West Cosmology. Through primary sources such as interviews, unpublished books and lectures, the dissertation gives the historical backdrop of the emergence of Montessori's cosmic views in the beginning five chapters. A description of the operation of the Cosmic Plan of Education during its conception is given in Chapter Six. The final chapters deal with how these views weathered the changes within the Indian society over the period of forty years.

Language: English

Published: Manoa, Hawaii, 1984

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English