Language: German

Published: Innsbruck, Germany: Studien Verlag, 2009

Edition: 1st ed.

ISBN: 978-3-7065-4721-5 3-7065-4721-X

Series: Initiative neues Lernen

Abstract/Notes: The current study addresses whether the type of motivator students receive while reading and the school program they attend influences reading retention. Fifth-graders were randomly assigned to read text passages within a context of either intrinsic (learn for fun) or extrinsic (learn to receive a prize) motivators. Retention of the text passage was measured immediately and after a one-week delay. Changes in story recall scores varied as a function of both program type (traditional vs. Montessori) and experimental motivator. Improvement in performance after delay was only evident for Montessori students provided with an intrinsic motivator. The results illuminate how the type of pedagogy and academic motivators a student has been exposed to influence how students approach learning.

Language: English

Published: Washington, D.C.: American Educational Research Association, 2010

Abstract/Notes: Across development, experience has a strong impact on the way we think and adapt. School experience affects academic and social-emotional outcomes, yet the extent to which pedagogy modulates underlying brain network development is still unknown. In this study, we compared brain network dynamics of students with different pedagogical backgrounds. Specifically, we characterized the diversity and stability of brain activity at rest by combining both resting-state fMRI and diffusion-weighted structural imaging data of 87 4-18 years-old students experiencing either the Montessori pedagogy (i.e., student-led, trial-and-error pedagogy) or the traditional pedagogy (i.e., teacher-led, test-based pedagogy). Our results revealed spatiotemporal brain dynamics differences between students as a function of schooling experience at the whole-brain level. Students from Montessori schools showed overall higher functional integration (higher system diversity) and neural stability (lower spatiotemporal diversity) compared to traditionally-schooled students. Higher integration was explained mainly through the cerebellar (CBL) functional network, while higher temporal stability was observed in the ventral attention (VA), dorsal attention (DA), somatomotor (SM), frontoparietal (FP), and CBL functional networks. This study suggests a form of experience-dependent dynamic functional connectivity plasticity, in learning-related networks.

Language: English

Published: Sep 21, 2023

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of handwork (defined as sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, etc.) on elementary aged children. Working with our hands provides opportunities to develop physical and mental skills and express creativity, and handwork allows us to be creative and productive. This study was conducted with a class of 22 students in first, second and third grade in a public Montessori school. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study found that within a Montessori elementary school setting, handwork can encourage students to expand on life skills, produce something tangible and practice relaxation, and overall has a beneficial effect on students.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2023

Abstract/Notes: Providing a meaningful and experiential learning environment for all students has long created a concern for alternate ways to teach students who are reportedly demonstrating non-mastery on state standardized assessments. As the benchmark for showing successful academic achievement increases, so does the need for discovering effective ways for students to learn. The Montessori teaching method has been in existence since the early 1900s when Dr. Montessori made her discovery of the student learning process. Dr. Montessori connected to the laws of nature and the environment for creating students who are problem-solvers with critical-thinking skills. The Montessori Method is designed to promote independent learning and support normal development in children. A Montessori lesson is defined as any interaction between an adult and a child; it incorporates techniques that are defined to serve as guidance for the adult personality in working with the child. The study investigated the impact of Montessori Method on the academic achievement of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) was used to measure academic achievement in reading and mathematics. An ex post facto, causal-comparative design was employed. The characteristic-present samples consisted of 47 3rd, 40 4th, and 44 5th graders. There were 71 3rd, 60 4th, and 49 5th graders in the comparison samples. Due to non-probability nature of the sampling technique, external validity was limited to study participants. Due to non-experimental nature of the study, no causal inferences were drawn. A series of Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the students who received the Montessori Method of instruction and those who did not on the basis of the outcome measures of academic achievement in reading and mathematics. The mean difference effect sizes, which were used to examine the practical significance of the findings, ranged from negligible to small. Although the results of the study did not support the hypothesis, it must be pointed out that the Montessori Method of teaching facilitates self-paced learning that promotes a child's independence and encourages decision-making which are instrumental in becoming successful learners. Additionally, Montessori advocates experiences that are "real-world" and allow children to build intrinsic motivational opportunities; therefore, creating independent thinkers that will be competitive problem-solvers in the global economy of the 21st century. The limited studies on the Montessori Method of teaching offer opportunities for further investigation at all grade levels. For example, it is recommended to conduct a study to compare students who receive Montessori education during the early years of their academic life with those who receive Montessori education from pre-k to high school graduation. Because the Montessori name does not have a trademark, there are opportunities for investigating Montessori teacher preparation and comparing the preparation of the teachers to the standardized assessment results. There are also opportunities for investigating the method and curriculum used at schools that carry the name Montessori for comparison purposes amongst Montessori schools as well as in comparison to the results of the standardized assessments at these schools.

Language: English

Published: Corpus Christi, Texas, 2013

Abstract/Notes: Maria Montessori’s pedagogy is considered a “classics” of Education Sciences. In this contribution, a survey conducted with three different groups of subjects attending University lectures or in-service Montessori training courses is reported. Main research purpose is to discover background knowledge and perceived meanings of each group concerning the Montessori Method and its main characteristics. Data collected from the three groups under investigation are compared to identify the most macroscopic differences and / or similarities. Through the graphs produced, first reflections and conclusions are attempted, at the same time readers are invited to build their own opinions inferring other meanings or conclusions thanks to data and reading tools provided.

Language: English

DOI: 10.15584/kpe.2018.6.18

ISSN: 2300-9888, 2544-1205

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: This study explored the effect of fine motor skill activities on the development of attention in kindergarteners (n = 68) in five classes at a suburban public school in the Intermountain West through a pretest/posttest experimental group (n = 36) control group (n = 32) design. All children received the regular curriculum which included typical fine motor activities such as painting, coloring, writing, and play activities with small items. The treatment was a series of supplemental fine motor activities in which children used tongs, tweezers, and spoons to move small items. The assessment was the attention subtest of the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) (Naglieri, J. A., & Das, J. P. (1997a). Cognitive assessment system. Itasca, IL: Riverside). A significant group × sex interaction with females positively responding to the treatment was found, suggesting that fine motor skill activities are effective in increasing female kindergartners’ attention. Further studies exploring effective materials for males and factors such as student choice and interest are needed.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-007-0169-4

ISSN: 1082-3301, 1573-1707

Abstract/Notes: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of teaching Montessori Method on self–concept and motivation of elementary first-grade students in Tabriz. Information was collected on the basis of semi-experimental pretest-posttest research with control group. The population consists of all elementary first grade male students of Tabriz which were 665 schools in 2015-2016 school years. The sample includes 40 primary school pupils (20 in the experimental group and students 20 in the control group) who were selected by multistage cluster random sampling. To collect data, self-motivation Liu, Wang and Parkyn’s questionnaire was used to assess self-concept and motivation for preschool and elementary school age groups. The Montessori method teaching sessions (40 sessions) were conducted on the experimental group and the control group was exposed to traditional and traditional education. After holding Montessori classes sessions and analyzing data with Covariance method, results showed that teaching Montessori Method has been effective on self-concept and motivation of elementary school students. And this method has been able to boost self-image and increase motivation in male students.

Language: Persian

DOI: 10.30495/JINEV.2019.665916

ISSN: 2345-6299, 2476-5627

Abstract/Notes: Schools following the Montessori philosophy use individual and small-group teaching methods and hands-on, concrete materials. This study investigated the understanding of place value concepts and abilities of Montessori students by comparing interview task responses of 93 students in grades 1-3 in a Montessori school (n = 47) and in a mostly traditional comparison school (n = 46). Data analysis revealed statistically significant differences favoring the Montessori students on conceptual tasks when grade 1 and all grades were compared. No statistically significant differences were found on procedural tasks between schools at any grade level or overall.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/24727466.2008.11790278

ISSN: 1947-7503, 2472-7466