Abstract/Notes: Montessori pedagogy is a pedagogical concept that was created by Maria Montessori, and is based on anthropology and scientific observation of the natural learning process of children. It is recognizable by its prepared environment with didactic shaped material that provide children an independent realization of knowledge. Although the concept was formed at the beginning of the 20th century, it is a pedagogical approach that still adequately responds to the developmental needs of children and overcome the disadvantages of the traditional educational system focused on the teacher. The aim of this study was to determine the opinions that students of teaching studies have on Montessori pedagogy considering their study. The study was conducted on an intentional sample of students from the Faculty of Philosophy in Split, the department of teacher education and the department of pedagogy. The results showed that students, dependent on their study, differ in knowledge about Montessori pedagogy and valuation of the desirability of the traditional education, while there is no difference in attitudes towards Montessori pedagogy and in valuation of the desirability of the education based on independence, play and the satisfaction of knowledge. Pedagogy students had several courses where they gained knowledge about Montessori pedagogy and had experience visiting Montessori institutions where they experienced the application of these pedagogical principles in practice, while students from the department of teacher education haven't had such experiences and they were less familiar with the Montessori pedagogy during their study. That reflected on some of their attitudes. The existing of a positive attitude towards Montessori pedagogy regardless of the level of knowledge about this conception leads to the conclusion that the connotations they have about the Montessori pedagoy are positive, which supports the hypothesis of a positive image of the concept not only among many experts, but also among lay people. / Montessori pedagogija je pedagoška koncepcija koju je osmislila Marija Montessori, a temelji se na antropologiji i znanstvenom promatranju prirodnog procesa učenja djece. Prepoznatljiva je po pripremljenoj okolini s didaktički oblikovanom materijalu koji djeci omogućuju samostalan dolazak do spoznaje. Iako je koncepcija ponuđena početkom 20. stoljeća i danas se smatra pedagoškim pristupom koji primjereno odgovara na razvojne potrebe djece te prevladava nedostatke tradicionalnog odgojno-obrazovnog sustava usmjerenog na učitelja. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi razlikuju li se studenti nastavničkih studija u stavovima o Montessori pedagogiji s obzirom na studij. Istraživanje je provedeno na namjernom uzorku studenata učiteljskog studija i studija pedagogije Filozofskog fakulteta u Splitu. Rezultati su pokazali da se studenti s obzirom na studij razlikuju u znanjima o Montessori pedagogiji te u procjeni poželjnosti tradicionalnog odgoja, dok se ne razlikuju u stavovima o Montessori pedagogiji i u procjeni poželjnosti odgoja utemeljenog na samostalnosti, igri i zadovoljstvu spoznajom. Studenti studija pedagogije u okviru više kolegija stjecali su znanja o Montessori pedagogiji te imali iskustva posjeta Montessori ustanovama u kojima su doživjeli primjenu tih pedagoških načela u praksi, dok studenti učiteljskog studija nisu imali takva iskustva te su o Montessori pedagogiji tijekom studija bili slabije upoznati što se odrazilo i na neke njihove stavove. Postojanje pozitivnog stava o Montessori pedagogiji neovisno o razini znanja o toj koncepciji upućuje na zaključak da su konotacije koje imaju vezano za Montessori pedagogiju pozitivne, što ide u prilog tezi o pozitivnoj slici o toj koncepciji ne samo među mnogim stručnjacima, nego i među laicima.

Language: Croatian

Published: Split, Croatia, 2016

Language: Korean

ISSN: 1226-9417

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Implementation of an anti-bias education framework is relatively new in the history of cultural competence movements. While some research has been done, sighting positive effects for K-12 students, few studies exist within the Montessori pedagogy. Furthermore, little research has been done in the effects of implementing this type of curriculum within a Montessori adolescent environment. Consequently, there is a need to gather information on effective anti-bias education best practices and how to introduce these strategies in a classroom environment. The purpose of this action research study is to explore how implementing anti-bias activities including literature, journaling, and Socratic discussions affect students’ cultural proficiency in a Montessori Middle School.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2019

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a study on the effects of integrating technology into lessons in a Montessori upper elementary classroom in Raleigh, North Carolina. The research looked at both the student engagement and the retention of information when technology was included in Montessori lessons. This study spanned a six-week period and was conducted with 25 fourth through sixth grade students. Data collection included a pre-lesson questionnaire, a teacher engagement report form, a teacher observation form, a post-lesson feedback form, and a short answer lesson response form. The results of this data analysis showed an overall preference by students for lessons that included technology, an increase in engagement relative to lesson that used only traditional Montessori materials, and a 16% increase in accuracy based on short answer responses when technology was included in one of the seven lessons that were tracked. The results of this action research indicate that utilizing technology in the Montessori classroom may increase student engagement and retention of information.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2015

Abstract/Notes: This action research project examined the effects of mindfulness and meditation on concentration among elementary students. The research was conducted at a private Montessori school in an upper elementary classroom for twenty-six children ages nine to twelve. Baseline data was collected for three consecutive days. The intervention was implemented for four weeks. The teacher led the students in mindful movements in the morning and daily meditation took place in the afternoon. The average percent of on-task behavior was collected for baseline data using observational records and journal notes. Observational records included what percent of the class was on-task for specific intervals. Journal notes contained what specific behaviors were observed as off-task. Data collection during the intervention included observational records, journal notes, group discussions and questionnaires. Data analysis showed that concentration did not increase during the intervention. However, students reported meditation and mindful breathing as useful in their daily lives. Further research could include the effects of student chosen mindful activities on concentration and student well-being. A similar study of a longer duration may also yield different results.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: This action research was conducted to determine if the use of technology, specifically the interactive SMART board, would lead to higher student assessment scores on the district tests for letter identification and letter sound recognition. The research was completed in a full-day traditional public school transitional kindergarten (TK) class. Data was collected using district-wide alphabet assessments, teacher observation journals, student conferences, and student checklists used by a classroom instructional assistant. Letters of the alphabet were divided into two equal groups based on letter formation and level of difficulty identified through research. One group of letters and sounds was taught using only lessons using technology, and the other group of letters and sounds was taught using only lessons with classroom materials and no technology. For most students, final assessment data showed the teacher driven lessons using classroom educational materials produced an overall higher growth rate than the technology driven lessons using the SMART board. It is possible that the use of technology as a teaching tool stimulated interest to the point that teacher driven lessons were more effective than in previous years when used alone. Therefore, results suggest that a combination of technology driven lessons and teacher driven lessons could be the best course of action for future practice. Further research could measure the effect on learning when presenting all the letters using both teaching methods.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: In this study, ten third-grade students in a Montessori classroom were observed and encouraged to discover strategies to help them manage their coursework. The teacher facilitated individual conferences with each student that focused on developing specific independent work time strategies. The students also had the opportunity to assemble a portfolio and to reflect on their progress. In addition, quantitative data was collected that focused on student engagement and work completion. The study revealed that students were drawn to larger projects, particularly in history and geography. They were also drawn to work that would need little to no guidance to complete. Based on these findings, to engage students in various subject areas there should be opportunities for one-on-one feedback and for large, culminating projects as long as all necessary resources for completion are easily accessible to students.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016