Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Self-directed learning (SDL) has been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly with adult learners. However, research has indicated that it can be an effective means to educate younger students within a variety of disciplines. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of student-directed learning through goal setting on academic performance and self-determination in lower elementary students. The researcher hypothesized that allowing students to self-direct their learning through goal setting would result in higher self-determination and improved academic performance. Researchers measured the progress of 15 students towards self-selected goals and compared their results to self-determination scores before and after the intervention. 77% of participants showed quantitatively measurable improvement of academic performance in their selected goal. 100% of participants showed qualitatively measurable improvements of academic performance in their selected goal. There was no evidence found to support that self-directed learning leads to higher self-determination, nor was their evidence found to support that self-determination leads to improved academic performance. This study provides evidence that student-directed learning implemented with student-selected goals in multiple academic areas leads to higher academic performance related to self-selected goals.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2021

Abstract/Notes: In 21st century, technological developments have found a place in education and has expanded its usage area over time. This situation has also manifested itself in Montessori education, which is one of the preschool education approaches that preserves its validity and effectiveness, and widely applied in many parts of the world. This research aims to determine the experiences of Montessori educators, who apply the Montessori educational approach and use a digital assessment tool as an assessment tool, towards the digital assessment tool they use and their views on these experiences. Within the scope of this purpose, the study was designed in the phenomenological research, one of the qualitative research methods. Phenomenological research is used to appeared participants' knowledge, perception, experience and feelings about the phenomenon. Within the scope of this study, phenomen was determined as the digital assessment tools used by Montessori educators in Montessori education schools. The study group consisted of 14 Montessori educators, 3 of whom were working in Barcelona and 11 from an official and private Montessori school in Istanbul. Participants were determined using the "criterion sampling" method, and the criteria were that educators took Montessori education and used the digital assessment tool in an early childhood education classroom. The data collection tools of the study consisted of personal information form and individual interviews conducted by the researcher with Montessori educators through online interview systems. When the data gathered as a result of these interviews were analyzed, it was seen that the digital assessment tools considered as a phenomenon were associated with different dimensions by the Montessori educators who participated in the research. These dimensions have been "ease of use and necessity", "parent", "Montessori education". In addition, it was determined that Montessori educators explained for the tools they use, apart from the digital assessment tool. The non-digital assessment tools dimension was also examined in the study in order to reveal the educators' perceptions of the digital assessment tool holistically. As a result of the study, sixteen sub-themes related to four themes were formed. The findings were discussed within the framework of the studies in the field. / 21. yüzyılla birlikte teknolojik gelişmeler eğitimde kendine yer bulmuş ve zamanla kullanım alanını genişletmiştir. Dünya'nın birçok yerinde yaygın olarak uygulanan geçerliliğini ve etkililiğini koruyan ve okul öncesi eğitim yaklaşımlarından biri olan Montessori eğitiminde de kendini göstermiştir. Araştırma Montessori eğitim yaklaşımını uygulayan ve değerlendirme aracı olarak bir dijital değerlendirme aracı kullanan Montessori eğitmenlerinin, kullandıkları dijital değerlendirme aracına yönelik deneyimlerini ve bu deneyimlerinine yönelik görüşlerinin tespit edilmesini amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaç kapsamında çalışma nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenolojik araştırma deseninde tasarlanmıştır. Fenomenolojik araştırma, katılımcıların fenomen hakkındaki bilgi, algı, deneyim ve hislerini somutlaştırabilmek için kullanılmaktadır. Bu araştırma kapsamında fenomen, Montessori eğitimi veren okullardaki Montessori eğitmenlerinin kullandıkları dijital değerlendirme araçları olarak belirlenmiştir. Çalışma grubunu 3'ü Barcelona'daki ve 11'i İstanbul ilindeki resmi ve özel bir Montessori okulunda çalışan 14 Montessori eğitmeni oluşturmuştur. Katılımcılar "ölçüt örnekleme" yöntemi ile belirlenmiş olup, ölçüt olarak eğitmenlerin Montessori eğitimi alması ve bir erken çocukluk eğitimi sınıfında dijital değerlendirme aracını kullanması olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın veri toplama araçlarını, kişisel bilgi formu ve araştırmacı tarafından Montessori eğitmenleri ile online görüşme sistemleri aracılığıyla yapılan bireysel görüşmeler oluşturmuştur. Bu görüşmeler sonucunda elde edilen veriler analiz edildiğinde bir fenomen olarak ele alınan dijital değerledirme araçları araştırmaya katılan Montessori eğitmenleri tarafından farklı boyutlar ile ilişkilendirildiği görülmüştür. Bu boyutlar "kullanım kolaylılığı ve gerekliliği", "veli", "Montessori eğitimi" olmuştur. Ayrıca Montessori eğitmenlerinin dijital değerlendirme aracının dışında kendi kullandıkları araçlara yönelik değerlendirmeler yaptığı tespit edilmiştir. Eğitmenlerin dijital değerlendirme aracına yönelik algılarını bütüncül olarak ortaya çıkarabilmek amacıyla dijital olmayan değerlendirme araçları boyutu da çalışmada incelenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda dört tema ve temalara ilişkin on altı alt tema oluşturulmuştur. Elde edilen bulgulan alan yazın kapsamında tartışılmıştır.

Language: Turkish

Published: Istanbul, Turkey, 2021

Abstract/Notes: Includes a number of letters to the authors of this column about their representation/characterization of Montessori teachers.

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study is to discover the impact a social-emotional learning program may have on an Upper Elementary Montessori Classroom. The study was motivated by the researcher’s experience of seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, online schooling and of local community unrest on the students. The design included first asking participants to take a survey for the purpose of obtaining baseline data on their emotion management and problemsolving skills. Next, the researcher implemented eight weeks of a social emotional established curriculum called, Second Step in an Upper Elementary Montessori classroom. Throughout the study, the researcher collected data on students’ struggles with solving problems independently with a basic quantitative instrument and using a qualitative narrative instrument. Finally at the close of the eight-week study, the students took a post-survey to determine if the program had an impact on the students’ ability to problem solve and manage their emotions. However, due to limitations of the study, the researcher could not draw specific conclusions yet the study did yield other benefits.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2022

Language: English

Published: [United Kingdom]: Montessori St. Nicholas, 2012

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Guide to Montessori education. Answers questions such as: How will I know if Montessori is right for my child? How is Montessori different from other educational methods? Why is Montessori considered an education for life? How does Montessori nurture a love of learning?

Runtime: 12 minutes

Language: English

Published: Rockville, Maryland, 2003

Abstract/Notes: This new updated version provides additional information on the five curriculum areas, updated information on public Montessori programs and interviews with children who were in the original version, about what they liked about being in a Montessori environment.

Runtime: 12 minutes

Language: English

Published: Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2002

Abstract/Notes: Guide to Montessori education. Answers questions such as: How will I know if Montessori is right for my child? How is Montessori different from other educational methods? Why is Montessori considered an education for life? How does Montessori nurture a love of learning?

Runtime: 13 minutes

Language: English

Published: Rockville, Maryland, 2001