Language: English

Published: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 1975

Abstract/Notes: This applied dissertation was designed to understand the experience of participants as they engaged in a process of transforming attitudes about teaching and learning through participation in a Montessori teacher-training program with a blended design. Participants were surveyed regarding their previous experiences in education as both student and educator, previous experiences in Montessori education, and previous experiences with distance education programs. Research questions guiding the study:Particular aspects such as self-directed learning, facilitating relationships, and learning in social contexts have been known to be considered best practice in constructivist program design, but what is the phenomenological experience of adult participants as they grapple with transforming best practice in teaching and learning with their own pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade students? 2. How do individual participants perceive the blended program influenced a personal transformation of teaching and learning? How does the perceptual transformation compare to others? 3. How do administrators perceive the blended program influenced changes to the overall school culture as a result of faculty participation in the program? 4. How consistent are standards of best practice in constructivist settings with individual perceptual transformations and perceptions of changes to school culture as well as to interactions with students?A comparative design was carried out for the study. Participant and administrator questionnaires were analyzed for patterns and insights regarding descriptions of change experienced during a blended distance education (DE) course using constructivist methodology. A final analysis of the data revealed that participants had various experiences with traditional education as students and as educational professionals. Most participants reported a lack of confidence teaching within the traditional system and subsequent relief when learning the constructivist, Montessori pedagogy and methodology. One surprising finding was that some educators were predisposed to using constructivist principles in teaching before any formal training. Another significant finding was that adults were able to guide school-age students in becoming self-directed and autonomous as learners. A third finding was that there were specific advantages of a blended DE training program design that were not present in other models of DE or face-to-face teacher training.

Language: English

Published: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2013

Abstract/Notes: In line with Montessori methodology, the Knysna Montessori School runs its programmes in an integrated and holistic manner. Learning programmes are based on a blend of various Montessori learning programmes and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). Classes are divided into three year-age groupings; and integrated learning programmes are in place within the pre-school, (including grade R), the grade 1 to 3 class, and the grade 4 to 6 class. However, the grade 7 to 9 Montessori class has been running in a more traditional and less integrated manner since its inception in 2004. That has motivated the undertaking of this study. The main aim of this qualitative study has been to determine how to best arrange the RNCS according to Montessori principles, that is to say, in a holistic and integrated manner, with the intention of presenting a learning programme for the grade 7 to 9 class. This aim was based on a constructivist philosophical foundation and addressed in conjunction with interpretivism and critical theory. The grounded theory research paradigm was followed. In this paradigm research findings are grounded in the data gathering and the analysis. Three methods of data collection were applied, namely a literature review, interviews and document analysis. A literature review was conducted to gain a better overview and understanding of the RNCS and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE). Furthermore, through the literature review, an in-depth understanding of the Montessori method of education, adolescent development and integrated and holistic education have been achieved. Interviews were conducted with staff from the Knysna Montessori School, with the purpose of gathering information on the Knysna Montessori School and its current application to the RNCS, from pre-school to grade 6. An availability and purposive sampling method was applied, in order to determine which staff members to interview. Finally, document analysis was done. The learning areas for the senior phase (grades 7 to 9) of the General Education and Training Band (GET) of the RNCS were coded and analysed in order to discover emergent themes within the RNCS and how these link with the Montessori curriculum arrangement for this age group. It became apparent that Montessori classrooms, both prior to and for the senior phase, are divided into three areas, namely language, mathematics and cultural studies. Based on this knowledge, as well as the documentary analysis, an integrated learning programme, grounded in the data analysis, was designed. It was found that the RNCS matches well with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement. Thus, this learning programme is in line with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement for the senior phase of the GET band. Such a curriculum arrangement integrates the learning outcomes and assessment standards from arts and culture, economic and management sciences, life orientation, natural sciences, social sciences and technology into different studies. These are globally referred to as cultural studies. However, specific attention was also given to moral education, self-expression through music, art and drama, entrepreneurship, career education and sport. The conclusion was reached that an integrated learning programme, based on Montessori principles and in line with the RNCS requirement, is possible for the Knysna Montessori School.

Language: English

Published: Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2010

Abstract/Notes: Bu araştırma, Sosyal Beceri Eğitimi Programı ile desteklenmiş Montessori yönteminin anaokulu çocuklarının duyguları anlama ve sosyal problem çözme becerilerine etkisini incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışma grubunda, 2013-2014 öğretim yılında Konya ilinde bulunan Selçuk Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, İhsan Doğramacı Uygulama Anaokulu'na devam eden 53 çocuk yer almıştır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak, Wally Duygular Testi ve Wally Sosyal Problem Çözme Testi kullanılmıştır. Testler çocuklara deneme öncesi ve sonrasında uygulanmış; ayrıca deneme grubuna eğitim programı bitiminden altı hafta sonra tekrar uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen verilerin analizinde Kruskal Wallis H testi ve Wilcoxon İşaretli Sıralar Testi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular incelendiğinde, deneme, kontrol 1 ve kontrol 2 grubu çocuklarının Wally Duygular Testi ve Wally Sosyal Problem Çözme Testi sontest puan ortalamaları karşılaştırıldığında, deneme grubu lehine anlamlı bir farklılaşma bulunmuştur. Deneme grubu çocuklarının Wally Duygular Testi ve Wally Sosyal Problem Çözme Testi sontest ve izleme testi puan ortalamaları karşılaştırıldığında ise anlamlı bir farklılaşmanın bulunmadığı ortaya konulmuştur. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda ulaşılan genel sonuç; Sosyal Beceri Eğitimi Programı ile desteklenen Montessori yönteminin anaokulu çocuklarının duyguları anlama ve sosyal problem çözme becerilerini olumlu yönde etkilediği ve pür olarak uygulanan Montessori yöntemine ve MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programı'na göre duyguları anlama ve sosyal problem çözme becerileri acısından daha etkili olduğudur. / This research was studied with the purpose of analyzing the effect of Montessori method supported by social skills training program on kindergarten children's skills of understanding feelings and social problem solving. 53 children who attended at Selcuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ihsan Dogramaci Aplication Nursery School in Konya in 2013-2014 school year were included in the study group. Wally Feelings Test and Wally Social Problem Solving Test were used as data collection tool. The tests were applied to the children as pre and post test; in addition, the tests were applied to the experimental group again six weeks after the end of the educational program. Kruskal Wallis H test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used to analysis of data obtained in the study. When findings were analyzed, comparing scores of posttest of Wally Feelings Test and Wally Social Problem Solving Test of experimental, control 1 and control 2 groups, it was found that there was a meaningful differentiation in favor of experimental group. When comparing posttest and follow-up test of Wally Feelings Test and Wally Social Problem Solving Test scores of experimental group, it was proved that there was not a meaningful differentiation. The overall outcome of the study based on the obtained results is that Montessori Method Supported by Social Skills Training Program supports the development of children's skills of understanding feelings and social problem solving.

Language: Turkish

Published: Konya, Turkey, 2015

Abstract/Notes: Multiage programming is a school reform option used throughout the United States. Much of the current literature focuses on the short-term benefits of multiage programs, particularly at the elementary level, with little consideration for long-term effects or for what might happen to students once they leave the multiage classroom and enter middle school. While there has been significant research that generalizes the transition experience of the general population of students, there has been limited research conducted on this transition experience for this specific population, the multiage elementary student. The purpose of this simultaneous, mixed methods study was to provide an in-depth examination of the transition effects on students who transition from multiage elementary classrooms to traditional single-grade classrooms at the middle school. In this study, eight students who had previously attended multiage elementary classrooms were given the Piers-Harris 2 Children's Self Concept Scale at three points, fall, winter, and spring during their first year in middle school to assess the students' social and emotional well-being during the transition. Students were also administered a middle school transition questionnaire to identify what procedural, academic, or social issues were of concern to them. Students were interviewed about their transitional experiences. In the analysis of the data showed that the students' overall sense of self and self-esteem improved over the course of the transitional year. Student concerns with procedures, academics, and social life decreased over the course of the year. The following major categories emerged from the interviews: (a) adjusting to the structure of middle school, (b) adjusting to new academic demands, (c) managing relationships with teachers and peers, and (d) changing sense of self. The findings have implications for middle level educators, multiage classroom elementary educators and for parents.

Language: English

Published: Chicago, Illinois, 2012

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of my study was to analyze a public school prekindergarten Montessori bilingual program via the investigation of 2nd grade reading achievement scores on a Spanish and an English norm-referenced test between two groups of students: those who had participated in a prekindergarten Montessori bilingual program and those who had participated in a prekindergarten traditional bilingual program. Additionally, my study investigated the perspective of my own personal experience as a leader, as well as the perspective of two other leaders' perspectives on implementing a prekindergarten Montessori bilingual program. The population included in this study was 450 2nd grade students enrolled in a large urban school district in southeast Texas. The prekindergarten Montessori bilingual students were the experimental group, while the prekindergarten traditional bilingual program composed the control group. To answer the first research question, two administrators were interviewed. I, as the researcher, described my perspective as a leader regarding the implementation of a prekindergarten Montessori bilingual program, as well as responses from other school leaders. To answer the second research question, a random sample of 200 students was selected from the population of 450 students who had taken the Aprenda and ITBS tests for 2nd grade and were enrolled during the 2000-2001 school year. For research question one the following themes emerged from this study: (a) program implementation, (b) Montessori training, (c) learning environment, (d) curriculum expectations, and (e) sustaining the Montessori program. For research question two, in Spanish reading the results of the independent t-test indicated that the children who had participated in the Montessori bilingual program significantly outscored the children in a traditional bilingual prekindergarten program on the Spanish reading subtest of the Aprenda. In English Reading, the results of the independent t-test indicated that the children who had participated in a Montessori bilingual program and who had continued through 2nd grade in a transitional bilingual program significantly outscored the children in a traditional bilingual prekindergarten program and who had continued through second grade in an English as a second language program on the English reading subtest of the ITBS.

Language: English

Published: Huntsville, Texas, 2002

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English