Journal of the Korean Institute of Educational Facilities (교육시설 논문지)

Korean Institute of Educational Facilities (한국교육시설학회)
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A Study on the Relationships Between Class Size and Middle School Students' Perceptions of School Lives

중학생의 학급규모에 대한 인식과 학교생활간의 관계에 관한 실증적 연구

  • Received : 2013.10.07
  • Accepted : 2013.11.20
  • Published : 2013.11.30
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Abstract

This study investigated middle school students' perceptions of an optimum class size as well as the relationships between a class size and various aspects of students' lives at school. Data were gathered from 858 students from 8 classes (grade 1 and 2) at 4 middle schools located in Busan by administering survey questionnaires. The average class sizes to which each participating students belonged were 17.88, 30.0, 31.88, 28.0 respectively. A series of comparative analyses were carried out, revealing that the majority of the participating students perceived 25-30 as an optimum size for one class. Also, students in a relatively smaller class tended to show higher levels of satisfaction with school lives and with school and classroom facilities, more positive attitudes towards classroom atmosphere, and greater needs for peer interaction than did their counterparts. Furthermore, it was found out that the actual class size had to do with the students' perceptions of the relationships between school facilities and their levels of stress and pleasure at school. These findings were discussed in order to provide educators, architects, and policy makers with practical implications for bringing about a better school environment that is conducive to learning and living for middle school students.

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References

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