5th and 8th grade pupils’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relationships between teaching methods, classroom ethos, and positive affective attitudes towards learning mathematics in Japan

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Table 7.3.2: Correlation between five factors of classroom ethos, among the pupils’
responses

Pupils’ perceptions of classroom ethos and their perceptions Ofteaching methods

This section examines the assumption that pupils’ perceptions of classroom ethos
affected their perceptions of the effects and deployment of different teaching methods.
5^th graders and 8^th graders were divided into two groups on the basis of their scores on
the five factors of classroom ethos. Their perceptions of teaching methods were then
compared, using Independent t-tests.

Satisfaction - Overall, most pupils experienced a low level of satisfaction. The mean
satisfaction score of 5^th graders was 1.60 (SD=1.45, median=1.00). They were divided
into those who scored above 2 (46.2%) and those who scored 0 or 1 (53.8%). 8^th
graders reported less satisfaction than 5^th graders. The mean satisfaction score of 8^th
graders was 1.24 (SD=1.37, median = 1.00). To obtain an equitable group size, 8^th
graders were divided into those who scored above 1 (57.4%) and those who scored 0
(42.6%).

Cohesiveness - Overall, most pupils experienced a moderate level of cohesiveness in
the mathematics classroom. The mean cohesiveness score of 5^th graders was 2.73
(SD=1.70, Median =3.00). 5^th graders were divided into those who scored at least 3
(53.2%) or below (46.8%). The mean cohesiveness scores of 8^th graders was 2.68
(SD=1.67, Median = 3.00). They were divided into those who scored at least 3 (50.5%)
or below (49.5%).

Difficulty - Overall, pupils experienced moderate levels of difficulty. The percentage of
pupils with higher difficulty scores was higher at 8^th grade than 5^th grade. The mean
difficulty score of 5^th graders was 2.22 (SD=1.24, Median = 2.00). 5^th graders were
divided into those who scored at least 3 (40.6%) or below 3 (59.4%). The mean difficulty
score of 8^th graders was 2.50 (SD=1.34, Median = 2.00). 8^th graders were divided into
those who scored at least 3 (50.0%) or below 3 (50.0%).

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