Abstract
Scholars have agreed that the way in which students perceive their learning environments influences their academic performance. Empirical studies that focus on architecture students, however, have been very scarce. This is the gap that an attempt is filled in this study. A questionnaire survey of 273 students in a school of architecture in Nigeria provided data for this pilot study. The perceptions of the students were best defined by the involvement of the students in their studies, the perceived support, and conduciveness of the learning environment. The students’ perceptions of their learning environment varied with their years of study, age and gender. Their perceptions of inflexibility of schedule, positive assessment, and fairness influenced the overall grades of students. The results suggests which aspects of learning environment that can be manipulated by architectural educators to improve the performance of their students. The study of the learning environment of architecture students still appears to be relatively unexplored. The value of this study therefore lies in its exploration of the perceptions of the learning environment from the point of view of students.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anthony, K. A. (1991). Design juries on trial: The renaissance of the design studio. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Bridgeland, J. M., Dilulio, J. J., & Morison, K. B. (2006). The silent epidemic: Perspectives of high school dropouts. Washington, DC: Civic Enterprises.
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
DeGregori, A. (2007). Learning environments: Redefining the discourse on school architecture. Unpublished MSc thesis, New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Demirba, O. O. (2001). The relation of learning styles and performance scores of the students in interior architecture education. Unpublished Doctor of Philisophy thesis, Bilkent University.
Dochy, F., Seger, P., Van Den Bossche, P., & Struyven, K. (2005). Students’ perception of problem-based learning environments. Learning Environments Research, 8, 41–66.
Frenzel, A. C., Pekrun, R., & Goetz, T. (2007). Perceived learning environment and students’ emotional experiences: A multilevel analysis of mathematics classrooms. Learning and Instruction, 17, 478–493.
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for windows step by step: A simple guide and reference. 11.0 Update (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Hsu, C. H. C. (1999). Learning styles of hospitality students: Nature or nurture? Hospitality Management, 18, 17–30.
Kvan, T., & Jia, Y. (2005). Students’ learning styles and their correlation with performance I: Architectural design studio. Design Studies, 26(1), 19–34.
Lizzio, A., Wilson, K., & Simons, R. (2002). University students’ perceptions of the learning environment and academic outcomes: Implications for theory and practice. Studies in Higher Education, 27(1), 27–52.
Lueth, P. L. O. (2008). The architectural studio as a learning environment: A qualitative exploration of architecture design student learning experiences in design studio from first through fourth year. Unpublished PhD dissertation, Iowa State University.
Mayya, S. S., & Roff, S. (2004). Students’ perceptions of educational environment: A comparison of academic achievers and underachievers at Kastaba Medical College, India. Education for Health, 17(3), 280–291.
McRobbie, C. J., Roth, W. M., & Lucus, K. B. (1997). Multiple learning environments in physics classroom. International Journal of Educational Research, 27, 333–342.
Njhuis, J. F. H. (2006). Learning strategies, students’ characteristics, and their perception of the learning environment: An integrated study among business students. Unpublished PhD dissertation, Universiteit Maastricht. Retrieved September 10, 2012. http://arno.unimaas.nl/show.cgi?fid=6488.
Prayoonwong, T., & Nimnuan, C. (2010). Dental students’ perception of learning environment. South-East Asian Journal of Medical Education, 4(1), 49–54.
Principe, H. R. (2005). Factors influencing students’ academic performance in the first accounting course: A comparative study between public and private universities in Puerto Rico. Unpublished Doctor in Business Administration, Argosy University.
Saghafi, M. R., Franz, J., & Crowther, P. (2012). Perceptions of physical versus virtual design studio education. International Journal of Architectural Research, 6(1), 6–22.
UIA/UNESCO. (1996). Charter for architectural education. Retrieved September 10, 2012. www.unesco.org/most/uiachart.htm.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oluwatayo, A.A., Aderonmu, P.A. & Aduwo, E.B. Architecture students’ perceptions of their learning environment and their academic performance. Learning Environ Res 18, 129–142 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-015-9172-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-015-9172-7