Level of students' academic integration in the physical environment of the classroom

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the level of students' academic integration in the physical environment of the classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an experimental approach. The study sample consisted of 60 students, who were divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30) in two classrooms (classes 9 and 13). To verify the equivalence of the two groups, an ANOVA test was performed to determine the level of academic integration, and identify any statistically significant differences between the two groups before separating them and controlling all the other variables, except for the classroom environment variable.

Findings

The results revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean of pre-application academic integration. Ten days later, the lecturer explained the topic within the academic course and redistributed the scale of academic integration. The results of the second application revealed differences in the average mean of academic integration in favour of the experimental group (class 13). To identify statistically significant differences, a t-test was used for independent samples. The results showed statistically significant differences in the level of academic integration of the experimental group attributed to the variable of physical environment in favour of class 13.

Originality/value

This study recommend to proposing future physical learning environments in classrooms by improving physical aspects. These new learning environments can enhance the cooperation between teachers and students, allow for easier conveyance of ideas and promote students' ability to solve problems more effectively. The use of Metaverse technology in education may create an appropriate virtual physical environment that solves the problem of the physical environment and raises the level of academic integration of students.

Citation

Al-Tkhayneh, K.M. (2023), "Level of students' academic integration in the physical environment of the classroom", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-07-2023-0271