Academic motivation of primary school pupils

The research presented in this paper is aimed towards examining the relation between the pupils’ perception of the school life quality and different types of academic motivation (external and autonomous). The data was collected using Self regulation questionnaire-Academic (Ryan & Connell, 1989) and Quality of school life questionnaire (Ainley & Bourke, 1982). The research included 434 primary school pupils from fifth to eighth grade. A positive correlation was found between all variables, where the strength of the correlation varies depending on type of academic motivation. In general, it can be concluded that those pupils who express more positive feelings towards school and who more assess specific aspects of school life more positively are more autonomously motivated to fulfill school obligations. Obtained results are discussed with reference to the relevance of pupils’ quality of school life in enhancing autonomous motivation in the academic domain.

One Candy or Two at the Age of Six: Does it Matter for Later School Life and Why? / Jedan bombon ili dva u dobi od šest godina: ima li važnosti za kasniji školski život i zašto?

This study explored the role of early delay of gratification (DoG) and its positive outcomes in the child’s later school life. More specifically, it investigated whether DoG measured in six-year-old preschool children predicts their subsequent emotional intelligence, quality of school life and life satisfaction in higher grades of elementary school. Also, the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between delay of gratification at preschool age and subsequent quality of school life and life satisfaction was also examined.The sample comprised 141 students (48.2% girls). Delay of gratification (DoG) was measured among six-year-old children; other measurement for one part of the sample was done at the seventh, and for the other part at the eighth grade. DoG was measured by the DoG task: children may eat one tempting treat immediately or they may earn a larger serving by waiting for an unspecified amount of time, doing assessment tasks. Other measurements included the Emotional Intelligence Scale (Wong Low, 2002), the Quality of School Life Questionnaire (Leonard, 2002; Raboteg Šarić et al., 2009) and the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1991).It was found that students who succeeded in delaying gratification at preschool age had subsequently higher life satisfaction, higher sense of school achievement, and higher emotional intelligence (the use of emotions to facilitate performance and regulation of emotions in the self). Mediation analyses found that the overall emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between DoG and life satisfaction. Also, the component of emotional intelligence called the Use of emotions to facilitate performance was deemed a significant mediator between DoG and a sense of scholarly achievement.It can be concluded that the strengthening of regulatory mechanisms in preschool age may be beneficial for both life satisfaction and the sense of academic achievement in higher grades of elementary school.Key words: delay of gratification; emotional intelligence; life satisfaction; quality of school life---U ovom istraživanju ispitivala se ulogu rane odgode zadovoljenja i njezine pozitivne ishode u kasnijem djetetovom životu. Više specifično, nastojalo se utvrditi je li izmjerena odgoda zadovoljstva šestogodišnjaka predviđa njihovu kasniju emocionalnu inteligenciju, kvalitetu školskoga života i zadovoljstva životom u višim razredima osnovne škole. Osim toga, nastojala se istražiti posrednička uloga emocionalne inteligencije u odnosu između odgode zadovoljenja u predškolskoj dobi i kasnije kvalitete školskoga života i životnoga zadovoljstva životom.Uzorak je uključivao 141 učenika (48,2 % djevojčica). Odgoda zadovoljenja izmjerena je u populaciji šestogodišnjaka; drugo mjerenje za jedan dio uzorka učinjeno je u sedmom, a za drugi dio uzorka u osmom razredu. Odgoda zadovoljenja izmjerena je zadatkom odgode zadovoljenja: djeca su imala priliku pojesti jedan primamljiv slatkiš odmah ili su mogla odabrati više slatkiša ako čekaju određeno vrijeme, dok rade zadatke procjene. Ostali mjerni instrumenti bili su Skala emocionalne inteligencije (Wong i Low, 2002), Upitnik o kvaliteti školskog života (Leonard, 2002; Raboteg Šarić i sur., 2009) i Skala učeničkog zadovoljstva životom (Huebner, 1991).Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da su učenici koji su uspjeli odgoditi zadovoljenje u predškolskoj dobi kasnije bili zadovoljniji životom, imali veći osjećaj akademskoga postignuća i višu emocionalnu inteligenciju (upotreba emocija za olakšavanje izvedbe i unutarnje regulacije emocija). Analize medijacije polučile su rezultate koji govore u prilog tome da je cjelokupna emocionalna inteligencija posrednik u odnosu između odgode zadovoljenja i životnoga zadovoljstva. Osim toga, sastavnica emocionalne inteligencije koja olakšava izvedbu smatra se značajnim posrednikom između odgode zadovoljenja i percepcije važnosti školskoga postignuća.Može se zaključiti da jačanje regulatornih mehanizama u predškolskoj dobi može biti korisno za oboje - zadovoljstvo životom i doživljaj smisla postignuća u višim razredima osnovne škole.Ključne riječi: emocionalna inteligencija; kvaliteta školskog života; odgođeno zadovoljenje; zadovoljstvo životom

KARAKTER DISIPLIN SISWA DITINJAU DARI PERSEPSI KETAHANAN KELUARGA DAN KUALITAS KEHIDUPAN SEKOLAH

Discipline character is very crucial to be developed since an early age. Children who have a disciplined character will be able to learn and to develop admirable behavior that is accepted by society and members of social groups. This study examined whether family resilience and the quality of school life has a correlation with the character of discipline. The hypotheses were (1) there is a positive correlation between the quality of school life and family resilience with the disciplinary character of students (2) there is a positive correlation between the quality of school life and the character of student discipline and (3) there is a positive correlation between family resilience and the character of student discipline. This research was conducted by giving three scales to 220 junior high school students. The result analysis showed that the hypotheses were accepted. There was a positive and significance correlation between family resilience and the quality of school life with the disciplinary character of students.Keywords: discipline character; family strengths; quality school of lifeKarakter disiplin sangat penting dikembangkan sejak dini. Hal ini dikarenakan anak yang memiliki karakter disiplin mampu belajar berperilaku yang diterima oleh masyarakat dan anggota kelompok sosial. Penelitian ini ingin menguji apakah karakter disiplin dipengaruhi oleh ketahanan keluarga dan kualitas kehidupan sekolah. Hipotesis dalam penelitian ini adalah (1) terdapat hubungan positif kualitas kehidupan sekolah dan ketahanan keluarga dengan karakter disiplin siswa (2) terdapat hubungan positif kualitas kehidupan sekolah dan karakter disiplin siswa dan (3) terdapat hubungan positif ketahanan keluarga dan karakter disiplin siswa. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan memberikan tiga skala kepada 220 siswa Sekolah Menengah Pertama. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan positif antara ketahanan keluarga dan kualitas kehidupan sekolah dengan kualitas kehidupan sekolah. Kata kunci : Karakter disiplin, ketahanan keluarga, kualitas kehidupan sekolah Abstract. Discipline character is very important to develop from an early age. Because children who have a disciplined character are able to learn to behave that is accepted by society and members of social groups. This study wants to examine whether the character of discipline has a relationship with family resilience and the quality of school life. The hypotheses is (1) there is a positive relationship between the quality of school life and family resilience with the disciplinary character of students (2) there is a positive relationship between the quality of school life and the character of student discipline and (3) there is a positive relationship between family resilience and the character of student discipline.. This research was conducted by giving three scales to 220 junior high school students. The results of the analysis show that there is a positive and significance correlation between family resilience and the quality of school life with the disciplinary character of students. Keywords: Discipline character, family strengths, quality school of life

QUALITY OF SCHOOL LIFE FORSTUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This phenomenological study explores to contribute in developing mental health support system and services through an in-depth understanding of the quality of school life for students diagnosed with depression. It aimed to describe, identify influences and understand their experienced and perceived school life. Analysis indicated that school support system such as having friends, welcoming student services staff and participation in various student organizations found to be significant influences for them to experience quality of school life. On the other hand, perceived relationship with their teachers and parents as well as their personal uncertainty for their future career is expressed as challenges towards the attainment of quality school life

QUALITY OF SCHOOL LIFE FORSTUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION:AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This phenomenological study explores to contribute in developing mental health support system and services through an in-depth understanding of the quality of school life for students diagnosed with depression. It aimed to describe, identify influences and understand their experienced and perceived school life. Analysis indicated that school support system such as having friends, welcoming student services staff and participation in various student organizations found to be significant influences for them to experience quality of school life. On the other hand, perceived relationship with their teachers and parents as well as their personal uncertainty for their future career is expressed as challenges towards the attainment of quality school life.

QUALITY OF SCHOOL LIFE FORSTUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION:AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This phenomenological study explores to contribute in developing mental health support system and services through an in-depth understanding of the quality of school life for students diagnosed with depression. It aimed to describe, identify influences and understand their experienced and perceived school life. Analysis indicated that school support system such as having friends, welcoming student services staff and participation in various student organizations found to be significant influences for them to experience quality of school life. On the other hand, perceived relationship with their teachers and parents as well as their personal uncertainty for their future career is expressed as challenges towards the attainment of quality school life.

EFFECTS OF CRITICAL THINKING DEVELOPMENT IN ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

The subject of this research was an investigation of critical thinking development in the classes of Islamic Religious Education. The aim of the research was to find out whether there is a statistically significant difference in the quality of school life, school climate and students’ participation in class activities between traditional classes and classes in which critical thinking development is promoted. We used an experimental method, a method of theoretical analysis, and a descriptive-analytical method, and a survey technique. The following instruments were employed: the Questionnaire on the Quality of School Life (Ainley & Bourke, 1992), ISC-S Inventory – the Estimate of School Climate (Brand, Felner, Shim, Seitsinger & Dumas, 2003) and the Questionnaire on Students’ Class Activities (Gentry, Gable & Ruzza, 2002). The research was conducted in two schools in the city of Zenica, one of which was an experimental group (elementary school Mak Dizdar, Zenica) and one a control group (Elementary school Musa Ćazim Ćatić, Zenica). The research sample comprised 300 6th and 8th grade elementary school students: 150 students in the experimental group and 150 in the control group. Both groups had 75 male and 75 female students. The research findings showed that the students in the classes in which critical thinking development was promoted had a statistically significantly better quality of school life, experienced better class climate and the better quality of class activities than those who attended traditional classes. These findings confirmed the importance of developing critical thinking in Religious Education and can be the basis for encouraging permanent education of all Islamic religion educators in terms of acquiring the competences for promoting critical thinking development in Religious Education classes.