Students’ Preferred Characteristics of Learning Environments in Vocational Secondary Education

Authors

  • Ingeborg Placklé Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Educational Sciences
  • Karen D. Könings Maastricht University, School of Health Professions Education
  • Wolfgang Jacquet Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Educational Sciences
  • Katrien Struyven Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Educational Sciences
  • Arno Libotton Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Educational Sciences
  • Jeroen J. G. van Merriënboer Maastricht University, School of Health Professions Education
  • Nadine Engels Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Educational Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.1.2.2

Keywords:

secondary vocational education, characteristics of powerful learning environments, student perceptions and preferences, survey

Abstract

If teachers and teacher educators are willing to support the learning of students, it is important for them to learn what motivates students to engage in learning. Students have their own preferences on design characteristics of powerful learning environments in vocational education. We developed an instrument - the Inventory Powerful Learning Environments in Vocational Education - to measure students’ preferences on characteristics of powerful learning environments in vocational education. We investigated whether student preferences on the design of their learning environments are in line with what is described in the literature as beneficial for learning. Data of 544 students show that the preferences of students support most characteristics of PLEs in vocational education. Looking through the eyes of students, teachers have to challenge their students and encourage them to take their learning in their own hands. Adaptive learning support is needed. Remarkable, students do not prefer having reflective dialogues with teachers or peers.

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Online First / Final Publication Date

2014-12-30

How to Cite

Placklé, I., Könings, K. D., Jacquet, W., Struyven, K., Libotton, A., van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Engels, N. (2014). Students’ Preferred Characteristics of Learning Environments in Vocational Secondary Education. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 1(2), 107–124. https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.1.2.2

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