The Influence of the Physical Environment on Learning Behaviour: A Case Study of Intermediate Schools in Kuwait

Ali, Mohammad A.A.H.M. (2017) The Influence of the Physical Environment on Learning Behaviour: A Case Study of Intermediate Schools in Kuwait. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

A school’s physical environment plays a vital role in enhancing learning and teaching
experiences. Currently, there is a growing body of literature indicating the critical impacts a
school’s physical environment can effect on students and teachers. However, far too little
attention has been paid to this issue, not excluding public schools in Kuwait.
This research investigates the impact of the physical environment on learning and teaching
behaviour, performance and outcomes in Kuwaiti intermediate public schools. It evaluates
the quality of architectural characteristics of school buildings, and the classroom interior
features in term of spatial, visual, acoustic, thermal and personal environmental aspects.
A mixed methods approach was adopted to efficiently assess the quality of learning
environments. The documented case studies consist of comprehensive figures consolidated
from five public schools by three methods. A physical survey was designed to assess the
condition of school buildings and classroom environments. The observation helped to
measure the influence interior classroom environments exerted on students’ and teachers’
performance and behaviour. Concomitantly, a school inventory survey (questionnaires) were
also designed to represent the students’, teachers’ and school administrators’ concerns and
feedback regarding their school environment. In addition, a qualitative semi-structured
interview was conducted with a Ministry of Education official, who generously provided
further insight into the case studies’ results.
Comparative analysis findings from this study indicate several contributions to the current
literature. Firstly, results revealed that the effective quality of the learning environment
identified a positive impact on learning and teaching performance and behaviour. Secondly,
the results identified many inadequacies and weaknesses within the architectural system
adopted in Kuwaiti schools. Thirdly, this study revealed that the lack of a proper protocol
within the Ministry of Education in Kuwait imposed a negative influence on school design
quality. The study concludes with a description of more specific outcomes pertinent to the
quality of physical features, as well as recommendations for further studies towards
improving the school learning environment in Kuwait.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 15 August 2017 Completed
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture CAH22 - education and teaching > CAH22-01 - education and teaching > CAH22-01-01 - education
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection
Depositing User:	Kip Darling
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2019 16:11
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2022 17:23
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/6892