Construction and Initial Validation of the Home Learning Environment Scale: an Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a set of scientific and valid home learning environment scales to provide a quantitative tool for related research and practice. Based on social learning theory, this study modified the design of the questionnaire from previous studies and invited experts to review and evaluate the content of the items to ensure content validity. Through two pretests, the first with a sample size of 54 for initial exploration and the second with a sample size of 494 for in-depth validation, the performance of the scale was assessed using exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, descriptive analysis, discriminant analysis, and structural equation modeling. The results showed that the scale reliability and validity of the final five retained items were good and could measure the home learning environment more accurately. However, the study has problems such as incomplete dimension coverage, sample limitation and single method. Future research could expand the dimensions of the scale, enlarge the sample range, and combine multiple research methods. The scale developed in this study makes up for the shortcomings of the existing scales and is of great significance in promoting the research and optimization of the home learning environment.