Investigating Factors Influencing Joyfulness of High School environments From the Viewpoint of Students of Isfahan City in the Academic Year 2011-2012

Abstract

This study attempts to determine the factors affecting joyfulness of high school environments from the viewpoint of students of Isfahan city in the academic year 2011-2012. The study investigates factors including educational and background factors, as well as educational atmosphere, facilities and equipment. Being a descriptive research, the study adopts a survey method. The statistical population comprises all students of Isfahan city in the academic year 2011-2012 whose number amount to 90141. The sample comprises 384 students chosen from the population according to Morgan's table. The students were selected through stratified random sampling proportionate to their number according to their region and gender. For data collection and data analysis, the study uses researcher-made questionnaires as research tools. The findings are analyzed by using the two methods of description (percentage and mean) and deduction (independent and single-sample T-tests and variance analysis). Considering the weighted average of the questions and deductive results, the major research findings reveal that all factors being investigated including educational and support factors as well as facilities and equipment, extracurricular activities and educational atmosphere  affect, more than the average (greatly) joyfulness of school environments.

Key words: joyfulness, educational factors, support,   facilities and equipment, extracurricular activities, educational environment.