This study investigated the effects of a cross-age tutoring programme on the tutors'
self-esteem. The study also examined the effects of the programme on the tutors'
attitudes to computers. A case study approach was used to answer the following
questions:
1. Does the self-esteem of tutors increase when they tutor in a nonacademic
subject area e.g. teaching others to use computer games?
2. Do the changes in self-esteem generalise to other areas or are the
changes specific to the subject area of the tutoring?
3. Do the tutors' attitudes to computers change when they teach younger
children how to use computer games?
Twelve tutors, from three A.C.T. primary schools, were trained as tutors. Girls from
Years 5 and 6, with low self-esteem (measured using the Coopersmith Self-esteem
Inventory), were selected to teach girls from Years 1 and 2 how to use computer
programmes.
Self-esteem was assessed pre- and post- tutoring using the Coopersmith Self-esteem
Inventory, concept maps and teacher's ratings. Computer attitudes were assessed
pre- and post- tutoring using the Bath County Computer Attitudes Survey and
concept maps. A post-tutoring questionnaire provided information, from the tutors,
about the tutoring programme. The case study approach allowed analysis of each
student's experience in the programme. The criteria used to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programme were the differences in the pre- and post- tutoring
measures of self-esteem and computer attitudes and the tutors' responses in
interviews.
Self-esteem increased for eleven of the tutors. Making a contribution, feelings of
increased competence, a sense of belonging and positive feedback were the factors
that appeared to enhance the tutors' self-esteem. All tutors were more confident with
the computer at the end of the programme, and in six cases there were increases in
the computer attitude survey scores.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219403 |
| Date | January 1992 |
| Creators | Trost, Susan, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Susan Trost |
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