In order to assess current practices in the teaching of conflict resolution, this study examined (through survey methods) the perceptions of teachers in three Oregon school districts of similar size regarding the techniques they use to teach conflict resolution skills to their students, teachers' perceptions of the frequency of the use of those techniques, and teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of those techniques. This study also compared the responses of teachers in school districts which provided teachers with staff development for the teaching of conflict resolution with the responses of those teachers from districts without that staff development. In addition, the survey examined the impact of cooperative learning on the teaching of conflict resolution. Data were reported in terms of frequency distribution, Spearman Correlation analysis, Chi Square, and Phi Correlations. The results indicate that elementary teachers use a wide variety of techniques to teach students how to get along with one another. Although they favor certain techniques, they do not use one technique to the exclusion of another. The hypothesis that demographic criteria may be linked to teachers' responses to the use of certain techniques was also rejected. Comparisons between responses of teachers from districts which supplied staff development for the teaching of conflict resolution and responses from teachers from districts which did not do so are inconclusive. Possible reasons may stem from different but, perhaps, equally enriching programs for the teaching of conflict resolution. Cooperative Learning is not primarily used as a method to teach conflict resolution. Those who use it, however, indicated that they saw increased conflict resolution skills as a by-product of that teaching method. The data gleaned in this survey would indicate that the following be considered when implementing a program for the teaching of conflict resolution: Conflict is a natural state which accompanies change and can act as a constructive force. Conflict in the classroom can provide a creative tension which helps to inspire problem-solving. Well-handled conflict can have benefits for increasing student motivation and may result in higher achievement and greater understanding of the subject. Conflict itself may prove to be an effective component of specific lessons. One apparent advantage to teaching appropriate use of conflict resolution is that if students know from their own experience that social relations need not be adversarial and that they can share power without losing influence, children may be better prepared to grow as global citizens.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:pdx.edu/oai:pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu:open_access_etds-2131 |
| Date | 01 January 1990 |
| Creators | Garrick, Marcia Gregor |
| Publisher | PDXScholar |
| Source Sets | Portland State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Dissertations and Theses |
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