This was a pedagogical study, designed to evaluate the effects of a course for small groups in the classroom as a different approach to teaching and learning instructions for underprepared minority students' academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. To determine the effectiveness of the small group method of approach, the pre- and post-experimental/control group design was used. The control group received thirteen two-hour-per-week sessions (one semester) of the traditional method of approach to teaching and learning instruction. At the same time, the experimental group received the non-traditional small group method of approach. Both groups consisted of sixteen students who were randomly selected. The researcher administered pre- and post-surveys and testing measurements which focused on academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. An independent observer was also used. The experimental group (only) received survey measurements which examined written responses relative to the influence of the small group experience. The t-test was used for data analysis to determine significant difference. Upon examination of the data, there was a significant difference in the performance of students in the experimental group than those in the control group on measures of the BSAT reading and writing, end-of-semester grade point average and problem-solving skills. There was no significant difference on the interpersonal communication measure; however, the data revealed the experimental group as having a higher improved score relative to the control group on the measure of the Interpersonal Communication Inventory. In summary, the data indicate that the small group method of approach can make a significant difference in students' academic performance and improve their effectiveness in problem-solving, as well as influence their interpersonal communication skills.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-8040 |
| Date | 01 January 1991 |
| Creators | McMillon, Helen Grace |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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