This study assessed the relative effectiveness of verbal and non-verbal teaching methods in facilitating the learning of mathematics. The two treatments differed only in that nonverbal instruction did not permit oral communication or use of written words. Chalkboard instruction was characterized by complete silence in nonverbal classes. In verbal classes, new terminology was introduced by writing the terms on the board and using them thorughout the lesson. Four fourth-grade classes consisting of 88 students in one school were randomly assigned to treatment groups so that two were taught non-verbally, and two by the conventional verbal method. Two teachers were assigned one class of each type. Treatment and teacher factors were crossed in a pretest-posttest control group design. The demonstrated comparability of the two teaching methods not only points to nonverbal instruction as an alternate mode, but also seriously questions the effectiveness of conventional teacher talk in enhancing learning. Teachers with a creative bent should be encouraged to experiment with nonverbal instruction and design activities for all levels of development. The technique could be used effectively to break the routine of conventional instruction. The importance of nonverbal components should be stressed in methods courses for pre- and in-service teachers. Techniques of nonverbal instruction should be practiced in student teaching practices. / Typescript. / "August, 1973." / "Submitted to the Department of Mathematics Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." / Advisor: Eugene D. Nichols, Professor Directing Dissertation. / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-142).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_291463 |
| Contributors | Hollingsworth, Caroline Dean, 1949- (authoraut), Nichols, Eugene Douglas, 1923- (professor directing dissertation), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (vii, 143 leaves), computer, application/pdf |
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