Learning in Individual and Small Group Settings. Technical Report No. 7

The present study compared learning in individual and small group settings, accounting for differences between conditions as partly a function of student ability and group process. The study had two parts. Part One provided a comparison of learning in individual and group settings. Students in Part...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Webb, Noreen M
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.10.1977
Subjects
Ability Grouping
Academic Ability
Academic Aptitude
Educational Psychology
Group Dynamics
High School Students
Individual Differences
Learning
Personality
Problem Solving
Research Projects
Secondary Education
Student Characteristics
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Summary:The present study compared learning in individual and small group settings, accounting for differences between conditions as partly a function of student ability and group process. The study had two parts. Part One provided a comparison of learning in individual and group settings. Students in Part Two performed two tasks, both in individual settings. In Part One, 11th-grade students of average and superior ability were assigned to 12 four-person groups. Subjects in Part Two were 18 students. Results of posttests in Part One showed that the order from best to worst conditions, averaged over ability levels, was: mixed-ability grouping, individual learning, and uniform-ability grouping. Examination of group process showed that in mixed-ability groups, high ability-students explained to less-able members; when in uniform-ability groups, however, highs rarely explained. Those who actively explained showed excellent delayed performance; those who did not explain showed poor delayed performance. Thus, the effect of the learning setting depends on the ability of the student, the ability of the student relative to that of teammates, and the role the student plays in the group. Educational research should closely examine the relation of group process and student characteristics. (Author)