Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1987

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

A training model in the use of the discussion method by secondary school teachers and community college faculty was developed, evaluated, and tested to determine its effectiveness. The study was done at Florida Atlantic University in an Improvement in College Instruction class in the summer term of 1980. Sixteen of eighteen students enrolled in the course completed it. Prior to conducting the course a test was given to the students examining their knowledge about discussion and the use of discussion. The same test was given to the students after the module was used to improve their discussion skills. Video tapes were used as discussions were held and students viewed the tapes to evaluate themselves using three evaluation instruments. Students evaluated their discussion skills prior to the training experience and again after the training was completed. Five hypotheses were established. A t-test measured hypotheses one through five to determine whether significant differences existed between pretraining and posttraining scores on four evaluation instruments (Subject Matter, Flanders Interaction Analysis, Group Member, and Self). Three of the hypotheses were rejected using a.01 level of significance and a fourth hypothesis was rejected using a.05 level of significance. These four hypotheses examined change in the group and the individuals. A fifth hypothesis examined changes in students' perception of the quality of their first discussion and was not rejected. The five hypotheses were used to answer three research questions regarding an increase in subject matter scores, a change in group behavior, and a change in perception of group behavior. The results of the study indicate that subject matter scores increase and group behavior changes, but the group's perception of their behavior shows no significant change. It was recommended that the study be replicated using a larger population, subjects from a variety of backgrounds and measures of specific kinds of behavior in the groups.

Extent

146 p.

Comments

Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1987.|Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1987.

Identifier

FADT11898

Format

pdf

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