The programmed instruction approach to the elimination of gross error in basic studies composition

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study is to develop and test the effectiveness of three early units of a programed text which will eliminate gross errors from the writing of Tarrant County Junior College Basic Studies students. A programed text allows the student to learn outside the classroom at his own pace. The student is led through the material by a small step, stimulus-response-reward technique of the linear program. He is offered self-tests at intervals and is also given the opportunity to branch back through the material if the need arises. The study includes diagnostic pretests and post-tests which measure the errors actually made in the Basic Studies freshman themes. The design of the study called for four tests to be given at the beginning and end of the study both to a control and an experimental group. An errors-per-page analysis was also computed from themes written in class. Various statistical analyses were made of the data. The statistical analyses revealed that although this pilot study contained some limitations, the pretest and post-test measure evidenced both a construct and content validity sufficient for the purposes of the study. The analyses revealed that the terminal behavior of the experimental group was improved enough over that of the control group to warrant further research and programing effort in the gross error problem. The evidence indicated that even though these students scored in the lowest ACT percentiles, all but a small percentage could learn the material as it was presented. Only those students who were severely disadvantaged failed to perform adequately. The study indicated that an approach other than lecture, the inductive method, or the programed text was necessary for the severely disadvantaged student. The philosophy of Tarrant County Junior College presupposes that in the near future the college will offer each student a curriculum which will meet his individual needs. This study will aid in solving one of the many problems inherent in the open-door institution.