The Effect of Group Size on Attitudes Toward Microcomputers

Abstract

The attitudes of learning handicapped and nonhandicapped students toward microcomputers and their preference for working alone or with a partner was examined. Twenty learning handicapped and 20 nonhandicapped boys from upper elementary grades participated for 10 minutes, three times per week for a 4-week period on a microcomputer mathematics problem-solving task. Each student worked alone, with a handicapped partner, and with a nonhandicapped partner. Children were asked about their preference for working by themselves or in a dyad prior to and following the microcomputer experience. Attitudes toward computers were assessed as well in an exit interview. Results indicated that a majority of both handicapped and nonhandicapped students enjoyed working at the computer. For learning handicapped students, there were significant changes in group size preference from pretest to posttest: A majority of students preferred to work alone prior to the study, but a majority stated they preferred to work with a partner at the study's conclusion. Results differed for nonhandicapped students with a similar number preferring each group size at both measurement points.