Attitude and Achievement of Undergraduate Education Students Taught Statistics in Cooperative Learning Groups

Abstract

This study examined the fear of students towards statistics. The meaning and the benefits of Cooperative Learning Instruction was reviewed. The construct of attitude was briefly defined. The study design was an Expo Facto design. Thirty students [fifteen B.Sc (Ed) and fifteen B.A(Ed)] participated in the study. An instrument, Cooperative Learning Attitude Scale (CLAS) was used to generate the data. Achievement was measured with the students’ achievement scores in the end of the semester examination. The result was analyzed using descriptive statistics and t- test statistical analysis at 0.005 level of significance. The result revealed no significant variation in the attitude of both BA(Ed) and the BSc (Ed) students. They both showed positive attitude toward statistics and cCooperative Learning Instructional Strategy. It was concluded that Cooperative Learning Instructional Strategy could bring about positive transformation of student attitude toward statistics. It was recommended however, that the study be repeated using an experimental design for a stronger basis for generalization.