ERIC Number: EJ959649
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Peer-Assisted Learning Program and Its Effect on Student Skill Demonstration
Carr, W. David; Volberding, Jennifer; Vardiman, Phillip
Athletic Training Education Journal, v6 n3 p129-135 Jul-Sep 2011
Objective: To explore the effect of an intentional Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) program on peer-tutors and peer-tutees for performance on specific psychomotor skills. Design and Setting: Randomized, pretest-posttest experimental design. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 69, 42 females and 27 males, all participants were 18 to 22 years old, 19.5[plus or minus]1.2) enrolled in the professional phase of an accredited Athletic Training Education Program. Measurements: Pretest and posttest performance for the peer-tutors and post-peer interaction for the peer-tutees on identified therapeutic modality and orthopedic assessment psychomotor skill sets. Peer-tutors were randomly assigned to one of four groups; PAL only (PAL), PAL and the focused review session (PAL+), focused review session only (REV), and a control group (CON). Peer-tutees were randomly assigned to interact with the peer-tutors from the PAL and PAL+ or no interaction as a control group. Pretest-posttest percentage correct average changes for the peer tutors were analyzed with an ANOVA. Results: The pretest-posttest skill scores were found to be significantly different for the peer-tutors (F[subscript 3,102] = 4.703; P = 0.004). Post-hoc means comparison revealed significant differences between the peer-tutor groups PAL versus CON, PAL+ versus CON, and REV versus CON. Analysis of the peer-tutee means revealed no significant differences (PAL; 0.906 [plus or minus] 0.087, PAL+; 0.918 [plus or minus] 0.077, and Control; 0.881 [plus or minus] 0.061). Conclusion: These data suggest that peer interaction can increase student skill performance scores for the peer-tutors. A visual review of the means indicates a trend of increased skill level for the peer-tutees that received peer-tutoring from the PAL+ peer tutors. No significant difference was found with the REV group. It would appear from the peer-tutor perspective that a focused review session has more of an effect on student learning than peer interaction. (Contains 4 tables and 1 illustration.)
Descriptors: Control Groups, Undergraduate Students, Research Design, Athletics, Pretests Posttests, Program Effectiveness, Interaction, Tutors, Psychomotor Skills, Peer Teaching, Higher Education, Statistical Analysis, Peer Relationship, Scores
National Athletic Trainers' Association. 2952 Stemmons Freeway Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247. Tel: 214-637-6282; Fax: 214-637-2206; e-mail: ATEdJournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://nataej.org/journal-information.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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