Effects of an intergenerational program on childrenu27s learning outcomes and behaviour and on teachersu27 attitudes towards using seniors as volunteers in the classroom.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intergenerational program on childrenu27s learning outcomes and behaviours and on teachersu27 attitudes towards the use of seniors as volunteers in schools. To measure learning outcomes, 41 childrenu27s curriculum test scores from two junior division classrooms were compared to 45 childrenu27s test scores from two different classrooms. To measure childrenu27s behaviour, a tally adapted from the BDRS was used to compare four different types of behaviour when seniors were present and when teachers were present. The four behaviours measured were disruptiveness, needing attention, inattentiveness, and distractiveness. Six teachers were involved in the study. Their attitudes towards using seniors as volunteers in schools were measured using a 6 point Likert scale and open ended questions. Curriculum results indicated that there were no significant differences in test scores between the two groups of children. Significant results were found for three behaviours when comparing the children with teachers and with seniors present. The three behaviours were disruptiveness, needing attention, and inattentiveness. Results of the teachersu27 questionnaire indicated that they all had positive attitudes towards having seniors volunteer in the school. More research is needed to examine the effects of these programs on childrenu27s learning outcomes and behaviours. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses u26 Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1993 .M356. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 32-02, page: 0394. Adviser: Colin Ball. Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1993.