The 'Why’s' of Class Size: Student Behavior in Small Classes

Autor:	Jeremy D. Finn, Gina M. Pannozzo, Charles M. Achilles
Rok vydání:	2003
Předmět:	Class size Class (computer programming) 05 social sciences 050301 education 050109 social psychology Student engagement Class-size reduction Additional research Education Psychological Theory 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences Psychology 0503 education Social psychology Learning behavior
Zdroj:	Review of Educational Research. 73:321-368
ISSN:	1935-1046 0034-6543
DOI:	10.3102/00346543073003321
Popis:	Small classes in the elementary grades have been shown to boost students’ academic performance. However, researchers continue to seek a consistent, integrated explanation of “why” small classes have positive effects. This article forwards the hypothesis that when class sizes are reduced, major changes occur in students’ engagement in the classroom. Engagement is composed of “learning behavior” and pro- and antisocial behavior. Both are highly related to academic performance. We first review research on the relationship between class size and student engagement. Second, we review sociological and psychological theory about the behavior of individuals in groups to explain how student behavior can be affected by changes in class size. Both theory and empirical findings support our hypothesis, although additional research is required. High-priority questions needing further research are identified in the conclusion.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::c25d3a3d450ba06484e0edd18872e55b https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543073003321 Zobrazit plný text záznamu