Triangulation Grouping in Statistics

Abstract

Jovencio T. Balino, Ed. D., Joylyn P. Baniaga, MAME, Venus D. Siong, MATE – Math and Grace G. Nabanalan, MDA. The Effect of Triangulation Grouping of Students in Understanding Statistics. March 2013.

Triangulation grouping was the term chosen by the researchers to name the kind of grouping done among the students. The students were made of different levels of understanding Statistics. The principle that lies within the term “triangulation grouping” was modeled from the cooperative learning as “a genre of instructional strategies that use small groups of students working together on learning tasks, stressing support for one another rather than competition.” In Triangulation grouping, the below average students will no longer feel separated and stigmatized. In the same manner above average students will have the opportunity to use their advantage in helping others out of a difficult situation. Forty five (45) students were used. Twenty of them are below average students. They were distributed evenly among the average and above average ones. Triangulation grouping means that each group was composed of a below average, an average and an above average student.

Prior and after the study, students were given survey questionnaires to answer. Observations on the attitudes of the students were also recorded. A record of the previous results on quizzes, and recitations of the below average students, prior the conduct of the study was compared to the results on quizzes, recitations and activities of the students after the conduct of the study. The results were, the researchers observed that the students during the study, especially the above average students were enjoying their task as tutors to the below average students. The below average students in the other hand showed gratefulness of the new groupings that was introduced to them. At the start, the above average students showed no interest about the task given to them specially that they don’t like the students assigned to them in their group, but after some conversation with them of the significance of their role in the study, they were able to participate well, even stated on the 2nd week of the study that they were able to understand the lesson more when they were given the responsibility to further explain the topic to their group. On the other hand, 6 among the below average students were observed to be aloof and uncomfortable that they were grouped with classmates which is not their peer, especially with above average and an average student. Some revisions were made in the grouping to solve the problem. Concern with one another is very much visible during the study. Each member of the group helped when one is being hard up with the task. Patience was also observed to be developed in each group. If one doesn’t understand, the group does their best to still explain further the lesson. Almost every below average student listened to their tutors, they gave comments during discussions and ask questions to their tutors when they don’t understand something.