GROUPWORK AND COMPUTERS - TASK TYPE AND CHILDRENS PERFORMANCE

In the majority of British primary schools, children use the computer in groups of two or three. This is partly due to the lack of resources , that is, most classrooms still only have one or two computers to sha re between around 30 children. Groupwork on computers is also justifie d for pedagogic reasons. Previous research comparing children working in groups or alone has revealed an advantage for children working in g roups although the work undertaken has generally been problem solving tasks. This investigation examined the performance of pairs and indivi dual 6-year old children on a drill and practice program using a pre-t est, intervention, post-test design. In comparison to the problem solv ing evidence, individuals were found to have a significant advantage o ver pairs during the computer-based task.