THE EFFECTS OF SINGLE-GENDER GROUPS ON BROADCAST VIDEO PRODUCTION STUDENTS

THE EFFECTS OF SINGLE-GENDER GROUPS ON BROADCAST VIDEO PRODUCTION STUDENTS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of single-gender grouping on Broadcast Video Production (BVP) students. Students in two first year broadcasting classes created a 45-sec Public Service Announcement (PSA) on bullying. One class consisted of the treatment of single-gender groups (N=24) while the other consisted of mixed-gender groups (N=21). Data was collected over 6-weeks and compared. Behavioral Checklists were used to determine which groups or gender remained focused on the project, and a Group Perception Questionnaire was given at the end of the study to establish student attitudes about group formation. Using a video rubric a statistically significant difference was found between the mean score of boys (M=77.3) and girls (M=75.8), but the comparison class of mixed-gender groups (M=78.1) scored higher than students in the treatment class of single-gender groups (M=76.4)