Improving Students’ Learning in Group: The Case of 2016 Graduating Class Rural Development and Agricultural Extension Students, College of Agriculture, Wolaita Sodo University

Abstract

This study was conducted in Wolaita Sodo University to investigate the major factors that affect the implementation of students’ learning in group in the College of Agriculture. In this study, both primary and secondary data sources were used to collect the primary and secondary data respectively. For this study, the 2016 graduating class Rural Development and Agricultural Extension students were selected by purposive sampling technique. Accordingly, twenty five (25) students were selected from 53 students of the sample section by using lottery method of simple random sampling technique. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 20) was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study revealed that large class size, seating arrangement style, shortage of time, lack of adequate teaching-learning materials, and low participation of students are the major factors affecting the implementation of students’ learning in a group. In this study, constructing additional classrooms, supplying adequate teaching materials, developing class room management techniques, and managing and using the time effectively were suggested to promote the effective implementation of learning in a group.

Keywords: Group Discussion, Group Learning, Active Learning: Wolaita Sodo University