class demonstrations, student presentations
through role play, simulations and group discussions.
Some of these class presentations
were done through audiovisual presentations,
such as the playing of a DVD of elementary economics
topics during contact sessions (Becker
and Watts 1998; van Wyk 2010). Students observed
and gave presentations per group on
activities during the contact sessions. Students
paid special attention to the researcher’s presentations
during the contact sessions on economic
content and skills.
Students in the experimental group (STAD)
received individual grades on their assignments.
However, the individual performances of team
members were combined at the end of each week
for a team score. The team with the best score
for the previous week (determined by team members’
individual improvement) was acknowledged
at the beginning of each week with verbal
recognition from the researcher (lecturer) and
the results written up on a team success chart
located in the classroom and also on a ‘Blackboard’
(e-learning management network system).