ABSTRACT
The current study aims at investigating the impact of homogeneous versus
heterogeneous collaborative learning grouping in multicultural classes on
the students’ achievements and attitudes towards learning science. In the
present study, heterogeneity was unpacked through two dimensions: the
cultural background, represented by the different nationalities present in
the class and the students’ different abilities. The interaction between these
two factors and their combined effect on the achievement and attitudes
were also investigated. The study also considered an approach to provide
quality teaching for a diverse group of students by neutralizing the
heterogeneity factor or reducing its negative effect.
For this purpose, 100 nine graders from more than 10 countries in an
independent preparatory school in Doha / Qatar were divided into four
classes and distributed over the following learning “STAD” groups:
a- Heterogeneous by ability but homogeneous by nationality.
b- Heterogeneous by nationality but homogeneous by ability.
c- Entirely heterogeneous (i.e. by both the ability and the nationality).
d- Entirely homogeneous (i.e. by both the ability and the nationality).
A diagnostic placement test, standardized pretest and posttest in addition
to the regular school tests were used to measure the achievement of the
students. A Questionnaire was developed to measure the attitudes of the
students towards learning science as well as towards group working. The study concluded that the main effects of group structure on the
students’ attitudes towards learning science were demonstrated by the
heterogeneous group. It affected all the attitude components except the
“working with students from different cultural backgrounds” dimension,
where nearly all group types had the same effect. However, this positive
attitude was enhanced when the effect of mixed ability classes was
combined with the effect of multiculturalism. Having foreign students or
students from different cultures in a mixed ability class, yielded the best
desired results. Therefore, the researcher highly recommends maximizing
the heterogeneity in a class in all possible ways. The implemented
collaborative learning strategy made learning more fun and beneficial for
the students, enhanced their self confidence, academic awareness, and
consequently their overall attitude towards science. The heterogeneity factor had a negative effect on the achievement of the
students. The students in the mixed ability classes scored less than the
students in other groups. However, when the “same ability” groups
contained students from different cultural backgrounds, the results were
the most favorable.
The optimum class composition that may yield best achievement results
and constructs positive attitudes is a compromise that maximizes group
diversity and prevents individual isolation. The interaction between the two
factors (ability + multiculturalism) gives the best desired results. In
multicultural classes, collaborative learning should be supported by a
multicultural education program, otherwise it would have little if any
positive effect on the students achievement and attitudes towards learning
science.