Audio-Tutorial Instruction and Student-Selected Curricula.

A comparison between achievement test scores in a life science course for students in audiotutorial sections and those in conventional lecture-laboratory sections was made during the fall of 1973. The comparison indicated that student achievement, as measured by percentage scores on unit tests plus a final examination, was almost identical between the two types of instruction. However, the audiotutorial students were able to complete additional supplementary minicourses of their choice within the same time span; hence, in reality they were able to achieve more by the individualized instruction. Furthermore in responding to an attitude questionnaire, students indicated a preference for this type of learning experience. Taking confidence from these results and combining that information with the experience gained through field testing minicourses from Purdue University, the Lake Land College Life Science staff has implemented an expanding program of supplemental packaged units (minicourses). (Author)