Evaluation of an Online Group Intervention to Improve Test-Taking Self-Efficacy and Reduce Licensure Test Anxiety

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-388
Author(s):  
Carol Coohey ◽  
Stephen P. Cummings
Author(s):  
Carolyn McLeod ◽  
Mike Boyes

Educational programs that incorporate social emotional-learning (SEL) strategies, study skills, and mindful breathing using biofeedback can help adolescents decrease worry and social stress, increase test preparedness self-efficacy, and improve academic performance due to lowered levels of test anxiety. The current study examined the efficacy of a SEL intervention (implemented into a high school psychology course) focused on study skills and mindful breathing and its impact on student attitude and behavioural changes (e.g., test anxiety, self-efficacy), academic performance, and physical changes. A quasi-experimental explanatory mixed methods study conducted at a rural Alberta high school examined pre- and post-intervention results between two groups of Grades 9–12 students (N = 105) with one group receiving the intervention (mindful breathing sessions, emotional regulation techniques, study and test-taking skills, and coping strategies) while the other received regular programming. Quantitative data included a Test Anxiety Survey (TAS), Student Opinion Survey–Short Form (SOS-SF), and reading comprehension (RC) tests to measure attitude and behavioural changes, followed by qualitative data obtained from student semi-structured interviews and focus groups for further interpretation. Quantitative results from repeated-measures (RM) ANOVAs indicated significant increases in self-efficacy for preparation and test-taking, increased academic achievement, decreased worry about future social stress, and increased positive affect. Effect sizes for significant impacts ranged from .45 to .65. Qualitative data indicated that students acquired new SEL strategies to help them handle stressful test situations more effectively. The current study addresses topics of interest to educators (e.g., test anxiety, social emotional learning) with a discussion of applications for extension and development of the program in junior and senior high classrooms. Keywords: test anxiety, adolescents, social-emotional learning, mindfulness, biofeedback


Author(s):  
Despoina Schina ◽  
Cristina Valls-Bautista ◽  
Anna Borrull-Riera ◽  
Mireia Usart ◽  
Vanessa Esteve-González

Abstract Purpose This study explores pre-service preschool teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards Educational Robotics (ER) during a university course, and also examines their perceptions of the course. Methodology This is a one-group intervention study with an associational research design that includes both quantitative and qualitative research methods: two pre-questionnaires and two post-questionnaires on pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER, and participants’ training journals. Findings The results show that pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER improved after they completed the ER teacher training course. There was a significant difference between the start and the end of the ER training in the pre-service teachers’ acceptance of ER in the areas of perceived ease of use, enjoyment and attitudes, and in their self-efficacy. The findings based on the training journals show that participants positively evaluated the course. The participants also provided suggestions for improving it, such as additional training sessions, resources and time for experimentation. Value Our study reveals the impact of an ER training program and showcases the importance of integrating ER in pre-service teachers’ education.


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Zimmer ◽  
Dennis J. Hocevar

The effects of massed versus distributed practice on achievement and test anxiety were investigated using a quasi-experimental design employing 56 college students under two conditions. Test anxiety was assessed using Sarason's four-dimensional Reactions to Tests, while classroom achievement was measured on tests using multiple-choice applications. Experimental subjects were given four Reactions to Tests items and 10-item examinations on a weekly basis for 10 weeks, while control subjects had only a 100-item final examination. Analysis indicated (1) significantly higher final examination performance for the distributed testing condition; (2) a significant reduction in test anxiety between initial sessions and the remainder of the term in the distributed testing condition; (3) no difference in test anxiety between the distributed testing and control conditions when test anxiety was assessed at the end of the term; and (4) nonsignificant correlations between test anxiety dimensions of the Reactions to Tests and achievement in both the control and distributed testing conditions. Results support the contention that relationships between achievement and test anxiety may be more complex than previously thought.


Groupwork ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-57
Author(s):  
Shelley L Craig ◽  
Wook Yang ◽  
Ashley Austin

The current study examined the efficacy of an affirmative group cognitive behavioral intervention on the sexual self-efficacy level of sexual and gender minority youths (SGMY). SGMY (n=30) between the age of 15 and 18 participated in a series of eight cognitive behavioral-focused groups. They also completed measures on sexual self-efficacy before and after the intervention. Paired sample t-test was chosen as method of analysis. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in protection sexual self-efficacy but not in abstinence sexual self-efficacy post intervention.The current study concluded that affirmative groups that utilize cognitive behavioral therapy show promise for SGMY. Group content and process is detailed, and key components of groups designed to improve the sexual health of SGMY are discussed.


Author(s):  
Andreas Brouzos ◽  
Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos ◽  
Vaia Stavrou ◽  
Vasiliki C. Baourda ◽  
Christina Tassi ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerle Brenninkmeijer ◽  
Arjan Van Houwelingen ◽  
Roland Blonk ◽  
Nico Van Yperen

Self-efficacy: the Effect of JOBS, a Group Intervention for the Unemployed Self-efficacy: the Effect of JOBS, a Group Intervention for the Unemployed Veerle Brenninkmeijer, Arjan Van Houwelingen, Roland Blonk & Nico Van Yperen, Gedrag & Organisatie, Volume 19, Juni 2006, nr. 2, pp. 97. This study is about the JOBS training, a group training for the unemployed (Vinokur, Van Ryn, Gramlich & Price, 1991) by increasing individuals' self-efficacy. First, a theoretical comparison was made between Bandura's (1977a) four sources of self-efficacy and the components of the JOBS training. Subsequently, we tested the effect of JOBS on self-efficacy in a longitudinal study among 281 JOBS participants. JOBS indeed increased the self-efficacy at both the short and long term (after one and six months). The increase on the short term was stronger among women. The increase in self-efficacy was not related to the actual job finding, but the absolute level of self-efficacy was.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan Fiorella ◽  
So Yoon Yoon ◽  
Kinnari Atit ◽  
Jason R. Power ◽  
Grace Panther ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Motivation is critical for supporting persistence and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In this study, we focus on the assessment of mathematics motivation among secondary school students. We provide validity and reliability evidence for the Mathematics Motivation Questionnaire (MMQ)—adapted from the Science Motivation Questionnaire designed for college students—using data from 2551 secondary students from seven states across the United States. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed five latent factors of the MMQ indicated by 19 items: intrinsic value, self-regulation, self-efficacy, utility value, and test anxiety. The nonlinear SEM reliability coefficients of the five constructs ranged from 0.76 to 0.91. To assess criterion validity, analyses using a subset of the data that included students’ mathematics standardized scores (n = 536) indicated that intrinsic value, self-regulation, and self-efficacy were significantly positively correlated with mathematics achievement, whereas test anxiety was significantly negatively correlated with mathematics achievement. Conclusions The MMQ provides a reliable, valid, and feasible measure of the specific factors underlying mathematics motivation among secondary students.


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