The purpose of this study was to identify 1) the effects of practical reasoning instruction in home economics(PRIHE) implemented in Korean on high school female students' decision making skills, 2) differences of students' decision making skills accor...
The purpose of this study was to identify 1) the effects of practical reasoning instruction in home economics(PRIHE) implemented in Korean on high school female students' decision making skills, 2) differences of students' decision making skills according to other factors - areas, nonformal educational activities, students' preference for HE, and 3) perceptions of the students and the HE teachers to participate in PRIHE regarding PRIHE.
The research subjects were comprised of the experimental group of 437 female students and the control group of 340 female students. PRIHE had been implemented to the experimental group for four months by six HE teachers, the volunteers for implementing PRIHE. Whereas, the control group was taught under the lecture-type instruction in HE during the same period. The practical reasoning lesson plan had been modified and distributed to the HE teachers, who were trained to use the lesson plan during the PRIHE workshop. Decision making skills(0 points to 13 points) were determined by the Decision Making Framework(Ross and Maynes). In this study, analysis of covariance(ANCOVA) and content analysis were used.
The results of the study were the follows:
1) Decision making skills of the experimental group students were higher than those of the control group students(F=101.28, p<.0001).
2) Nonformal educational activities(F=6.78, p<.001) and preference for HE(F=4.94, p<.05) contributed to differences in decision making skills.
3) The students who studied under the PRIHE perceived that they shared friendship; higher order thinking skills improved; perceptions regarding HE were changed through the PRIHE; PRIHE was helpful for their real life; and PRIHE was interesting.
4) HE teachers to implement the PRIHE perceived that PRIHE was adequate for attaining the purpose of HE education, to foster interaction with students, and to give self-esteem as HE teachers. However, they responded that it was hard to implement. PRIHE in terms of the practical reasoning lesson plan, information about PRIHE, evaluation of students, and class time.