Performance Assessment And Comparison Of Learning In International Education: American Versus Jamaican Students Learning Outcomes

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to assess and compare learning gained in a masters of science in human resources course entitled Management Communication and to measure performance through an objective pre-test and post-test examination with students pursuing their degree at a cluster site in Kingston, Jamaica, away from the main campus with those at the campus (Fort Lauderdale, Florida).These students were completing this graduate course in the summer term of 2005 and received traditional, face-to-face instruction in a classroom setting, with classes delivered in a weekend format during the term. Two different instructors taught the class using the same performance measure for comparison purposes. Student performance for the purpose of this study was defined as the score on the pre-test and on the final examination (post-test).

Findings revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (alpha = .05) in the pre-test and post-test scores of students enrolled at the Kingston of Jamaica cluster and those at the Main Campus. Both groups had significant gains in the pre- and post-test examinations. Furthermore, the overall performance of students in Jamaica seems to be equivalent to the performance of students at the Main Campus when the classes are taught by two different faculty members who used the same final exam questions.