Is Perception The Missing Link Between Personality Traits And Student Performance?

Abstract

Recent interest in the development use of expert systems and computer-assisted instruction as pedagogical tools has resulted in a need for research into the effectiveness of such instructional method.  Prior studies have examined the effect of personality traits on knowledge development both separate from and in cohort with a specific teaching method.  Their results indicate that both personality traits and teaching method (classroom instruction and the use of an expert system), affect the development of declarative and procedural knowledge.  Also, their results shows that certain personalities prefer certain teaching methods.  Other prior studies have shown that the perceptions of a teaching method can also influence students’ performance in the classroom.  The present research also support these findings.  In addition, that personality traits affect perception has also been shown.  Thus, the present research suggests that all three—personality traits, teaching method, and the perception of the teaching method—affect the development of knowledge with perception being the missing link between personality traits and performance.  However, the results also shows that students’ perceptions of a teaching method do not necessarily harmonize with their performance, i.e., that a teaching method rated highly by students may not produce the best performance outcomes.