"Comments on "Doin Soc

In view of the demands to make sociology relevant and facilitate learning, the present writer has conducted a series of studies related to the effectiveness with which introductory sociology might be taught. One study found, through the use of conventional item analysis, that total test score was an adequate predictor of student comprehensions of subject matter. The teaching method was essentially traditional in that the teaching technique essentially included lecturing (Harris, 1972). Two subsequent studies revealed that innovative teaching methods were not inherently superior to traditional methods in enhancing academic performance (Harris, 1974a, 1974b). More recently Clifton (1976) describes an approach to teaching called Doin Soc in which those who were exposed to a laboratory experience in learning possessed a greater professional view of sociology by the end of the term. The present writer regards the results as being impressive (Clifton, 1976), but the research design leaves some vital questions unanswered. The questions and their implications are as follows. (1) What type of student is selected to take tests or the laboratory experiences? Are there certain personality

Epistemology · Pedagogy · Sociology · Evaluation of Teaching Practices · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences · Philosophy