Analysis of the constructs of Competitive learning as perceived by elementary school students

Abstract

Purpose: In order for Competitive learning(CL) to be usefully employed in school, It is important to know how students perceive competitive learning. The purpose of this study was to reveal how elementary school students perceive CL so that CL can be positively employed in classrooms. Methods: To achieve this purpose, the characteristics of the CL recognized by elementary school students were analyzed using the Repertory Grid technique, which is a representative research method of Personal Construct Psychology. Results: Of the constructs of CL the following were found: 'A sense of achievement', 'Ability and Effort', 'Focus on results or activity', 'Recognition of rivals', 'Competition burden', 'Damage of sociality', 'Operation of rules', 'Deprivation according to the result', 'Responsiveness of people around', 'Pursuit of Competence', and 'Competition preference'. The degree of recognition differed according to the competitive-cooperation tendency, and the recognition was similar based on the activity. Conclusion: CL has a positive aspect, and it can be one of the effective learning methods if the positive aspects are maximized and the negative aspects are minimized. The focus of CL should be on the activity, not the reward. Furthermore, CL should be approached differently depending on the subject, environment, content and other areas.