|
|
![[spacer]](/schemes/blue/line.gif)
|
Collaborative Learning in the Classroom
Our project aims at understanding the role of collaboration in undergraduate education, the benefits of collaboration, and how collaboration can be or is incorporated into teaching practices. In addition to our readings, we developed and conducted a survey to evaluate student satisfaction with collaboration in their classrooms and to compare results from two classes, one a large undergraduate class where traditional education methods prevail (CSCI 2270), and the other a small course where collaboration is encouraged and facilitated (CSCI 7000-001).
We had constructed a timeline to pick articles, review them, summarize them, create an overview of the main ideas and concepts in the readings summarized, create and choose survey questions, perform the survey, gather the results, and begin analysis of the results. For all of these milestones, we are on schedule (please view our group page to see the schedule and progress).
Link to the "Reading Summary" Overview of Concepts and Ideas(Huda)
Survey Report Summary
(1) group study participation :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 13 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 12 students are doing (or did) group projects, but none of them are collaborating for a test.
- 9 students were doing homework and course material discussions.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 79 out of 89 students answered to this question (ten students did not answered it).
- 12 students answered all four different categories of group study participation.
- 47 students had experience in-group projects, and 42 seemed to discuss some course materials.
- 32 students answered doing homework in a group study.
(2) in-class group work :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 12 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 9 students answered they at least once per week with a group in-class, but 3 students answered never work/study with a group in-class.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 88 out of 89 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 37.5 % of students answered never, 35.2 % of students answered that they collaborated once per month in-class.
- About one fourth of students did work/study with a group in-class.
(3) out-of-class group work :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 13 out of 13 students answered to this question.
- About 50% of students were meeting about once per week, and the other 50% of students were meeting about once per month.
- One student answered never doing out-of-class group work.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 89 out of 89 students answered to this question.
- 41.6 % of students answered that they never work together out-of-class.
- About one third of students answered that they work/study with a group at least once per week out-of-class.
(4) motivation to work in a group :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 12 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 11 students answered that the teacher had suggested the group work. However, 7 students were motivated in a group work because of potential for greater achievement.
- One person answered to "I can get a free ride."
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 85 out of 89 students answered to this question (four students did not answered it).
- 47 students answered that work in a group was suggested by the teacher.
- 56 students answered that they were motivated in a group work because of potential for greater achievement.
- One student answered to "I can get a free ride."
(5) group work observation :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 12 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- More than half of students answered that their group meetings are constructive and the members work together well.
- Less than half of students answered all members contributed equally.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 87 out of 89 students answered to this question (two students did not answered it).
- 21 students answered that all members contributed equally.
- 42 students answered that group meetings were constructive and were able to spend ample time on problem solving.
- 44 students answered that members worked well together.
- 20 students left some comments that are similar to each other for this question. And they are ...
- N/A or haven't worked in a group much yet (lack of experiences)
- Sometimes group work and sometimes do not
- Slackers -vs- hard workers/ stupid people
- Smarter ones have to do all the work
- Helps understand the materials/gain on both ends (only positive things they said)
(6) overall experience :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 13 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- None of student answered their group work experience to be bad, and more than half of students answered excellent and good (average is good).
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 85 out of 89 students answered to this question (four students did not answered it).
- Five students answered that collaborative learning was bad experience.
- 11 students answered excellent, and 69 students answered between good and ok.
(7) good things about collaborative learning :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 13 out of 13 students answered to this question.
- 11 students answered that collaborative learning was good in new and different ideas and opinions.
- 8 students answered that they could accomplish more in a group than by themselves.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 88 out of 89 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 73 students answered that collaborative learning was good in new and different ideas and opinions.
- 46 students answered that work was divided up among each member, and 38 students felt that they accomplished more in a group than by themselves.
- 20 students answered all positive (circled on all three reasons). Some left comments on this question, and they are ...
- real-life responsibilities and experiences
- fresh ideas
- easy moving on with a problem in a group instead being stuck at one part if one had to do it all by oneself.
- force to work harder not to be embarrassed in a group
(8) dislike things about collaborative learning :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 12 out of 13 students answered to this question (one student did not answered it).
- 10 students answered that the scheduling is the most difficult, and 7 students disliked inefficient organization of work.
- 6 students worried about "Free riders" whom failed to do their part of work.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 89 out of 89 students answered to this question.
- 60 students answered that the scheduling is the most difficult, and 39 students disliked inefficient organization of work.
- 55 students worried about "Free riders" whom failed to do their part of work.
- Four students left some comments like stupid people and do not know who can be trustworthy.
(9) barriers for collaborative learning :
In the CSCI 7000 class
NOTE : 11 out of 13 students answered to this question (two students did not answered it).
- 5 students felt that incomplete education on how to work in a group was the barrier.
- 4 students answered that lack of resources and technology that support group work were the barriers for collaborative learning.
- 3 students answered that insufficient support from teachers was the barrier.
In the CSCI 2270 class
NOTE : 67 out of 89 students answered to this question (22 students did not answered it).
- 25 students answered that lack of resources was the barrier.
- 23 students answered that insufficient support from teachers and incomplete education on how to work in a group are the barriers for collaborative learning.
- 12 students left some comments that are similar to each other, and they are ...
- unequally yoked
- evaluation flawed
- poor structured group
(10) work alone/with others/depends
In the CSCI 7000 class
- ALONE : 5 out of 13
- WITH OTHERS : 7 out of 13
- DEPENDS : 1 out of 13
In the CSCI 2270 class
- ALONE : 37 out of 89
- WITH OTHERS : 47 out of 89
- DEPENDS : 5 out of 89
(11) words that describe collaborative learning
In the CSCI 7000 class
Positive words :
- New ideas/good idea/brainstorm
- Experience/more achievement/more effective
- Group work/group effort
Negative words :
- Waste of time/inefficient use of time
- Tough to organize
(NOTE : less negative words in this class env.)
In the CSCI 2270 class
Positive words
- Fun/interesting/entertaining/enjoyable
- Team work/helpful/good/effective/constructive/efficient
- Organized/greater potential/ideas/sharing/efficient
Negative words
- Frustrating/arguments/conflicts/stress
- Free-loaders/inefficient/unorganized
- Difficult/complicated/time consuming/communist (very interesting)
Additional interesting comments
In the CSCI 7000 class
Positive comments
Negative comments
- Not motivated to do any group work.
In the CSCI 2270 class
- Some people liked and some do not
|
|
