Impact of cooperative learning on teamwork competence

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melany Hebles ◽  
Concepción Yaniz-Álvarez-de-Eulate ◽  
Mauricio Jara

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of a classroom application of the cooperative learning (CL) methodology on nine dimensions of business students’ teamwork competence (TC).Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a quasi-experimental pre-post design with a previous cohort as control group (first-year students from the year prior to treatment application), applying treatment to a sample of 228 first-year students in a School of Economics and Business at a Chilean University (114 as treatment and 114 as control).FindingsThe authors’ results show that CL had a positive, significant influence on five dimensions of TC: collective efficacy, planning, goal setting, problem solving and conflict management.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper upholds the importance and effectiveness of CL in developing TC. However, the evidence suggests that the effectiveness of the CL methodology was limited to development and improvement of less complex dimensions of TC. More complex dimensions require a longer period of time to be developed.Practical implicationsThis research is an important contribution to the design and implementation of appropriate methodologies for developing a widely needed area of competence in the workplace, considering its multidimensional nature, whether in academia or business.Originality/valueThis is the first study to seek empirical evidence that would link the CL methodology with TC. In addition, it fills a gap in the literature on the development of TC in its multiple dimensions. It particularly addresses the training of business professionals.

Author(s):  
Sri Ariani ◽  
Tri Setianingsih

This research aims to find out Is there any significant differences between the impact of traditional teaching method and using Index Card Match in teaching English vocabulary at the First Year Students of SMA HANG TUAH 3 MATARAM and to find out does using Index Card Match have a positive effect on students’ vocabulary knowledge. The sample of this research is 40 students. The kind of this research is experimental research. The students are divided into two groups such as experimental group and control group. Then the research subjects are pre-tested to know their prior vocabulary mastery. After the treatment, the sample is post-tested to know their recent vocabulary mastery as the result of the treatment. The scores in both pre-test and post-test are taken as the main data of the research. The data is analyzed by using t-test.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 265
Author(s):  
Chambers ◽  
Salter ◽  
Muldrow

First-year students who enter college pursuing a STEM degree still face challenges persisting through the STEM pipeline (Chen, 2013; Leu, 2017). In this case study, researchers examine the impact of a utilitarian scientific literacy based academic intervention on retention of first-year students in STEM using a mixed methods approach. A sample (n = 116) of first-year students identified as at-risk of not persisting in STEM were enrolled in a for credit utilitarian scientific literacy course. Participants of the semester long course were then compared with a control group of first-year students identified as at-risk of persisting in STEM. A two-proportion z test was performed to assess the mean differences between students and participants of the course were given a survey to gauge student experiences. Quantitative results (φ 0.34, p < 0.05) indicate that the utilitarian scientific literacy course had a statistically significant impact on retention among first-year students at-risk of persisting in STEM. Moreover, qualitative data obtained from participant responses describe internal and external growth as positive outcomes associated with the intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Irina Petrovskaya

Purpose This paper aims to answer a question whether a course that combines in-class teaching and the out-class elements of service learning can shift students’ values from self-enhancement to self-transcendence. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a pre-test-post-test control group research design. Two groups of the first year undergraduate business students who took the course served as the experimental groups (N = 79), and two groups of the second year students served as the control groups (N = 73). Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-40) was used to measure values, and a t-test was applied to compare value scores at the beginning and the end of the course. Findings A statistically significant value change toward self-transcendence was found in one of the two experimental groups, and no change was registered in the control groups. Analysis of the course activities and participation suggests that the change was brought about by the variations in the volunteering experiences. Originality/value This study contributes to the research that focuses on the outcomes of service learning. The research on how service learning affects values, especially pro-social ones, is currently limited. The present study suggests implications for further research and discussion on the possible ways to promote the values of self-transcendence through educational activities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Mohammad Yousef Ahmad AlSaraireh ◽  
Ku Mohd Nabil Ku Hamid

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of using the reciprocal teaching model on Jordanians’ first year students at Mutah University in the academic year 2015/2016. 176 participants took part and were arbitrarily selected and divided into two gender mixed groups; the experimental group which was exposed to the reciprocal teaching model (RT), and the control group which was taught using the traditional method (TM). A total of fourteen  independent sample T-tests and paired samples T-tests were used for the purpose of comparing and analysing the scores of the pre-tests and the post-tests, and with the intention to pinpoint the effect of using RT as well as to measure the extent of such effect on the development of the students’ reading comprehension skills. Through the analysis of the results and in line with the two questions of this study, it has emerged that the use of the RT model has a positive effect on the first year students’ reading comprehension achievement in the experimental group; a fact that is reflected in the significant statistical difference when compared to the reading comprehension achievement of the students from the control group taught using the TM. It has also emerged that although the male students’ scores are better than the scores attained by the female students, the use of the RT remains of great benefits for both; male and female students. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savannah L. Kelly

Abstract Objective – The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure the impact of providing research struggle videos on first-year students’ research self-efficacy. The three-part video series explicated and briefly addressed common first-year roadblocks related to searching, evaluating, and caring about sources. The null hypothesis tested was that students would have similar research self-efficacy scores, regardless of exposure to the video series. Methods – The study was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design. The population included all 22 sections (N = 359) of First-Year Writing affiliated with the FASTrack Learning Community at the University of Mississippi. Of 22 sections, 12 (N = 212) served as the intervention group exposed to the videos, while the other 10 (N = 147) served as the control group. A research self-efficacy pretest – posttest measure was administered to all students. In addition, all 22 sections, regardless of control or intervention status, received a face-to-face one-shot library instruction session. Results – As a whole, this study failed to reject the null hypothesis. Students exposed to the research struggle videos reported similar research self-efficacy scores as students who were not exposed to the videos. A significant difference, however, did exist between all students’ pretest and posttest scores, suggesting that something else, possibly the in-person library session, did have an impact on students’ research self-efficacy. Conclusion – Although students’ research self-efficacy may have increased due to the presence of an in-person library session, this current research was most interested in evaluating the effect of providing supplemental instruction via struggle videos for first-year students. As this was not substantiated, it is recommended that researchers review the findings and limitations of this current study in order to identify more effective approaches in providing instructional support for first-year students’ research struggles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-356
Author(s):  
Diana Peña Gil ◽  
Mercedes García García ◽  
Celia Camilli Trujillo

Purpose Dog-assisted interventions (DAIs) are conducted by universities around the world as innovative methods that improve students’ quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to assess the DAI program’s effect on the stress levels, well-being and social skills of first-year students from different degree programs at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with 64 first-year students (M=19.20, SD=1.57). The intervention consisted of three weekly sessions of 1-h duration interacting with a therapy dog. The investigation followed a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design with measures of attitudes toward DAI, perceived stress, well-being and social skills. Findings The results indicated significant improvements in all studied variables. Research limitations/implications This study presents some limitations. In the design, the authors lack a control group. Another limitation is related to the sample, which was small. The authors also acknowledge that only one measure of each outcome variable was administered. Likewise, during the interventions, external observations should be added that generate qualitative records focused on student–dog interactions. In addition, physiological measures of stress, such as cortisol levels, should be included in the analysis to further support the obtained results. Nevertheless, as this was a pilot study, future investigations should aim to create a program using a larger sample of both participants as well as and dogs, with a linear/longitudinal design to measure both the mid- and long-term effects. Practical implications In addition, this pilot study was implemented to assist in the validation and adjustment of the DAI program for UCM students. Social implications By using a DAI program, college students have had the opportunity to reduce their stress and develop their social skills, as well as improve their quality of life as individuals and students. Although the implementation of Compludog was small, it was also promising as a pedagogical practice at UCM. Originality/value It was applied for the first time in a Spanish university and provided access to therapy dogs within this context.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Bielinska-Kwapisz

Purpose – Given that there exists in the literature relatively little research into the effectiveness of writing centers at universities, the purpose of this paper is to show the impact of university writing centers on first-year business seminar student writing. Design/methodology/approach – This quantitative study involved 315 first-year undergraduate business students. Logistic and quantile regression analysis was used to test two hypotheses. Findings – Results indicate that student intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors positively influenced the likelihood that a student visits the center. Student grades on writing assignments were significantly higher for students who visited the writing center but only for students who scored in the top 40th percentile of the grade distribution. Practical implications – Writing centers should try to reach all students not only those who are naturally motivated. Most importantly, centers should find ways to help students in the lower portion of grade distribution since these students presumably require sustained help. Originality/value – This paper suggests that writing centers helped only students at the top of the grades distribution which may be valuable to universities in assessing impact of writing centers and help in the efforts to improve student writing. However, this effect can only be uncovered using quantile regression. Therefore, this research has demonstrated the potential usefulness of quantile regression as a predictive and explanatory tool in assessment.


Author(s):  
Maruh Sianturi And Berlin Sibarani

This study was aimed at finding out the effect of using Noting, Interacting, Summarizing, and Prioritizing Strategy on Students’ Achievement in Reading Comprehension. This study was designed with the experimental design. The population of this study was the first year students at academic 2013/2012 of SMA swasta YP St. Paulus Martubung, Medan. There were fourty students taken as the sample of the research. The sample was divided into two groups: the first group (20 students) as the experimental group and the second group (20 students) as the control group. The experimental group was taught by Using Noting, Interacting, Summarizing, and Prioritizing Strategy, while the control group was taught by using conventional method. The instrument for collecting the data was multiple choices which consisted of 40 items. To obtain the reliability of the test, the researcher used Kuder -Richardson (KR-21) formula. The calculation showed that the reliability of the test was 0.75. The data were calculated by using t-test formula. The result of the analysis shows that t-observed (4.98) was higher than t-table (2.025) at the level of significance (α) 0.05 and the degree of freedom (df) 38. Therefore, the null hypothesis (H0) was rejected and alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted. It meant that teaching reading comprehension by using Noting, Interacting, Summarizing, and Prioritizing Strategy significantly affects reading comprehension.


Author(s):  
Diarmaid Lane ◽  
Sheryl Sorby

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a surge in research in spatial thinking across the international community. We now know that spatial skills are malleable and that they are linked to success across multiple disciplines, most notably Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). While spatial skills have been examined by cognitive scientists in laboratory environments for decades, current research is examining how these skills can be developed in field-based environments. In this paper, we present findings from a study within a Technology Teacher preparation programme where we examined first-year students’ spatial skills on entry to university. We explain why it was necessary to embed a spatial skills intervention into Year 1 of the programme and we describe the impact that this had on students’ spatial scores and on academic performance. The findings from our study highlight a consistent gender gap in spatial scores at the start of the first-year with female students entering the Technology Teacher preparation programme at a lower base level than male students. We describe how we integrated spatial development activities into an existing course and how an improvement in spatial scores and overall course performance was observed. The paper concludes by discussing the long-term sustainability of integrating spatial interventions within teacher preparation programmes while also highlighting the importance of future research to examine spatial skills as a fundamental component of technological capability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 296
Author(s):  
Imke Matthys ◽  
Justine Defreyne ◽  
Els Elaut ◽  
Alessandra Daphne Fisher ◽  
Baudewijntje P. C. Kreukels ◽  
...  

Improving transgender people’s quality of life (QoL) is the most important goal of gender-affirming care. Prospective changes in affect can influence QoL. We aim to assess the impact of initiating gender-affirming hormonal treatment (HT) on affect. In the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI) study, we prospectively collected data of 873 participants (451 transwomen (TW) and 422 transmen (TM)). At baseline, psychological questionnaires including the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were administered. The PANAS, levels of sex steroids and physical changes were registered at each follow-up visit during a 3-year follow-up period, starting at the initiation of hormonal therapy. Data were analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. Over the first three months, we observed a decline in positive affect (PA) in both TM and TW. Thereafter, PA reached a steady state in TW, whereas in TM there was also a second decline at 18 months. In both TM and TW there was no persisting difference comparing baseline to the 36-months results. Concerning negative affect (NA), we observed a decline during the first year in TM, which sustained during the second year and was not different anymore at 36 months compared to baseline. In TW though, we did not find any change of NA during the entire follow-up. Even if some of these results show significant differences, they should be considered with caution, since there was no control group and the absolute differences are small. No association between affect and the level of sex steroids was observed. Baseline QoL and psychological burden are related to affect independently from gender but are not necessarily good predictors of the evolution of one’s affect during the gender-affirming process. Further research is necessary to investigate these preliminary results.


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