Working in groups for coursework assignments : the tertiary students’ perspective

Mustafa, Rosnah and Pung, Wun Chiew and Michael Slee, Shirley (2013) Working in groups for coursework assignments : the tertiary students’ perspective. Issues in Language Studies, 2 (2). pp. 97-102. ISSN 2180-2726

[img]
Preview
PDF
working in groups for coursework assignment (abstract).pdf

Download (454kB) | Preview

Abstract

The study examined undergraduates’ perception of group work in doing coursework assignments. It specifically investigated students’ perceptions of the usefulness of group work in doing assignments; identified reasons which influence students’ preference or non-preference for group work in doing assignments; determined students’ expectations of instructor’s roles in group work; and compared students’ perceptions of group work across ethnic groups. A 39-item questionnaire was distributed to 200 students in a Malaysian public university. The findings showed that a majority of students viewed group work positively due to lesser time required to accomplish given tasks and increased interpersonal gains. Some students however disapproved of group work for several reasons including the difficulty to find mutually agreed time for discussions, domination of some group members, and the existence of slackers in the group. One major aspect highlighted in the study was students' need for continuous instructor support and assistance when group work was assigned.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS
Uncontrolled Keywords: Group work, collaborative learning, assignments, UNIMAS, university, universiti, Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak, Kuching, Samarahan, IPTA, education, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Subjects: L Education > L Education (General)
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions: Academic Faculties, Institutes and Centres > Centre for Language Studies
Faculties, Institutes, Centres > Centre for Language Studies
Academic Faculties, Institutes and Centres > Centre for Language Studies
Depositing User: Karen Kornalius
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2014 03:08
Last Modified: 19 Mar 2015 03:06
URI: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/576

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item View Item