What do students think about group work in business education? An investigation into the benefits, challenges, and student-suggested solutions

ABSTRACT

The authors sought to gain insight on how students view group learning and development as part of their business education experience. Specifically, the authors categorize benefits and challenges using S. A. Wheelan's (2005) integrated model of group development. Additionally, they investigate (from the students' perspective) best practices that instructors can implement to improve students' group work experience. As group work is critical in business classrooms, the authors suggest instructors should focus more on the earlier stages of group development by assigning groups based on students' strengths and weaknesses, offering a better introduction to groups, and assigning more group-related time or meetings during class.

KEYWORDS:

• Group dynamics
• group work
• teamwork