Students’ perspectives of group work: the case of Trinidad and Tobago

ABSTRACT

Educators at Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) continuously employ group work pedagogy within their teaching and assessment regimes; however, students often voice their displeasure at its usage. In spite of these competing positions, research on students’ perceptions of group work at IHE in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is generally lacking. With this in mind, the current effort was conducted to: (1) garner the perspectives of university students regarding group work, (2) evaluate students’ experiences and satisfaction with participation in groups, and (3) garner students’ viewpoints of learning in group settings. To achieve the study’s objectives, quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on data gathered from students via a focus group discussion with 12 students (n = 12) and standardised questionnaires from 124 students (n = 124) at an IHE in Trinidad and Tobago. The results indicate the immense value of group work in sharing workloads, the development of a wider breadth of knowledge through discussion, clarification of ideas and learning from others. On the other hand, free-loading students, unfair-grade allocation and preference for working alone were identified as challenges associated with group work. Other key findings are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Group work
• higher education
• university students
• small island developing states
• Trinidad and Tobago

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wendell C. Wallace

Wendell C. Wallace is an English trained Barrister, Certified Mediator with the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago and a Criminologist who lectures on the Criminology and Criminal Justice programme at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. His research interests include: policing, gangs, and education-related issues.