Effects of group work training on science attainment in rural and urban schools

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of collaborative group work skills training on pupil attainment in science. Twenty‐four experimental classes were drawn from schools in rural and urban settings. Pupils in experimental classrooms engaged in general group work skills training and two structured group work activities in science. Attainment was assessed using the Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (PIPS) instrument. Significant gains in science attainment were observed in the experimental urban and rural classes. Significant changes in observed group work behaviours were observed in both urban and rural classes. Changes in group work behaviour were correlated to increased science attainment. The implications for practice, policy and future research are explored.

Keywords:

• group work
• primary school
• science attainment
• science education

Acknowledgement

The reported research is part of a Scottish extension of the Social Pedagogical Research in Groupwork (SPRinG) project (http://creict.homerton.cam.ac.uk/spring/), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of Great Britain under its Teaching and Learning Research Programme. Thanks are due to the ESRC for their support, and to the SPRinG team (Ed Baines, Peter Blatchford, Maurice Galton and Peter Kutnick) for their generous sharing of materials, data and relevant experience. Thanks are also due to the teachers, head teachers and pupils from the participating schools for committing themselves to the project for the best part of a full school year.