A part of 3.3: Inquiry on Teaching and Learning Poster + Talk session.

Investigating the Impact of Optional Group-work on the Student Experience
Jonathan Calver, Teaching Stream, Post Doc/Course Instructor (CUPE 3902, Unit 1), Computer Science, FAS
Michelle Craig, Professor, Teaching Stream, Computer Science, FAS
Jennifer Campbell, Professor, Teaching Stream, Computer Science, FAS

We discuss the motivation for a current research study ongoing in the Department of Computer Science, describe the data collected, and present preliminary results. The study investigates the impact of allowing students to optionally work in small groups (1-3 students) on assignments in first year and second year Computer Science theory courses. Anecdotal evidence from a past term suggested that groups tended to achieve higher assignment grades, but roughly the same test grades. Broadly, our primary research question is “Are we hurting or helping students by giving them the option to work in groups on assignments?” To further explore this, we are collecting survey responses from close to 1500 students – with one survey being completed after each assignment they hand in. In our analysis, we cross their survey responses with their grades on all assessments in the relevant course and information about who worked in groups and with whom. Discussion of the preliminary results will focus on factors of group formation, how students perceive optional group work, and whether or not we have evidence to support our previous anecdotal findings.