Collaboration or confrontation? An investigation into the role of prior experiences in the completion of collaborative group tasks by student teachers

Crichton, H. and Templeton, B. (2013) Collaboration or confrontation? An investigation into the role of prior experiences in the completion of collaborative group tasks by student teachers. European Journal of Teacher Education, 36(1), pp. 84-96. (doi: 10.1080/02619768.2012.678487)

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Abstract

This paper describes research which investigated how a group of 23 postgraduate student teachers from a wide variety of international backgrounds with a broad range of previous experience perceived the significance of their own and others’ prior experience in accomplishing directed collaborative tasks, related to their coursework, in pre-determined groupings. The students were asked to comment on how they valued their own and others’ prior experiences and how they considered prior experience informed the completion of the tasks. They were also asked to comment on the dynamic of groups in which they worked and how they felt others’ prior experiences affected the management and achievement of the task. The students rated some experiences more highly than others and almost all appreciated the predetermined nature of the groupings as benefitting them socially as well as educationally. However, they raised practical, attitudinal and personality issues, suggesting that more structured guidance from tutors at the outset would be beneficial.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Templeton, Mr Brian and Crichton, Dr Hazel
Authors: Crichton, H., and Templeton, B.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy Policy and Practice
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith
Journal Name:European Journal of Teacher Education
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:0261-9768
ISSN (Online):1469-5928
Published Online:01 May 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 Association for Teacher Education in Europe
First Published:First published in European Journal of Teacher Education 36(1):84-96
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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