Effective collaborative learning from Chinese students' perspective: A qualitative study in a teacher-training course

Wing Sze Wincy LEE, Min YANG

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper examines undergraduate students' perceptions of when and how active learning and engagement were supported by group-based collaborative learning. Collaborative learning is a prevalent constructivist approach that has been promoted for its capability of assisting students' shared knowledge construction. Existing research has, nonetheless, pointed towards social-cultural barriers to students' participation in collaborative learning, particularly in Eastern societies. This study explored students' perceptions of collaborative learning in group tasks during a 12-week course. Interviews revealed key themes regarding students' perspectives on what effective and meaningful collaborative work in classrooms meant to them, and how and why collaborative work motivated and engaged them. Survey findings, which helped to triangulate interview findings, showed that students' experiences of collaborative learning were supported by key elements of constructivist learning environments. Implications are derived for effective pedagogical design and theorization of collaborative learning in higher education. Copyright © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-237
JournalTeaching in Higher Education
Volume28
Issue number2
Early online dateJul 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Citation

Lee, W. W. S., & Yang, M. (2023). Effective collaborative learning from Chinese students' perspective: A qualitative study in a teacher-training course. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(2), 221-237. doi: 10.1080/13562517.2020.1790517

Keywords

  • Chinese
  • Qualitative method
  • Collaboration
  • Constructivist learning environment

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