Contemporary Issues in Group Learning in Undergraduate Science Classrooms: A Perspective from Student Engagement

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• STEM Education
• Collaborative Learning

Background:

• Group work is increasingly used in STEM education.
• Research on group work effectiveness is complex due to diverse methodologies.
• Understanding factors influencing collaborative learning is crucial for STEM pedagogy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze group learning effectiveness using the ICAP framework.
• To examine current issues in group learning, including discourse, inclusivity, and space.
• To identify research gaps and provide practical teaching guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical analysis.
• Application of the ICAP (interactive, constructive, active, passive) framework.
• Synthesis of research on student discourse, inclusivity, and classroom environments.

Main Results:

• The ICAP framework helps differentiate learning outcomes across various group work formats.
• Student discourse, inclusive practices, and physical space significantly impact collaborative learning.
• Key research gaps exist in understanding the nuanced effects of different group work structures.

Conclusions:

• Effective group learning requires intentional design and facilitation aligned with engagement levels.
• Faculty can use evidence-based guidelines to improve collaborative learning experiences in STEM.
• Further research is needed to refine best practices for inclusive and effective group work.