Enhancement of Professional Behaviours and Perceptions of Critical Skill Job Preparedness through the Use of a Group Work Contract in Fourth-Year Nutritional Science Students

Autor/inn/en	Cartwright, Nadia M.; Patil, Payal; Liddle, Danyelle M.; Newton, Genevieve; Monk, Jennifer M.
Titel	Enhancement of Professional Behaviours and Perceptions of Critical Skill Job Preparedness through the Use of a Group Work Contract in Fourth-Year Nutritional Science Students
Quelle	In: International Journal of Higher Education, 10 (2021) 2, S.27-41 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1927-6044
Schlagwörter	Professionalism; Career Readiness; Assignments; Group Activities; Group Dynamics; Cooperative Learning; Skill Development; Job Skills; Communication Skills; Thinking Skills; Problem Solving; Scientific Literacy; Critical Thinking; Instructional Effectiveness; Nutrition Instruction; College Seniors; Student Attitudes; Attitude Change; Anxiety; Foreign Countries; Canada + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Professionalität; Assignment; Auftrag; Zuweisung; Gruppenaktivität; Gruppendynamik; Kooperatives Lernen; Kompetenzentwicklung; Qualifikationsentwicklung; Produktive Fertigkeit; Kommunikationsstil; Denkfähigkeit; Problemlösen; Kritisches Denken; Unterrichtserfolg; Nutrition education; Ernährungserziehung; College; Colleges; Senior; Hochschule; Fachhochschule; Schülerverhalten; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung; Angst; Ausland; Kanada
Abstract	Collaborative group assignments in undergraduate education are important for promoting skill development and preparation for the workplace; however, they are subject to the challenges associated with group dynamics. This research sought to determine the effectiveness of a Group Work Contract to facilitate professional behaviours and positive experiences amongst fourth year nutritional science students (n=144) while working collaboratively to complete a Group Literature Critique Assignment designed to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Changes in students' attitudes and approaches to group work were assessed before and after completion of the contract and the assignment via two online surveys (Pre- and Post-Group Work Surveys). Completion of the Group Work Contract improved group dynamics including i) frequency of communication, ii) distribution of effort between group members, iii) mutual reliability, iv) respectfulness and inclusivity. Students also reported fewer group problems and an improved ability to work collaboratively in problem solving (P<0.05). Importantly, students reported reduced feelings of anxiety related to group learning and perceptions of achieving a better outcome versus working alone and learning more as a result of working in a group (P<0.05). Additionally, students reported an improvement in their job readiness perceptions with respect to the development of their scientific literacy and critical thinking skills as a result of completing the Group Literature Critique Assignment (P<0.05). Collectively, this data demonstrates that structuring the group work process through the implementation of a Group Work Contract can support the development of positive and effective group dynamics resulting in reduced student anxiety about collaborative learning and perception of a better overall outcome. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01