Asian students’ perceptions of group work and group assignments in a New Zealand tertiary institution

Abstract

This study, conducted in 2005 in a New Zealand tertiary institution, examines Asian students' perceptions of the much-promulgated cooperative learning concepts in the form of group work and group assignments. Twenty-two Asian students participated in one-hour individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The study found that Asian students valued highly the significance of classroom group discussions where they could interact with students from other cultures and backgrounds, improve their English-language skills, enhance their cultural understanding and provide them with opportunities to make friends. However, they held intensely negative views about group assignments that required students to complete a project as a group with shared marks determined by the performance of the group. Contributing factors affecting group dynamics included members' attitudes and willingness to cooperate and contribute as a team, the composition of the group, students' competing demands on students' time and attention, heterogeneity from the natural abilities of students, and the varying cultural values and beliefs held by group members. Most Asian students felt disheartened and helpless at having to complete mandatory group assignments. The study suggests that cooperative learning has its strengths and weaknesses. Students' needs, interests, cultural values, and teaching effectiveness should be considered as a priority in teaching in tertiary institutions.

Impact of the School Outreach Tour Program of Citizens Archive of Pakistan on Students' Perceptions and Attitudes

“…problem solving, critical thinking, communication and leadership skills. This finding is supported by Li and Campbell (2008) who indicated that most Asians students highly valued the significance of classroom group discussions where they could interact with students from other cultures and backgrounds. However this finding is in contradiction to Dean (2005) that critical thinking is discouraged in Pakistani schools.…”

Current Research on Chinese Students Studying Abroad

“…Research was done into Chinese students' 'satisfaction of learning experience' (educational quality, programme offering, and learning support) (Campbell & Li, 2007;Li & Campbell, 2008), 'service quality' experience (administrative support, academic staff quality, campus quality, curriculum quality, qualification integrity, personal compatibility, and 'evaluations' of the overseas study experience (Simpson & Tan, 2008). This kind of feedback from the Chinese students will stimulate the New Zealand authorites to make the necessary modifications, in order to keep a leading role in recruiting Chinese students in the competitive international market.…”

The Impact of Exposure to Diversity in the International University Environment and the Development of Intercultural Competence in Students

“…Montgomery (2009) found that student's views on working in multicultural groups with an "AfL approach" 1 were more positive than a decade ago and perceived as adding value to their learning experience. Others (see for instance Li and Campbell 2008) reported negative perceptions of students to intercultural group work.…”