Student perceptions of teamwork, conflict, and industry preparedness in engineering interdisciplinary capstone design

Schibelius, Lisa; Ryan, Olivia; Sajadi, Susan

doi:10.1109/fie58773.2023.10342957

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

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“…Probing questions similar to this study that explore their experiences establishing psychological safety, receptiveness to task conflict, and encounters with process and relationship conflicts could be illuminating. However, to ensure a meaningful comparison, it is crucial to account for differences in contextual factors like course design and team formation and how these may impact students' approaches to conflict management (Schibelius et al, 2023). By venturing into these research domains, we can better understand team dynamics in educational settings, paving the way for more informed curriculum design and teaching approaches.…”

Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploration of psychological safety and conflict in first‐year engineering student teams

Huerta,

Sajadi,

Schibelius

et al. 2024

J of Engineering Edu

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BackgroundDeveloping teamwork skills is a central objective of engineering education. Psychological safety and conflict management are pivotal components of teamwork, yet despite their significance, research in engineering project‐based learning (PBL) contexts is scant. Understanding students' experiences with psychological safety and its interaction with conflict is crucial to inform PBL pedagogy.PurposeThis study delves into first‐year engineering students' experiences of psychological safety and conflict, including their evolution in a PBL course.MethodsThroughout the semester, we collected data from 82 students via written reflections and focus groups. Employing a thematic analysis underpinned by the team conflict dynamics model, we characterized students' experiences with psychological safety and conflict.FindingsAt the semester's outset, psychological safety was notably lacking. Students often hesitated to share ideas due to apprehensions about peer reactions and fears of negative judgments. As the semester advanced, consistent positive affirmations nurtured psychological safety, increasing students' confidence and readiness to discuss ideas openly and engage in healthy task conflict. Notably, process conflicts arising from absenteeism, poor communication, and procrastination were prevalent across teams. When unresolved, these conflicts eroded psychological safety, intensifying stress, exacerbating frustrations, and provoking relationship conflict.ConclusionsOur study underscores the intertwined nature of psychological safety and conflict in shaping the first‐year design experience in student teams. We urge faculty to recognize their pivotal role in fostering an inclusive culture and highlight pedagogical strategies that can bolster psychological safety at the onset, encourage healthy task conflict, and monitor unhealthy process and relationship conflicts.

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Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%