Group Dynamics in Inquiry-based Labs: Gender Inequities and the Efficacy of Partner Agreements

Autor: Loveridge, Andrew, Dew, Matthew, Hunt, Emma, Ponti, Gregorio, Perry, Jonathan, Perera, Viranga
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2305.00609
Popis: Recent studies provide evidence that reducing structure in courses in accordance with active or inquiry-based learning strategies, while pedagogically more effective overall, can exacerbate inequities. In this study we extend the results of previous studies to a new context by conducting a mixed-methods empirical examination of gender inequitable group dynamics in two inquiry-based physics labs for non-majors at a large public university. We administered a pre-semester survey of preferences, coded video recordings of lab sessions, and implemented a re-validated post-semester survey of student perceptions of group work. We find similar patterns of gendered role-taking noted in prior studies and that they are not likely reducible to differences in student preferences. We do not find any corresponding gender differences in student's perceptions of their group work. We further report on the efficacy of an intervention that employed partner agreement forms, with the goal of reducing the predicted inequities. The coded video recordings suggest the intervention had a mixed or even counterproductive impact on student behavior. The post-semester survey showed the intervention had no discernible impact on student perceptions of group work. We provide analysis of these outcomes as motivation for future, potentially more effective interventions. Our results emphasize the challenges faced by instructors dedicated to both best practice pedagogical methods and efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures
Databáze: OpenAIRE