ERIC Number: EJ1105390
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1449-9789
EISSN: N/A
Student Experiences and Perceptions of Team-Teaching in a Large Undergraduate Class
Yanamandram, Venkata; Noble, Gary
Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, v3 n1 Article 6 p49-66 2006
This paper examines student experiences and perceptions of two models of team-teaching employed at a regional Australian university to teach a large undergraduate marketing subject. The two team-teaching models adopted for use in this subject can be characterised by the large number of team members (ten and six) and the relatively low level of team involvement in the planning and administration of the team-teaching process. The paper examines students' experiences in an effort to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the team-teaching approach from the students' perspective. This paper contributes to our knowledge of teaching practice by identifying, amongst other things, aspects of the team-teaching approach that both facilitate and hinder student learning. Data for this study was collected on each teaching model through two identical surveys. In total, data was collected from 440 student responses. Despite the relatively weak forms of team-teaching adopted to teach this subject, the majority of the students liked the concept of team-teaching. The findings in this study suggest that team-teaching can facilitate student learning through the generation of interest and exposure to 'experts', but can hinder student learning if the team fails to act as a cohesive unit and work together to adequately link learning concepts. This study also argues that the most critical factor in determining the success or failure of a team-teaching effort is the actual composition of the team. A key implication of this study is that a team that comprises of "good teachers" (perceived as those skillful in teaching large classes) is far more important than a team comprising of "experts" in different knowledge areas. This aspect of team-teaching is often overlooked in the literature.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Student Experience, Student Attitudes, Team Teaching, Large Group Instruction, Class Size, Models, Marketing, Educational Benefits, Outcomes of Education, Learning Processes, Student Surveys, Likert Scales, Learner Engagement, Teacher Effectiveness, Teacher Evaluation, Student Evaluation of Teacher Performance, Data Analysis, Student Satisfaction, Preferences, Teaching Styles, Expertise, Teamwork, Teaching Load, Teacher Selection, Teacher Improvement, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique)
University of Wollongong. Available from: Centre for Educational Development and Interactive Resources. Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Tel: +61-2-4221-3140; Fax: +61-2-4225-8312; e-mail: jutlp@uow.edu.au; Web site: http://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A