Developing teamwork efficacy factorsan experience in a project based learning context

  1. Mikel Garmendia Mujika
  2. Xabier Garikano Oxinaga
  3. Egoitz Sierra Uria
  4. Angel Pérez Manso
Revista:
The International journal of engineering education

ISSN: 0949-149X

Año de publicación: 2013

Volumen: 29

Número: 3

Páginas: 752-762

Tipo: Artículo

Otras publicaciones en: The International journal of engineering education

Resumen

Teamwork is an important skill for the engineer. Numerous universities are designing and experimenting with training programs todevelop this competency among their students. The aspects of teamwork that are practiced may vary depending on themethodology used and the context it is used in. But, what teamwork factors influence the effective working of a team? Whatstrategies and activities can contribute to the development of efficacy factors among teams of students in a Project Based Learningcontext? Having undergone the experience, how important do the students think these efficacy factors are? An activity programwas designed and implemented in a CAD subject to develop selected 14 teamwork factors. A pre-post test design was used tocompare the level of compliance and to evaluate the importance that the students gave to each of them, using quantitative analysis.Questionnaires were also used with open-ended questions on the experience which were analyzed qualitatively. For all of the factorsthe level of compliance is higher than for previous experience. The students rated as very important all 14 factors included in theresearch. The students’ perception of acquiring knowledge about efficacy in team working increased significantly. The students alsorated positively the instruction they received. We conclude that the activity program and the strategies employed contributed to thesmooth operation of the teams and helped to put into practice and develop factors that contribute to effective team working. Themost important factors are those related to behaviour, interpersonal relationships and attitude.