Impact of the work in small groups on the educational process in the University of Civil Engineering

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Yaroslavskoye sh. 26, 129337, Moscow, Russia

Abstract

Researchers and teachers know about the positive impact that cooperation can have on students learning in a small group. It is necessary to clarify how the interaction and cooperation among learners influence the learning process and problem solving in a small group. The objective of the study is to increase the knowledge about the group work in higher education and understand the basis of successful teamwork of students of the university. The study is focused on the concept of student work in small groups in the University of Civil Engineering. Empirical data were collected using specific semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using qualitative content analysis and special questionnaire. The analysis revealed three variables that influence learning in small groups of students of the University of Civil Engineering: learning process, social function of learning and organization of learning. The author revealed the correlation between these variables and the final result of learning (increase or decrease of the effectiveness of learning), as well as between these variables and the presence of positive or negative work experience in a small group.