Coming from Somewhere Else: Group engagement between students and academics

Authors

  • Sofia Chanda-Gool Plymouth University UK
  • Christoforos Mamas University of California, San Diego

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.v0i12.431

Keywords:

Group work, belonging, empowerment, social and emotional wellbeing, equality, ethnographic

Abstract

The present political and economic climate for universities can promote competitive learning and anxieties about individual students' academic achievements. It can inhibit the enjoyment and skill in shared learning. Group work can provide a creative, empowering avenue so students become proactive in their learning and engage more equally with academics. It has potential to enhance intellectual ability as well as social and emotional wellbeing, yet careful planning is essential to achieve this. This paper addresses the shortfall of prioritising assessment over relationships and identifies how relationships are central in preparation for assessment. It draws upon an ethnographic, qualitative and emancipatory approach to research. This approach enabled students to initiate the research focus and design of the last session. The paper identifies how the group was set up, developed and what it achieved. It makes recommendations for overcoming some tensions and fears that can inhibit effective group work so that social and emotional equity inspires intellectual development.

 

Author Biographies

Sofia Chanda-Gool, Plymouth University UK

Dr Sofia Chanda-Gool

Lecturer on Early Childhood Studies

Institute of Education

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Christoforos Mamas, University of California, San Diego

Dr Christoforos Mamas

Department of Education Studies

University of California

San Diego

USA

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Published

06-12-2017

How to Cite

Chanda-Gool, S. and Mamas, C. (2017) “Coming from Somewhere Else: Group engagement between students and academics”, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (12). doi: 10.47408/jldhe.v0i12.431.

Issue

Section

Papers