The Pedagogical Efficacy of Group Projects: A Longitudinal Comparison of Student Perceptions

Authors

  • Sandra J. Smith Ducoffe Fairfield University Author
  • Cheryl L. Tromley Fairfield University Author
  • Michael Tucker Fairfield University Author

Abstract

While group projects are widely used in higher education, there is little research on the relative efficacy of different types of projects. A survey of undergraduates who had taken a specific course over seven years was conducted (n = 638). Twenty-two different projects were categorized into four project types based on the level of experiential learning involved. The hypothesis tested was that group projects would be viewed favorably overall and that the more experiential the group project, the more favorable would be the perception. The conclusion was that class projects should be both experiential and tied directly to course content to be maximally effective.

Published

2024-03-23