Learning by Doing: Outcomes of Teaching a Research Course through Group Activities

DOI: 10.5176/978-981-08-7466-7_itcse-11

Authors: Dr. Irshad Hussain and Dr. Sarwat Sultan

Abstract:

This paper describes instructor’s experience of teaching a research course through group activities; and its effects on students’ learning of research skills. The instructor taught a research course for three years in the Department of Education to three different classes at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. The instructor designed activities to involve students for their active learning. These activities were skill-based; competence oriented and consisted of group as well as individual activities. The activities were offered to homogeneous (male-male and female-female) as well as heterogeneous (male-female) groups of students. On the basis of observation, students’ academic work and their grades in the examinations, the instructor concluded that activities helped develop research skills and competencies among students. They could develop research tools, collect & analyze data for its comprehensive reporting. Similarly, group work developed competition spirit among students overcoming their shyness and introversion. They became independent and capable of taking initiatives in their lives. They also learnt social skills and etiquettes in groups. However, some negative aspects like jealousy, bullying and underestimating others were also observed among students.

Keywords: Learning by Doing, Active Learning, GroupActivities, Research Skills, Social Skills, Introversion, Bullying