Introducing group work as a teaching method in Business Administration I at the Durban university of Technology : an action research case study.

Abstract

In this thesis I explore the effect of introducing group work as one of the methods of teaching and learning in Business Administration I at the Durban University of Technology. Introducing group work was also an attempt to satisfy the needs of the workplace and at the same time incorporate the critical cross-field outcomes in the teaching of this particular subject. I explore the benefits and problems of using group work in higher education. The study was conducted at the Durban University of Technology Riverside Campus with a sample of Business Administration I students, Business Administration III students as well as three lecturers in the Department of Office Management and Technology who lecture at the Durban Campus. The research involved the implementation and the reflections of exposing students to group work over the two cycles. The study was developed with the aim of using more innovative teaching methods than just lecturing. Learners were engaged in the group work project which involved searching for information as a group, doing group presentations, evaluating the presentations and reflecting on the whole process. After analysis of data collected, the process was revised and implemented again with another group of students in the second cycle followed by analysis of long term implications of group work. An exploration of the lecturers' perceptions of using group work as a teaching method was also done. Data was gathered from observations, questionnaires, focus group interviews and analysis of students' test results. Results indicated that despite some problems associated with this method, there is scope for considering a variety of approaches to teaching of the subject Business Administration I, and group work can be one of the methods used. The findings showed that staff and students held positive perceptions on group work, and there were similarities in the benefits of using group work in education as identified by students, lecturers and the literature.