Paper Info
Title
Group Formation for Small-Group Learning: Are Heterogeneous Groups More Productive?
Abstract
There is an underexploited potential in enhancing massive online learning courses through small-group learning activities. Size and diversity allow for optimizing group composition in small-group tasks. The purpose of this paper was to investigate how groups formed based on learner behavior affect productivity of students in a small-group task. Students classified as high, average and low were randomly assigned to homogeneous or heterogeneous groups. Results indicate that overall, heterogeneous groups were either similarly or a bit more productive than homogeneous groups. Yet, we found that homogeneous groups classified as high-level were as or more than heterogeneous groups. However, heterogeneous groups were still more productive than homogeneous-average and homogeneous-low groups suggesting heterogeneous groups are the best choice for the entire community. Students classified as low-level were more productive in homogeneous groups, suggesting that grouping less active students together, makes social loafing more difficult and students participate more.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1145/2957792.2965662
OpenSym
Keywords
DocType
Citations 
Computer-supported collaborative learning, small-group learning, group formation, MOOCs
Conference
2
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.50
2
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Astrid Wichmann120.50
Tobias Hecking24514.57
Malte Elson363.07
Nina Christmann420.50
Thomas Herrmann549382.87
Heinz Ulrich Hoppe6750174.04