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Solutions for English-Major Online Group Work

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views8 pages

Solutions for English-Major Online Group Work

sample final research writing

Uploaded by

Trang Đoan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE - MARKETING


FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
----------

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF FIRST YEAR ENGLISH-MAJOR


STUDENTS IN ONLINE GROUP WORK

Reporter: Nguyễn Văn An


Code: 221313345
Class: 22DTA01
Supervising lecturer:

Ho Chi Minh City, …


ASSESSMENT

Number CRITERIA SCORE


 Form
 Accuracy
1 ___/1.0
 Images, graphics
 References, sources
2  Introduction ___/0.5
3 Title of the research proposal ___/1.0
Background
4  The rationale of the research ___/1.0
 Literature review ___/1.5
5 Aim & Objectives ___/1.0
Methodology
 The participant(s) ___/1.0
6
 Method(s) of data collection ___/1.0
 Method(s) of data analysis ___/1.0
7 Timetable ___/0.5
8 Budget and resources ___/0.5
Total ___/10
INTRODUCTION
Write 1-2 paragraphs to lead readers into your paper
1. BACKGROUND
1.1. The rationale of the research

Nowadays, online group work is applied regularly both in society and in education. It is
because of the benefits online group work can bring for human beings, which is
mentioned like saving time, energy, and protecting people’s health from epidemic such as
COVID 19, etc. One way of working in group online is to work through the Internet and
the websites designed for group work. In term of learning, English-major students are
those who can benefit much from online group work. Online group work can provide
English-major students with best convenience and effectiveness. Acknowledging the
importance of group work, in general, and online group work in particular, the researcher
has conducted research in which she finds out how English-major students work in group
online.

University of Finance and Marketing (UFM) is located in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam. This university is the place where the researcher is working as a lecturer of
English subject. After two years working at this university, the researcher recognizes that
most English-major students here prefer online group work, but they have coped with
some problems when working in group online besides the benefits they can get from this
kind of group work. That is the main reason for the researcher to carry out this study in
order to see what their problems are and, from that, to search for the most appropriate and
helpful solutions for these problems.

1.2. Literature review

1.2.1. Definition of online group work


According to Roberts (2000, p. 65), in a simple way, online group work is defined by
analyzing the meaning of two terms “group work” and “online”. The first term “group
work”, as this author mentions, is defined as a number of people that are together or

1
connected in doing something involving physical or mental effort. The second term
“online” means being controlled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet.
Precisely, online group work is understood as a kind of cooperative learning that consists
of two or more than two people working together to achieve a goal by using computer
and the Internet (Simonson, 2000, p.105).

1.2.2. The importance of online group work


When discussing about the importance of online group work, Simonson (2000) states that
it is an effective way to learn from each other, and it provides learners with some
important skills to work online as well as work in group, that are really necessary to
improve social skills for future profession. Firstly, “work online means communicating
through written language” (Simonson, 2000, p.120). Learners have to practice using
written language effectively to express and share ideas with others, as well as give
comments respectfully to others. Also, the learners have to try their best to write
appropriately and correctly so that they can avoid misunderstanding. Obviously, when
doing online group work, students’ writing capabilities will be improved quickly.
Secondly, as Simonson (2000, p.121) suggests, “problem- solving skill is one of the most
important skill in group work”. Students need to learn how to solve the problems or
conflicts happening during group work. This is also a good social skill that supports
students in their study as well as in their work in the future.

1.2.3. Problems of doing online group work

When students are involved in online discussion and group work in discussion forums,
they can run up against various problems that may cause them frustration and annoyance,
and decrease their motivation to participate.

According to Lipponen (2002), the remarkable problem is about “attitude”. Some


students have antipathy toward group work, or even on occasions actively hostile to the
whole idea, no matter face-to face or online group. The problem occurs when they are not
interested in the idea of group work and some can be apathetic. If they are forced to do
this, they will be in trouble and may put other members in trouble too. Another common
2
problem in online group work process is “the selection of the groups”. “Selection of
groups tends to be easier in an online environment. Two problems common in the face-
to-face environment are either non-existent, or greatly reduced: the tendency for students
to want to be in a group with friends (and to feel aggrieved if they are not), and the
difficulty of arranging suitable times when all group members can meet outside of
scheduled sessions” (p.74). The questions are raised about how large each group should
be and how to determine membership of each group so that they can work harmonically
together. There is no standard answer here that fit all circumstances. Johnson and
Johnson (1987) and Kagan (1998) suggest that teams of four works well in a face-to-face
setting, while Mark (2011) suggests groups of five or six work best in online working.
However, arguments based on group dynamics are less applicable in an asynchronous
online environment; where both small and large groups can work well, depending upon
the context, and the size and complexity of the group task.

2. AIM AND OBJECTIVE(S)

 AIM: The aim of the research is to give some helpful solutions for English-
major students to overcome their problems in doing online group work.
 OBJECTIVES
In order to achieve the aim presented above, the research was conducted to

1) identify some problems of English-major students in online group work;


2) find out some suggested solutions for English-major students to overcome these
problems.
3. METHODOLODY

3.1. The participant(s)

The target participants of the study are English-major students who are learning at UFM.
They are from four classes: 24DTA01 (54 students), 24DTA02 (55 students), 24DTA03
(53 students), and 24DTA04 (35 students). They are all first-year students at this
university.

3
3.2. Method of data collection

 Overall methodology: Quantitative methodology


 Instrument: Questionnaire
 Data collection procedure:
The procedure is organized as following: [SAMPLE ONLY, DO NOT COPY]

Step 1: Seeking out the schedules of the four classes by going to ask information from
their head department.
Step 2: Choosing the suitable time to send Questionnaire to the participants. In this case,
the researcher chooses the time they end classes to be flexible to fix problems when they
come up unexpectedly.
Step 3: Asking for the participants’ cooperation in answering the Questionnaire.
Step 4: After receiving their agreement, the researcher hands out the Questionnaire in
paper for them.
Step 5: Students have about 30 minutes to read, choose options, and specify their answer
if necessary. At that time, they may ask for explanations on some points that they are not
clear.
Step 6: After 30 minutes, the researcher gathers and collects the paper
Step 7: Then the researcher analyzes the data based on the collected information from
students’ answers.
3.3. Method of data analysis

 Quantitative data analysis: the data will be shown in charts and interpreted
based on the percentage on the charts
 Data analysis procedure: [WRITE MORE HERE, DO NOT LIST ONLY]
+ Identifying: to establish what questions in the questionnaire
+ Collecting: to collect the needed data
+ Cleaning: to clean and leave incorrect data
+Analyzing: to analyze the data by using the technique of statistical analysis
+ Interpreting: to interprete the results from the data

4
4. TIMETABLE [WRITE MORE]

Date Action
… Background research

… Data collection
… Data analysis
… Report writing

5. BUDGET AND RESOURCES [WRITE MORE AS YOU WANT]

Resources Cost
… … VND
… … VND
Total expenditure 2,000,000 VND

5
REFERENCES

(APA 7th ed.)

Common questions

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Online group work offers multiple benefits to English-major students, such as convenience and efficiency, the potential for enhanced learning experiences through cooperative efforts, and protection from health issues like COVID-19 . It supports skill development in written communication and problem-solving, crucial for their future professions . However, challenges include dealing with attitudes of antipathy or apathy toward group work, which can hinder collaborative efforts. Additionally, difficulties in group selection and coordination, though somewhat mitigated online, pose problems regarding group dynamics and task execution .

Strategies to gain student cooperation included timing the distribution of questionnaires post-classes to ensure availability, discussing the research intentions to foster understanding and willingness, and allowing time for questions or clarifications during completion . These measures aimed to align student schedules with data collection needs, enhancing participation rates and data reliability.

Written communication is emphasized because online work primarily occurs through written interactions. This medium requires students to articulate their thoughts precisely, fostering improved writing skills and reducing misunderstandings . Mastery in written communication enables effective idea sharing and respectful criticism, crucial for both academic success and professional environments .

The primary aim is to provide practical solutions for English-major students to overcome the challenges they encounter in online group work . This focus involves identifying specific problems faced by the students and recommending effective strategies to mitigate these issues, enhancing their group work experience and outcomes .

The selection process is crucial as it influences group dynamics. Online environments reduce issues like favoritism seen in face-to-face settings but introduce considerations on group size and task complexity. Optimal group sizes vary: four members work well face-to-face, while online groups of five or six may work equally well, depending on the context . Effective selection ensures harmonious collaboration and efficient task completion.

In online settings, challenges such as favoritism and logistical coordination seen in face-to-face group selection are minimized. Online environments facilitate easier group formations without the need for physical presence, allowing adaptability in scheduling and reducing grievances associated with not being grouped with friends . This flexibility can positively influence group dynamics by focusing more on functional interaction rather than logistical arrangements.

Recognizing attitudes toward online group work is significant because negative dispositions or apathy can hinder effective collaboration, reduce motivation, and lead to resistance, which disrupts learning processes . Understanding these attitudes allows educators to develop targeted interventions to foster positive engagement and cooperation, crucial for achieving educational goals and fostering collaborative skills .

The study employed a quantitative methodology using questionnaires to collect data from first-year English-major students across four classes . Data analysis involved statistical techniques, with information presented in charts and percentages . Steps included disseminating the questionnaire, allowing participants time to complete it, and subsequently analyzing the collected data .

The choice of group size can significantly affect interaction patterns and task execution efficiency in online learning environments. While smaller groups may facilitate deeper interaction and easier consensus, larger groups can bring diverse perspectives and skills . Research suggests that while teams of four work well face-to-face, groups of five or six may be optimal online, contingent on task complexity and context, showcasing the fluid nature of online group dynamics .

Problem-solving is integral in online group work as it equips students to handle conflicts and obstacles that arise during collaboration . It enhances social skills, enabling students to resolve disputes constructively and find solutions collaboratively, skills that are vital for future academic and professional scenarios . By actively engaging in problem-solving, students can maintain motivation and participation, leading to more successful group outcomes.

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