IngentaConnect Groupwork in multicultural classrooms: A South African case study

Author: Singh, Penny

Source: Groupwork An Interdisciplinary Journal for Working with Groups, Volume 17, Number 3, 2007 , pp. 43-59(17)

Abstract:

Globally classrooms are becoming more multicultural and multilingual in nature and educators and learners alike are experiencing difficulty in coping with this diversity. This study started with problems that my colleagues in Science and Health Sciences were experiencing with interaction and communication among learners in their diverse classrooms. Educators were also experiencing difficulties in motivating students to work effectively in groups. The purpose of this paper was to structure and manage groupwork in the classroom not only for the benefit of learners but the educators as well, because they too have to learn to function effectively with their learners who come from diverse backgrounds, just as their learners have to communicate with them. Using an action research methodology, four phases of groupwork were conducted until a suitable structure was arrived at to the satisfaction of the participants. Valuable lessons in structuring groupwork, facilitating intercultural communication and conducting research in one's own classroom were learned from this study.

Keywords: ACTION RESEARCH; COMMUNICATION; CULTURE; DATA TRIANGULATION; DIVERSITY; GROUPWORK

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1921/19633

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