Gender and Participation in an Engineering Problem-Based Learning Environment

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Gender and Participation in an Engineering Problem-Based Learning Environment
Language: English
Authors: Hirshfield, Laura, Koretsky, Milo D.
Source: Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning. Mar 2018 12(1).
Availability: Purdue University Press. Stewart Center Room 370, 504 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Tel: 800-247-6553; Fax: 419-281-6883; e-mail: pupress@purdue,edu; Web site: http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/ijpbl/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Problem Based Learning, Engineering Education, Gender Differences, Teacher Student Relationship, Interpersonal Communication, Teamwork, Teaching Methods, Sex Role, Sex Stereotypes, Discourse Analysis, Higher Education, College Students, College Faculty, Mixed Methods Research, Video Technology, Observation, Time
DOI: 10.7771/1541-5015.1651
ISSN: 1541-5015
Abstract: The use of problem-based learning (PBL) is gaining attention in the engineering classroom as a way to help students synthesize foundational knowledge and to better prepare students for practice. In this work, we study the discourse interactions between 27 student teams and two instructors in an engineering PBL environment to analyze how participation is distributed among team members, paying particular attention to the differences between male and female students. There were no statistically significant differences between the amount that male and female students spoke; however, stereotypical gender roles and traditional gendered behavior did manifest in the discussion. Also, regardless of the gender composition of the team, the amount of time that each member talked was usually unbalanced. Our findings lead to recommendations to instructors interacting with student teams and contribute to knowledge about team and gender interactions in PBL environments.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 69
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: EJ1159766
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The use of problem-based learning (PBL) is gaining attention in the engineering classroom as a way to help students synthesize foundational knowledge and to better prepare students for practice. In this work, we study the discourse interactions between 27 student teams and two instructors in an engineering PBL environment to analyze how participation is distributed among team members, paying particular attention to the differences between male and female students. There were no statistically significant differences between the amount that male and female students spoke; however, stereotypical gender roles and traditional gendered behavior did manifest in the discussion. Also, regardless of the gender composition of the team, the amount of time that each member talked was usually unbalanced. Our findings lead to recommendations to instructors interacting with student teams and contribute to knowledge about team and gender interactions in PBL environments.
ISSN:1541-5015
DOI:10.7771/1541-5015.1651