Applied Economics Teaching Resources

an AAEA Journal

Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Research Article

An Authentic Learning Approach to Group Assignments: An Analysis of Student Attitudes

Roger Brown(a), Na Zuo(b), Jordan Shockley(a), and Steven Buck(a)
(a)University of Kentucky (b)University of Arizona

JEL Codes: A22, A23, M12, Q00
Keywords: Authentic learning, students, teaching, teamwork

Publish Date: December 10, 2019
Volume 1, Issue 2

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Abstract

Using a difference-in-difference estimator adapted to include student fixed effects, we examine whether exposure to an authentic, business-oriented approach to group assignments improves student attitudes about working in groups. Our results show that, compared with a traditional approach, students exposed to the business-oriented approach had significantly improved attitudes about group assignments in general. Specifically, students indicate that forming groups was more authentic and likable, individual grading processes were fairer, and scheduling group meetings was easier. We also identify the marginal effects for these improved attitudes and show that the relevant factors are, in descending order of importance, improvements to group scheduling, group formation, and individual grading.

About the Author(s): Roger Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky (Corresponding author: rogerbrown@uky.edu). Na Zuo is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Arizona. Jordan Shockley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Steven Buck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Acknowledgements: The authors are thankful for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript from audience members at AAEA (August 2018) and the Norton School Teaching Series (University of Arizona, April 2019), from Professor Paul Wilson (University of Arizona, retired), and from the editor and three anonymous reviewers at AETR. Research here adheres to pertinent policies and regulations at the federal, state, and university levels for data involving human subjects. The University of Kentucky has approved the research protocol and participation by all authors (IRB No. 44971).

Copyright is governed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA

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