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Team learning in higher education : the explication of shared mental models in relation to educational design decisions

Berkum, D. van (2017) Team learning in higher education : the explication of shared mental models in relation to educational design decisions.

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Abstract:Due to more complex tasks and changing environments in professional and educational organizations, teamwork is becoming more common since teams are expected to be more creative and expeditious in solving problems. To have teams work together in a harmonious and effective way, team learning and a shared mental model must be considered. Previous research has shown that team learning leads to a shared mental model and that this results in team effectiveness. Most research measured team learning and the shared mental model through perceptions of team members. However, it is proven that the shared mental model is continuously changing through team member interaction. But, scarce research is focussed on this. Therefore, two different measures of the explication of the shared mental model are used in the current study to see how the shared mental model changes over time and how this leads to sustained decisions. In this descriptive qualitative multiple case study data of two higher education teacher teams are collected. Observations of higher education teacher team meetings are used to measure team learning processes and the shared mental model of the team. With use of the chi-square analysis, the Fisher’s exact test and qualitative analysis there are found some interesting results. Cognitive decisions have an important role in the facilitation of the transition from engaging in team learning to arriving at sustained decisions. In addition, action decisions are an important facilitator for cognitive decisions to become sustained decisions. Thereby is found that topics that were discussed multiple times have led to more sustained decisions than topics which were discussed less. Therefore, it is concluded that the explication of the shared mental model can facilitate the transition from engaging in team learning to arriving at sustained decisions in a positive way. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods provides a view on how the shared mental model develops over time and how sustained decisions can be reached.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:81 education, teaching
Programme:Educational Science and Technology MSc (60023)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/74176
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