Dra. Hebles-Ortiz, Melany

The main purpose of this study was to design and validate a scale to assess the teamwork competency of undergraduate students (TCS, Teamwork Competency Scale). The research instrument designed and subjected to validation has nine specific dimensions: Collective effectiveness, learning orientation, group goal setting, planning and coordination, communication, conflict management, problem solving, performance monitoring and supportive behaviour. The instrument was validated using a sample of 802 first-year students at a university in Chile. The method of partial least squares (PLS) was used within a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework for statistical analysis. The results show that the TCS is a valid and reliable research instrument for the assessment of teamwork competency in undergraduate students.

The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which faculty training in cooperative learning (CL) transfers to university teaching, according to students’ opinions. The design was quasi-experimental, with a control group and an intervention group. During two years, 346 first-year university Business School students and 12 university teachers of four disciplines (Business and Economy, Communication, Mathematics and Knowledge Integration) took part in the study. The results show that, after specific training in CL methodology, teachers showed significant improvement in the application of several CL dimensions: social skills, evaluation, reflection, interdependence, interaction and tutoring. In addition, a multivariate analysis of variance was calculated to examine the possible interaction effect of teacher training and disciplines on CL application. The results indicate that training based on participants’ needs and context fosters transference to university teaching. Teachers from different disciplines respond differently when applying CL to the classroom after training, especially in evaluation, heterogeneity, and tutoring. The results highlight the importance of a quality faculty professional development program.

En esta investigación caracterizamos las variables asociadas con la efectividad de los equipos de trabajo de una muestra de estudiantes universitarios chilenos. Como estrategia metodológica se utilizó un estudio cualitativo basado en el análisis de las variables asociadas al modelo de rendimiento “entrada-proceso-salida” en contextos del desarrollo de nuevos productos, para el cual se entrevistaron a equipos de estudiantes. Los resultados del análisis indican que aspectos tales como la composición del equipo, el liderazgo especialmente compartido, la claridad de objetivos, entre otros, afectan la eficacia y la eficiencia del trabajo en equipo como también los aprendizajes obtenidos tanto a nivel individual como en equipo.