Together or not? The Effects of Individual and Group Work of the Faculty of Philology Students during E-learning Online

Abstract

This article tested a widespread belief that by working in groups distance education students achieve cognitive goals of learning, and develop their social competencies and skills. The subject of the study was the achievements of 655 bachelor and master degree students enrolled in 22 on-campus and blended learning units offered within 2 university courses, full-time and part-time, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. in the academic years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. An instrumental case study was carried out: the grades students obtained for individual work were compared with grades obtained for work done in pairs and groups of threes within the same courses. It was found that a statistically significant difference did not exist. But the highest grades (on average 83.81) were obtained by students who had worked individually, and the lowest (81.64%) by those who had worked in groups of three. The highest grades were obtained by the final-year students. They showed an understanding of the assessment criteria and the ability to follow such. Also, they wanted to pass on the first attempt in order to have time to prepare for the final examination. International students were reluctant to work in groups. They focused on achieving good grades and preparing for the thesis due to the time limits of student visas and the unrest caused by the war in Ukraine. First-year students who had no experience in adhering to the assessment criteria and problems with communicating due to isolation caused by the pandemic obtained the lowest grades.