Significance of context in university students' (meta)cognitions related to group work: A multi-layered, multi-dimensional and cultural approach

Abstract

This article examines the significance of context in university students' development of (meta)cognitions related to a specific group assignment. For this purpose context was conceptualised at two levels: class (Business, Science) and small groups within class (culturally diverse, non-diverse). Diverging trends in (meta)cognitions emerged at class and small group levels, which reflected affordances and constraints of the learning contexts. The value of incorporating a cultural angle in research on group work was confirmed. Overall, the findings highlight the usefulness of a multi-layered learning contexts design for enhancing our understanding of the developing nature of students' multi-dimensional experiences of group work.