The Relationship Between Achievement Goal Orientation, Perceptions of Collaboration, Attitudes towards Group Work and GPA in 3D Educational Software Development Process

Abstract

This study investigates students’ achievement goal orientation in relation to their attitudes towards group work and their perceptions of group members’ collaborative behaviors in 3D educational software development process. A total of 48 (33 males and 15 females) 4 * year Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department students taking Design, Development and Evaluation of Educational Software course at Middle East Technical University in the Spring term of the year 2003 formed the sample of this study. The study lasted 14 weeks. During this period, the students worked in-groups and developed a 3D learning environment by using the rapid prototyping approach and Active World. 3.3-. At the end of the semester, a four-part survey questionnaire was given to students to collect data on background, achievement goal orientations, attitudes toward group work, and the students’ perceptions of their group members’ collaborative behaviors. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between attitudes towards group work and achievement goal orientation, however, attitudes toward group work predicts how subjects perceive their team members’ collaboration with regard to their contribution to the task, discussing and listening, and team functioning behaviors. Significant correlation was found between collaboration in contribution to the task, discussing and listening, and team functioning behaviors. The results indicated that there was a significant relationship between mastery and ego orientations, and a negative relationship between Grade Point Average (GPA) and work-avoidant orientation. Finally, males were found to be significantly more work-avoidant than females