Abstract
Previous research has explored the influence of co-teaching models on student learning in the K-12 grade curriculum. However, little research explores the effects of co-teaching models implemented in higher education among graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). This study examines the benefits and drawbacks of co-teaching models in higher education classes for both GTAs and students. Surveys and interviews were used to collect data from 36 undergraduate students and three GTAs at a mid-sized Midwestern university. In addition to measures of cognitive and affective learning, content analysis of the surveys, interviews, and a reflexive journal were used to identity emerging themes pertaining to the benefits, drawbacks, and student learning outcomes of co-teaching in higher education. Results reveal that GTAs perceive a variety of teaching approaches, instructor experiences, instructor chemistry, and instructor approachability as benefits of co-teaching. Drawbacks included power distances and lack of familiarity with co-teaching models to be drawbacks of co-teaching in higher education. Students claimed diverse instructor perspectives, variety of teaching styles, increased communication skills, and fresh perspectives to be benefits of co-teaching in higher education. Students found drawbacks included: a confusing class structure and rejection of traditional instructional styles. Additionally, students in co-teaching classrooms reported higher levels of affective learning when compared to students in traditional classrooms. Implications for utilizing the co-teaching as a model for training GTAs are explored.
Advisor
Laura Jacobi
Committee Member
Kristi Treinen
Committee Member
Elizabeth Sandall
Date of Degree
2018
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
College
Arts and Humanities
Recommended Citation
Harter, A. (2018). "We Considered Ourselves a Team:" A View of Co-teaching from the Perspectives of Graduate Teaching Assistants and Students [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/799/
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Included in
Higher Education Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Other Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
Rights Statement
