Engaging Students of Engineering & Technology in Positive Group Dynamics Using Randomly Generated Instant Virtual Group (IVG) Quizzes - Abstract and Findings

Aug 29, 2026

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A quiz template is developed to engage engineering and technology undergraduates through structured group dynamics using randomly generated instant virtual groups (IVGs). Microsoft Excel VBA automates member selection and question assignment while allowing controlled reoccurrence to keep the class alert. Each question includes cooperative work and class-wide peer assessment under preset rules. Auto-plotted analyses identify individual and group contributions and performance tiers, supporting reuse in group assessments. Survey results using a Chi-square test indicate overall 71% net positive responses, with evidence that some cohorts require added tutor support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

1. Introduction

Background and rationale for group work

Group dynamics concepts and learning outcomes

Need for supportive tutor involvement

International Journal for Innovation Education and Research Vol:-5 No-10, 2017 Engaging students of Engineering & Technology in positive Group Dynamics using randomly generated Instant Virtual Group (IVG) quizzes MY Jamro School of Engineering & Technology, University of Hertfordshire, UK Abstract A quiz template is developed keeping in mind the group dynamics to engage and encourage group work activities among E&T undergraduates. The Microsoft® Excel VBA programming was used to create random instant virtual groups (IVGs) and to select random questions. Although the IVG quiz selects group members randomly, yet the programming enables “controlled” reoccurrence keeping the entire class in alert state (i.e. allowing previous members from other groups to reappear and regroup). During the quiz, a small group cooperatively engaged working towards solution and at the end of each quiz question each group member is peer assessed by entire class following pre-set rules of engagement. At the end of quiz, the analyses are auto-plotted showing individual and group contributions flagging out, the best, good and the poor performers. The developed quiz workbook can be easily adopted for the reuse in any group assessment activity by simply changing the attendance list and question bank. The quiz template was used in piloting an epistemological study of various taught modules at different programme levels in various pathways of MEng-BEng and MSc Engineering programmes. The results of a survey analysing the effectiveness of such IVG quizzes using Chi-square test predicted an overall 71% net positive student’s responses with an average above 59% for various programme levels. Furthermore, the data analysis suggested that Level 4 and MSc cohorts comparatively need more tutor support in their group work as they have limited exposure to group dynamics. The significance of eye-contact and positioning of peers inclassroom randomised IVGs were also studied, which revealed that increasing separation between peersand their obscured locations obstructing their eye-contacts show adverse effects on group homotopy recommending maximum five members in an IVG creating effective cooperative communication. The random IVG quiz is tutor centred activity and mainly designed engaging students in-class active learning, and is suitable for small to medium class size of 30-35, nonetheless, large cohort size can be supported by splitting in batches. Keywords: group dynamics; random group quiz template; virtual groups, electronic voting system; eyecontacts; group homotopy; group homology, Excel VBA, 1. Introduction Many Engineering & Technology (E&T) graduates having received better grades might face difficulties in real life demonstrating group or team related aspects mainly because they do not get enough opportunities in E&T institutes to engage with people acquiring experience of negotiation; arbitration; conflict International Educative Research Foundation and Publisher © 2017 pg. 10 International Journal for Innovation Education and Research Vol:-5 No-10, 2017 management and leadership qualities necessary for group work or teamwork. In addition, most employers in several job descriptions keep teamwork and/or group work on their top of the agenda and therefore E&T professional and accreditation bodies demand universities to equip graduates with these desirable skills. The Engineering Council UK, engineering professional bodies (i.e., IET, IMechE, RAE, InstRE, RAeS, etc) and leading industry employers insist upon promoting group work activities among E&T students. Recent government ’s initiatives on university education and sustainable employment can be seen as steps forward in bridging the skill ’s gap. These initiatives include, introduction of mandatory Degree Apprenticeship Programmes (DAP) levy; and voluntary teaching excellence framework (TEF) . In both, DAPs and TEFs, the higher education institutions (HEIs) heavily support student ’s c

FAQs

How are instant virtual groups (IVGs) generated in the quiz template?

Excel VBA is used to randomly generate instant virtual groups by selecting group members and random questions while enabling controlled reoccurrence of members to keep students alert.

What happens during each quiz question regarding assessment?

Students work cooperatively in small groups toward solutions, and at the end of each question every group member is peer assessed by the entire class following preset engagement rules.

What do the study results suggest about student responses and tutor support?

Chi-square analysis predicts an overall 71% net positive response rate. The findings also suggest Level 4 and MSc cohorts need more tutor support because their exposure to group dynamics is limited.

Aug 29, 2026

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