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Team Knowledge Sharing Intervention Effects on Team Shared Mental Models and Student Performance in an Undergraduate Science Course

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a shared mental model (SMM) based intervention on student team mental model similarity and ultimately team performance in an undergraduate meteorology course. The team knowledge sharing (TKS) intervention was designed to promote team reflection, communication, and improvement planning. Results reveal that the TKS intervention was partially effective in enhancing student team SMM and team scores on meteorology lab assignments. The TKS intervention has potential for use in science courses where a teaming approach is used. Similar interventions could likely be developed, empirically examined, and potentially employed to promote success in handling complex challenges while working in teams in the classroom and beyond.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science Applications International Corporation (SETA Support), Alexandria, VA, USA

    Eric G. Sikorski

  2. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Tristan E. Johnson & Paul H. Ruscher

  3. 4800 Mark Center Dr., Alexandria, VA, 22350-2600, USA

    Eric G. Sikorski

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  1. Eric G. Sikorski
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  2. Tristan E. Johnson
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  3. Paul H. Ruscher
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Correspondence to Eric G. Sikorski.

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Sikorski, E.G., Johnson, T.E. & Ruscher, P.H. Team Knowledge Sharing Intervention Effects on Team Shared Mental Models and Student Performance in an Undergraduate Science Course. J Sci Educ Technol 21, 641–651 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-011-9353-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-011-9353-9

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