Developing collaboration and communication skills with STEM-based activities

An action research

Bibliographic Data

ID21348283
AuthorsÖzlem Özcan Baykurt (0000-0003-0101-1230, Sakarya University, corresponding author), Fatime Balkan‐kiyici (0000-0002-4407-8307, Sakarya University)
Year2026
Pages1-16
Publication date2026-02-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Educational Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0671 • E-ISSN: 1940-0675
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00220671.2026.2633430
OpenAlexW7130646774
LanguageEN
References cited42

Developing collaboration and communication skills at an early age will prepare individuals for the dynamic and competitive world of the twenty first century. This collaborative action research study aims to improve our fifth-grade students’ weak collaboration and communication skills through STEM-based activities. We collected the data through focus group interviews, researcher diaries, and student activity sheets. We conducted the data analysis with a deductive approach according to the cooperation and communication criteria we created with the support of the literature. The study results reveal that students showed significant improvements in cooperation, acting toward a common goal, and individual accountability. In addition, their ability to resolve conflicts democratically, distribute tasks fairly, and exchange ideas improved their communication skills. The most salient finding of the study is that positive interdependence is more arduous to cultivate than other criteria

Action (physics) · Action research · Communication skills · Key (lock) · Qualitative research · Higher Education Practises and Engagement · Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods · Mathematics Education and Programs

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Open DOI