Teamwork skills and group dynamics training in computer applications and computer programming courses in community colleges and universities

The purpose of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of how community colleges and universities address teamwork and group dynamic skills training in computer applications and programming courses. More specifically, the study attempted to identify how community college and university computer applications and programming courses enhance students' teamwork skills.; A descriptive research methodology was employed. Sixty-nine instructors in ten community colleges and ten universities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin responded. Electronic responses were analyzed via Chi-square and ANOVA to determine relationships between community college and university instructors' perceptions regarding teaching of teamwork and group dynamic skills.; Most instructors responding were teaching teamwork and group dynamic skills in computer applications and programming courses. There were no differences between community college and university instructors regarding their perceptions of barriers, teaching methods and perceptions concerning teaching teamwork and group dynamic skills.; There were significant differences between community college and university instructors concerning the need for workshops and seminars to improve teaching of teamwork and group dynamic skills in computer programming courses. Institutions should develop inservice workshops and seminars regarding the teaching of teamwork and group dynamic skills and strategies to address barriers associated with teaching these skills. There were no significant differences regarding need for workshops and seminars for instructors teaching computer application courses.; Findings supported further research of other institutions in other regions to assess instructors' perceptions regarding teaching of teamwork and group dynamic skills in computer programming courses. It was also recommended that surveys be developed to assess students' perceptions regarding learning teamwork and group dynamic skills. Finally, joint business and education study is necessary to determine how teamwork and group dynamic skills taught in the classroom can be more effectively transferred to the workplace.