Video Analysis of Group Interactions in an Active-Learning Classroom

One of the most important pieces of any active learning methodology is interaction between students in the classroom. This research was conducted by recording students’ group interactions within an introductory Physics course via Zoom, and analyzing certain conversations and body language. Two groups were recorded each class period over the course of the semester, excluding days when exams were given. The groups were placed into categories by the analyzers, either 1) non-constructive, interactive 2) constructive, interactive 3) constructive, non-interactive and 4) non-constructive, non-interactive, and the analyst measured throughout the semester the progress of each group, and identified what the “ideal group interaction” would consist of. Through these efforts, the researchers will be able to continue to pursue a different approach to the traditional idea of lecture learning within these introductory classes, and determine certain factors within student led groups that make one group more successful than the other.