Authors : Kenn Verly Jogie C. Medel; Remigilda Gallardo

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3ea2z4hr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun794

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study explored the challenges teachers face in group work, the coping mechanisms they employ, and the insights they gain from their experiences. Understanding these aspects is crucial in developing strategies to enhance teamwork in educational settings. A qualitative research design using phenomenology was employed to capture teachers' lived experiences in group work. In-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 10 purposively selected teachers who actively engage in collaborative tasks. Thematic analysis was applied to identify common patterns and insights from the data.Findings revealed that teachers encounter several challenges in group work, including unequal workload distribution, interpersonal conflicts and communication issues, time constraints and scheduling conflicts, lack of administrative support and resources, and differing levels of commitment and professional engagement. To manage these challenges, teachers utilize delegating clear role assignment, having open dialogue and conflict resolution strategies, practicing time management and prioritization, seeking external support and professional networks, and encouraging accountability and motivation strategies. From their experiences, teachers gained key insights: collaboration requires balance and fairness, strong communication enhances teamwork, administrative support is crucial, flexibility improves team dynamics, and a positive group culture motivates engagement. The study highlights the need for institutional support in ensuring fair task distribution, effective communication, and structured time management in group work.

Keywords : Teacher Collaboration, Group Work Challenges, Teamwork Strategies, Professional Engagement, Qualitative Research.

References :

1. Adams, M., & Velasco, J. (2022). Administrative support and teacher collaboration: The missing link in professional learning communities. Educational Leadership Review, 33(2), 87-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELR.2022.1094876
2. Alipio, C. (2021). Challenges in implementing collaborative practices among Filipino teachers. Philippine Educational Review, 32(1), 45-61.
3. Anderson, L., & Lewis, T. (2020). Conflict resolution strategies in educational teamwork: A framework for improving collaboration. Teaching and Teacher Education, 92, 103064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103064
4. Baker, T., & Richards, L. (2021). The impact of time management on teacher collaboration and workload balance. Teaching and Teacher Education, 109, 103775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103775
5. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
6. Brown, K., & Johnson, P. (2021). The role of positive team culture in teacher collaboration. Teaching and Teacher Education, 109, 103782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103782
7. Brown, K., & Woolf, J. (2021). The role of communication in mitigating teacher conflicts in group work. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(3), 456-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220938912
8. Carter, L., & Nguyen, P. (2022). Fostering engagement in teacher teamwork: The impact of positive group culture. International Journal of Educational Research, 118, 103995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.103995
9. Carter, L., & Rodriguez, P. (2023). The role of effective communication in teacher collaboration. Teaching and Teacher Education, 115, 103987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.103987
10. Castillo, M., & Wright, J. (2022). The role of professional learning networks in improving teacher collaboration. International Journal of Educational Research, 116, 103982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.103982
11. Chang, R., & Stewart, D. (2022). Enhancing motivation and accountability in collaborative work environments. Teaching and Teacher Education, 112, 103754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103754
12. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
13. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
14. DepEd. (2020). Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Learning Action Cell as a K to 12 Basic Education Program School-Based Continuing Professional Development Strategy for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning. Department of Education, Republic of the Philippines.
15. Dhawan, S. (2021). Online learning: A panacea in the time of COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
16. Evans, J., Miller, P., & Carter, L. (2023). Fostering motivation through accountability in group work: Strategies for educators. International Journal of Educational Research, 119, 103987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.103987
17. Evans, M., Taylor, J., & Roberts, D. (2023). Addressing inequality in collaborative teaching: A study on workload fairness. Educational Review, 75(2), 112-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2023.1847591
18. Evensen, D. H., & Hmelo-Silver, C. E. (2021). Problem-based learning: The role of students in their own learning. Educational Psychologist, 56(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2021.1875432
19. Foster, M., & Lopez, R. (2020). Creating inclusive and engaging team environments: Strategies for educators. Journal of Teacher Development, 35(3), 276-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2020.1183796
20. Foster, M., Harris, P., & Lee, S. (2023). Communication barriers and their impact on teacher collaboration: A qualitative study. International Journal of Educational Research, 119, 103853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.103853
21. Foster, P., & Evans, M. (2020). Adaptability in teamwork: The key to handling unexpected challenges in education. Journal of Teacher Development, 35(4), 321-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2020.1183798
22. García, M., & Bell, T. (2020). Strategies for improving teacher collaboration within time-limited schedules. Journal of Educational Policy, 35(4), 512-528. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2020.1745892
23. García-Martínez, I., Fernández, R., & Solís, P. (2021). Examining teamwork challenges among educators: The impact of role distribution. Journal of Teacher Education, 72(3), 345-361. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487120984732
24. Georgiou, S., et al. (2020). Teacher collaboration and conflict in hierarchical versus flat organizational structures in Europe. European Educational Research Journal, 19(5), 534-550.
25. Grootenboer, P., Edwards-Groves, C., & Rönnerman, K. (2020). Mapping the field of action research in education: Types of action research and their historical origins. Educational Action Research, 28(4), 541-555. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2020.1779772
26. Gutiérrez, J., & Kim, S. (2021). The impact of clear role assignment on group collaboration in educational settings. Teaching and Teacher Education, 108, 103523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103523
27. Harrison, J., & McCarthy, L. (2021). The impact of open communication on teacher collaboration. Teaching and Teacher Education, 108, 103675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103675
28. Harrison, T., & Mills, R. (2021). Strengthening teamwork through communication strategies: A study in educational settings. International Journal of Educational Research, 119, 103999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.103999
29. Johnson, L., Lee, M., & Green, K. (2020). Collaborative research in higher education: The role of institutional support in enhancing productivity and innovation. Research in Higher Education, 61(5), 631-651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-020-09593-4
30. Johnson, R., & Brown, K. (2021). The impact of external professional support on teacher teamwork. Teaching and Teacher Education, 108, 103674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103674
31. Johnson, R., & Kim, S. (2021). Leadership strategies for enhancing teamwork in schools: The role of administrative support. Teaching and Teacher Education, 109, 103781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103781
32. Jones, A., Smith, R., & Roberts, D. (2022). The role of organizational culture in fostering effective group work in academic settings. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 50(4), 679-697. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211040863
33. Kania-Lundholm, M., Lundström, R., & Nilsson, L. (2021). Interdisciplinary research collaboration: Challenges and opportunities in academic workplaces. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 46(2), 283-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243920952346
34. Kim, S., & Robinson, T. (2020). The role of peer accountability in teacher collaboration: A study on engagement and responsibility. Educational Leadership Review, 35(1), 178-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELR.2020.1245678
35. Kim, S., & Robinson, T. (2022). The role of adaptability in enhancing collaboration among teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education, 113, 103765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103765
36. Kim, S., Li, T., & Park, R. (2022). Conflict resolution in educational teams: Strategies for improved collaboration. International Journal of Educational Research, 115, 103926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.103926
37. Kwon, S., & Lee, H. (2023). The role of digital collaboration tools in managing scheduling conflicts among educators. Educational Technology & Society, 26(2), 176-189. https://doi.org/10.1109/ETS.2023.3254763
38. Lee, H., Santos, J., & Palmer, K. (2022). Effective prioritization in collaborative teaching: The role of time-blocking strategies. Journal of Educational Leadership, 45(2), 210-226. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELJ.2022.1236547
39. Liao, X., & Wang, H. (2023). The role of dialogue in teacher teamwork: A study on conflict management in group work. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 284-301. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000763
40. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. SAGE Publications.
41. Lopez, R., & Green, T. (2020). Fostering a culture of collaboration through administrative leadership. Educational Leadership Review, 34(3), 176-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELR.2020.1183792
42. Lopez, R., & King, S. (2020). The role of school leadership in fostering teacher collaboration: A case study. Journal of Educational Administration, 58(4), 512-530. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-03-2020-0045
43. Martin, L., & Lopez, M. (2021). Encouraging participation and responsibility: Motivation strategies in teacher teamwork. Journal of Educational Leadership, 48(3), 289-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/JEL.2021.1123546
44. Mason, J., Carter, R., & Green, P. (2022). The impact of structured time management strategies on teacher group work efficiency. Teaching and Teacher Education, 110, 103742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103742
45. Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
46. Miller, J., Roberts, P., & Carter, S. (2023). Creating effective teacher teams: The role of structured administrative support. Journal of Educational Leadership, 47(2), 219-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/JEL.2023.1245678
47. Miller, T., & Jacobs, K. (2020). Fostering collaboration through conflict resolution: Strategies for educators. Educational Leadership Review, 32(1), 157-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELR.2020.1176394
48. Miller, T., & Johnson, C. (2020). Balancing teamwork: Strategies for managing varying levels of commitment in collaborative work. Educational Review, 72(3), 412-428. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2020.1759842
49. Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological Research Methods. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412995658
50. Nguyen, C., Parker, D., & Silva, M. (2022). The effects of communication training on teacher teamwork effectiveness. Journal of Teacher Education, 73(1), 89-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224871211047839
51. Nguyen, C., Parker, D., & Silva, M. (2023). The impact of flexible work structures on teacher collaboration. International Journal of Educational Research, 120, 103996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.103996
52. Nguyen, L., & Carter, R. (2020). Strategies for effective task delegation in collaborative teaching. Educational Management & Leadership, 48(3), 412-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220919683
53. Nguyen, P., & Foster, M. (2020). Enhancing professional collaboration through communication training. Educational Leadership Review, 33(4), 289-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/ELR.2020.1123745