Improving the Confidence of Physics Undergraduates in Communication and Teamwork Skills

This study assesses the efficacy of the Physics Communication Project (PCP) in bolstering students’ confidence, particularly in teamwork and presentation abilities. The PCP is a group-work exercise for first year students taking Physics 1, the introductory course for all physics degrees at the University of Glasgow. It is designed to encourage and improve team and communication skills. The study delves into the PCP’s influence on student perceptions and experiences by employing χ2-analysis to look for statistically significant differences in quantitative data and the General Inductive Method to identify key themes in qualitative data. Findings reveal that students were initially apprehensive about public speaking. However, there was a significant improvement in students’ confidence levels in teamwork and presentations following participation in the PCP, with qualitative data emphasising the benefits of teamwork enhancements. Additionally, the PCP fosters community among participants, enhancing their academic journey beyond mere skill acquisition. Moreover, the PCP is vital in addressing gender disparities in confidence levels, particularly in presentations. Initially, women displayed notably lower confidence than men, but post-project, their confidence aligned with that of men, indicating substantial growth among female participants.