Jay Hollowell

Great point, Donald! Groups can be comprised to be productive or a disaster. Just curious, are you familiar with the group roles: initiator, contributor, summarizer, challenger, expander, evaluator and harmonizer? They tend to blend with the leaders, supporters and analyticals that you mention. Thanks again for your participation in the forums! Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Thanks, Mark, one-on-one coaching, under the right circumstances, is definitely a key ingredient to student success. Jay ED106

Hi Mark! It's true that students in learning groups can get off topic quickly. I have found that clearly defined objectives (desired learning outcomes) helps to keep students focused; I also guide the group to assign roles; one such role is the "evaluator" whose task is to keep the group members on task and on course. I know you have successfully completed ED108, but I would be interested to hear what methods you have used to ensure that learning groups are effective. Thanks! Jay ED106 Facilitator

Thanks, Ken, wording things differently can make a world of difference. I have found additionally that when students perform poorly, particularly on a written test, giving them the chance to explain how they interpreted the questions and attained their answers (and even sometimes giving them credit accordingly)can be a powerful learning tool - in that sense, the test is a resource as well as an assessment. Jay ED106

Excellent technique, Ken, you might also have students write a brief summary of the day's lesson as well as how it fits into the previous and next learning experiences. It helps them capture and assimilate material, see the bigger picture, plus serves as a basis for any clarification or questions. Thanks for all of your participation in the forums! Jay ED106

Hi Ken, thanks for your comments! Excellent strategy on putting students together in groups that may not know each other as well. In the case of the the student with more knowledge, that student, as you referenced, can be a great resource in supporting other students, encouraging them to give input, and helping guide the discussion and group activities. Jay Hollowell ED106 Facilitator

Thanks, Ben, for your comments. I too have utilized strong students as anchors for learning groups; additionally though, sometimes I speak with the strong student leaders privately and ask them to let other team members take charge, depending on the situation; it's amazing what group dynamics will form during an activity; often other participants will emerge as leaders, particualrly if they are a source of knowledge about the subject. Jay ED106 Facilitator

This is a good approach (going back to parts of the lecture/presentation, Sidney, because it zeros in on the areas where a student may be confused. Thanks! Jay ED106

Thanks Sidney! Varying levels of knowledge, ability and experience in a group certainly helps the group move forward together and support members that may be struggling a bit. Jay ED106 Facilitator

Hi Phillip! Students can, with our guidance, be excellent mentors and teachers to other students - this tends to be the most powerful when used in hands-on activities and demonstrations, rather than one student "telling" another student about a concept or what to do in a specific application. Just curious, short of taking them out of class, how do you typically handle disruptive students? Thanks for all of your comments in the forums! Jay ED106 Facilitator