The Cohort Group
I've never had a cohort group in my classes, perhaps because I teach general education courses.
What are other peoples' experiences with them? Positive? Negative?
I teach a course that comes at the end of every student's cirriculum. There are always cohort groups on my classes. I understand that this makes them immediately comfortable in the classroom, but I identify these groups and make sure that they interact with other groups in the classroom to have the most effective learning experience in the class.
Hi Laurel,
This is a good point about how powerful cohort groups can be in a positive way. They can really support and encourage each other as they work their way through the course sequence.
Gary
Although the class I'm currently teaching is not officially a "cohort" group, I can tell that they naturally formed their own cohort group because they have taken so many specialized classes together by now. With general requirements, there are students from every different focus so they can't really form a cohort. But once the classes become specialized, the groups tend to create themselves. These types of "cohorts" are positive because students get to know each other, yet they do not necessarily feel the need to control the course outline.
Dr. Meers,
This is so true, in using learning groups the instructor is deliberately separating those who are friends, or constantly want to work together. By using a learning group, you are creating diversity, and a better learning environment.
Hi Michele,
Thanks for sharing this example of how cohort groups can work both directions. This is something that all instructors need to be aware of if they are in a situation where they are working with cohort students.
Gary
The core courses in my doctorate program were set up in a cohort model, although the term the school used was "learning community." The advantage was we came together as a learning community to support each other through a very challenging series of courses. The disadvantage is we got to know each other too well--and, much like a family, started to grate on each other a bit.
Hi Rosalie,
Cohort groups have to be dealt with very carefully or they will work out just as you have indicated. Learning groups are a different story. They are organized by the instructor for a specific purpose and for a specific period of time. Then they are reorganized for another project. This way they don't stay in the same group to the point they have developed history which is when cohort groups can be a challenge.
Gary
I have had cohort groups in classes at other universities where I have worked. I found a lot of negatives with them. Some groups became very closed and would attempt to control the course. These universities used the cohort method for all their courses.
