separating cohorts
Should you separate groups the first day of class? Is this advantageous towards getting their focus on the class versus talking to their friends?
Hi Kimberly,
Right you are in relation to handling cohort groups. They can be a real asset to the class or become a distraction. The key is to read the situation and make any adjustments that are needed to keep the learning environment forward focused.
Gary
If it becomes a barrier to your teaching as well as their learning, absolutley separate. But do it in creative ways instead of making it appear as a disciplinary reaction.
Hi Ian,
Something I have done is to put the students into groups like you are doing. Then I assign the group the task of making a panel presentation. Each student is to present on a part of the topic for 3-5 minutes or whatever length of time I am devoting to panel presentations. The presentations must be coordinated and sequenced. So both the stronger and weaker students have to work together on the presentation.
I have the panel sit behind a table in front of the class. For shy or weaker students this is a way to hide a bit in a crowd because there are 3-4 other students up front, they are sitting, so they aren't standing out too much and they have a table in front of them which is a barrier between them and the class.
After the panel presentation I generally see the weaker students participate more and grow in confidence. This activity is very low risk for everyone but yields great results for all.
Gary
What might be a good way of perhaps interjecting a weaker student into a group of stronger students who already work well together without alienating the new guy or upsetting the already established group?
Hi Audrey,
I would use an ice breaker that deals how much the students know about each other. One that works well with cohort groups like you have is two truth and a lie. Each student make a list of two things that are true about their lives and one thing they made up. Each student shares their list and then the other class members vote on which is the lie. This results in a lot of laughs and they are surprised at how much they really don't know about each other even after being together for a year. This exercise helps you to become a part of the group since everyone will be asking questions and that includes your list as well.
Gary
For my first class meeting i will be the outsider. the students have already had one year with each other. Is an icebreaker, where the students share about themselves a good idea?
I agree... I don't think this is the emphasis of first day. Also, some cohorts are valuable to student success.
I'll try it this way. I was a bit concerned with treating them like they were children. This method gives more respect to the entire classroom. I have planned a beginning group project the first class so they get to know each other and they can call each other for assistance and information and to share. So this would be a good icebreaker amongst themselves.
Hi Barbara,
I don't really worry about separating the students the first class. The first class meeting is a time when everyone is getting settled into the class and getting to know the instructor. I do introductions and then some ice breakers to help the class get comfortable with each other. I break the students into groups or specific seating when we start into the course content. The reason for this is that I have a purpose in putting them in the groups or seats to which they are assigned. They see the purpose rather than feeling they are being moved because they are talking. It really helps with class management this way.
Gary
