Clicks and Cohorts
It is usually a challenge the first class day to establish yourself as the "manager" of the course, when their are various student's that have already, set their opinions of either fellow peers, previous intructors and bunch themselves into these cohorts.
What are some techniques you have learned to either heal the group(s) without offending anyone or starting a debate, but standing your ground on classroom behavior and respect for others.
Peggy,
One approach I like to take is telling them that they are working on their own management skills. I give them examples of they can either manage the people underneath them by learning how they work, or even learning to manage the people above you just by doing what you have to do and making your life easier by making theirs easier. Does that make sense? This way, they learn that it's not all about you, but about the group as a whole.
-Gabriel
Mike,
This good be an interesting exercise as it requires the students to do a self analysis and then share it with other students. With this small a group I would make sure that each member of the group is comfortable sharing this way, if so then go for it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
At some point I read that in the cohort group there are leaders, followers, the smart one.... The class is five students, so there is not much to break down (into smaller groups.) I was wondering if having them verbalize to the class of five were they see themselves. Are they the smart one, the quiet one? Then let the others know that they don't agree with ther placement. This was an attempt to reshape the group.
Mike
Mike,
I'm not sure what you mean by them sharing their "standing in the group". Cohort groups can be a challenge but if you can move them around in terms of small groups within the cohort group and do some activities like games where they compete with other groups it helps to break up the overall cohort group. The reason this is important is that you are the outsider to the group if they come into the class together. You have to have a way to relate to them and build new experiences for the group. If not they will continue to rely on their group history of previous courses and inside jokes, experiences, etc. and this will make class management difficult.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have a new group of 5 students, they have been togther for 7 months now. I was thinking of an introduction activity that included: having them tell the class where they think they stand in the group, and why this perception is correct or not. This might allow some change in the dynamices of this small "family"
What do you think
Mike
Thank you Dr. Meers for your comment to my question, I think the method would be fun to try!
Peggy,
The first class meeting I put the students into small groups. I have them count off because that way the cohort groups setting together will split up by virtue of counting. This method reduces any question of my selecting and/or assigning students to groups so I don't have any push back from how the groups are put together. Then I do an ice breaker which is fun and informative. So they are in small groups and having fun while getting to know each other. This gets them settled into the course. After the ice breaker we do introductions in a fun way and this enhances their comfort levels. Once this is done I share the syllabus and start the introduction to the course, my policies, rules and expectations. They are still in their groups so I don't have side bar conversations going on since the cohort groups are all mixed up. By now I am established as the class leader and we move forward from there.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
