Groups
I love using group activities in my classroom! For some of the classes that I currently teach, many of the students are freshmen and still getting used to college life. By putting students in groups, many shy or unconfident individuals have more confidence in their own answers and speak up! As much as I love group work, I ALWAYS have an individual assignment so that I can hopefully reach a wide variety of learners.
Creating group activities enhances the learning process as student are learning from each other while the instructor guides the learning.
We usually use groupes of 2-4, it helps get the students working together & they seem to take charge of the areas they are familer with. The groupes gets them all involved. When they talk the tasks out amoung them selves they have a better understanding of the task.
I agree that we can direct the students for working together by encouragement and group interaction tips. I think it is important to pop in the team rooms and provide the students with direction.
We work mostly in groups of two, it sometimes doesn't work out for one reason or another. Students need to learn in life that working together you can do alot more then by yourself.
I agree. I use group studies. It help students who have a lack of self-confidence become more active when using group studies. It helps build thier confidence.
Thanks, Ann, for your comments! As you mention, a balance of group and individaul work helps to reach a wider variety of learners. Do you find that group learners take on different roles? Some initiate, some contribute directly, some summarize, some harmonize, some keep the group on track, some play the devil's advocate, some just interfere, what is your experience with that?
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
