Positive Outcomes
Learning groups often help bring shy students out of their shell. Students will often ask other group members questions that will not ask the instructor. As mentioned in this module, students often learn best from each other.
What are some of the positive outcomes of putting students into learning groups?
It is very gratifying to hear that someone is using - and hopefully -sharing the group process Dr. Anastasis.
When students are in the classroom environment with the instructor guiding learning, it is easier for them to stay on task. However, when employees participate in group work, it is necessary that they understand and work with the group process.
Great job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
The opportunity to celebrate victories. Tuckman (1965)offered a good overview of the process of team development. Some years after his initial theory, he added an additional point of adjourning. This gives team members a chance to close out a group on high note in order to take the spirit to future groups.
Tuckman, B.(1965). "Developmental sequence in small groups". Psychological Bulletin 63 (6): 384–99.
I find that putting students into learning groups really helps students learn from one another and vastly increases individual participation.
we work with partners in lab,one guy will be stronger in a subject, then the other student in most cases has experence in another task.They help each other gain info from each other.
putting students in learning groups allows the instructor to still be the facilitator, laying out topic objectives and then letting the students run with it. You allow the the students to be more relaxed and creative in their own thinking way. You also allow the student to be expressive in their own thoughts. The key is to allowing the student to drop or lower the wall of defense and listen, apply, learn, retain and contribute back something important to the learning group. Mitchell Becker
Hi Jennier!
I really like the short term team process. It certainly gives students an opportunity to get different points of view.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
I find that working in groups of two for culinary labs is really helpful for students. Often one takes on a mentor role and helps the other really grasp the concepts. By encouraging students to change partners every week or so, the students taking on the mentor role changes.
So true, Deborah!
AND - if we are watching and listening at all times, we are so fortunate to see these results. It's such a wonderful feeling to see that light come on and to know as an instructor, you played a significant part.
Good job and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Jane: At the end of my course, I ask my students for their "AHA!" moment. I learn so much from my students. They have AHA moments on topics I never would have imagined.
Greetings Jeff!
Indeed - there is always something to be learned or thought about in a different way when working in a group.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
One of the benefits of learning groups is that there will be actual experiences shared to aid in their fellow group members understanding of material. I feel that shared experience is an extremely effective method for reinforcing material.
I think the biggest positive that comes from putting the students into samller groups is an increased participation, especially from those students who may be more hesitant to participate in a larger group setting. It also helps all the students learn how to complete tasks using all of the groups experiences and skills in a faster way than they could by themselves.
I have found that students make better connections with each other because they realize the strengths of those around them. Students who may not communicate otherwise are now put into a performance driven situation. I've been very pleased with the outcomes of the learning groups.
Students benefit from exposure to views on the topic beyond that of the instructor. Additionally, participating as contributing memebers of the learning of others helps students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter as they have to be able to contribute.
That is so true, and such an important lesson for students to learn. This can then carry into the students upcoming career as well.
Hi Judith!
Positive outcomes come in some many different ways. I really enjoy those AAH-HA moments in a students learning. Yes, we should know our students, but I find taking a chance on mixing up the process, some very exciting outcomes occur.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106
When putting students into groups, I always mix up the students. I will put students in groups that have learning disabilities and it turns out that they all have something to add, even the person with the disability. I will not put students who are friends in the same groups. It works.
Students will develop a sense od competition in a group. This could be very motivating for the learner
