Greetings Rose!
I, too, like the idea of placing the weaker student with the stronger. They learn from each other and the outcomes are typically very good.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
A way to organize students into groups is by their strengths. It seems that we also focus on weaknesses when we should focus on the strengths of each student. By focusing on their strengths they can make great contributions to their group and help other students in areas that they struggle with.
I like to get an idea of what type of learners I have. I also try to slipt up into groups that will have strong students with some weaker ones. I feel that the positive energy will "rub off" of the weaker students and help them. I have also seen some new friendships formed and both students excell in the class.
When I put my students name into the grading program it gives me a random seating chart. I make 6 groups of 6 students each. It works out quite well for the students and myself. They get to meet other people, with other experiences and back grounds. It makes for a very interesting class.
Hi Pam!
I actually think that is ultimately the best way. When instructors start trying to put together groups based on past experiences or current knowledge of students, as you stated "learning how to work with different personalities, much like they would have to do out in the real world" is distrubed.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
This is a new experience for me as an instructor. I will try and apply the concepts in th module.
Hi Joseph!
I really like your sensible approach to group work. You are definitely helping students understand the importance of working together. It's all about teamwork.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
In one of my business classes we just had the students pick numbers. Although it was very random it helped students in learning how to work with different personalities, much like they would have to do out in the "real world".
I think placing them in a group enviroment also shows them the value of team work.
When I have several students about to finish a module, I group them together and have them give a presentation about what material was just covered. Preparing for a presentation gives students an incentive to learn the material well so that they will look good presenting to me or to the class. I have them do the presentation at the board, and sit down myself (a little role reversal).
I'm most fond of using a random system to place students in a learning or work group.
This take out all of the guess work so no one feels slighted or left out. There are times when they may be working on a specific project where I will assign a stronger student to mentor a weaker one which ends up benefiting both learners. It helps the student struggling with a peer approach and reinforces the learned activity to the mentor.
This sounds similar to what I do on the first day of class. First, I introduce myself, not only with my teaching credentials, but also a few unique personal aspects. Lets the student know I'm human and relatable. Then I have the students introduce themselves with:
-Their name
-Field of interest
-Why they have chosen that field
-How far they commute
-At least one hobby
-If they are care givers for children and/or elderly.
-This helps me to get to know my students quickly
-Understand how I could bring relatable examples into my lectures
-Help the students to get to know each other, especially with unique topics of interests
I enjoyed this idea iam going to try this next week with my students. Thanks Jeannie
It helps student get to know each other and it creates a team work environment.
Hi Vicki!
I agree! The more diverse the group, the more that we learn.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I like to mix my groups according to age and life experiences. I try to ensure each group has a sampling of age ranges and personality differences. This way, the group can draw from each others strengths and learn to work together despite their differences, much the same way as they will be required in a work environment.
I usually prefer to allow students to choose their own groups, unless it seems like a situation where the same people always choose eachother to be in the same group. In that case I like to mix up the groups. This way, the students that may not normally socialize together get a chance to know eachother, and sometimes work is done in a different and unique way, compared to their usual group situation.
If I know the students well and know weakness and strengths then it is nice to divide them up equally. If the students are new to me then I find that just doing a random division work well on the whole. I have found that it divides them fairly evenly.
Diversity is the magic word. Its best to get the braodest range of life experiences and backgrounds.
I try to move students around, My rule is to never have the same students in the same group more than one time.
I like the random selection as this aids in getting students to know different people and how to work with them versus always being with friends.
