I think that is a great idea. Not only do they benefit in the group, but they are also (hopefully) forming some great networks of friends & resources in different areas.
Ryan
Knowing a little bit about each of your students is important prior to putting them in to a work group. Part of the registration process for our program requires the students to provide their duties/responsibilities at work and their justification for attending our course. By having that information ahead of time, we are able to create diverse work groups so the students will benefit from the many different experiences.
I teach rather larger classes and I find it easier to have the students put there names on index cards and we do a random draw: 1) It's fair 2) You don't have anyone - not being picked and #3) It's a great "teamwork" exercise. It seems to work for me and I asctually have my students grade each other (privately) and I don't allow them to change groups do to conflict.
So true & I know an ongoing struggle for me as well. I think your ideas about no coat tail riding are a great way to get started with work groups.
Ryan
What are some ways to organize students into work groups?
Placing students in work groups can be tricky. I first announce that there will be no “coat tail riding.†Students will be graded on the level and quality of participation. Students are assignment by their grades standing and class participation. Students who do not come to class are put together. Usually these coat tail students step up and do well.
GREAT job Maria! You are absolutely correct in explaining to students this will be the real world.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Grace!
I hope this strategy has worked well for you. I do have a concern about segregating groups in this manner. It's not the real world. Employers will not divide teams up in this manner and will have the expectation that everyone will be successful. Just a thought!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I try to get a good mix of ethnicity, age, etc without it being obvious that's what I'm doing!
One method that I have tried and is successful is grouping individuals that usually do not talk with one another in class or interacte. This has provided good discussions and presentations.
Diana
Our curent course includes a debate on medical ethical issues. The class chose a very sensitive subject. At group assignment I chose a "pick from the container" method. I had two containers with equal held two choices - for and against. Like this it did not matter what container they picked from the class would still be equally divided. Even this method proved to be a challenge as students expressed dislike regarding the group they fell into. Some were completely against the subject they had chosen and could not see themselves arguing in favor of it but the majority was due to a personality conflict I knew was taking place amoung several of the students. I had to be firm, hold my ground and not allow student to change groups. I reminded them that as adults we would at one time or another work with or attend to someone we do care for and that we still needed to show respect and consideration toward that person. This quiet everyone down and they went to work. There were some complaints along the way but at the end it was a great outcome. Attitudes changed and student expressed much of what they had learned both from research and from one another as well as from the opposite group.
To create a fun and challenging enviroment,I try to put a strong student in like groups so that they have to work together, I put not so strong students in like groups so that they have to rist to the challenge. I have tried in the past to put stong students with weak students and have found that the stronger student runs the show and the weaker students is intimidated
Grace haines
Dayton Ohio
Hi William!
I like this approach! Use this approach for an entire semester and finally end up with the diverse group. I would be interested in how different each group approach the project.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Caren!
A good approach!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Michael!
This is a very practical approach but you might have to adjust the groups as time moves on.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Jaclyn!
I really like your approach. It not only helps in determining a good student match but it also helps students see how the real world works. They will work with a wide variety of people in the work place.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
The way that I like to facilitate groups is by just doing a general split in the beginning when everyone is new. Then during the course of the first week I evaluate how studetns are working together. I then try to split them up according to performance levels to put some stronger students with weaker students so that they can help and mentor each other. I also try to change groups several times throughout the course of the class so that they all get a chance to work with each other.
I am going to try this in next class start in two weeks
Have students choose numbers and group like numbers...this will help achieve student diversity.
I like to put students together who dont normally work together
Focus on diversity in each group of 6-8 students so that each group has a balance of experience to apply to the project. Another way might be by gender. Still another might be by age groups.
