I have a pet grooming school, so pairing students into groups would be somewhat difficult, since my largest class is 10 students. Keeping my classes small makes it
easier for me to keep track of the students
learning process and they get more one on one
attention from me and the other instructor
assign a task let them work it out
i like your idea of using index cards. I will try this with the next class.
Hi Tom!
I do agree that instructors must give the basic expectations and that they should be tied to real world experiences.
I really like that you post assessments of the group experience. I assume that the students are making recommendations for improvement along with your thoughts as well?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
DV106 Facilitator
This nails it on the head.
I make sure that my students not only benefit from group project assignments in my class, but I make sure I specifically outline the purpose for them; that this process is part of immersion into the real world experience of the workplace and working in isolation in our area of a profession is rare.
We also do post group assignment assessments of the experience of the group dynamic, to reinforce the results of the experience and outline ways to improve for the next.
look for students who are seeking out their peers with the same interests and learning style to get the most out of the experience
Hi Larry!
Did you happen to read Mr. Bittle's post about organizing groups? If you haven't, I encourage you to do so - I like his approach.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Kevin!
I like this approach. You have helped them self select their group members - very clever.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Good job Judith!
It's about diversity in the workplace and I can't think of a better place to start the learning process than in the classroom.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Jeffrey!
Excellent strategy! What type of knowledge assessment test do you use? Is it something that you have designed or is it published?
So to keep the high achievers motivated, do you give extra work or use some other strategy?
Good job!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
i have gotten so much out of this, many ideas that i can not wait to use. Thanks
I agree with you on that. I too let them pick their on groups but I really have to monitor how they work as a group. Some work well and sometimes I have to make changes to let them excell.
There are two ways that I organize students into groups. First, I hand out a scenario which I ask them to consider on their own for 3-5 minutes, writing down their responses in the space provided.
After they've had time for individual reflection I ask that they form into groups of three to four people and discuss their viewpoints.
The second way is to group students together by issue. As an example, if I assign a term paper in Ethics I allow the students to choose a particular topic e.g. human cloning, abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty and locate others in the class who share a similar passion for/interest in that issue. While the individuals in the group may differ in viewpoint they are united by their interest in the topic area.
I never form the actual groups themselves i.e. similar to creating a seating arrangement at a wedding (Bill, Jed, Josie and Sue... you'll be seated at Table "E" -- since it leaves you responsible if the group has bad chemistry.
I like to organize students randomly, but they feel insecure sometimes, but I do it anyway as I tell them when they get out in the workplace, they won't be able to tell the leader which team they want to be on. They actually end up doing just fine.
You can organize students randomly. Sometimes diversity turns out to be a good thing. Students learn other students' strengths and form a team as they problem solve together.
Alot of times I set up cleaning groups to clean the kitchens and then the next week set up new groups so the students have to work with someone different each week.
I teach in the Medical Assisting Program and have recently started putting students into groups. I place the more experienced with the less experienced. The more experienced student thinks they are helping the student with less experience and the student with less experience learns from that student who has more experience. It is a win-win situation.
I find that most students want to be in groups of people they hang out with and have things in common. I feel it is good to step out of that comfort zone as when they get out into the real world, they won't be in a comfort zone.
I have found it helpful to make every attempt
to assess the students skills and create a balance
of skills diversity.
My students have an open seating arrangement, this helps me identify their "clicks" and I often use a knowledge assessment test to place them in groups for the first assignment. I change the groups for each assignment based on performance... I try to keep the top of the class mixed with the bottom, but not allow anyone to feel punished or burdened by having to work with the same people too often. In my circumstance it helps to keep them motivated as individual workers when they know they wont be on the same task as their group mates once the current task is finished
In the first days of class i allow my students to pick their own groups but as the class goes on I speak about how it will help them grow as a person to stretch their comfort zones by working with others. Usually by the end of the class everyone has moved around to different groups, and they feel more united as a team.
