shawn,
I agree. I think the random groups do give a much more "real life" feel to the groups as this reflects what the students will be experiencing in the work place.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have always had success using the random group assignment approach. It seems to me like this approach allows for groups to be more productive as the groups function like "work groups" instead of functioning like "social groups" as often happens when they choose their own group members.
I like the idea of breaking up groups by numbers. In other words, if there are 16 students write down the numbers 1-4 four different times on pieces of paper. let each student pick a paper and whatever number they select becomes their group. This way you are keeping all personal aspects out of it and the instructor is not the one making the assignments.
Breaking students up into groups builds team work and accountability by creating an assignment they must all parcitipate in.
Timothy ,
These are all great ideas. I especially like your method at the end of the term as it really does help them get a feel for the real work environment. We don't generally get to pick our teams or work groups & we have to play the hand we're dealt.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Pairing a few better student up with a few weaker students. It gives the stronger student an opportunity to show what he knows and the weaker student will feel more comfortable learning directly with a peer instead of an instructor.
As the term comes to an end I will group by last name – no rhyme or reason – just to allow the students to experience less than idea working dynamics. Sometimes 2-3 strong willed individuals need to work through the assignment. Sometimes a few indecisive students will need to step up and complete the assignment.
I agree, emphasizing diversity in our learning groups is a great way to help with extra learning. Clearly some class demographics make that easier, however we can all find ways to accomplish this.
Ryan
Yes, that is great if one can factor in different personalities. However when teaching online and the sessions are only five weeks, it is difficult to know the different personalities during the first week of class. As a way of breaking students into groups, one might consider reviewing the gradebook and distributing the better students with the struggling students. When there are students who have not participated at all, one can create a group of the "laggards".
There is only a small amount of information available to online instructors. I know their names and I also know their geographical area. Although it is useful for students to understand how it is to be on a team where the members are located in different communities, it may be too challenging for students who have just started their program. They may have no real experience on teams. Therefore, placing those that live in a certain geographical area can work. Later in the program, students have more experience on teams. Then one can consider assignment groups more randomly over geographical location.
I teach military personnel so I always organize by rank and skill level. You want to ensure as diverse a group as possible so students can learn from each other.
This sounds like some great ideas. I also like to take the different personalities into account so that students learn what it's like to work in a real-world work team. They will be working with a variety of people in their jobs & I like them to be aware of this.
Ryan
I find that when I am grouping students to work in a group, I have to take into account personalities and work ethics. I try to evenly distribute those hard working students into each group and around them, I add the others. I also try to split up the cliches that seem to occur and those students who are always talking. Also, by requiring that each student speak on a part of the project. I usually can make sure that everyone contributes to the group.
Some instructors group the students according to their rosters, alphabetically I think this would work well at the being; than a more diverse grouping for other group assignments.
