It helps students who struggle to develope leadership roles and become more comfortable around people and prepare them for life experiences in the real world.
I have found that students understand the material better when they are able to discuss it with each other. They all bring a different perspective to each topic and many cases help each other better understand that in many if not most cases there is more than one answer or way to achieve a solution to a problem or issue.
If the learning groups are diverse,the strong students can help the strugleing members,helping to develop there leadership roles,and the other students learn to work with others to build teamwork.
Although in the clinical forum, we do not usually have students break into groups (total of 7-12 students), I have played a game where they break into matching groups of 2, based on common labs we need to know about our patients, such as sodium, potassium, chloride, etc. and the corresponding normal values.(Each student is given several playing pieces, either identifying the normal value of a lab or the actual lab name). They work together to form a correct pair and then do research on finding 5 other things about that lab. I find it supports teamwork, and they love impressing their classmates with the extra information they have found. Each group presents their findings, so everyone learns. If there is an odd number of students, one student joins two groups. I think it reinforces the normal values for common lab tests.
I really enjoy learning groups. i feel that some students are shy and don't feel comfortable to ask me questions when they are uncertain. I think that when students are in learning groups they are more comfortable to ask their peers questions and clarify certain info.
Students learn more from their peers than from their instructors. It also helps students to realize that they are not alone in their studies. For shy students, learning groups help them to get to know other students when they might not push themselves.
Learning groups promote teamwork and the importance of recognizing the individual talents of a diverse student body.
This forces students to interact with a variety of people. It also gives them an opportunity to learn about others and their thought processes.
Michael,
you are exactly right that this provides another way of learning that works even better for some students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Group dynamics take on alternate methods of instruction. Ever since we were youngsters, we seem to learn differently from our parents then we did with our peers. That type of information exchange still prevails into adulthood.
Howard ,
I agree that there are many positives from work groups & we need to be sure to remind our students of these as many students do not appreciate the group work.
Dr. Ryan Meers
An important part of preparing students for life experiences should include working with others. Some students choose to work alone because they are uncomfortable around people. They may not have that luxury in the career they have chosen.
I think that the group-think method allows for students learn and exchange ideas in a less stressful situation then in the class in front of everyone. Also shy learners may come out of their shells.
I think the biggest positive outcome of putting students into learning groups is they can learn from each other. If the groups are created with appropriate diversity of member skills, knowledge, and experience, they will each have something to share with the group and the entire group will move forward. Another positive outcome with groups is the ability for each member to feel like a contributor even if they do not individually have all the skils, knowledge, or experience necessary to complete the task at hand. This is the fundamental reason for working with others in the first place.
Kurt
some of the quieter students get to know their classmates and feel more comfortable within the group.
Students learn how to share responsibility and learn to work in groups. Because in Corporate America you will have to do projects with deadlines, and you have to work with co workers regradless if you like or not.
There are many positive outcomes of putting students into learning groups. It involves cooperative learning. The common goal of learning group requires interdependence. Each student contributes and can learn from team members. Learning group encourages students to interact with one another, develop leadership and interpersonal skills.
This allows all the student to have input. I have found that shy or quiet students are more outspoken within small groups.
I notice that putting students into groups have boost the classroom participation. Everyone feels included.
Students learn how to work with each other in groups. They have a support system when they are struggling in the class. Also, they can share ideas and concepts. This makes learning the subject matter easier for the student.
