Bridging the gap in education
How do you bridge the gap in education between student with a graduate degree and those that have just graduated high school?
Hi Michael,
Sounds like a good model for using groups as a learning tool. By mixing the knowledge base and experience levels of the students everyone brings something to the discussion and enriches the class for everyone.
Gary
An instructor in whose classes I have sat for enjoyment and to observe a fine teacher's style, when I am no longer focused on my role as student, uses groups for a core project that runs the full length of a particular course. Students, who typically all have the same major, are determined by the instructor to be at one of three levels, based primarily on their stage of program completion. Each group has one student from each level. Occassionally a group will have four students, but usually groups are of three.
There is no changing of group membership. The instructor finds that groups needs several sessions to become cohesive. Several class sessions pass before the benefits of the collaboration become apparant. Patience is part of the teaching process.
Hi Lev,
This is always a challenge. The most effective way for me has been to pair the students up in work groups. This way individuals with different skill levels and life experiences can share within their group as the work on projects and assignments. What I try to do is to focus their attention on what they don't know and will learn about the subject rather than on the level of education they have or have not already achieved. With this focus they work together and exchange strategies for studying with each other.
Gary
