I work in a visual arts/design college. Class work is often evaluated in a group critique format. In these critiques, you will often see the clique behaviors play out, and no seating chart will circumvent them.
Some students will refuse to participate in critiques of other students' work, because of bad blood, or perception that the student has not contributed enough to the class to earn their respect of criticism.
Calling on the uncooperative student, forcing their participation, sometimes is the only way.
Other times I have made ordered each student to write short critiques of every student's work. I then collect the write-ups, make copies of them, and evaluate them both for completion and quality, and include this as part of the grading criteria for the class.
Hi Marla,
You are on point. You and I think so much alike. I would do the same things.
Patricia
Hi Bonnie,
Even at the collegian level, elementary methods work. I do the same things.
Patricia
Summer,
I also see this problem in class unfortunately. Some of this may sound a little elementary, but it does work. If I see this problem, I will create a seating chart. This seperates the groups. I also have the students draw names from a bowl if we have any group assignments because then it will be random. I explain that it is important to become familiar with working with a variety of individuals because this is what they will experience in patient care.
By the end of the quarter, everyone actually gets along better.
Bonnie
I would assign seats so that you are breaking up the cliques. Also, when there are group projects you can assign the partners so that they are required to work with others.
Hi Carolyn,
I like the tactic you use to break up the cliques. What a smart move on your part. I can tell you are very firm with your students. There are many supervisors that are firm, therefore students need the variety.
Patricia
Hi Summer,
I am also at the end of our program and find that my classes have also formed cliques and alliances. My classroom is a student restaurant, and open to the public, so teamwork on the part of the entire class is critical to our success.
In day one, I ask them to break themselves into groups of 3 or 4, depending on the size of the class. I give them a small ice breaker project to complete while I note who they self-selected to work with, and then separate their work groups from that point on--ensuring that the cliques are broken up. I also emphasize teamwork as a graded portion of the course and provide a detailed rubric, and provide a private evaluation form for each student to complete, rating themselves as well as their team members.
Knowing that their grade will depend on both my evaluation and that of their peers helps nip 95% of potential problems. For those that display unacceptable behavior, one stern discussion is usually sufficient in curbing future problems.
Hi Summer,
I have never had any problems with cliques, however, they are in my classes. I am thinking you may want to try assigned seats or just simply have a private individual conversation with each student.
Patricia
