Group Work
One exercise that I do that works well with breaking the class into small groups is dividing up the lesson based on objectives and assigning those objectives from the book to each group. Each group then has about 30-40 minutes to prepare and then they are the Instructors for the day. My students always have a lot of fun with this activity and really learn well from their classmates. I act as a moderator and help guides the learning lessons.
Hi Annie:
Group work can also be a great way for “less apt†students to gain a different perspective from a classmate instead of just hearing everything from the instructor day after day. This different perspective may be just what that student needs to gain a more robust understanding of the material.
Regards, Barry
Hi Matt:
Truly, group work may be impractical for some learning environments. In general, they may assist "weaker" students by allowing them a chance to interact with classmates and get a fresh perspective on the subject matter.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jill:
To echo your sentiments, stronger students may be able to help "weaker" students when in smaller, more intimate group settings, just by hearing the content in a different way.
Regards, Barry
Hi Riley:
And, by being the giver of information, we tend to find that the student may retain the information even better when they have to articulate it to someone else.
Regards, Barry
My students like working in groups, although I do have to watch that the leaders don't overshadow the followers, and that the more quiet, shy students get involved instead of sitting back and letting the others do the work.
Hi Kristin:
Group activity is always a great way to break up the atmosphere and bring new energy to the learning environment. Another fun technique is having students break into small groups of two or three, and discuss what they've been learning. This may help to strengthen students who are not fully understanding a concept by hearing it from another perspective.
Regards, Barry
I agree.......my students always like the times they are able do do a task as a small group............not only do they get to know a few people around them, but often when somone is shown one on one how to do something, they will understand it better. Yeah groups!!!
In a culinary field I find that students do not want to work in groups because every day is a demonstration of their learning, success and skill. This has created friction when classes need cooperation to execute its goals.
Students enjoy working in smaller groups and they learn from each other.
Students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats. Students who work in collaborative groups also appear more satisfied with their classes.
I agree completely with this plan. I have had good results from this exercise. The students enjoy the challenge of being the "giver of information", and it is a sure fire back up plan for situations that arise.
