Active Learning - Group Discussions
I think that group discussions are a great way students can prepare themselves to perform a high-risk activity such as speaking in front of the class. When students interact with each one of their classmates, they feel more comfortable when speaking to all of them a once. I try to change of group members so that all the students have had a chance to interact with one another.
Hi Daniel,
Great balance based on the way you put together your small groups. The shy student is also more comfortable in a smaller setting.
Patricia Scales
This is the way I approach Active learning. Small
groups or teams discuss a part of a complex system.
After the dicussion between themselves they agree
on a spokesperson to present their findings to the class. This way the students that would NEVER be willing to stand in front, still have their input put forward.
At the same time the students who like the attention get to sign.
Hi Grace,
Students need to understand the importance of group work because this is sometheing that they may definitely encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
I also agree with having students participate in group discussions. We have some students who come from an environment where they are the center of attention or they are alone. They will need to be prepared for the working world and know that their choices are not always the best choice.
Hi Alan,
Great excercise! I am sure you have discovered from this exercise that great minds think alike.
Patricia Scales
Hi Migdalia,
I agree! Respect is a two-way street. Normally, if you give it, you will get it back.
Patricia Scales
I like to divide the class into several small groups of 4-5 students. Each group is given the same topic to discuss. After a few minutes each group presents to the class their thoughts. When all groups have presented their ideas, then we discuss the similarities and differences.
Well, with the type of students we teach we need to show them respect to get respect.
Hi Migdalia,
We as instructors must display professionalism to our students as well to reinforce professional behavior.
Patricia Scales
I do agree but sometimes they get too friendly and forget their professionalism, so you have to reel them back in to really concentrate on their professionalism. What I like to do is get someone from another department so they can really practice their professionalism when they are doing procedures. This makes them pay attention to what they are doing. Once they get the procedure they can start to learn soft skills.
Hi Philippe,
It is amazing what students can share with the class to get different points across.
Patricia Scales
I agree i do group discussion with my student sometime I let them discuss between them for 15 minutes or go to the library to find out more about the subject and come to class and make a small presentation .
Hi Jacky,
Great way to learn by sharing knowledge, and you are right you can quickly determine those who are not grasping.
Patricia Scales
Group Discussion is a good way to find out if students learned the materials they suppose to learn.By expressing themselves in front of the whole class,you may be able to give your constructive critic if needed and every student will benefit from it.
Hi Germain,
I believe in group learning. It is amazing what students can learn from their peers. Although I have my students engage in group learning, I still teach the concepts first.
Patricia Scales
Yes, and the more opportunity you have to experience variation in backgrounds and perspectives, the more critical you can be in your future learning. Small groups that are switched up across a term, to allow most or all students to interact closely with each other while meeting course objectives, really do allow students to gain more expertise than they would have just reading books and listening to lectures.
Hi Joyelle,
I concur! The more comfortable you are around others, the better you perform.
Patricia Scales
