ghia,
yes, it's not the solution for every assignment or situation, but there is definite value for our students in these projects.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree group learning is definitely very helpful. Its amazing how they learn from each other.
IDA,
the use of learning groups can be a great tool to help all students, especially those who may be struggling individually.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I use groups when intoducing topics students may have difficulty with alone. I have found grouping students with different talents, stenghts and weakness is benficial.
Lars,
and it also helps the students learn to listen to & appreciate the diversity of viewpoints.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Grouping students really helps the learning process in our classroom. I usually pair up a weak and strong student together and watch them learn from their peers.
Group learning has always been a very good tool. We always see with our mixed groups, especially in lab, the students who pick up on the lab, help the students who aren't as quick to pick up on the material. Students teaching students has always worked well.
I find group learning to be a very important tool in my classroom. Discussing difficult topics in a group setting can help to make all of the students in the group have a better overall understanding of the material.
Thomas,
students really can learn a great deal from one another. Often a peer will be able to explain the concepts in ways that we can't.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Group learning is very effective method of inbibing a lot of materiels in a very short of time. I personally encourage students for combined study
I feel group learning is very important. It helps with my courses where team work is needed and helps show the students how valuable each teammember is.
I thank group learning also makes learning more exciting for the students and teach them how to work as a team.
Scott,
one thing I've tried (it's not perfect) is to have a peer grading component in the group project. This way there is a little more accountability.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Group learning is one of the best ways to learn, the more brain power you have the better.
Melvin,
I agree that pairing strong and weaker students can be beneficial to both. The weaker student gets some personalized help while the stronger student finds they understand the topic better by having to explain/show it to the weaker student.
The main concern that I see when I do this for projects is that the strong students want to do most of the project to get a good grade. Also the weaker students sometimes let them because they know it will result in a better grade. I try to watch the class to make sure all are doing their part, but does anyone have other ideas to make sure everyone does their part?
Scott
I think it is important to add group learning early in the process to help them work as a team. So often they haven't learned the social skills to be part of a team and they need to be able to work with others as a member of a group.
Melvin ,
this really is a valuable use of time & a great way to help the struggling learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to use group learning. It is good to pair the weaker students with the stronger students to assist in the learning process.
kathryn,
you are exactly right, we must make sure that all students are actively engaged at all times.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This is exactly correct. However, I constantly mix up groups and make sure at some point everyone is a leader, writer, and reports out. Everyone needs to have a specific role so no one can sit back and breeze through the exercise.
