obstacles to group work
I rarely use group work in my classes. This is for several reasons, including one main reason - I never liked working in groups as a student myself. I teach technology classes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and find that each student needs "hands-on" time to grasp the concepts. Other reasons I rarely assign group work include a very small number of students in classes (sometimes 2 in a class) and it seems that every time I assign a group project, there are more problems than it's worth. "So and so isn't helping, so and so wasn't here, and on and on." I would rather each student just be responsible for themselves.
I agree, when I have students work in groups, I still make them responsible for an individual assignment to hand in so I know they are participating
This is exactly the point that I make to students when doing group work. In the real world, you have to learn to deal with unhelpful personalities, those who loaf and those who dominate conversation. Doing group work is good practice. I find that giving students the expectation that it can be challenging gives them permission to express frustration with the process.
I meant to suggest that if they participate in the project then they pass that particular project...
Colin
Sorry. That's my military side coming through.
'Go/No Go' is just another way of saying 'Pass or Fail'...
The bottom line on my assignment is that if the student participates in the project then they pass.
Colin
Hi Colin!
Please provide a little more info at the "Go" strategy - I'm not sure that I fully understand.
Thanks!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
At the moment the grade is on a "Go or No-Go" scale. If they participate they get a "Go".
The problem comes only occasionally when someone just will not participate with the group. I feel that if they are aware of the fact that their team mates will be providing feedback to the instructor then they may be more inclined to particapate in the build-up of the project.
If everyone participates then everyone gets a "Go". If someone is not participating in the build-up then they lose some points.
I would be using this more as an incentive than an actual grading catagory due to the fact that in almost every case the students work together quite well...
Colin
Hi Colin!
Please review my recent post on this topic.
I am concerned about evaluating group members rather than the group process.
I am concerned that we don't help students understand the dynamics of the group process.
I am concerned that we may not be provided a grading rubic so that students are all playing from the same sheet of music.
I hope this is food for thought!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I like the idea of a Group Contract and also having the students grade each other on Participation.
My class is all solo projects except for one presentation that is done in a team of three students, given in the last week of the six-week course. Every other class or so I will get a complaint that a student is not pulling any weight in the group.
I think the part about grading each other could help to minimize this issue...
Thanx.
Colin
This is also where standing aside and observing will let you know of the students that are in need of mentoring to get them up to speed. However, you cant help someone unwilling to help themselves.
Yes, it probably wouldn't work well in that learning environment. Perhaps tutoring would, though, because some students probably catch on better than others.
I teach courtroom theory for court reporting students, and I can think of several ways that I could work "group work" into my classroom.
How do you get around group work in a very small classroom.
I utilize small ten-minute group activities to provide interaction and participation. However, it depends upon the table or desk set-up in the classroom. Some classrooms have long tables and four or five students can sit at a table. Other set-ups are just too difficult. The physical room lay-out is a big consideration when doing activities...Thanks! Chyrisse
I agree that the group chemistry can go awry, and that is why I'd never make a group fixed for an entire term.
Hi Ricardo, thanks for your response!I have found too that when the instructor helps the group to initially establish some ground rules and clear expectations as to roles and responsibilities, then, as you mention, monitors the process, it is less likely that a student can hide within the group.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
This is so true there is the possibility of getting students that Hide in a group and never grasp the essence of the class. One has to be observant and ask questions and gauge student response. Also feedback fromgroup members can tell you who is slacking
In my experience, the deciding factor of whether or not a gruop project is successful is accountability for each student. Each student is responsible for one aspect of the research, etc.
I have to agree that working in groups outside the classroom is hard due to the fact that many people have so much going on in their day to day life, and finding time to meet after class is hard. I would rather have groups in the classroom to make it easy on the students. I am not saying, take away group work outside the classroom and I only saying help them out.
Can you explain your rubric system a little more?
Yes indeed--pros and cons! I've seen all sorts of wonderful group work where everything good happened. I've often seen exactly the opposite. So much depends on the group chemistry, and that's virtually never predictable.
Dr. Kendra Gaines
