My students have to complete the same lab work in the "hands on" phase. I usually use 7 groups of 4 each. This is similar to the "team" concept in dealerships. I'll typically take the roll sheet and number from 1 to 7 and repeat that 4 times. All the students that are #1 are in the first group and so on. This will split up siblings and relatives. Some times they complain and I remind them they won't have a choice of teams in the real world. I tell them to mack it work and get along. If they have a problem they know they can come to me and discuss the issue. After the discussion there is usually no change in team make up and they succeed.
Organize based on student diversity.
There are so many ways to organize students into groups. It often depends on the particular activity or structure of the classroom. I did not think the idea of having students work in the same group throughout the course is as valuable as having students work with different members in different groups constantly. In fact, sometimes I will purposely ask students to find partners who they have not worked with. Although it does appear that, the older students are or the more diverse a population is the students can work with the same partners productively. With younger students (at the secondary level), sometimes group activities can become popularity contests or time for students to chat with friends. Therefore, I have tried to avoid repeating partners. There are many many ways to set up the dynamics of class group work. I try to use this teaching method when it is going to be most effective and valuable to the students.
I think groups should be organized randomly, giving a chance to form a balanced team without prejudice.
Friend sdont work good on teams, in the sense that the weaker links tend to rely to much on the stronger partners.
When the friend equation is taken out the work among members is balanced.
Use a number system;organize according to skill;keep groups around 6 members;assign specific tasks to each member.
The best way is to organize students into work groups is to diversify. Students with different backgrounds and experiences tend to formulate better results. If it is a new group that is unfamiliar with each other, I tend to divide my roster according to their first initial of their last name. It allows for an unbiased group selection.
I allow the students to organize their lab group with no more than 3 people to a group. During the first lab, I observe how well they are preforming the task and also how well they are working together. I then if necessary will make adjustments to the groups for the next lab project.
I organize studnets into working groups based on their diversity.
Not only do they contribute different skills sets to the work group, it is also an opportunity for them to learn to be able to work and learn with a diverse set of people they would not normally find themselves working with.
I sometimes organize my sudents into working groups with specific tasks that they would not normally be comfortable or fearful accomplishung. With encouragement, assistance and careful monitoring, I assist my students to learn new skills sets unfamiliar to them.
Hi Siane!
I always question the number game as it could actually backfire. You could get all of one learner and end up with a balance. I like to first get to know my students a little then make member selections.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
buy giving numbers to balance them into groups,it increases class perticipation and helps the students get to know each other better
Organizing students into groups by level of expertise can be good because it will help those in the group to rely on each to help with the materials.
organize them in groups according to the material they have learned,then rotate them
Groups should include students with different experiences.
I think it is important to balance student diversity in every way to achieve a good working dynamic within the group. I also think student peer evaluation is helpful to announce prior to task completion to inform students that they are going to need to actively participate within the group so that one student doesn't end up doing all the work.
I like to use a random numbering system. Or sometimes I will just split the room in half if it is just a small class of 10-15. If it is a more advanced subject matter, I would make sure to include some of the senior students in each group.
With my experience in school myself and working in groups, the teacher just organized and groups and split up the room. We all had one topic but each of us had power point handouts to work from. That paper was then turned in at the end of the class and for the most part each student was given the same grade for participation.
When it comes to organizing student groups, one method I like to utilize is to break up the clicks. I want my student to be able to work outside their comfort zone by placing them with students who they might not know or have not worked with before. I find that this makes the students more aware/responsible for the overall group production since now they don't have their "crutch-best friend" looking out for them. I also find that this method helps students build their leadership skills in order to get the days production done correctly & in an timely fashion since the entire groups grade depends on the overall outcome.
I make sure to assign a weaker student with a stronger student and this seems to work very well
Great idea. I have found that often those students who struggle will greatly benefit from these groups as they learn as well as often raise their performance level.
I would evaluate the class and try to include strong nd weak students in a group. This would hopefully strengthen the weak students.
