Learning groups
Could learning groups be used for hands-on lab projects if the numbers were two or three per project?
I agree , any groups larger than that , students tend to stand back and let the stronger students do the majority of the work. Smaller groups provide enough work for all to participate.
Thanks Al for the tip - it sounds like you have the perfect environment for group work. I wish that it was so easy in a traditional classroom.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Yes, some students that complete given tasks/work faster than the rest of the class seem to like the opportunity to help or tutor the other students. It seems to caught on. Once one student helps another student, then other students follow suit. Peer learning groups or tutoring is very effective.
I teach culinary arts and often are split up into 3 groups to work on specific food groups, for example: meats, seafood, and charcuterie. The students have been together about 16 months by the time I get them so they are very familiar with each other so I allowed each student to pick what they wanted to do first although they all hit each group in the class time.
Yes, learning groups can be utilized to effectively evaluate what the students have learned in the couse. Smaller groups of two to three participants will allow the group members to be accountable to contributing with their learning process.
