Student Groups
Should an instructor have groups chosen before the students have a chance to self-choose?
I love assess the class for the first couple of days then choose groups so not to have too many leaders or followers in any one group.
Vickie,
Great point. I generally like to have students form their own groups, but you are right that if it's earlier in the term they may not feel comfortable doing this so it might be more efficient for us to help.
Ryan
I agree, I also asgin groups based on student dynamics. unfortunately, some of our classes are much too small for very effective group work.
Personally, I think it depends on the dynamic of the students. I generally try to choose the groups when I have observed that students are only willing to work with students they are friends with.
I would think it would depend on the dynamics of the students in the classroom, and how far into the semester/quarter you are at that point in time. -- I've had classes, where dividing into groups just happened naturally, and other classes, where stutdents didn't know each other very well, so I thought it best to asign group members.
