David,
yes, if at all possible your intentional selection of the various groups can be very beneficial. Students must learn to work with a diverse group of individuals & learn how to produce effectively in this environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Limit each group to 3-4 members and ensure that there is diversity amoung the students.
The ways to organize groups can be a random selection or a chosen selection. You can allow the students to choose or you can choose the students for each group yourself. if you know your students the best way to group them would be to ensure that each group contains different learning styles, different personalities, and different abilities. In short make the group a diversified selection of students. This type of group will have to cooperate and will gain insight into the other members styles, personalities, and abilities therefore reinforcing the training of working with individuals that have a different perspective than they do.
This is an issue with "clicks" as well. If you let them choose for each project, seldom will they choose outside of their circle.
Paul,
and selecting the groups for them can be a great way to preppare them to work with a variety of people.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I let students decide because I have small numbers, but when I have bigger numbers I make sure even the shy one's pick a group. This is the least of my worries.
I teach a class that has students from all certification fields in my class. I decided that throughout the course, since we do a lot of group work, that I would create three different groups, so that the students do not become complaicent in their group. The first group is comprised of all students in their certification field, the other two groups are random assignment, so that students have the opportunity to interact with those in other certification fields, which they do not have the opportunity to do after leaving my class. This builds a type of comaradarie within the programs and as a whole.
This also gives the students the opportunity to work in groups on materials that will effect their program differently than the other programs.
For quick, short-term activities, I often let the students choose their own groups.
But, for more long-term activities (i.e. group presentations, teams for surgery class) I really try to combine students with varying levels of experience as well as from different social groups.
Kendall ,
I think all of these are great ways to use student groupings. I like the idea of random assignments (at least once) as it helps prepare students for the reality of their work environments.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Sometimes I will have randomized group assignments made prior to the start of class. Sometimes I let them work at the same table where they already sit. The third thing I will do is have them number off; if i want five groups have them number one through five and group the ones, twos, etc. together.
Brian,
I would agree that the 3-5 number seems to work best. As you said, too many more than this & they can be counterproductive.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Brian,
I would agree that the 3-5 number seems to work best. As you said, too many more than this & they can be counterproductive.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have found that groups of 3-4 seem to work best. A group of 2 works well but I don't think the students are exposed to as much outside thought or input. Anymore than 4 seems to be distracting.
Lanette,
the size of groups is definitely dependent upon the setting, subject as well as what the goals are to be accomplished.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Lanette,
the size of groups is definitely dependent upon the setting, subject as well as what the goals are to be accomplished.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I limit my groups to 3-4. This insures that everyone in the group helps the group and gains exposure to the tasks assigned.
I work in a dental clinic setting, so 3 is a good number to help each other clean an operatory and get the necessary supplies
John,
I think this is a good strategy to use to make sure that none of the group members do feel left out or ignored as this feeling will be carried into the project.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find that the introverted students will be "lost in the shuffle" and do feel like they got picked last for a team. That's why I will make them the "team captain' and choose their group. They also become the spokesperson for the group. Knowing that they are out of their comfort zone, I don't always do this. Maybe 2x or so per term.
Six to eight as determined by the readings is too much. Three to five is much better.
