For my Algebra classes, the students often pair-up to help each other with the class-work or Homework. I try to encourage homework partners. For a Mortgage Project that's part of the course, students can work individually or in groups that they form. ---probably a few do very little but they can be 'carried-along' by others in the group.
I would organize based on their interests. For example, if doing a business based project, I would ask students to put a list of functions in order of their interest in them. Such functions would include: finance, marketing, management, human resources, production, IT, etc. Then, depending on the project, I would group them with like people (i.e. all finance people together) or with one of each function (so that each group forms a complete "business").
I like to organize groups of 3 to 4 students in my labs. I tend to be the one to create the groups. I find that if it is left up to my students they will make groups based on social choices. I like my groups to be mixed. It has been most successful for me to have strong academics and strong personalities to be mixed with students who are weaker in these areas. I feel like the stronger students help the weaker ones to stay on task and be more focused in class.
I like to review pre-tests and evaluate the students current knowledge, skills and experiences. this is helpful to assertain if a student would benefit from being placed in one group or another.
Michael,
yes this is a great idea & make sure you are looking at all types of diversity (I think that's what you mean here) so diversity of talents, abilities, backgrounds, etc.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I also like to have smaller groups and when I do group work I will give them the over all topic they are to research and then break that down in to 3-4 different parts so each group member can take one section and work on that one section. This helps to alleviate the problem of one person doing all the work or one person not doing any work.
When doing certain types of lectures a hands on approach tends to help students understand a subject better. So I'd like a group of students other than their friends in class to pair up in 4's at a table and all of them come up with ways to answer questions as a cohort.
When organizing students into groups, I like to consider the diversity within the class room. If you seperate students into groups that are diverse, you are more likely to get "out of the box" ideas within the group.
Also, I seperate in groups depending on the task. For small (in class) assignments, I use informal groups. For assignments that may require a few class periods, I use formal groups.
I teach vis-comm. They need to learn how to manage collaborating during the production process. I find that small groups that have a blend and balance of the various skills needed in the production process work best. This allows for them to try on various roles and find their strengths and weakness.
I find that 4-5 people in a group work well. I prefer 4.I have them pick numbers from a box to form their groups. They also pick their topic from a box as well. Once the get in their group they are instructed to explore the topic and break it down in to four or five (depends on how many people are in the group. Each member of the group is expected to research that subtopic and present it. They must give to me an outline or a breakdown of the topic into subtopics along with the group members who will be present the different subtopics. Additionally,they are expected to state their method of presentation.
When I organize students into groups, I will try to have students draw from a pile of numbers. This way I do not get any arguments or problems. This way they know it will be random and this changes each group activity.
However, this can be challenging at times, if enrollment is down and I have a few student in my class. I do not always have the opportunity to use break students up into groups, this then becomes a whole group discussion where all students can have equal input.
Cory,
I agree that this is a good number as it provides the right amount for getting work done, but not too many as you pointed out.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have found that groups of 3 or 4 are the best. Any more than that and some students become disengaged.
Sonja,
I would agree that this is probably the most effective group size for most of these types of assignments.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree that small groups of 3 to 4 students is good. Larger groups tend to pull apart and have no direction or leader.
I prefer that students do not choose their own groups to work in. It seems that inevitably students end up in the same groups. It limits students interaction with other students. I think that they need to be with team members that are not necessarily their friends. This really makes them work in a professional manner.
Sherry,
the lab environment is a particularly good space for the use of small groups.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I limit to small groups its easier to watch what is going and keep control of the lab.
David,
I think this is a great way to balance the groups, especially if you have access to this information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have assigned groups in various ways. If possible I assign the group members by their previous grades in other classes (without their knowledge of their grades), i.e. an A student, a B student, a C student, and a D student grouped together. The students tend to work well together with the A,B,C, and D students combining their skills to help each other. I have also let students choose groups based on their own friendships and these tend to be an issue as eventually someone is slighted and wants out of the group. I have also gone down the roster and choose alphabetically. By grades has seemed to worked the best so far
