Positive outcomes are the students learn from the strengths of other group members and are helped in their area of weakness.
More participation, alternative perspectives, working on social skills, and being able to have time to observe the class.
It can bring out students that often feel allienated from the class as a whole. They generallly participate more when grouped, as maybe thay are a slow learner and the froup discussions help them to be able to express their ideas, making them feel a part of the class.
My classes have a wide range of ages of students normally. I find mixing students by age and by culture invites new views and more creativity, as well as a dynamic that teaches the students about others and themselves.
Linda,
this is an excellent point & as a result, the students can learn to appreciate the ideas & opinions of others with whom they normally don't talk.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Putting students into groups many times gives them the opportunity to associate with other students that they normally do not have contact with. I have seen it create new dynamics in the classroom, and for some outside the class too.
Melissa,
and it also provides the students an opportunity to learn from their peers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Dorothy,
this is a great value & benefit to have, the ability to help students without experience learn from those who have it.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In putting students to learning groups, individual diverse talents are put together for a common educational goal. Each student's investment will have a high yield that will be magnified and multiplied for the benefit of all group members.
In addition, it will also serve as a practice stage or platform for relationship buildig with others that could come in handy when the students will finally enter the "real" world for which they are preparing for.
While I like individual work withinmy subject matter, putting students into groups can really help their creativity and subject expertise.
Because of the field I teach, organizing groups according to those with experience with those who dont have any experience in the field allows me to keep the "playing field" so to speak on the same level. Also students who have experience can contribute "real life" work experiences with those who dont have experience. In essence those who lack experience can learn from those who do have experience.
I can correlate much of what I learned in college recently when in learning teams. I served as a team leader so I feel comfortable monitoring others in this situation. This is an exciting concept for me for the above reasons.
Phuong,
yes & this group work helps them learn how to listen to the ideas & opinions of others & really work through issues that might arise.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Student engagement and development of team work concepts through creation of groups
I think a positive outcome of using groups for brainstorming on different ideas leads the students to think outside the box and hear some great ideas from the other students. It helps bring new ideas or activities to them that they would not have thought of on their own.
a positive outcome is that they are able to work, communicate and adjust their personality with others students.
Cynthia,
and through this help them learn valuable skills that many, if not all, will be using in their work places someday.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By placing students in learning groups you can distribute the "strengths and weaknesses" of the various students and spread out the quiet and outspoken students. All in all you can allow for a diversity of many characteristics of the students so that they can learn from each other, work together to accomplish the task at hand and be successful.
Daniel,
yes to all of this & especially the point about brainstorming. This really is a skill that is very helpful for our students to learn as it will greatly benefit them throughout life.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe that learning groups have the ability to show students that you cannot always pick your friends in the work place. There are times in all occupations that one has to work with individuals that one is not fond of or even likes. The primary focus is the task, in addition the ability to work with people you would not ordinarily work with, yet the takd must still be completed is a great skill for the "real world"
Since there are many students and only one instructor, there is not always enough time to work individually with each students. Groups allow the instructor to correct one student's technique while the other members of the group look on and learn. Then, they can help each other to remember the technique while they work in their group.
