I can think of a few:
Most importantly, I think it helps them to understand a concept more, and from different views, because they apply it together. It also helps them learn to work with others, gets everyone involved, and gives the teacher an idea on how well understood the topic is.
Learning groups are very good to break the ice in the classrom. For internatinal students helps to get along with the new culture.
Shawnte,
This is a great idea as the mentorships with older students can be a powerful way to help the younger students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In cosmetology we have each senior student to pair with a freshman once they arrive on the clinic floor. This gives them the oppurtunity to be a menture and allows the students to fell more comforatble as they service the clients for the first time.
One of the courses I teach is Career Development. Incorporating peer group coaching into the course format is key to the student's overall success since this is their first course entering college. Each student has varied yet positive outcomes with both personal growth through socialization and academic enhancement.
Group work can be a great way to help students build communications skills and stimulate individual thinking. Although group assignments are not a favorite of mine, I do have students work in groups on an informal basis fairly regularly to increase the potential for a student "tutoring" effect, as well.
in writing classes, developing a "creative" momentum will pull students along and involve them in their own creative process.
I think group work, and presentations in particular, have the opportunity for multiple positive outcomes. First, working in a group may help more introverted students feel comfortable in the presentation process by having the support of their peers "on stage". Second, the students in the group have the benefit of learning twice as they study and teach the material. And, third, they get to practice the multiple skills required for presenting. What a great opportunity and potential confidence builder!
Emily,
Yes & some of our students do much better in the small group environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
B. A.,
I agree that we want to strive for balance & also ensure, as much as possible, that all members have a role & participate.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In my experience it helps for each student to feel that can be more involved in the class, and that they have a relevant voice to be heard. This is especially true in larger classrooms.
Putting students in learning groups can have many benefits such as sharing information; having more knowledgeable students help students that are less so, giving the class a sense of cooperative accomplishment; and group structures can let the instructor see the dynamic behavior of the all of the students as they interact. I believe one important component of learning group structure is that the groups be balanced. Random selection or selection by the students as to which group they wish to be a part can be tricky in that students that are shy or withdrawn may be left out in the cold or all of the 'star' students, those that always excel might end up together which could make for success for some of the students and for others, failure.
I think some of the positive outcomes of putting students into learning groups is truly diversity. Our classes are of made up of cultural diversity, age differences and more. Putting them into groups whether formal or informal is really a great tool for Law & Ethics. Dissecting ethical situations. Or researching a malpractice lawsuit as a team. Works great. They are engaged and really come up with some great solutions - debate is a good thing as well.
- Chemo Faustino-Moraes
Joshua,
Yes the peer learning is a great way to help all students learn most effectively
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It allows them to teach one another, and become comfortable in presenting their own ideas.
Some positive outcomes of putting students into learning groups include being exposed to a wide variety of students, including different racial, ethnic and social-economic backgrounds; ability to work with others, being exposed to different learning styles and abilities.
I feel some of the positive outcomes of putting students into learning groups is having 100% partcipation of all students. I tend to see the ones who are shy or unsure of them selves sit back and not answer questions during class discussion however, once in groups I think they feel more safe and tend to come out of their shells more.
Stella,
so true, so much work is done in a team environment & we need to help our students develop these skills.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like the idea of a pretest to gain knowledge about the students and using it to assign the groups. My bigest problem is most of my classes are too small for gorups.
Putting students in groups will encourage participation, interaction and accountability to the members of the group. This forms a good foundation for the development of teamwork and skills necessary for career team involvement.
