Group within a group
In teaching I believe that group tasks increase the learning outcome and provides much needed social interaction in order to achieve successful task completions. However, often it is observed that a group will split unintentionally into the active and reactive sides. Better stated it is the doers and the waiters. When conducting group activities an instructor must be aware of this and learn methods to involve all the students in the group dynamics. Teaching by wandering about to me is the best means by which this is achieved. Stopping by each group and pulling the waiters into the conversation in instructor gains control of the learning outcomes as well as the classroom for all the students.
Donna,
this is a great point. I also like to help the students learn how to discern their strengths & those of others as they form their groups so they can maximize the various strengths.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Initially dividing the groups alphabetically is random while at the same time allowing you to assess each person's natural inclination to choose a role they are comfortable with in a group setting. Going forward you can help each individual work on developing different strengths so they can contribute on more than one level when working with a group.
If you "choose" a groups memberships as suggested by a random drawing of names/numbers, then you avoid the issue of picking favorites, etc.
I have found that when you have a group such as this with an already proven student leader as a member, it sometimes is best for the Instructor to pick as an internal group leader someone who isn't so accusomed to leadership duties, so that all the parties have a chance to practice leading a group.
Of course, if that person isn't the right choice, then you have to be able to guide him/her along.
Rachel,
I too think that these mixes can be helpful to the students & interesting at times.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree. In certain class dynamics where the doers and the waiters are evident I struggle with how to form groups. I find myself wanting to split the doers and waiters evenly into groups. However, I have noticed that putting all waiters in a group means that someone has to become a doer. Putting all doers in a group can be intersting, and challenges the group to allow everyone to give input. I too, walk around constantly to help struggling group members.
