Groups
I like to have my students pick numbers for group assignments. If I don't, they will pick friends or "the smart student" so they don't have to work as hard and still get a good grade. I want all of the students in the group to contribute so I believe that is the best way to do so.
John,
This is a great way to balance the gifts & diversity within the groups.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree the instructor picking the group is the best method of doing so, one of the things we do here at my campus is find out what type of learner the students are we put a marker or sticker to identify them so it makes it easier to place them in a group.
I have found that having a group discussion at the very beginning of the course where I ask casual questions about why people are here and what experience if any, that they may have in the topics that we will be covering and what they expect to come away from my course having learned will give me enough insight about them to assist me when assigning work groups. It will definitely help in getting as much diversity as possible in each group.
I feel that the first time group work is assigned it may be of benefit for the instructor to set the groups. This way you can assure that not all of the "strong students" or "weak students" or "cliques" wind up together which can happen even in random number drawing. I like to have in mind what each students "job" in the group is going to be to ensure that everyone is participating equally so by assigning the groups, I can place one person in each group to fit each of the "jobs" that need to be completed. I also believe in each student receiving an individual grade and being able to critique the work of themselves and each person in the group. It is important for the student to know going into a group project that they will not be allowed to let others in the group do all of the work and expect to receive the same grade for not contributing equally themselves.
Lee-Ann,
this is a good idea & it also helps students learn to work with & in the diversity of their group.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I , too, choose groups for the same reasons. I like students to get out of their comfort zone so they can learn new communication strategies. They will need these strategies throughout their professional lives.
