Student groups
After getting to know the class and the class getting to know each other. Would you recommend that the class picks their own group or should I do it? I feel there is Pro's and Con's to both sides.
I think it is easier and more diverse to pick the groups (randomly. Also I figure I can pick and choose so I do not have one very strong group and one weaker one.
Christopher,
yes, my selection of the groups is an excellent way to bring about the diversity I desire in the groups & help them learn what I hope they will from the experience.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I would still select the groups as the students will work with just their friends. I think you can have them choose on small projects but on big ones, pick the groups.
I also like to select the groups so that I can choose members that will bring different attributes to the group so that all of the members will benefit.
This is also good practice because in the real world, you don't get to chose an "ideal-to-you" project team; you end up getting a group sorta 'schleped' together with the "go forth and do great things" mandate.
Students in the first and second year often are used to the idea of being with friends of their choosing. Students have to have the "soft skills" practice of working with people that they might not like - what a great way to help with that - built it into your learning teams.
-R
I like to select the members of student groups, because I have found that if I allow the students to select they self segregate. Be it into groups of friends or some other criteria, they go where they are comfortable. My goal is not student comfort, but expansion of student minds. I like to select the groups because I usually match students together who wouldn't normally communicate. At the end of the project, the students who wouldn't have spoken have a greater appreciation for one another. They also realize that it is okay to open up, share, and learn from one another.
