Smaller groups does in fact work. You will find a mix of students in each classroom and it works as an ice breaker as well. Students get to know each other and it also creates a team environment. It also showcases their strengths and weaknesses and work together to improve on those.
i agree, smaller groups helps student to give their input and paticipate in the group
I think it really is dependent on the class itself. I have some classes that really have a great sense of community, and they do really well on group assignments. I teach art and design, so some assignments also lend themselves naturally to group work.
And then I have classes that just don't click. I'll try a group assignment, but if it feels forced, or that the students really aren't engaging each other, I'll regroup and try something different.
Dustin, think of this process as part of a building block to independent work and problem solving. Working in small groups early could be used to assist students to becoming more independent later in your classroom and moving them on to be more successful within your industry.
James Jackson
Putting students in small groups works well for accomplishing something quickly. However; as an instructor in the automotive industry, I feel that ultimately the students will become independent on always having help and not be fully prepared for an industry that requires employees to be self suficient and self motivated.
Useing smaller groups for my course also forces the student who would normally shy away to participate more.
use small groups to enhance the class knowledge of the text book. split class into groups - depending on class size may end up with 3-4-5 groups of 2-4 students in each group. The students have to write down questions (along w/answers) of the chapter they are studing and then the groups ask other groups questions that they got out of book - if group misses question they get an "X" 3 "x's" and they are out - keep track for class who wins he most quiz off's and at the end of the class the group gets a gift
Michael, do students remain in the same groups of their own choosing or do you assign them to groups or perform some other process?
James Jackson
My students work better it seems in small groups. They seem to work, and play off each other and it seems to work best for I'd say more than 50% of my student average.
I have to agree, Mike. When I place my students in groups, they seem to accomplish more and seem to be more enthusiastic. I believe that it comes from having multiple points of view going on at one time. They are able to see (listen) to others and understand things differently when they are in groups. If I have a large project for them to do, I like to have them work on it in these groups so that they can actually enjoy doing it and learn something at the same time.
