Students added to an existing class.
I often have students added to a class that has been together for a previous class.It can be hard to get these returning students into an already established group.They often feel like they are on the outside looking in.Is it best to asighn them a group or let them network and find their own place ?
Jan--
Excellent points. We all have our own paradigms and filters going on and often they can be very wrong.
Susan
As difficult as it is for a student to join an existing class because of student clicks, instructors can also have a bias - good and bad- toward a new incoming student. I recommend we also work with the instructors to give them tips and information on how to blend the new student in. Instructors should not ignore the 'group vs one' mentality often going on in the classroom and during breaks outside the classroom.
As difficult as it is for a student to join an existing class because of student clicks, instructors can also have a bias - good and bad- toward a new incoming student. I recommend we also work with the instructors to give them tips and information on how to blend the new student in. Instructors should not ignore the 'group vs one' mentality often going on in the classroom and during breaks outside the classroom.
Gretchen--
There are definite advantages to assigning them to groups. Students then focus on learning to work together rather than deciding what group to join.
Susan
I have seen this happen often, I believe you should assign them to a specific work group and they will branch out and usually communicate with the rest of the class when they feel comftorable. Making them choose to join a group from an entire class that they don't know, makes them more uncomftorable then they already are.
James--
That is an interesting situation. I know that once students find their 'group', they tend to stay in it and new people can be uncomfortable because they clearly are outsiders.
I think the answer probably lies more with the characteristics of the individuals than a 'set in stone' process. Either could work, depending on the personalities. What tactics have you already tried? Is there something that worked better than others?
Susan
