Hello all,
I learned the idea of forming groups (3-4
students in each group) at the beginning of the semester from The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I
found that forming groups at the beginning of
the semester helps students to build a sense of belonging, particularly the shy
students who hesitate to participate in class discussion. The groups are formed
by alphabetic order. It is also a quick way for me to remember students’
names. This way, students get to know each other (at least the group members if
not all), learn to work cooperatively in a group, and conduct in-class discussions
throughout the semester. Although it is informal, sometimes groups are asked to
stand up to share their ideas in front of the whole class and at the end of the
discussion we will talk about group presentation skills. This is to prepare
them for the final group presentation project that I assign in the middle of
the semester.
For the final group project, the groups
are formed based on their interests on the topics that I provide and students
sign up. Normally, I provide broad topics and each group narrows down the topic.
Meanwhile, every group is asked to fill out a sheet including details such as the
outside classroom meeting time, location, and individual assignment within the
group. It counts toward their grades. I keep checking their progress in the
following classes. As for the rules, I ask students to come up with classroom rules
and group rules in the first day of class. I propose some rules if students did
not include them and I require that every group member must speak up during the
group presentation, in-class discussion group or the final group presentation.
I distribute the copy of the rules to every student in the following class. I
found that students love to make their own rules and I bet some of the students
probably regret the rules they made later. Overall, this has been pretty effective
in my class.
I hope this helps.
Savannah Liangmei Bao, Counselor
Alumni Network Development
Educational Opportunity Program
Office of Special Programs
332 Netzer Administration Building
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NY 13820
Phone: (607) 436-3095
Fax: (607) 436-3211
From:
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009
3:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: How to Form Groups?
I’ve also used
jigsaw for groups and I agree with Amy that it works well. All of the
literature on cooperative learning would be helpful as well. In short, this
advises you to assign distinct responsibilities for each person in a group, and
then assess each area for a total group. I give individual and group grades so
that the members of the group are expected to deal with each other, work
together, and also do their own personal best. Check out http://www.nea.org/tools/32842.htm
Joanne
From:
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009
1:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: How to Form Groups?
Jim,
I always try to use
a “jigsaw” model for group work. The idea with the jigsaw is
that every person in the group is responsible for one part of the puzzle.
Each person has to become an “expert” on one area. When you
put them all together, they’ve each dug deeply into their part of the
topic and their parts together make a coherent presentation. I quickly
googled and found this site that will explain the idea: http://www.jigsaw.org/overview.htm.
Amy
From:
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009
1:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: How to Form Groups?
TBers,
I would like to put my students into small “groups” this semester
to work on a final project. I’ve done this before with various
levels of success. I worry about group compatibility, assessing their
work as a group and individually, etc. Can folks on this list tell me
what they’ve done that has worked (and not worked)?
How did you form the groups?
How do you keep the groups functional?
How did you assess the groups work? (and the individuals work)?
Thanks.
Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and
Oneonta
blog: The
wiki: The
email: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
phone: 607-436-2701
fax: 607-436-3677
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Twitter: greenbjb
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