Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
College Classroom
Debra Dunlap Runshe
Webinar Objectives
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to
articulate the benefits and barriers to group work.
explore the best uses of group work.
describe effective group facilitation strategies.
identify strategies for handling slackers.
develop assessment tools for group work.
What is group work?
Cooperative learning is a systematic, active, pedagogical
strategy that encourages small groups of students to work
together for the achievement of a common goal (Johnson,
Johnson, and Smith 1991).
[when students are allowed to] talk and listen, read, write, and reflect
as they approach course content through problem-solving exercises,
informal small groups, simulations case studies, role-playing, and
other activities-all of which require students to apply what they are
learning
-Meyers & Jones, 1993, p. xi
(Clement, 2010; Bianco-Mathis & Chalofsky, 1999 )
Why active learning?
Research suggests active learning strategies
more frequently engage students.
lead to increased student achievement.
enhance students metacognitive skills.
Retention of Information
After 24 hours, what percent of information is retained by
students in a lecture environment?
a. 5%
b. 10%
c. 20%
d. 40%
e. 50%
(Sousa, 2001 )
Retention After 24 Hours
90
80
70 Lecture
60 Reading
Audio-Visual
50
Demonstration
40
Discussion
30
Practice by Doing
20 Teaching Others
10
0
Teaching Method
(Sousa, 2001 )
Benefits to Group Work
Student-centered teaching methods are more
conducive to significant learning, and more likely to
increase memorization and learning transfer that
professor-centered methods.
-Pregent, 1994, 78
Instructional strategies that engage student in the
learning process stimulate critical thinking, and a greater
awareness of other perspectives
-Halpern, 1996
(Bianco-Mathis & Chalofsky, 1999, pp. 26-7)
Benefits to Group Work
Students who are well-versed in the skills of cooperative
learning-skills like active listening, effective
communication, consensus building, and conflict
resolution-are better able to solve challenging problems,
formulate clear and cogent opinions, and produce first-rate
work. Moreover, as the workforce of the future, students
who can understand and work effectively with their peers
hold a significant advantage over students whose
academic life is marked largely by independent seatwork.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7hP9doTBg
Barriers to Group Work
Barriers to Group Work
Student resistance to active learning
Unclear expectations
Dominant students
Non-participatory students
Poor interpersonal skills
Poor team process skills
Barriers to Group Work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSN8vHRB-A
Best Uses of Group Work
Best Uses of Group Work
Brainstorming
Problem solving
Role-playing
Case studies
Peer teaching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7hP9doTBg
Effective Group Facilitation Strategies
Effective Group Facilitation Strategies
Positive interdependence
Face-to-face promotive interaction
Individual accountability and personal responsibility
Interpersonal and small group skills
Group processing
one minority
(Johnson & Johnson, 1999; Millis & Cotrell, 1998; Nilson, 1998)
Effective Group Facilitation Strategies
Group work is successful when advance planning takes place.
1. Students are divided into groups for each specific
activity.
2. Time frames must be stated and followed, and be
generally short.
3. Once the groupings are established and time frames
determined, the next key is clear expectation of the goals
of the group work.
4. Group work must be monitored.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J1URbdisYE
Using Groups: Tips and Strategies
Group Issues Features Strategy
Establishing Size Most effective groups have 4 to 6 members
groups
Assigning Homogeneous use gender, major, topic interest
members Heterogeneous use birth month, last digit of telephone
number, counting off by group size
Group Faculty Establish roles within group (e.g., facilitator, reporter, and
process tasks recorder)
Be explicit and clear about group assignments
Be explicit that all members must participate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7hP9doTBg
Assessment of Group Work
Assessment of Group Work
Clarify expectations for collaboration.
Describe grading criteria clearly.
Assure workload is evenly distributed among
members.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSN8vHRB-A
Key Points to Successful Group Work
Take care in the formation of groups-and keep the time
frame for group work short.
Have a reason for group work and make the objectives clear.
Assign roles and monitor groups.
While groups need to present back to the class for
feedback, grade only individuals work. It is not fair to grade
a student based on another students participation or work.
Dont use group work every day or even every week. Use it
when it fits a goal for your teaching and student learning.