Group Learning Approaches

21st students crave far more for peer esteem than self esteem

• they need and value the sense of acceptance from their peers
• in many instances, they are more comfortable doing what they know is wrong to fit in rather than stand alone and do what they know is right; this frame of mind often inhibits the effective functioning of classroom learning
• their image is all important to them; they are victims to their image

Unfortunately, this often translates into students being reluctant to leave their comfort zones and being prepared and willing to explore other ways of looking at things.

Bearing this in mind, we should take the initiative as educators to force their hand to leave the safe harbours of their precious image. This is not something that can be safely nor successfully achieved on an individual basis. Learning in groups is an effective and non intrusive way to achieve this.

When a group is assembled it is beneficial for it to:

• contain a diversity of personalities and talents
• have a clear understanding of the need to value every member’s input
• be task orientated
• not have a group of similar thinking clones
• be based on our anecdotal understandings of our students

An effective strategy is to ask students to identify their dominant Multiple Intelligence and preferred Learning Style through the focuses in the planners and then have every group contain all intelligences and learning styles; the numbers usually fall well.

Also, aim to consider the following types of people when arranging groups:

• ask students to identify what type of member they are and then create the groups
• this ensures the functionality of the groups
   

Organiser – sets up framework so that all members can be involved

Initiator – sets the wheel in motion

Gopher – collects relevant information

Verifier – checks the accuracy of the data 

Listener – thinks about the group’s direction

Timer – keeps everyone focused on timelines

Coordinator – puts the work from individuals in order

Finisher – presents the groups work in a stylish fashion

Energiser – encourages the group to push on

Critic – provides honest feedback on the group’s progress

Effective groups enhance the quality of relationships, investigations and discussions considerably through 'peer learning' and 'peer esteem' – use it don’t fight it.

“ It’s great when we realise them is really us” Anon