John,
this is one of the best ways to keep the groups on task & focused.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I feel using groups and making sure the students interact with each is a great learning tool. Giving them feedback throughout their lab time helps insure they stay on track and complete their tasks. Making sure they understand what is required to complete their tasks is very important to the success of that task. If they do not understand the requirements it is hard for them to stay engaged and interested. You will always have those who are afraid to work in groups because they are not sure of each other. Showing them that you are aware of what is happening in the group and letting them know that they are graded individually will help them to stay involved and participate within the group.
William,
groups really can be an effective learning tool/environment for the students & as you said having clear expectations is key.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Tell them how long they will have to complete assignment; advise that each person needs to participate and complete a task. The point is to complete it as a group but work on it together and also have individual assignments.
When students gather around and begin to get off the subject. I sit in with them not saying anything and they quickly get on track again. When I hear they are back on track, I get up and go to the next group. This takes 10 seconds or so. I find it works.
Ann,
this is a great technique to do as it's a gentle, quiet reminder to stay focused.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Making sure each student has a specific responsibility.
david,
this is a key aspect of successful group projects & keeping all engaged.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I love student groups even though they can be a BIG HUGE challenge. I put them in groups after we talk about the nature and purpose of the groups. I allow them time in each class meeting about their group project so I can see who is working or slacking off, if any. Then I tell them to make sure that they share contact info with each other. I have them to give me progress updates on a bi-monthly basis. This has to be in writing. They also have to do a Peer Evaluation form at the end but can not evaluate and rate themselves. I have formal forms for them to fill out as well and it is % of their grade. It is confidentially done so that each person is FREE to be WHOLLY HONEST!!!!!
CoCintheane,
these are all great methods & steps to make the groups successful; I especially like your covering the nature & purpose of groups, I think this is something we neglect too often.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Monitoring the progress of the group on daily basis. Accomodate suggestions, and ideas. Checking if they are in the right track.
I like to make the assignment competitive in some way. Students enjoy the challenge of competing with classmates, friends, and peers. It also helps everyone to stay involved and on track because they seem to all want the bragging rights.
I like to give each group an initial in class brain-storming or 'process' work time in order to bounce ideas off each other. Then, we share the results of each group with the class. This gives each group the benefit of observing successful group solutions formed by other groups and we discuss the outcomes together.
I find this approach acts as an 'ice-breaker' and helps them develop better interaction skills, also a bit of competition with the other groups.
After this initial process work in class I help them organize their group members into specific responsibilities.
I agree with the keeping the pace. By establishing timelines of completion and reiterating them throughout the course it helps to keep the students on task.
I have employed a student group leader. I challenge each group leader to keep their group on task. I found that by giving a student added responsibility, he/she seems to thrive and rise up to the challenge.
I break the work down to a set of task's. Each task is reasonably timed. This tends to keep the students from drifting off. I monitor the groups to insure I can help with any issues that arise.
Do weekly check ins with the group as a whole and also meet with the individuals themselves to get an idea how well they are working together and how the project is coming along.
Brianne,
this is a great idea & can be used in the overall assessment process too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Good strategies were outlined in this material and I think it is very important to keep groups on task and from going ahead too far or getting too far behind. Either way it is not beneficial for the class or the students involved.
Mariann,
very true & a lot of this comes down to realistic time frames for completion.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
