Group participation
I find that putting students in small groups helps the weaker students and brings out the leaders in the class.
That is a great outcome. I had my students put themselves into three groups. I explained the assignment and what was expected of each member of the group. I let the groups divide up the tasks and then they were to present to me and the class what they found. I still had one or two individuals in each group that did all the work. Two of the groups only submitted one paper and the other group presented an individual paper on their topic. I left that up to each group to do an individual paper or a group paper. In the case of the group paper, only one person wrote and contributed to the paper. I gave more points to the person that completed the group paper. I graded them individually on their presentations. I didn't see the weaker students becoming stronger. I will restructure the assignment next time.
I am basciallly a shy person although seeing me in front of a class you would see that . But put mein a work group and I fade away into the background and I see that in my students when group participation is required.
Good point & I think we need to help our students remember that "participation" comes in a variety of forms. A student may not relish talking in a group, but they may be able to just as actively participate in other ways. Perhaps in a wiki or Google doc?
Ryan
good point, i also find the small groups will help that shy personor the student thats not comfortable with class participation get involved with the class activities
Group participation to me is better..therefore everyone gets a chance to learn and be heard. Sometimes it tend to make the student a little more comfortable.
Group participation brings the class together and gives those that are shy a chance to be involved and give input into the class.
Rita,
You're right in that we have some students who are definitely more comfortable in talking to smaller groups rather than speaking in front of the whole class.
Dr. Ryan Meers
keelan,
Yes, the smaller groups can help those students who are more shy. We also need to be aware that there are some students who won't even be comfortable in the smaller groups & we need to be sensitive to this.
Dr. Ryan Meers
This is a great way to deal with shy students... Great point
