Groupwork/ Cooperative learning
"In human societies the individuals who are most likely to survive are those who are best enabled to do so by their group."
(Ashley Montagu, 1965)
"I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other ability under the sun."
(John D. Rockefeller)
It seems like interpersonal and small-group skills are very much valued. And there has als been an emphasis on student-centred learning. "Form into your small groups and discuss..." But the problem is, there has been little emphasis on teaching students HOW to interact with their peers and working together as a team. It seems to be taken for granted that all kids have innate social skills and know how to work in a group naturally.
How often have we encountered kids who complain that they dun wanna work in a group cos working individually is more efficient? Or some free-rider in a group? Or kid A refusing to work with kid B? Or a group which does their work individually but talk about unrelated stuff? Or an arugmentative group where assertive members refuse to compromise their ideas for someone else's? (This would actually make me beam, cos at least they are thrashing out ideas!)
There are several methods in which teachers can facilitate this cooperative learning process more effectively, such as coming up with guidelines and projects which ensure that the group either "swims or sinks together". (Think jigsaw... if one piece is missing, it will never be completed. This prevents free-riders.) But all in all, groupwork has to be planned properly, such that there are clear objectives for working in a group, and that it really exposes students to different viewpoints. If students are aware of the benefits, they will support groupwork. And the benefits are long-lasting... such as strenghtened relationships and social skills.
But the teacher has to take step-by-step efforts in getting to know the dynamics of the class first, proper groupings of the class, facilitate and drill in a cooperative learning environment through different projects. Mebbe for a start, one could organise pairwork first before venturing into larger 'natural social groups'. Hee.
""Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up...And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastics 4:9-12
(Ashley Montagu, 1965)
"I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other ability under the sun."
(John D. Rockefeller)
It seems like interpersonal and small-group skills are very much valued. And there has als been an emphasis on student-centred learning. "Form into your small groups and discuss..." But the problem is, there has been little emphasis on teaching students HOW to interact with their peers and working together as a team. It seems to be taken for granted that all kids have innate social skills and know how to work in a group naturally.
How often have we encountered kids who complain that they dun wanna work in a group cos working individually is more efficient? Or some free-rider in a group? Or kid A refusing to work with kid B? Or a group which does their work individually but talk about unrelated stuff? Or an arugmentative group where assertive members refuse to compromise their ideas for someone else's? (This would actually make me beam, cos at least they are thrashing out ideas!)
There are several methods in which teachers can facilitate this cooperative learning process more effectively, such as coming up with guidelines and projects which ensure that the group either "swims or sinks together". (Think jigsaw... if one piece is missing, it will never be completed. This prevents free-riders.) But all in all, groupwork has to be planned properly, such that there are clear objectives for working in a group, and that it really exposes students to different viewpoints. If students are aware of the benefits, they will support groupwork. And the benefits are long-lasting... such as strenghtened relationships and social skills.
But the teacher has to take step-by-step efforts in getting to know the dynamics of the class first, proper groupings of the class, facilitate and drill in a cooperative learning environment through different projects. Mebbe for a start, one could organise pairwork first before venturing into larger 'natural social groups'. Hee.
""Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up...And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastics 4:9-12
posted by Banana Saviour @ 9:24 am
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