Group Work

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Group Work
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Why Group Work?

• Its a break from lecture or regular tasks.
• It gives everyone a chance to contribute.
• It can be fun.
• You can learn from each others strengths.
• Theres no way to avoid team work in the real
  world, so its best to learn how to do it now!

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Expect to learn new skills

• Some skills that develop with experience and help
  make group work much more effective are
• Note-taking skills.
• Giving a review to the class from those notes.
• Learning how to compromise.
• Learning how to encourage, support and work with
  fellow group members.
• Learning how to explore situations or opinions
  rather than judging them

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Get Organized!

• Sit in a circle.
• Limit group size to 5.
• Choose a leader.
• Set schedules and deadlines.
• Agree on ways to resolve conflicts.

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Let everyone have a say.

• Group work means everyone in the group should
  have a chance to talk.
• The group leader should ensure this happens.
• Effective group members help those in the group
  who may be shy, retiring or switched off.

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Learn to listen.

• Listening is as valuable a skill as talking.
• Contributing means participating. You can
  participate by listening to what people are
  saying and considering their viewpoint.
• Effective group work is about
• talking at the appropriate time,
• listening at the appropriate time, and
• questioning at the appropriate time.

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Be positive.

• Effective group work is about co-operation,
  working together and moving forward.
• Look for the positive things fellow group members
  say.
• Group work is not a power game where you put
  other group members down.

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Build on strengths.Deal with weaknesses.

• Who in the group has the best ideas?
• Who needs help to feel a part of the group?
• Who needs to be toned down a bit?

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Expect different roles

• In some group work, you will have the leadership
  role.
• In some group work, you may know little about the
  subject being discussed.
• In some group work, you may be the expert.
• Learn to adapt to the group dynamic.

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Prepare for ACTION

• Group work is not a show of strength, of arguing
  skill or debating power.
• Group work is not a competition that you have to
  win
• Group work is about designing a way forward,
  co-operatively, so that something positive
  happens as a result of group efforts.

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General Advice

• Never miss a meeting.
• Get to know everyone's working style.
• Create a process for resolving conflict.
• Contribute your ideas.
• Ask questions.
• Avoid working with friends.
• Dont gossip.

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Roles for In-Class Discussions

• Leader
• Verifies everyones understanding of goals.
• Assigns roles and elicits contributions.
• Reader/Facilitator
• Reads questions and other materials.
• Helps keep group on task
• Recorder
• Takes notes, draws diagrams, etc.
• Reporter
• Paraphrases others opinions to check
  comprehension.
• Reports on group work to class.

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Problems Solutions

• Nobody knows what to do.
• Some people slack off (dont do enough work).

• Clarify goals and objectives.
• Choose a leader.
• Clarify your roles and responsibilities.
• Set deadlines.
• Elicit opinions.

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Problems Solutions

• Some people are pushy (too bossy).
• Nobody wants to make a decision.

• Be flexible.
• Listen to each others opinions.
• Vote, if necessary.
• Be willing to step up and be a leader.
• Draw straws, if needed.

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Activity

• In groups of 4 or 5, assign each person a role
• Leader
• Reader/facilitator
• Recorder
• Reporter
• Task Write one sentence that expresses your
  groups opinion about the following statement
  Is getting an education in the United States
  easier or more difficult than other countries?
• Practice appropriate opinion strategies!

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Sources

• http//www.edwdebono.com/cort/group.htm
• http//www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/assessinglearning/0
  3/group.html
• http//www.iamnext.com/academics/groupwork.html