9 - TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SMALL GROUPS Flashcards
a process of learning that takes place when students work together in groups of 8-10
Small Group Learning
improves student interest, teamwork ability, knowledge retention, and self-directed learning; also enhances transfer of innovative issues
Small Group Teaching
integral to consolidate learning, clarify understanding, and explore ideas and concepts during discussions
active participation, feedback, and reflection
Basic Steps in Development of Effective Small Group Teaching Session
- Establish departamental planning committee to develop and coordinate the implementation of the session
- Specify clearly the learning outcomes
- Prepare the students to work in small group by assigning the topic, guidelines, and providing all the required resources
- Provide pleasant environment to develop appropriate groups so the students can be actively involved in the learning session
- Monitor group activity by observing participation of group members
- Evaluate the activity by summarizing the main points and getting the student’s feedback
Factors that affect a pleasant environment
- Physical position of the group members
- Shape and size of the room
- Arrangement of chairs and tables
what to monitor in a group activity
- equal distribution of tasks
- anyone dominating in the group
- anyone undermining the group members
- who holds the power
- who resolves the conflict if they arise
Examples of working with small groups
- brainstorm session
- buzz group
- fishbowl
- problem
- seminar
- snowballing
- syndicate
where all ideas are accepted and recorded
brainstorm session
2-3 people discusses an issue shortly, then comments are collected and will be summarized to a large group
buzz group
students are selected from a class, sits in front of a panel and discusses the topic; after, discussion is open to the whole class
fishbowl
based tutorial group - a small group using problem-based learning
problem
group discussion of a paper presented by a student
seminar
involved grouping ideas that are written on small slips of paper
snowballing
a mini-project work and followed by reporting it to the whole class
syndicate
skills for effective small group teaching
- questioning
- listening
- responding
good ? requires preparation, practice, and reflection by students and teachers
questioning
7 types of questions
- narrow question
- broad question
- recall question
- question with direct observation
- clear questions
- encouraging style of questioning
- probing questions
requires a brief, factual response, and a correct answer
narrow question
requires a more wide-ranging answer and can be answered in a number of different ways
broad question
useful at the start of the discussion to assess prior knowledge to a topic that is already discussed
recall question
students directly evaluate the subject
question with direct observation
must be brief, direct, and firmly anchored in context
clear questions
encourages students to ask questions
encouraging style of questioning
useful at the start of the discussion to assess prior knowledge on a topic that is not yet discussed
probing question
fosters various cognitive processes, such as analysis, comprehension, synthesis, and evaluation, among all group members
listening
when responding to learners, it’s essential to provide appropriate consequences that consider their cognitive learning outcomes, interpersonal needs, confidence, and knowledge level
responding
