I do not think there is a more controversial topic with parents, students and teachers than group work. I have had parents and students absolutely despise me because I assign group work. Some teachers will not even assign it because it is so controversial. Personally when I was a student I hated group work or any time I had to work with others. It often was difficult to find time to meet outside of class and everyone had the same grade but not everyone put in the same amount of work. However in the educational world we find lots of research, theory (social learning theory) and requests from businesses that support teaching our students how to learn and work together. As I grew in my teaching I too realized that group work is needed. I always try to think of what my students need in life when they turn 18 and without a doubt they need to learn how to work with a group. If you go into any business or organization you will find people working together on projects, boards, co-ops, councils, committees, and so on. Therefore if I am going to prepare my students for life I need to prepare them to work in groups.
Students also can learn from each other. The social learning theory tells use that students learn from each other. While I think there are many ways to learn I do believe many students can learn by working together because others can provide a different perspective or set of knowledge.
Now that you know why I think group work is important I also have to say it is often times flawed. To limit or prevent these flaws groups need to be well regulated by the teacher, everyone needs to be accountable for their contributions and communication needs to be easy and appropriate. In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, 2007) you can find many mediums for communication and cooperation. However these need to be monitored so students do not abuse them by sending inappropriate material or messages to each other.
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Luke,
ReplyDeleteIt is very important that we do cooperative learning activities in our classroom and integrate technology tools that foster social and collaborative learning. Students will definitely need to know these skills to become marketable for future jobs. I also have students that do not like group work; however, I explain to them that it is part of the standards we have to cover and they have to master. I provide students a rubric showing them what is expected to achieve an A, B, C, D, or F. Students get a group grade and they also get an individual grade. My grading system seems to appease students that complain that only one or two in the group does all the work and the other students should not receive the same grade. By giving an individual grade it make group work more equitable. Maybe this suggestion will help motivate your students.
Luke,
ReplyDeleteThis is Tami Phipps. I have students and parents who do not like group work, too, but I don't think they get as mad as yours do. I am sorry about that. What mine are so concerned about is that everyone will get the same grade, even if someone in the group does not do anything or the grade is not very good because one person does not do his/her part. I don't think that I am following correct procedures for group work, but I make sure that each person has their own part and that is all that they are graded on. That is how I have kept everyone off my back. Does your school have a way of monitoring what is sent from student to student? Mine can track down what gets sent, as long as it is done at school. Good luck with your group work. Don't let the parents tell you what to do.
Tami P.