Working with Groups

Working with Groups Much of your work as a mentor will be working with a group. This is a particular and valuable skill to develop. You will receive help form tutors in the planning and preparation

Hints and advice on working with groups Find out what you can about the group beforehand - Find out about their preferences, whether they have any particular needs e.g. disabilities or learning differences. Find out about the environment, the room you will be using and the time you have available also the resources you are able to use. Plan your session; start with the aims and the anticipated learning outcomes. When planning activities remember to take all learners into consideration. Try your session out beforehand and evaluate the session afterwards, make alterations if necessary.

Hints and advice on working with groups Prepare all materials in advance; think about the font type and size of any writing and the colour of the paper. Keep language simple and avoid jargon. Remember people learn most when they are actively involved. Avoid too much lecture & avoid spending too long on any one activity. Have some extension exercises ready. Be aware that the group will have a mix of preferred learning styles Set ground rules – the code of behaviour for the day. Use icebreakers/ warm up exercises to get the group going. Even if they know each other it will help them focus on the session.

Hints and advice on working with groups Use quizzes and games. Take advantage of the knowledge within the group and their experiences. If in school you should not be left on your own with a group of students. Think about your own presentation, dress comfortably use your voice and think about your own language. Do not talk down to the group. Walk around, keep good eye contact but don’t stare. small group and a small room sit down with them. If using a board do not speak to the board or turn your back to the group.

Hints and advice on working with groups If a small group and a small room sit down with them. If using a board do not speak to the board or turn your back to the group. Involve all members- create exercises that embrace all learners. Ensure discussions are not dominated by particular members of the group – in small groups say you want everybody to say something. Keep to agreed timings.

Methods for working with groups Set tasks: divide the group into 2’s or 3’s, then they report back to the whole group. Discussion method: introduce a topic and the whole group discusses. Use question and answer and free discussion. Seminar: volunteers from the group give presentations which are then discussed. Debate: Introduce a topic for debate i.e. This house believes that going to university is too expensive and not worth it! Establish teams.

Methods for working with groups Goldfish bowl: ask a few of the group to act out a scene and the group discusses World café: groups work at a table with paper on which they write ideas down. The groups circulate but leave one person at the table to explain to explain Using the arts: drawing, role-play, story telling can be very effective in generating ideas but also building confidence and engagement

Any Questions?