Effective Group Management By Devin Fraley
Advantages of group sessions Students teach each other Builds community and collaborative skills Diversity in opinions and ideas (Johnson & Johnson, 1989; Towns et al. 2000)
When is group learning best used? Group learning is better used for formative than for summative assessments. Student-selected group members (no more than 4-5 students) Non-remedial! (Brown & McIlroy, 2011; Chapman et al., 2006)
What should students do in study groups? Review notes Discuss reading material Practice and share study skills Prepare for exams (UMKC Supplemental Instruction Program, SI_Training_Questions, 2011 ) SI_Training_Questions
Common issues Unclear objectives Poor collaboration Unequal contribution (too little OR too much)
Characteristics Critical to Group Success 1.Structure 2.Relationships 3.Accountability (Grant-Vallone, 2011)
Structure Use the “tutoring cycle” (e.g., identify a task, break task into parts, identify underlying processes, etc.). Role modeling (Cumming, 2010; Efe and Efe, 2011; MacDonald, 1994)
Relationships Can prevent “free riding” Reduces tension Drives accountability (Aggarwal & O’Brien, 2008; Cumming 2010)
Accountability Group work does not mean group grades More likely to come prepared (Aggarwal & O’Brien, 2008; Cumming 2010)
Supplemental Instruction Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a working model of formal peer-guided study groups. ▫“SI leaders” facilitate sessions by: Sharing study skills, guiding student through course concepts, use resources, brainstorm Do not re-lecture students nor support cramming for exams. (UMKC Supplemental Instruction Program, SI_Training_Questions, 2011) SI_Training_Questions
Works Cited Aggarwal, P., & O’Brien, C. L. (2008). Social loafing on group projects: Structural antecedents and effect on student satisfaction. Journal of Marketing Education, 30, Brown, C. A. and McIlroy, K. (2011). Group work in healthcare students’ education: what do we think we are doing? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 36(6): Cumming, J. (2008). Student initiated group management strategies for more effective and enjoyable group work experiences. Journal of Hospitality, Lesiure, Sport & Tourism Education 9(2): Grant-Vallone, E. J. (2011). Successful group work: using cooperative learning and team-based learning in the classroom. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching 21(4): Efe, R., and Efe, H-A. (2011). Using student group leaders to motivate students in cooperative learning methods in crowded classrooms. Educational Research and Reviews 6(2): Johnson, R. T., and Johnson, D. W. "Cooperation and Competition Theory and Research." Edina,MN: Interaction Book Co., 1989.