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Teaching
Ideas and Units - Teaching Strategies
Small
Group Discussion
Speaking and
listening
Bands A, B,C,D
What
is it?
Arrangement of students into small groups to participate in a range of
activities to develop thinking or to complete practical tasks. Participation
or otherwise in discussion activities can be culturally determined. Some
groups do not value open discussion of ideas and issues.
What is its purpose?
- To encourage
participation in a non threatening environment
- To maximise
success
- To develop
collegial practices
- To arrive
at shared understanding
- To share
knowledge
- To allow
for focussed teaching
How do I do it?
- Groups
should be arranged according to the purpose - friendship groups, skill
groups, interest groups, outcome groups
- Organise
furniture to facilitate movement and interaction
- Assign
roles within the groups: this can be done as numbered heads, roles (recorder,
reporter, discussion monitor etc) DeBono's hats
- Make
the group work purposeful and with clear outcomes for each of the participants
- Share
findings or results with the whole group at the end
How
can I adapt it?
- Very
adaptable - can be used for a variety of purposes
- consider
applying cooperative learning principles and using cooperative learning
structures such as jigsaw to overcome drawbacks
of traditional small groups such as unequal division of labour, lack
of participation by all members. For more information about this, see
Collaboration.
How
can it be used to evaluate students' learning?
By observing groups at work and involving students in self and peer assessment,
you can gain information about students:
- social
skills
- ability
to contribute ideas
- explanations
of opinions and information
- speaking
and listening skills
For
more information about the range of communication skills involved in small
group activities, see Collaboration.
Where
can I find out more?
Bennett,
B., Rolheiser, C., Stevahn, L. (1991) Co-operative Learning, Where
Heart Meets Mind, Educational Connections, Ontario.
Assessing as you Go, (1997) Curriculum Corporation, Carlton.
For
more information about establishing small groups, determining composition
of groups and teaching group skills, see Collaboration.
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