Connie Hamilton shares 17 strategies to improve effectiveness of group work in the classroom including structuring groups, assigning partners, and utilizing the Jigsaw method. They discuss the importance of students reading directions themselves, asking follow-up questions, and breaking down tasks. The value of collaboration as a 21st-century skill in education is explored, along with the benefits of group discussions in deepening understanding and developing soft skills. Effective scenarios for group work and the importance of giving feedback on soft skills are also discussed.
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Quick takeaways
Purposefully structure groups and assign roles for effective group work.
Promote independent problem-solving by having students read and interpret instructions themselves.
Focus on data collection, observation, and formative assessment during group work to assess student progress and provide targeted feedback.
Deep dives
The Importance of Optimizing Group Work in the Classroom
Group work in the classroom is often overlooked and not effectively utilized. This podcast episode focuses on the significance of optimizing group work to enhance student learning. The speaker shares personal experiences and acknowledges that group work can be challenging, but when done right, it can lead to improved engagement, accountability, and cooperation among students. The guest, Connie Hamilton, discusses her book, 'Hacking Group Work,' and highlights 17 small tweaks that can vastly improve the effectiveness of group work tasks.
Structuring Groups and Assigning Roles
The podcast emphasizes the importance of purposefully structuring groups and assigning roles to each student. Instead of allowing students to choose partners randomly or assigning the same group size to everyone, the speaker suggests being intentional and considering the specific task or learning objective when creating groups. Additionally, assigning roles to each group member promotes equal contribution and accountability. The use of clock partners as a method for intentional grouping and assigning specific roles is also discussed.
Giving Clear Instructions and Prompting Independent Problem-Solving
The podcast emphasizes the need for clear instructions and the importance of prompting independent problem-solving. Rather than reading instructions to students, the speaker suggests having students read and interpret instructions themselves, followed by discussing the steps and clarifying any concerns with their peers. Instead of providing immediate answers to students' questions, teachers are encouraged to prompt them to find the information independently or seek assistance from their group members.
The Role of the Teacher During Group Work
The speaker highlights the role of the teacher during group work, focusing on the importance of data collection, observation, and formative assessment. By stepping back and avoiding constant intervention, teachers can effectively assess students' progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide targeted feedback. The speaker also emphasizes the need for teachers to focus on gathering evidence of individual learning and soft skill development during group work sessions.
Designing Effective Learning Tasks for Collaborative Projects
The podcast discusses the design of effective learning tasks for collaborative projects. Instead of grading one project collectively, the speaker suggests assessing individual learning outcomes based on the contributions and understanding of each student. The importance of fostering critical thinking, engaging students in discussions that offer different perspectives, and providing feedback on both content and collaborative skills is also emphasized.
Cooperative learning can be a powerful learning strategy, but only if it works well. In this episode Connie Hamilton, author of Hacking Group Work, returns to the podcast to share 17 small changes you can try that will make group work more effective in your classroom.