That is why the debate regarding these cell phones in the classroom pros and cons are essential to review. Although this article's main focus is classroom discussion, they are only a part of the learning process. More hands make work easier. I was hoping you'd hop on! The pros and cons of group work show that it can be a cost-effective method of learning and accomplishing personal responsibilities. Just kidding about (tsmog). People can feel like they get lost in the shuffle of group work, especially if there is a vocal leader amongst the team. By working in a team environment, one person’s weaknesses can be offset by another person’s strengths. Hello or 'yo' in youth terms. TG for CO-ED today! Thanks. It creates a grading system which could be considered unfair. Here are the key points to consider. Although the strengths of each person are encouraged to be on display, this doesn’t always happen. In some circumstances, group work can cause challenges, so it may be better for employees to work independently. Randi Benlulu (author) from Mesa, AZ on January 30, 2013: Thank you, Princess! Tsmog, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I probably learned more from the girls anyway . The other groups must work on something while they wait their turn. It also prepares them to operate in different types of environments. When people get together, there is a certain expectation that some social interactions are going to occur. Good luck on the exam. This post will explore the good and the bad of having students work together in groups. Randi has worked in both traditional and non-traditional high schools for 17 years and ESL for 10 years. Pros of Whole Group Discussion as a Teaching Method Many teachers support this method as whole group discussions typically provide greater interaction between teacher and students. 2. 4. This can lead to chaos in the classroom. Thank you for voting and sharing! Most groups come to a single leader consensus. Grouping students should allow, and even force, students to work together. People tend to hang around other people with shared interests. Group work aids their language learning in many ways even when they may not realize what is … The number of students in the class helps to determine their success, but more importantly, the ability of the facilitator will be the determining factor. 4. Instead, let's talk about the pros and cons of this classroom seating arrangement. It is a change from traditional learning methods. The difference is that instead of an epiphany occurring, brilliant ideas can be built from scratch as people bounce ideas off of one another to analyze a situation. The first and foremost benefit of both pair work and group work is that they increase the amount of student practice. Whether in the classroom or the office, cliques will always be part of life. It improves relationships. Each type of work that may be individual, pair and group has its place in the classroom. Then I got chosen on a team and not have to play four square with the girls. This is especially problematic if a person’s weakness is in the area of social interactions. Their excitement while illustrating the 3 different ways to learn was as big an influence on the decision process as the offerings themselves. Whenever any of these attributes are present, group work can succeed. Kinesthetic. Group contingency is a system for systematically reinforcing target behavior within a group setting. :). Hello MartieC . Anyway, as you've said, the power to make a success of open discussions is absolutely in the hands of the teacher/facilitator. Teach students to work independently during this time. In fact, students receive many benefits from working in groups as they study English and pursue language fluency. Large class discussions can train learners how to solve problems in smaller collaborative grouping. What are the disadvantages of classes of small size? In most cooperative learning programs, a grade is handed out to the entire group instead of to each individual involved. Teachers may use it for a variety of reasons, and when used appropriately, ability grouping can help students be successful in the classroom. I taught special education for 17 years and ESL for another 10 years. That way, everyone has to think about the topic and participate in some way. It becomes a useful communication tool. This article gives cause to maybe guest speaking and seminar style learning / teaching experiences at the local level - high school, community college, and maybe the local university too. A guaranteed C or B. People can feel like they get lost in the shuffle of group work, especially if there is a vocal leader amongst the team. It is a change from traditional learning methods. As one can see from the pros and cons of group work that although it has many advantages at the same time it has certain disadvantages also and that is the reason why before deciding to work in group one should carefully read above points and then take the decision. They will learn to evaluate and respond to their classmates' opinions. Group work is an enormous part of drama class. Photo credit : Google. Here are some common advantages to group work. What Are the Cons of Group Work? College instructors often use group activities and projects to introduce students to collaborative teamwork, which is an essential skill employers are looking for in graduates entering the workforce. Tim Mitchell from Escondido, CA on January 31, 2013: Hello btrbell. She has also taught CE classes. Thanks for help Tdol. A great hub once again Randi ;keep them coming . Toseland and Rivas (1984:12) define groupwork as a goal directed activity with small groups of people aimed at meeting a socio-emotional needs and accomplishing tasks. It is known that lessons have limited time - usually only forty five minutes - and there are on average thirty students in the class, although nowadays there is a tendency to divide classes into two groups to make them smaller and easier to teach. While remembering to get a high B in Math or low A. I can hear my mom now asking "don't you have any homework?". I am glad it helped your kids. In my experience, those have been some of the most memorable classroom experiences that I have had. The same perspective is seen in classrooms and training seminars as well. I was one of those 'Some students will dominate the conversation.' The classroom environment provides the important “human touch,” which is often missing in technology-based training. By creating an environment where group work is emphasized, different people from different cliques can support each other, get to know each other, and increase the overall morale of the group. Thanks for the idea! . Ability grouping first appeared in American education in the 1920s when the use of mental testing was a valued indicator of potential student performance. We can but only hope that THEY know what they're doing. You have presented much to ponder. Con: Reduced Student Environment Regardless of class size, looping can contribute to students' feelings that their environment is too small. . Randi Benlulu (author) from Mesa, AZ on February 03, 2013: Hi Frank! The team of first and second-grade teachers were all there, and all had an opportunity to speak. Someone might have a great idea, but be afraid to say it because of a vocal leader trashing the idea and encouraging others to go a different way. That is one of the things I love about teaching. Even if you are not a Google user, using Google Classroom is a piece of cake. Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence: 6 Reasons to be Skeptical . Compared to high school group projects, doing multiple group projects in college has enlightened me on many more pros and cons to working on group projects. In a class of 20 to 30 students, you may have five to six small groups to work with during small group instruction time. I try to have an emergency strategy or two up my sleeve just in case the discussion implodes or flies off a tangent! As they work together they develop skills for real-world collaborative and cooperative learning. I appreciate your stopping by and your votes and share. Thanks, Bill! Students are always working in groups, whether for warm-ups, improvisation, scene work, playwriting, working backstage, and more. The fact that the child who has all the answers is also sensitive and should never be stifled. But, if there is a specific direction/conclusion that you are hoping to get to, you must know how to lead them there. I often will have my students do work (answer questions, fill out a chart) before the discussion. 9. I am flattered that this article gave you the opportunity to ponder! Group work helps everyone learn or complete a project simultaneously while still feeling like they’ve had a personalized experience. Good luck in whichever way you choose to go, and most importantly, enjoy. Ability grouping, a type of homogenous grouping, simply means grouping together students of similar ability levels. Pros: 1. Sometimes these interactions can become the focus of the group instead of the work. Martin Kloess from San Francisco on January 30, 2013: Thank you for this. I gave consideration to elementary and special needs teaching once. This results in cost savings opportunities, faster learning experiences, and a better overall quality of work being completed. Classroom discussions is an excellent strategy for assessing learner knowledge. People can get lost in the shuffle. 1. But truly spontaneous and not at all aware of the teacher's dilemma or any insecure kids, not to talk about any with non-auditory problems. Tips to Improve Working in a Group: It is often found that people working in a group can work better … They would rather look at an explanation through books or charts. The first teaching strategy that will be described is group work. You are probably wondering what this has to do with group conversations. The combined first and second-grade classroom. The improved relationships then create ongoing benefits as everyone grows more comfortable with each other and looks to help one another. Your comments are truly appreciated! Martie, thank you so much for bringing up a valuable aspect. Pairs with Rows. There are so many teachable moments. I have always participated in classroom discussions and know that are invaluable. Like yourself I found myself in the playground when a lad beat up and crying. A variety of resources ... teachers free up more time to work on creating course materials and giving students personalized instruction. I always enjoyed the classroom discussions when I was teaching high school and middle school, and the kids loved them too...but they do take some preparation and ground rules at that age level. But group work is more than just a convenient activity for a language classroom. Getting to meet new people. I appreciate your stopping by and commenting:). 1. It provides a foundation for effecting behavior change within a group of children such as a social group or classroom setting. Andrew Spacey from Near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire,UK on February 10, 2013: This hub reflects your own considerable experience and has some very useful points to make,especially with regards to learning styles and achieving balance so that, ideally, all students leave the class knowing they have given of their best. I've lost either interest in the specific subjects, or I've developed an obsession to know all the answers. That’s a guarantee. But as you mention, being ready and prepared for a full blown discussion is vital and gives you better chances of success. Not having that formal experience other than as a student I feel it is interesting and intriguing. They will learn to evaluate and respond to their classmates' opinions. Schools cannot discriminate against students on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion or culture. I look forward to checking out your hubs! This concept teaches diversity, communication, and compromise. There are many benefits to group work, but not every person working in a group sees the practice as beneficial. Encourages collaboration and cooperation; Opportunity for decision-making; Opportunities for role-differentiation; Groups encourage students to work together and collaborate in order to achieve something. 3. If there is a battle for this position, then the fight of leadership can put ego first instead of the work first. 1. In the classroom, group work can take many forms; however, the goal remains the same--get students to interact with each other and collaborate to complete a unified task. Thank you. They are still very shy but they have learned to pushed through their shyness to engage because of this structure. I have had some great experiences and a few backfires! 3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Group Work in a Classroom Situation. By doing so, we are getting students to work with people they may never have chosen to work with. That’s because group work is often seen as an advantageous experience. Thanks for the votes and share! I de… I admire what you shared courageously. Note taking can be more difficult, especially when trying to follow the thread of conversation. 1. 2. It promotes critical thinking and analytical skills. It provides a surprising amount of flexibility in the classroom, despite the lack of the traditional lecture. Keep up the good work and i hope that the science of love and life works out for you all. Thank you so much, donnah75! Generally, a classroom discussion is conducted without many other tools than the moderator's questions. The traditional style but the homeroom teacher moves up with them to the next two levels. It can cause conflict within the class if opposing opinions are given. 7 pros of having technology in the classroom. When this happens, they don’t get to see the desired results for which they were working, often putting them at a disadvantage to the rest of the team. There are advantages and disadvantages in each of these methods and as each child is an individual so should your choice be. Group contingencies can be highly effective in changing behavior for an individual or a group as a whole. Laptops in the Classroom – Pros, Cons, and Policies. Here's to so many more hubs for us both to share on here.I vote up,across and share. Here are the pros and cons of technology use in the classroom. 2. How can we maximise learning in classes of small size? Having a group of people tasked with getting a specific job done helps to lighten the load on everyone. What are the challenges facing the teacher and pupil in classes of small size? I admire this article and found it very marveling and inquisitive. Cost: When combining the cost of installation, maintenance and repair, it’s clear that AI is expensive. Now put a bunch of people together and you’ve just increased the odds of having a brilliant idea. Confidence and self-esteem are so important for them! Nearly every teacher uses projects as some point to reinforce a lesson or give students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. This is a great skill to have for working in the real world and when you’re not getting a grade for teamwork. Tell me and I forget. It enables students to pay attention and be involved. Kid stuff, eh? Employers seek leaders, but they also seek people who can work with a group. Hey Martin, thank you for being such a staunch supporter! Learning isn't always about writing it down! Teach me and I remember. Sometimes the disadvantages of a study group seem to outweigh the advantages on an individual level. The Cons of Cooperative Learning. Like anything in education, grouping works best when it is planned and used thoughtfully. In introducing this topic with teachers, I allocate them to one of the four topics listed below, inviting teachers to work in pairs or small groups (no more than four to a group) and challenge them to discuss and write up in poster style: 1. What Are the Pros of Group Work? 3. It isn’t just efficiency that happens when group work is emphasized. When my daughter finished kindergarten, I attended a mandatory parent meeting. There was a learning style for everyone. They learn best by seeing. Before you consider asking the students in your class to work together, it’s important to have a careful think as to what your objectives are and whether the children might learn better through a … I used to run groups in the psych unit and all it took was one dominant patient to throw it off. It can be exhausting work for the teacher! Princess Clark from The DMV on January 30, 2013: Great hub! In typical teacher-fronted classrooms students are discouraged from helping each other; group work helps students to learn collaborative skills. As groundbreaking as AI in the classroom can be, it is not without a few drawbacks. Martie Coetser from South Africa on February 03, 2013: btrbell, this is a much-needed comprehensive report about group class discussions, with facts only to be obtained through experience by those who have not studied Education and a bit Psychology. A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. in teaching English and how could I best integrate group work (collaborative learning) in classroom? Thank you, Denise! When that happens, no work is going to get done. It actually has quite a bit to do with it. Great discussion here. In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of group work, and tips for establishing effective teamwork. When used inappropriately, however, it may actually do more harm than good. Although the strengths of each person are encouraged to be on display, this doesn’t always happen. Continue reading to learn about some of the positives and neagtives associated with ablity grouping. Pros. This will be harder for the non auditory learners to absorb. It should build their communication skills, and help them learn how to r… With extra hands available, even complicated jobs tend to become easy. Learning can increase. 1. List of the Pros of Having Cell Phones in the Classroom. Randi Benlulu (author) from Mesa, AZ on November 17, 2019: Thank you, Wangsu George! Results in Common Direction When a team is put together to handle special projects or manage certain tasks, people will always find a way to follow a common direction. Learning how to work in a group. People can have extraordinarily brilliant ideas. Please check out Vark, a comprehensive website to get more insight on the different learning styles of your students. My takeaway was that the school was meeting the individual needs of their students and families. Pros. When kids have a cell phone, they can take with them to school. Insecure students may have a difficult time speaking up. As the above table shows, there are certain pros and cons of each approach, but all can be connected to theory dealing with effective language learning. It’s a question that is often asked during an interview. It's a tough balancing act. Let's hope for a prolific 2013! Some of my best teaching opportunities have stemmed from whole classroom discussions. There are strengths and weaknesses in every person. It shores up the weak areas that individuals have. xo. I believe everyone benefits when everyone gets an opportunity to engage. Noisy and risk of chaos; Lost of direction; Student disdain; Working in pairs can be noisy and loud. ... By endless repetition that the classroom is English only and using positive reinforcement, the message trickles down, and of course, simply walking around and checking in on each group will keep students on their best behavior. They would rather listen to an explanation. I appreciate the feedback. I relied on memory and notes. Easy to use and accessible from all devices. That is why it is important to plan group work and the types of groups you will be using. It enables students to pay attention and be involved. Thank you from Frank over and out. People can get lost in the shuffle. It helps if there are some visuals for the students to get a "picture" of what they are discussing. Encourages all students to have a voice; Cons. . There can be a fight for leadership. The Pros & Cons of Ability Grouping in Elementary Schools. Could you please tell me the pros and cons of group work in classroom, esp. Thank you! While the truth be I never did it. The advantages to classroom training include that: It allows you to teach employees in a safe, quiet, clean environment, away from the noise and pressures of the work area. 1. Training groups can be large or small. It is also a good idea to provide a summary afterward so the "note takers" won't feel a compulsive need to write the entire conversation down and miss participating in it. 2. Unless you’re self-employed, you will always have co-workers. Keeping the traditional row lay out intact, but pairing students together within a … It can encourage social interactions over work requirements. It offers a chance to have shared ideas. 4. . This allows each member of the team to contribute on an individual level, feeling like they’re important to the end result being developed.