Learning in Groups
Description:
Learning in groups (also known as small group teaching, cooperative/collaborative learning) involves defining a group activity, organizing students into suitable groups, facilitating the group and, frequently, assessing the group. The main aim of group activity is to promote student learning of key concepts within the discipline/lecture. The group may exist for a short period of time (2 minutes) or for the duration of a semester.
Some common examples of activities where groupwork may be used range from the simple in-class activities such as discussions, ranking lists of items to more complex activities such as debates, role-plays, creating an artifact or completing a design. The groups undertaking these activities may be structured (i.e. individuals assume well defined roles) or unstructured. Within CIT, groupwork is widely practiced in the Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork module. Groupwork is important because there is an emerging consensus that knowledge is constructed socially through an exchange of ideas and debate.
HETAC have programme requirements that clarify the extent of group-work required for different NQAI levels. The key recommendation for lecturers keen to incorporate groupwork into their teaching is to develop confidence in the methodology by starting with short, well-structured activities. The resources in the team-work section will be of particular aid to those starting out, while more experienced users might find the resources on specific pedagogies e.g. enquiry-based learning, problem based learning, of interest. A recommended text would be: Jacques, (2004), Learning in Groups, 3rd Edition, RoutledgeFalmer, London, 0749430915
Resources:
| Pedagogical Methodology | Suitable Existing Resource |
| Student centered learning | Leap into Student Centered Learning, Centre for learning and professional development, University of Adelaide, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/resources/leap/ |
| Problem based learning | Leap into Problem Based Learning, Centre for learning and professional development, University of Adelaide, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/resources/leap/ |
| Project based learning | http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Project-based_learning |
| Enquiry based learning |
Kahn & O’Rourke, (2005), Understanding Enquiry-Based Learning, in Handbook of Enquiry & Problem Based Learning. Barrett, T., Mac Labhrainn, I., Fallon, H. (Eds). Galway: CELT,2005. http://www.nuigalway.ie/celt/pblbook/chapter1.pdf or Guide to Enquiry Based Learning, http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/ceebl/resources/guides/kahn_2004.pdf
Goldring & Wood, (2007), Guide to Facilitating Enquiry Based Learning for Graduate Students, Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning, University of Manchester, http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/ceebl/resources/evaluation/
Whowell, (2006), A student guide to Enquiry Based Learning, Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning, University of Manchester, http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/ceebl/resources/guides/ |
| Cooperative/collaborative learning |
Leap into Collaborative Learning, Centre for learning and professional development, University of Adelaide, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/resources/leap/leapinto/ Felder & Brent, (1994), Cooperative learning in technical courses: procedures, pitfalls and payoffs, ERIC Document Reproduction Service Report ED 377038 (1994), http://www.eric.ed.gov or http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Student-Centered.html |
| Teamwork |
Enhancing Experiences of Group Work, Institute for Interactive Media and Learning, University of Technology Sydney, http://www.iml.uts.edu.au/learnteach/groupwork/index.html Working in Groups? (student guide), ExL@DCU a joint development between Student Affairs and The Learning Innovation Unit (LIU) at DCU, http://www.dcu.ie/ExL/Groups/index.shtml Groupwork (student guide), http://www.bell.uts.edu.au/groupwork |
| Assessment |
Race, (2001), A briefing on self, peer and group assessment, Learning and Teaching Support Network Generic Centre, http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/ftp/Resources/gc/assess09 McDonald, (2005), Assessment strategies for enquiry and problem based learning, Handbook of Enquiry & Problem Based Learning. Barrett, T., Mac Labhrainn, I., Fallon, H. (Eds). Galway: CELT, http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-2/chapter9.pdf |
