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The Ineffectiveness of Group Use in Classes
Group use in learning is a concept of cooperative learning. The concept was introduced to reconfigure what traditional learning methods achieved. Major changes were expected in the way students in classrooms relate to each other. The classroom was supposed to be transformed into an environment of collaborative gain for each student. Cooperative learning was hypothesized to eliminate the fierce competition in schools that was associated with conventional learning methods. The consensus was that rivalry did not achieve the main premise of education that is pegged on growing the student wholesomely. Therefore, group use was supposed to foster uniform growth in the students. The learners were supposed to benefit from each other, and it was expected that at the end of the day they would be almost at the same level. However, that was not achieved because of the failure of teachers. Group use has reverted to the failures of the conventional methods of learning. The idea of students helping each other learn has not been achieved yet. Group use, unless understood well, cannot address the issues, which it was introduced to rectify.
Group use in classes is used by teachers to perk up the lessons. Students are put in groups to break the seriousness of the course. Therefore, they do not take the session seriously. The session is seen as an opportunity to unwind and fool around for the students. As a result, they are not able to learn or grasp anything from the interactive time. However, some students see the need to be serious in such sessions, but they are distracted by the others. In many cases, serious students end up forming one group and that leaves the less serious ones on their own. Consequently, learning only happens in specific groups.
Group use methods of learning reduce the predictability of conventional teaching methods. Lack of predictability means reduced control by the teachers in the classrooms. The students take advantage of the group session to do what they please. The participation in the group discussions and assignments is only by few members of the group. Failure to participate means that some students do not benefit from the session. Traditionally, the teacher is supposed to monitor the attention of all students and to ensure that every student participates. Enforced learning is a method that has proved its worth to date.
Several methods can be applied to make group work more effective. For example, the students should not be allowed to choose the members of the groups. The teacher should arrange the groups in ways that each student will benefit. The dynamics of the students should be considered carefully by the teacher before forming a group. An effective group should have the right balance of bright students and students who are not bright. Learning will take place because the other students will get an opportunity to learn from the bright members of the group.
The group use method of learning can become an effective tool if the teacher is able to strike a right balance in the groups. The attitude of students should also be worked on by the teachers. Students should understand that the group works is supposed to encourage the growth of social skills such as teamwork and collaboration. As such, no learner is expected to outshine the other. The sole intention and purpose should be to grow the members of the group in unison. Random tests can be done to any member of the group to ascertain the growth.