UNIT 4. Learning individually, learning together
When do we consider the value of getting learners to work individually?
- When the activity is non-divisible
- It is needed some drill or practice
- The directions are simple and clear
- Students are expected to succeed in completing the task
- There are enough resources for each student.
It is true that there are certain types of task are more successfully completed when children work individually rather in pairs or in groups?
Yes
How many benefits are of getting young learners to work individually?
There are three, but we can add a fourth advantage:
- On-task behaviour
- Off-task behaviour
- Task performance
- Personalising learning
What are the benefits that group work brings?
- Enhancing cognitive development
- Students build deeper knowledge and undertanding
- Social skills and teamwork skills
It is true that individual work and group work complement each other?
Yes, teachers can use them separate and in a combination of both of them.
What a group work need to be effective?
- Structuring interaction
- Setting goals
- Individual accountability
Is there an ideal number of students for group work?
Depends on the teacher experience about group works, if have no experience, the best choice would be with pair work. If the have experience, they can work in groups of 3 or 4.
Identify the objectives, assign group tasks, prepare materials, decide group size and give enough time to make the assignement is part of:
The planning group work
Facilitate group cohesion, give instructions to students, set rules for work, monitor group work and intervene when its needed, is part of:
The implementing group work
Provide closure to group work with all the class, connect students' work with the objectives and ask groups to reflect on how they have work as a group, is part of:
The ending group work
What can we avoid to improve our group works?
Unequal participation, poor group dynamic and noisy classrooms