1/12/09
Hello :)
Hi everyone! I'm Brittany Reffett. I'm a sophomore here and from Louisville, KY. I enjoyed tonight's class, it was different than most of my other classes! Normally my instructors just go over the boring syllabus..but in this class I enjoyed all of the class participation. I hope this class continues to keep my attention night after night!
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Work in pairs and small groups only INCREASES!! Tonight was only a "sneal peak" or just the beginning!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious. . . what do you as well as others in the class enjoy most and least about small group activities. What do I and others need to consider in order to maximize learning and make the most out of group activities in class?
I like small groups when all parties are assigned a task to complete. Sometimes there are only a few people in the group that do anything productive, and that is not the point of the small groups. (generally speaking). Most teachers also select your groups for you, and thats not always bad, but sometimes its better to work with people that your comfortable with.
ReplyDeletei'm from louisville too!
ReplyDeleteWhat part?
I enjoy small group activities as long as other people get involved. I think it's important if we switch up the group members also, that way we have more opportunities to meet new people.
ReplyDeleteOh Catie by the way I live in J'Town, close to the Fern Creek line. Sorry it took me so long to write you back! What part do you live in?
Ms.White I was thinking about how wonderful it is that you do not lecture but interact through your teaching, but how plausible would this be if you were teaching a science or math course with a dense amount of material to cover and explain? It seems that even a the amount of opportunities for small group activities and class conversation would have to be limited. I'm thinking of some of my science courses and I just can't see how the teachers would be able to explain all that is required if not through straight lecture, PowerPoint, and notes. My emphasis is middle school science so I would greatly appreciate your opinion :>
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy working in small groups. I seem to understand the concepts of things when im comparing and contrasting with others in the class.
ReplyDeleteI think there can obviously be both pros and cons to working in groups. As mentioned, it's great to be able to compare ideas and opinions and to work together to complete tasks. However, all members must be willing to exert equal amounts of effort in order for the group to be successful.
ReplyDeleteLara, that's a great question. Do you think you learn or remember the information because it was TOLD to you via the lecture and PowerPoint? There are many ways that teachers can structure activities where students are interacting with that information. An example to me is the four models of language acquisition. I believe that by providing students materials on that topic and giving them the opportunity to explore and discuss it that is AS EFFECTIVE as having someone lecture about it. I do believe it is important to then have someone with more background or knowledge to lead a discussion about the material to clarifiy points, ensure accurate understanding, etc. There are times when a knowledge person may have to "explain" certain concepts and ideas but the constructivist view of education states that we as learners use the "inquiry" method to invesitage and explore information and begin to "construct" meaning. We develop and understanding of new information.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how much of the science FACTS you retain that have you learned via LECTURE and how much of the information you learn through your own discovery and construction you are able to apply at deeper levels.