Active learning, particularly through small group work, has been shown to enhance student engagement, retention, and satisfaction. When students collaborate in small groups, they retain more information and report higher levels of learning than those in traditional instructional settings (Davis 1993, Barkley, 2005). However, the success of group activities depends on thoughtful design that encourages collaboration and accountability. Let’s explore how to ensure successful collaboration and group work.
Structure effective groups
Think about how you will organize students into groups. Take into consideration the size of your class, the type of assignment, and the amount of work/time involved. Typically smaller groups of 2-4 students work best. Larger groups may decrease the opportunity for participation. Intentionally assign groups by schedule availability, work preferences, skill level, and/or background knowledge.
Peerceptiv, an LSA supported tool that supports peer review and group assignments, can help with the group formation process. Peerceptiv allows you to create optimized student groups using student survey responses, which are based on a customizable set of questions and criteria. Students can enter their schedule information, rank topic preferences, and respond to multiple choice questions, all of which will be used by the Peerceptiv Group Formation algorithm to form student groups.
Set expectations and establish group guidelines
It is important to explain how groups will operate and how students will be graded within the group. Determine if students will receive a group grade, individual grade, or a combination of both. Creating and sharing a rubric with grading criteria helps students establish group expectations and guidelines within their group.
Taking time in class to discuss how to effectively work as a group is essential for successful group work. Some topics to discuss may include determining roles and responsibilities, developing a group communication plan, how to keep track of each group member’s progress, and how to resolve disagreements or issues that may arise. Consider having groups work together as the first task to create a shared guidelines document which contains agreed-on expectations of how all group members will contribute and behave, and is a proactive plan of how to work as a group and mitigate conflict (Cao & Renda, 2020).
Provide feedback and measure collaboration
Scaffolding the group project into smaller chunks with multiple deadlines benefits both you and the students. It helps everyone stay on track and allows you to check-in on groups and provide feedback. Students are able to reflect on the group progress, touch-base with group members, and utilize your feedback as they continue working.
Using peer evaluations can encourage collaboration and accountability. This can be done informally as a group discussion to reflect on the work done by themselves and by the group, it could be done as a survey students complete during and/or after the project, or it could be assigned as an individual reflection essay. In addition to asking students how each group member contributed to the overall project, consider asking students to reflect on how well they collaborated with others, such as:
- I asked my group members for help when …
- I accepted help from my group members when …
- I offered to help my group members when …
Peerceptiv also allows for students to anonymously evaluate their team members participation and contributions to their group using the Team Member Evaluation tool.
If you’d like to speak with an instructional consultant about group work, you can request a consultation here. LTC is always happy to help!
References/Additional Resources:
Barkley, E., Cross, P., & Major, C. (2005). Collaborative Learning Techniques. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cao, A. & Renda, M. (2020). Classroom Strategies for Group Management. University of Michigan Center for Research on Teaching and Learning in Engineering.
Davis, B. (1993). Tools for teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
