We do not need any scientific proof or academic Âliterature to validate the value of well-Âstructured group work and class activities.
For any teacher, Ânothing beats a group of self-managed pupils on a Monday morning after a long, eventful weekend.
In most cases Âteachers think group work means hastily grouping pupils in any Âdisorganised order and hoping for a magical result. If, by chance, results do come, the teacher Âconcerned risks Âbecoming a Âcardiac arrest statistic. You can never throw pupils together without explaining the fundamental concept of group work. Ideally, put them in single rows first, let each child sit at his or her desk and let them develop both the Âconcepts of individuality and independence.
Also, have a long Âdiscussion about the importance of teamwork, sharing, support and other obvious Âbenefits of being in a group. Let your pupils make Âcomparisons between teamwork and individual work. In the long run this will allow them to have a much broader Âperspective and Âunderstanding of the intentions of group work.
Before pupils are put into groups, a lot of transparency and truth commissions must be set up so that they can Âdiscuss the duration and life span of each group formed, to avoid the element of surprise.
I remember how I once had to deal with the emotional trauma and distress experienced by pupils who were Âunprepared for a move to Âdifferent groupings. An assortment of Âreasons was dished out in defence of their Âcomfort and cordiality with their established group networks.
Explain the reason for group work
It is of paramount Âimportance to remind pupils that putting them into groups means they are there to work, as the name suggests, as a group. Usually pure fun is not what you Âoriginally plan for in lessons, but fun is a consequence of well-prepared lessons expressed through an excellent group-work approach. Most lessons fail because teachers equate an informative lesson with dullness and seriousness. This is where most teachers miss the point.
The intention is to provide pupils with the space and necessary Âinformation to engage constructively and also to allow them to have lots of fun within a group environment.
Rotating groups
Rotating groups will teach pupils the skill of adaptation and a thorough understanding of diversity. Such skills are necessary for future use when the pupils leave school and become employees in a Âworkplace.
They will easily understand Âthe dynamism brought forth by Âconstant mobility or group Âmovements. Constantly moving groups will teach them the unpredictability of life, superior coping skills and Ânetworking skills.
When group work is done properly, it brings unprecedented order and discipline as well as mutual respect among pupils.
As pupils crisscross classroom boundaries, they learn to appreciate one another, communicate with one another and be supportive of one another.
Group work teaches pupils the old wisdom that “we are as strong as the weakest member in a group”.
They also learn that the Âsuccess of a group or team is not solely Âdependent on a single source of effort.
Xolani Majola is an education policy analyst.