To Choose, or Not to Choose?
The classroom teacher has an important role in group work. Although having students work in groups allows young minds to build independence, younger students might find it hard to work in groups when they are first starting out.
The teacher has the responsibility of decided whether or not they should choose the students roles, or whether to allow students to pick their own roles. This decision should be based on:
Before assigning or allowing students to choose their roles, ensure that each student is aware of the responsibilities that each role entails, and how they can properly perform the role. f problems typically arise in group work, it is best to assign roles to individuals, allowing students to work on targeted strengths and weaknesses. Other times, it may be best for groups to sort out their dynamics and choose their roles themselves!
Photo Credit: http://www.englishonline.org.cn/en/teachers/workshops/mixed-abilities/articles/strategies-four
The teacher has the responsibility of decided whether or not they should choose the students roles, or whether to allow students to pick their own roles. This decision should be based on:
- the maturity of students
- their familiarity with working in groups, and
- the amount of time that the group will have to complete its goal.
Before assigning or allowing students to choose their roles, ensure that each student is aware of the responsibilities that each role entails, and how they can properly perform the role. f problems typically arise in group work, it is best to assign roles to individuals, allowing students to work on targeted strengths and weaknesses. Other times, it may be best for groups to sort out their dynamics and choose their roles themselves!
Photo Credit: http://www.englishonline.org.cn/en/teachers/workshops/mixed-abilities/articles/strategies-four
What are the "roles", anyway?
Depending on the age of students, there are a number of "roles" that can be appropriate for them to have within their group. The following is a short list of the roles.
Leader/Facilitator: The leader of the group is responsible for making sure that all members of the group have a voice, are participating, and are focuses on the group's task. The leader of the group will make comments such as "Let's get back on task!"
Recorder/Note-Taker: The recorder is responsible for compiling the entire groups ideas in a organized manner. For presentations, this may mean that the recorder is writing the final copy of the paper, whether using a computer or anchor chart paper. The recorder may say things like, "How would you like me to write that?"
Time Keeper: The time keeper has the responsibility of ensuring the group's goal get completed before it's deadline. They help the leader to ensure that the group stays focused and announces when time is coming to an end. This is an important job, especially when time in limited in a classroom setting. The time-keeper may sound like "We have 10 more minutes, lets start to focus on how we are going to present this information."
Presenter: The role of the presenter is to present the finished group work to the rest of the class. This role may not always be required, but can be appropriate when information is meant to be given in a timely manner. The presenter may ask questions like “how should I say that?”, while working within their group.
Collector: The job of the collector is to ensure that the group has all of the materials that it will need to complete the task. The collector should make sure that the group’s working conditions are clear of clutter, and are responsible for getting help from the teacher or a peer should their group be struggling. A common phrase from a collector might be “I can grab more markers if we need!”
Devil's Advocate/Harmonizer: The devil’s advocate can be a great role to incorporate into groups if there are often interpersonal conflicts in the group. This role requires an a student to stand guard against “group think” and allows every member in the team to express their opinions without the risk of beginning an argument. The member who is assigned the role of the “devil’s advocate” should have an open mind and help solve issues. A devil’s advocate might say things like, “let’s make sure everyone gets a chance to speak!”
To learn more, information have been adapted from: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson277/cooperative.pdf
Photo Credit: http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/2011/10/17/what-do-you-think-about-group-work/
Leader/Facilitator: The leader of the group is responsible for making sure that all members of the group have a voice, are participating, and are focuses on the group's task. The leader of the group will make comments such as "Let's get back on task!"
Recorder/Note-Taker: The recorder is responsible for compiling the entire groups ideas in a organized manner. For presentations, this may mean that the recorder is writing the final copy of the paper, whether using a computer or anchor chart paper. The recorder may say things like, "How would you like me to write that?"
Time Keeper: The time keeper has the responsibility of ensuring the group's goal get completed before it's deadline. They help the leader to ensure that the group stays focused and announces when time is coming to an end. This is an important job, especially when time in limited in a classroom setting. The time-keeper may sound like "We have 10 more minutes, lets start to focus on how we are going to present this information."
Presenter: The role of the presenter is to present the finished group work to the rest of the class. This role may not always be required, but can be appropriate when information is meant to be given in a timely manner. The presenter may ask questions like “how should I say that?”, while working within their group.
Collector: The job of the collector is to ensure that the group has all of the materials that it will need to complete the task. The collector should make sure that the group’s working conditions are clear of clutter, and are responsible for getting help from the teacher or a peer should their group be struggling. A common phrase from a collector might be “I can grab more markers if we need!”
Devil's Advocate/Harmonizer: The devil’s advocate can be a great role to incorporate into groups if there are often interpersonal conflicts in the group. This role requires an a student to stand guard against “group think” and allows every member in the team to express their opinions without the risk of beginning an argument. The member who is assigned the role of the “devil’s advocate” should have an open mind and help solve issues. A devil’s advocate might say things like, “let’s make sure everyone gets a chance to speak!”
To learn more, information have been adapted from: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson277/cooperative.pdf
Photo Credit: http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/2011/10/17/what-do-you-think-about-group-work/