Group work skills & goal setting

Which is the best example of effective group work?

• Everyone sits together and does their own work silently

• Working through problems together and talking about them

• One person teaches the others how to do all the work

• Everyone talks to each other while also doing their own work

Answer explanation

Group work is most effective when everyone contributes to finding the best answer

Which is NOT a reason that group work is beneficial for learning?

• Combining ideas and getting feedback is often better than individual ideas

• Hearing multiple explanations helps you understand

• You learn more when you explain ideas to other people

• It's faster just to copy from someone else

What does it mean for a team to talk about ideas while they are sense-making, rather than waiting until each has done the work individually?

• Everyone answers the questions, then compares answers when they're done

• Everyone talks through each question as they are thinking about it, then they decide together on their final answer

• One person tells the others what to do for each question

Which is NOT an example of a team talking about ideas while they are sense-making?

• Everyone shares what they would write or how they would approach a problem

• Everyone compares ideas and looks for similarities

• Everyone debates which idea or strategy is the most effective

• Everyone compares answers once they are written

What does it mean for students to check in with each other to ensure understanding?

• Ask each other what they understand and what they need help with

• Make fun of someone who doesn't get it right away

• Tell people the right answer

• Do your own work and don't worry about anyone else

Which is NOT a reason it's important for a group to check in with each other to ensure understanding?

• Someone who didn't get it at first might have great ideas later

• It shows kindness

• You always get a grade based on other people's knowledge

• You can't assume someone gets it or doesn't get it unless you ask

What does it mean for a team to celebrate their successes?

• Helping each other

• Keeping each other focused

• Recognizing when people do a good job or complimenting them

• Never taking feedback or revising

Which group work skill do you want to practice today? This should be one that's challenging and also important to you.

• Celebrating the team's successes

• Talking about ideas while we are working, instead of waiting until people are done

• Checking in with each other to ensure understanding

• Something else...

Why did you select the group work skill in the previous question? What makes it important to you?

Which do you consider a strength that you bring to your team?

• Encouraging and supporting people

• Explaining things so other people understand

• Self-regulation or self-control

• Tenacity or perseverance

• Organization or planning