Grouping Strategies
Cooperative learning groups encourage peer teaching through
opportunities to clarify ideas, develop problem solving and decision making
strategies and develop responsibility and gain independence. As students
work together to explore and experiment, students assist one another and
in doing so learn more from actively teaching others.
Homogeneous groupings create opportunities for direct teaching and individualized
instruction at the point of need. Pulling together a small group of students
who need support in a particular concept or skill or enrichment in an area,
is an effective use of teacher and learner time. Groupings should be flexible
and temporary.
Heterogeneous groupings provide students with varying abilities within
a group, the opportunity to help and compliment each other in cooperative
work situations.
Establishing Group Roles
Cooperative learning activities can function more smoothly
if group roles are assigned and used as needed. These roles can be rotated
on a daily, weekly or activity basis depending on the age and needs of the
students.
| Group Role | Function |  |
| Leader | - responsible for keeping the group on task - makes sure that all group members participate and cooperate -checks to make sure group members understand task and concept |
|
| Recorder | - records group activities and ideas of each
group member - writes out the solutions to be handed in |
|
| Reporter | - gives oral responses to the class about the group's conclusions or progress | |
| Monitor | - makes sure the
work area is left tidy - acts as a timekeeper for timed activities |
|
| Collector |
- collects any materials needed for the activity |