Some concerns I have from this reading are about how grouping should be used. It seemed like a lot of the different types of grouping only worked for some ability levels while it hindered the learning for other levels. I am just confused on how we should decide to use which type or when we shouldn't use grouping at all. I would like to be an art teacher, should I use grouping?
I think Vygotsky would recommend grouping to teach students. I think he would suggest it in the beginning like the scaffolding metaphor. If he used heterogeneity grouping, then he could group students with variations in their ability so that way the lower ability students can learn from the higher ability students. Once the lower ability students have learned the content, then he can slowly take away the scaffolds. Then group the students homogeneously so that the higher ability students' learning is being held back. When reading this module, I liked the idea of cooperative learning. By grouping this way, it would force students to work together regardless of their ability level. I like the idea of the jig saw method because each student has the chance to feel like they are contributing to the group. In my art class, I could see myself using the jig saw method, but I don't know how well it would work. If I was teaching about the different ways to mold clay, I could give each student in the group a different handout about a specific method. They would have to use that method to make something, then teach the other students how to do that molding method. They would have to depend on each member so their final project will come out right.
You use groping whenever you think something would be more beneficial with more than one person completeing the work. You will have to look at your classroom and what you are trying to teach to find out what type of grouping will work best for you. Art class would be fine for grouping. They can learn how to collaborate on art projects. I would think at first put the outstanding artist with the student needing inspiration, then pairing the outstanding artists together. Everyone can inspire each other. Art teacher's still use books, right? (I know we did back in middle school.) They can look at pictures in books and talk about the aspects of each picture. (These are just starter lists for how to use groups to your advantage.) :)
ReplyDeleteIn your situation I feel that grouping would be very benefitial for your students, especially in an art room environment. When teaching art I feel like there are so many different levels that students could be on. I know myself, that I am not that creative and not good art. When in art class we would sit at tables, not particuarly grouped but we were at tables with four people. I would seek help with my peers when needed because there were students that I sat with that had better art abilities than me. Therefore, having students grouped into diffrent abilities could be benefitial to students who are not as skilled as others. Like Jennifer said students can inspire other students to do well and to push for the best. Art is also not an independent subject. There are many different types of grouping that could be used, so you should just try a few different style and see what works best for your students.
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