Open AccessDesigning Effective Group Activities: Lessons for Classroom Teaching and Faculty Development
Author(s) -
Michaelsen Larry K.,
Fink L. Dee,
Knight Arietta
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
to improve the academy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-4822
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-4822.1997.tb00335.x
Subject(s) - group cohesiveness , social loafing , variety (cybernetics) , checklist , mathematics education , psychology , group (periodic table) , computer science , pedagogy , social psychology , artificial intelligence , cognitive psychology , chemistry , organic chemistry
The primary objective of this article is to provide readers with guidance for designing effective group assignments and activities for classes and workshops. In doing so, we examine the forces that foster social loafing (uneven participation) in learning groups and identify four key variables that must be managed in order to create a group environment that is conducive for broad‐based member participation and learning. We then discuss the impact of various types of activities and assignments on learning and group cohesiveness. Finally, we present a checklist that has been designed to evaluate the effectiveness of group assignments in a wide variety of instructional settings and subject areas.