Group work and collaboration are not synonymous. Students can be grouped together focused on the same work task, yet it can be individual versus co-constructed. The benefit of collaborative work is that it is authentic and leads to outcomes that could not be accomplished individually. The key to collaborative group work is setting it up for success.
Benefits of Small Group Work
Considerations for Setting Up Collaborative Small Groups
Supports for Small Group Collaboration:
Addressing Challenges:
Challenge | Supports |
Multilingual Learners’ level
of language |
Use a prop like a microphone to pass to the speaker |
Introduce a protocol for participation | |
Model the conversation/fish bowl | |
Include prompts, sentence starters or word banks | |
Allow discussion in first language | |
Allow multiple ways to respond | |
Assign language buddies/accountability partners | |
Teach how to negotiate meaning, communicative competencies | |
Support translanguaging – leveraging multilingual language assets | |
Reluctant students who do not want to participate | Trust Building activities |
Allow choice in group or role they select or rotate roles | |
Introduce accountability measures | |
One student dominates group discussion |
Teach social strategies for participation- turn taking, cooperation, giving feedback |
Assign roles and responsibilities | |
Establish group agreements | |
Introduce accountability measures | |