Teaching in Small Groups

Question 1

Benefits of Small Group Learning

Answer 1

• provides immediate feedback on understanding (Nasmith and Daigle, 1996)
• encourages critical thinking (Garland, 1994; Crosby, 1996)
• promotes reflective learning and enhance interpersonal skills (Martin, 1996)
• teambuilding (Abercrombie, 1979)
• learner-centered (Crosby, 1996)

Question 2

Each person aware of his/her own and others’ membership

- Each is getting some satisfaction from participating in the activities taking place (Johnson and Johnson, 1975)

Answer 2

Small-Group

Question 3

How many members for a group without leaders?

Answer 3

5-7 members

Question 4

How many members for groups with an appointed leader and most effective when brainstorming is required?

Answer 4

10-12 members

Question 5

Characteristics of a Small-Group to be a functional unit

Answer 5

• Interaction among members
• group structure
• shared goals
• entitativity
• dynamic interdependence

Question 6

Roles of Facilitator

Answer 6

teacher
synthesizer
facilitator
mediator

Question 7

Effectively communicates the materials to be covered, provides content, and identifies areas of interest

Answer 7

Teacher

Question 8

Abstracts and condenses relevant information

Answer 8

Synthesizer

Question 9

Sets climate, organize resources and helps elicit and clarify the purposes of individuals

Answer 9

Facilitator

Question 10

Encourages and guides groups through the stages of development

Answer 10

Mediator

Question 11

Offer facts, opinions, ideas suggestions, relevant information to help group discussion

Answer 11

Information and Opinion Giver

Question 12

Asks for facts, information, opinion, and feelings from other members to help in the group discussion

Answer 12

Information and Opinion Seeker

Question 13

Proposes goals and tasks to initiate action within the group

Answer 13

Starter/ Initiator

Question 14

Develop plans on how to proceed and focuses attention on the task to be done

Answer 14

Direction Giver / Orienter

Question 15

Pulls related ideas or suggestions together and restates and summarizes major points discussed

Answer 15

Summarizer

Question 16

Gives additional information– examples, rephrases, implications– about points made by
others

Answer 16

Elaborator

Question 17

Shows relationships among various ideas by pulling them together and harmonizes
activities of various subgroups and members

Answer 17

Coordinator

Question 18

Figures out sources of difficulties the group has in working effectively and the blocks to
progress in accomplishing the group’s goals

Answer 18

Diagnoser

Question 19

Stimulates a higher quality of work from the group

Answer 19

Energizer

Question 20

Examines the practicality and workability of ideas, evaluates alternative solutions, and
appliers them to real situations to see how they will work

Answer 20

Reality Tester

Question 21

Compares group decisions and accomplishments with group standards and goals

Answer 21

Evaluator

Question 22

Cares for operation details, such as materials, machinery, etc.

Answer 22

Procedural Technician

Question 23

Provide secretariat function

Answer 23

Recorder

Question 24

Warmly encourages everyone to participate, giving recognition for contributions,
demonstrating acceptance and openness, to the ideas of others, and is friendly and
responsive to group members

Answer 24

Encourager of participation

Question 25

Persuades members to constructively analyze their differences in opinions, searches for common elements in conflicts, and tries to reconcile disagreements

Answer 25

Harmonizer and Compromiser

Question 26

Eases tension and increases the enjoyment of group members by joking, suggesting breaks, and proposing fun approaches to group work

Answer 26

Tension reliever

Question 27

Smoothens communication by setting up procedures and ensuring equal participation from members

Answer 27

Gatekeeper and Expediter

Question 28

Shows good communication skills and make sure that each group member understands what other members are saying

Answer 28

Communication Helper

Question 29

Asks members how they feel about the way the group is working and about each other, and shares own feelings about both

Answer 29

Evaluation of Emotional | Climate

Question 30

Watches the process by which the group is working and uses the observations to help examine group effectiveness

Answer 30

Process / Group Observer and | Commentator

Question 31

Expresses group standards and goals to make members aware of the direction of the work and the progress being made toward the goal and to get open acceptance of group norms and procedures

Answer 31

Standard Setter

Question 32

Listens and serves as an interested audience for other members, is receptive to others’ ideas, and goes along with the group when not in disagreement

Answer 32

Active Follower/ Listener

Question 33

Accepts and supports openness of other group members, reinforcing risk-taking and encouraging individuality

Answer 33

Trust Builder

Question 34

Promotes open discussion of conflicts between group members in order to resolve conflicts and increase group togetherness

Answer 34

Interpersonal Problem Solver

Question 35

Stages of Group Formation

Answer 35

``` Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning ```

Question 36

Orientation to the task Testing of members on each other Dependence on the Facilitator

Answer 36

Forming

Question 37

Emotional response to task demands | Intragroup conflicts

Answer 37

Storming

Question 38

Open exchange of relevant information | Development of group cohesion

Answer 38

Norming

Question 39

Emergence of solutions to the task | Functional role-relatedness

Answer 39

Performing

Question 40

Completion of task and eventual splitting or adjournment of groups Saying farewells and exchange of contact addresses

Answer 40

Adjourning

Question 41

Small-Group Learning Skills

Answer 41

Teamwork Higher-order Thinking Skills Communication Skills Collaborative Learning

Question 42

Work in a group and provide mutual support

Answer 42

Teamwork

Question 43

Problem solving, critical thinking, analyzing, evaluating evidence, logical reasoning and synthesizing for deeper understanding of topic at hand

Answer 43

Higher-order thinking skills

Question 44

Promotes better expression of one’s self

Answer 44

Communication Skills

Question 45

Cooperation among and between learners and staff to foster humility, respect, and openness

Answer 45

Collaborative Learning

Question 46

Discussion skills of learners and students

Answer 46

* Asking questions * Listening * Responding * Explaining * Opening and closing * Preparation

Question 47

Cognitive skills of learners

Answer 47

* Gaining understanding * Critical thinking * reasoning * Problem-solving * Decision making * Creative thinking

Question 48

Learning Objectives in Small Group

Answer 48

1. Generate Opinions 2. Clarify and Build Consensus 3. Practice and/or Play certain roles

Question 49

* Diaries | * Questionnaires

Answer 49

Written

Question 50

* Reporting * Recitation * Fishbowl

Answer 50

Oral

Question 51

* DIY checklist | * Self-made evaluation

Answer 51

Combination

Question 52

• Video or audio playback

Answer 52

Assessment

Question 53

Common Problems of Students

Answer 53

a. The blind leading the blind – Martin 1996 b. Slow transition from traditional collaborative mode may be necessary when students are unused to the approach – Sheridan, Byrne and Quina 1989

Question 54

Problems of Teachers

Answer 54

a. Didactic style instead of being facilitators to group b. Assume an observer’s role c. Student-centered sessions are less “efficient” in the use of time

Question 55

Problems of Environment

Answer 55

a. Not enough space b. Rooms are too few c. Insufficient resources allocation for activities