by Jen Hudson

Created on: February 26, 2009

Teaching philosophies range from the "sage on the stage", controlling every aspect of the classroom to the "guide on the side", which allows students to take an active role in their learning while the teacher guides them in the right direction.

The teacher should be the leader in the classroom to keep classroom control. Students, however, should be able to develop their own skills as active learners while functioning in groups. The best way to facilitate learning in groups is by assigning each student a role based on their strengths. Sometimes the most soft-spoken students in class can emerge as strong leaders in small groups when the teacher gives clear expectations for learning and production.

As an employee, it is imperative to know your position and what is expected from you. Students should have the same unambiguous criteria given to them. What they need to learn and how it should be done should never be a secret. When students have definitive slots to fill in their groups, they can guide their own learning. Often teachers can walk around the room, making sure students are on task and fulfilling their individual roles.

Depending on the type of group work, there may be different types of assigned duties. It is essential to have a group leader that keeps the group on task. This is often the student who will use extra time given in class to complete assignments and can be seen helping other students understand concepts. Another role in the group is often the recorder or writer. Effective written communication is essential for this role but can be developed with peer and teacher direction. Having legible handwriting is the most defining prerequisite for this task. An additional assignment is the reporter. A student who enjoys speaking in front of the class will excel in this role, but soft-spoken students often find success in communicating information generated by their group members. Further obligations can be assigned depending on the task and number of students. No matter what the position, each student can find an opportunity to help out their fellow students. The teacher then becomes a passive leader, making sure the students know their roles and stick with the task at hand.

Just as every teacher teaches differently, every student learns in their own way. As an instructor, group work is not always the most effective method to reach every student. There are times that teachers must take center stage in the classroom to facilitate instructional strategies and educational objectives.

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