The Benefits of Group Work

How does group work contribute to, and improve student learning?

It was another bitterly cold day in Toronto, with temperatures plunging past the minus teens. As I sat quietly at my desk observing my new mentor teacher for the semester. She stood confidently at the front of the class. With chalk in hand, she sketched an intricate shape on the board—it had curves, right angles, and acute angles, with measurements selectively marked. It was maths period, and she was delving into the realm of geometry. The anticipation in the room was palpable as every student eagerly awaited the start of the lesson.

She outlined the parameters of the exercise, explaining that based on the information provided, students were tasked with finding the area of the shape. Each group of students received chart paper to work collaboratively on the task—it was clearly a team effort!

The students wasted no time and went straight to brainstorming solutions to the problem. Each group designated one student to hold the marker, while others eagerly contributed by suggesting possible steps to arrive at the solution. Collaboration was in full swing as they worked together to tackle the challenge.

There was a lot of chattering about: "Well, what if we did this...We need to add the sides together...We should organize our shapes..." One of the most challenging subjects in the Ontario curriculum was being thoroughly enjoyed by every student in this engaging exercise. Why? Because it was group work.

Students who engage in group work demonstrate higher achievement levels than students who work alone. Studies have shown that group work increases the retention of information, while the support of peers boosts confidence in students who need extra support. Making sense of what they are learning is communicated between each classmate. This helps learners practice their critical thinking skills while refining the knowledge and the skills they've already acquired whilst developing new ones as they learn from one another (Washington University in St. Louis, 2024).

Cooperative learning is also a social activity. While interacting to solve a problem, students are talking, sharing ideas, and thinking out loud to one another. All of which are important oral communication skills - an important skill set that helps them further understand information while having the ability to express that information to others.

Some of the few down sides to group work are disagreements and conflict. The benefits to these downsides however, teaches students to find effective resolutions and strategies to overcome such conflict.

Overall, group work may come with some challenges, but it's an important skill one must acquire. Most of all, it can be pretty rewarding when they know they did a job well done.

Sources:

Washington University in St. Louis. (2024). Benefits of Group Work.

https://ctl.wustl.edu/resources/benefits-of-group-work/