Reply To: Lesson 2.5 Problem Based Tasks as Formative Assessment Machines – Discussion

[Jon]

@danielwhittaker

1. We always do random groups. If you don’t make it visibly random then students will pick up on the “roles” in those groups. One student will pick up that they are the strong one and realize they’ll have to do the heavy lifting. Another student will realize that you placed them there because you think they are the weak one. Random grouping strips away the labels / stories students will tell themselves because they know you didn’t place them there for a reason. It helps to create a culture of trust and openness in the classroom.

2. Usually I do this as a full class discussion so everyone can hear the strategies that emerge.

3. I like that students can see what others are doing so they can critically reflect on their work. It forces some reflection. In that specific case we’d want to discuss their thinking before they just copy another solution though.

[Jon]

@danielwhittaker

1. We always do random groups. If you don’t make it visibly random then students will pick up on the “roles” in those groups. One student will pick up that they are the strong one and realize they’ll have to do the heavy lifting. Another student will realize that you placed them there because you think they are the weak one. Random grouping strips away the labels / stories students will tell themselves because they know you didn’t place them there for a reason. It helps to create a culture of trust and openness in the classroom.

2. Usually I do this as a full class discussion so everyone can hear the strategies that emerge.

3. I like that students can see what others are doing so they can critically reflect on their work. It forces some reflection. In that specific case we’d want to discuss their thinking before they just copy another solution though.