Thought Piece: Is Group Work Being Overused?

Ann McLean – Biology/Science Teacher and Professional Learning Development Officer

Standard for Career-Long Professional Learning: Professional Actions Educational contexts and current debates in policy, education and practice

I discovered this short article recently on twitter and  found it really compelling. It made me stop and reflect on how I actually use group work activities in my classroom. We’re all familiar with the benefits  of group work  and appreciate how our students can effectively  build knowledge  using their own language and experiences to express their ideas.

What about the disadvantages however?  Is it all about talking or is there a place for quiet thought ? Is group work overused?

Click on the image below to access this article.

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/sep/21/group-work-school-quiet-reflection