It provides variety and can help motivate students to succeed. Dividing classes into smaller groups that work on the same or different tasks provides several benefits to students. First, they learn the skills of group work by using roles, following rules, keeping records, and focusing on results. Second, students can review what you have just taught, or they can build on prior knowledge by pursuing something new. Third, like learning stations , cooperative groups provide hands-on learning experiences that require practice of essential skills and knowledge.
Group work is also more likely to meet individual student needs.
There are a variety of small group learning structures that you can implement to both increase your students' learning and maximize classroom time. Have study groups review previously taught material to prepare for a test or quiz that you make. Create problem-solving teams and have them propose, build, and test a solution to a problem by making drawings, models, and prototypes. Ask research teams to conduct investigations by sharing ideas, information, and responsibilities. Have enactment groups prepare, rehearse, and present a reenactment of a significant literary, historical, or scientific event to the rest of the class or an audience beyond the class.