Module 4 – Instructional Techniques
Group Work
As members of families, communities, and workplaces, adults have opportunities to participate in many groups and teams. It makes sense for adult literacy learners to learn and practice literacy skills as part of groups and teams. Specific life and workplace skills, such as clear and effective communication, conflict resolution and giving and receiving feedback, are necessary for adults to work effectively together as a team to accomplish common goals. Adult literacy instructors can involve adult learners in learning activities that incorporate the use of “team” skills. Note that not all students are comfortable working in groups or even pairs; instructors should be prepared to offer alternatives to these learners while gently encouraging them to join group activities.
Consider a time when you worked as a part of a team or committee to accomplish a common goal.
- Were you able to accomplish the work? What did you think about how it went?
- Were there special skills and techniques that contributed to the appropriate functioning of the team? If so, which ones? If not, what skills could have helped?
- Did you learn new skills as a result of participation? If so, which skills?
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On your worksheet, make some notes about your thoughts and concerns about working as a part of a group. Then state why you think these might be important to keep in mind when working with groups of adult literacy learners. |
The next few sections examine group work from three viewpoints – collaborative and cooperative learning and multi-level instruction. Our discussion will only brush the surface, in an attempt to make you familiar with some of the issues involved in group work, while providing resources for further study.
Click "Next" below or a specific topic on the outline to the left to continue.
