Problems When Group Work Is Not Well-Facilitated

When facilitation is not done well, CORP groups are not as effective and at times may even reinforce undesired skills, resulting in the opposite effect of what was intended.

Many instructors value collaborative learning. They may adopt a socio-cultural and situated perspective on learning, understanding that the very nature of learning is social and occurs between and among individuals within contexts. As a result, they may require students to discuss, apply course content, and work together.

They may even require students to participate in video-mediated CORP groups. However, if the right components are not in place, these groups may be mediocre or even reinforce undesired practices and skills.

Reflect

Think about the problems other instructors experience when group work is not well-facilitated:

Lower student satisfaction
Less group time devoted to productive learning
Less focus on improving practice
Less willingness to be vulnerable in sharing videos of practice
Harm to participants
Undesired practices potentially reinforced

What other problems have you seen or encountered?