What are the benefits for teachers?

In my experience teachers find group work very enjoyable. It is extremely satisfying to see your students complete tasks successfully whilst gaining in confidence and motivation, developing their intellectual and professional abilities, and really enjoying the work and the power of owning both product and process. And giving them praise for a successful enterprise is a pleasurable experience for all.

Do you know all your students’ names in your seminar groups, and can you recognise and name each one who greets you in the corridor? The informality of small group work gives you a chance to get to know your students personally – something highly valued by teachers and students, but unfortunately disappearing with an ever larger sea of faces in the lecture theatre.

Working more informally with small groups can give us insights into our students’ ideas and perspectives. We are able to check individual progress more closely, suggest ways to solve a problem and give focused feedback to individuals.

Last Modified: 2 August 2010