Non-assessable groupwork

Non-assessable groupwork involves students in activities such as exercises, presentations, discussions and feedback that are completed in the classroom. Non-assessable groupwork is intended to support students in developing groupwork skills in-class and to extend learning of a concept.

 

Strategies that can be used for non-assessable groupwork

Buzz groups
A five minute quick discussion that provides an opportunity for reflection on what is being discussed or what students are experiencing. Often done with student pairs rather than bigger groups. Can be used as a strategy to actively involve students at key points in a lesson.

Pyramids
Students work in pairs on a set task, discussing and working on an issue of interest to study. For example: individuals may read an article before class, then in-class pairs are asked to identify one contentious issue, or salient concept, arising from the article. Groups of four are then formed from two pairs and each pair reports on the issue or concept they identified. Groups of four are then joined to groups of eight to repeat the process. This approach allows students to see the different ideas and insights of others, and also to explain their own ideas.

Fishbowl
A group of four or six students are formed into a group and undertake a small-group discussion. Other students in the class are observers of the discussion. One chair is left empty so that observers may temporarily join the discussion and then vacate the chair for others. This activity is useful for breaking up larger group discussions and encouraging listening.

Adapted from Gibbs, G. (1995) Teaching more students: Discussion with more students, Oxford Centre for Staff Development, Oxford. pp.7-19.