Develop Students' Group Work Skills

The above diagram, adapted from Kolb's Experiential Learning, indicates in quite a general way the skills needed for successful group work. To get students moving in this continual cycle of skills development, at first you need to encourage them to learn quite specific skills.

The following pages may be useful as you encourage your students to engage in group-related behaviour and activities:

• Reflective listening
• Constructive feedback
• Structuring discussions
• Managing groups
• Group presentations and report writing
• Reviewing group members' contributions
• Identifying group issues
• Dealing with common group work issues