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Xiong     The picture mean two methods to learn. The
first tell us that we study by teacher’s directed and the other mean we learn
by ourself. I think learning are very diffcult,so we need some help.But you
know where you are good and bad clearly,you should tell all to your
teacher.Then he will help you solve some problem. I like learn by myself,and
don’t like to much homework. I think we need time to do many things. Learn are
your’s ,it need you to do not others.

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Xiong     The picture mean two methods to learn. The
first tell us that we study by teacher’s directed and the other mean we learn
by ourself. I think learning are very diffcult,so we need some help.But you
know where you are good and bad clearly,you should tell all to your
teacher.Then he will help you solve some problem. I like learn by myself,and
don’t like to much homework. I think we need time to do many things. Learn are
your’s ,it need you to do not others.

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For me, with my own way is the best.lt means l pay my attention to learn, not only be forced. As for two pictures, one stand for students just gain knowledge from teacher, but another incrase a study way, that's among our students groups.lt is distinct which is better and which is worse.

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This have two pictures.One is teacher directed,the other is learner directed.Two ways can help students study.ButI compere two styles.I think the learner directed is better than the other.Everything have dual character.So we must choice positive part not negative part.

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For me, l think study by myself is the best way, because it means l'm willing to study . Of course, others' drection is also very improtant, but only l have the

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 anpenghui                                               The first pic is teacher directed ,it means that students listen to
the teacher ,and everyone  learn from teacher
,I think  that it makes the class boring
,and some maybe do not want to learn , 
but its advantage is we can learn knowledge routinely, the second pic is
learners directed ,we can get knowledge funnily ,and the class is
comfortable.  We get knowledge together
,and we can not know that what we get ,it is horrible ,now we are using the
first way ,and I like the second ,because I like relaxed class .

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 anpenghui                                               The first pic is teacher directed ,it means that students listen to
the teacher ,and everyone  learn from teacher
,I think  that it makes the class boring
,and some maybe do not want to learn , 
but its advantage is we can learn knowledge routinely, the second pic is
learners directed ,we can get knowledge funnily ,and the class is
comfortable.  We get knowledge together
,and we can not know that what we get ,it is horrible ,now we are using the
first way ,and I like the second ,because I like relaxed class .

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LiShujin                                           To be honest,i like study with my own methods,not do just so much homework,although we should do more practices ,there is no need for us to spend three days a week.In fact ,The content of homework is so hard that i have to spend more time ,so i hope that we can study step and step. 

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LiShujin                                           To be honest,i like study with my own methods,not do just so much homework,although we should do more practices ,there is no need for us to spend three days a week.In fact ,The content of homework is so hard that i have to spend more time ,so i hope that we can study step and step. 

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It means that a monk chants to someone and monks chant all together.
Teacher direct learning can make students understanding easily ,but students may rely on it ,then lose their own ideas.
Learner direct learning can improve students learning ability and create more possibilities.However it can not do without teachers help.
I like learner direct learning,because I can know which question I can not solve by myself ,then ask  more real questions.

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Apparently,we can see two education styles in the  two pictures.One is traditional education just like our previous country,in this way, teachers pay more attention to inpart knowledge into their students.Teachers are teaching in most time of the class while students has less time to think. The other is open education,in this way,teachers pay more attention to let students express theirslevs and exchange ideas in class.
As a Chinese student,maybe I can't accept the open style absolutely,so I prefer the class which combine these teo froms.

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Teacher directed and learner directed can all help us improve english.
Teacher directed:we can get some skills to learn english more easy . Some teacher can not speak english standerdly.
learner directed:We can practice the english again and again .We don't know what is the most important.
Now:I use learner directed.
I prefer learner directed because I think in the university I can't get a lot from the teacher in class,I just learn more by myself

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After seeing  the picture,I am in the deep thought.It is obvious that learners directing is more effective than teaches directing.We can open our brain through the way.

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We all know china's education modo is TeacherDirected. Though we are try to effort in the direction of Learner Directed,it takes a long time.
Chinese students used to"accept"from teacher but not share with other.In spite of people know Learner Directed is better thanTeacherDirected,they are too lazy that theyare not willing to change,also they are scare to chang . Maybe we all are afraid that even if the change will not have to differ.

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In my view,the left picture show a teacher give many students knowledge,havn't communicate,the way can't  carry out their thinking.I call this way is ''conservative study'',and the right picture,have a teacher,but they have communnicate, can change together ideas.I call it ''open study''
I afraid make mistakes,so I don't adapt ''open study''.
If the young students began study by ''open study'',maybe their character is lively.
If the young students began study by ''conservative study'',maybe their character is shy.

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Through looking the pictures, I think they are very brave and smart. And I think everyone all can see yourselves in the mirror ,maybe the people in the mirror is not you, is a straight man, but you must realize that she or he is you, the tust you.

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Shen QianAs for me, the meaning of this picture is that learner directed is much better than teacher directed. But it doesn’t mean teacher directed has no advantage.Teachers are so experiential that they know which chosen is better.If i were you,i will choose learner directed .Above all ,i think i can talk with learners with no tension.What’s more ,we have more people to prove more thoughts.

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Shen QianAs for me, the meaning of this picture is that learner directed is much better than teacher directed. But it doesn’t mean teacher directed has no advantage.Teachers are so experiential that they know which chosen is better.If i were you,i will choose learner directed .Above all ,i think i can talk with learners with no tension.What’s more ,we have more people to prove more thoughts.

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After reading the pictures, I have some thoughts.
Picture one is the Teacher Directed, I think this is the Chinese education. The teacher teaches the knowledge for us in the platform.,and we learn it under the platform. We don't have any thoughts exchange. It's not a good way for us to learn the knowledge.
And the other picture is the western education. This mode of teaching is freedom. Students can talk the thoughts with teacher free, they can talk anything not only something about learning. They can talk the things about themselves. It's a good mode of teaching which I like very much.

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From this picture I can see two completely different ways to learn, I think the first one is the teacher individual teaching, students are quiet to hear below.And the second is the teacher participation of students, to discuss learning, just like friends.
As far as I'm concerned， I quite agree with the teacher directed method,I feel that if the teacher and everyone together to communicate, discuss, so that we can broaden our vision and ideas.But it also has some weaknesses, such as classroom order will be chaos, individual ability is less than ascension.

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Look from the picture, there are two kinds of teaching methods.In my opinion, I prefer learnerr directed.t is more efficient, students can take the question to the class.Class time is certain, only better way, and can lead to better learning effect.

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I see these pictures,teacher Directed just has one mind .it's teacher's mind . learner Directed has more minds in the systeam . It look like graden , which has many flowes. I like this .
Teacher Directed is easy. Just teacher talk knowlage to us .In the class we can learn easily and don't think why ,how ,what .Its weakness is a few people involved.
Learner Directed is difficult. we need word together,and exchange every minds .accept and understand . this is very difficult !
I use Teacher Directed,but I'd like to change the situation.

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The small group is new opening.when I was young,I learn english only from my English teacher.This is a person thought.I am very happy I come to the university.It bring me more different thought.

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In my opinion,we can get knowledge in a short time by teacher directed learning,in another  word,we can know why directly,but we can't know how to get the answer by ourselves.On the other hand,we can explore a problem by ourselves with our classmates,but this type of learning could cost a lot of time.To some degree,we must spend more time to get our answer,in any case,I think that this type of learning is better than teacher directed learning.After all ,we can't get all answers from others in our life.That's all.Thank you.

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From the Pic,I know there are two kinds of teaching method in our study.

In my opinion,the advantage of teacher directed learning is that we can get a good habit of learning from others and realize the importance of study hard.What’s the weakness?Our brains must become lazy to thinking and fail to solve problem alone.

Another way to study is learner directed learning.The advantage is that we can learn more with little time and have a good understanding of new knowledge.But this method is a little difficult to carry out.Student are different in learning ability.

Now, my way to study is the first one.I really looking forward to try a new thing.So I would like to choose the second one in my next time.This is a challenge for us.Let’s face it together!

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I thank that teacher directed learning and learner directed learning are very important to  us.and the class is quiet form the first way .the class is a little  noisy from the second way .But knowledge gained from teacher directed learning not comprehensive enough .Knowledge acquired by the learner directed learning comprehensive enough.I am using teacher directed learning now.Personally speaking,I like learner directed learning .Because knowledge acquired is comprehensive enough by this way.

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In my view,the mean of the pic：Learner directed is a good method of learning. Teacher directed learning is good for learn new knowledge,but bad for students to express their own points of view.f learner directed learning promote the communication between students,however it always cost a lot time.Now I am using  teacher directed learning,but I prefer  learner directed learning because I can express my views freely.

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The two pictures told me two ways of education.

The advantage of the Teacher Directed is good discipline. The students will obey the discipline, but in the other hand, students cant communication with each other,so the study will be boring to the study.

The advantage of the Learner Directed is contrary to Teacher Directed .Student not only can communication with teacher ,but also can communicate with each other. Student can exchange their different thoughts, which has more useful for their study.This study way also has disadvantage. When student communicate with each other ,they may ignore what teacher said.

In my opinion, I like the second to study English. I think it's more free .The space we think is more broad.

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Most student is reactive at school in china，Confucius'principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief .Respect for teachers is very important,and the teacher such likes father and mother .However,English is new and oping ,if you never try anything new, how can you improve?why can't make friend with teacher ,study not only discipline,it also talk and understand.

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Well,after reading ,I think the mean of the pic is vary from person to person .In fact, the teacher is more than we know, but most important ,learning depends on ourselves.When we follow the pace of the teacher，we may study better. Generally speaking，if we depend too much on the teacher，our own ability will be limited.
Compared with the last teacher，I appreciate the teacher's methods, though she is too serious in our homework. And then I have varies of study ways.Such as reading more, making good schedule , more communication with others and so on.Making effective schedule is my favorite.In my opinion,It can not only improve our  learning efficiency，but also can enhance the minds.
In a word,everything is happening unexpectedly.The only thing we should do is relax our mind to welcome it.Thanks!

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This pic shows two different ways of learning .
There is no doubt that teacher is more knowledgeable than students .So one advantage of teacher directed learning is that the key content of the course can be mastered more quickly .And the weakness is that the independence of students can not be strengthened .
We are learning from the teacher now .And in my opinion ,learner directed learning better than the teacher .As a college student ,we must be independent and not too refer ourselves to the teacher .And learner can feel very well when group get ahead .that's all ,thanks .

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I found the meaning of pic from website : prior informed consent.Or picture. But I don't know correct answer of pic. Maybe pic mean picture.One advantage of teacher directed leaning is that we can get knowledge fast,but more fast we get knowledge more easy we  forget it. Some scientists said a thing you do it by your effort is more impressive than you get it directly. As for this type there's a weakness that we'll spend more time to do other things. However in this way ,we can learn more about English. Maybe the effection  of this type can beyond our imagine in the end. Tought I'm using the teacher directed learning I willing attempt your type of learning and I think it's prefer

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The mean of the pic:Learning depends on the joint efforts of teachers and students.And the small group discussion is also important.

About the teacher directed learning,I think one advantage is that we can find the focus of the study quickly.But there is also have a weakness,the weakness is that students will not be able to rely on independent learning.

As for learner directed learning,there are also have advantage and disadvantage.One advantage is that learners can make their own thinking and exploration.One weakness is that learners will meet more difficulties in their studies.

Now I am using the teacher directed learning.I tend to combine the two.Because we can make our own thinking and we will not meet so much difficulties.

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Standing on the shoulders of gaint to study,you can learn more.In teacher directed learning, we can follow our teacher's  guidences,grasp the direction of learning and get more professional knowledges. There are a number of students are not suitable for the pedagogy of studying by themselves.Because they don't have a good understanding and commanding in study.But we should have a dialectically view of everything. when we rely on teacher more,we can't cultivate a creative thinking and possess a ability of self-learning that bring more harmness to us in university.However,as i said before, if we prefer to the system of learner directed learning,we will improve the skills in acquire knowledges and cultivate a good mode of selfthought.But the advantages of it are also obvious,such as lacking of focus, limiting of horizon and lacking of regulation

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XiongLuMin(Hyacinth)  The mean is two ways of study .From primary school to now, we are educated in first way,which is teacher directed. Its good thing is that we have got used to study in first way, that is why I think it's efficient to accept new things .But,It's usually boring…To be honest,I'm prefer to the second one. it let me feel free and more comfortable.On the other hand,if I was shy, I would not study enough for new things. What's worse,the atmosphere of study would be embarrassed.But,I'm likely to choose the second,as free study atmosphere is better to learn deeper. 

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XiongLuMin(Hyacinth)  The mean is two ways of study .From primary school to now, we are educated in first way,which is teacher directed. Its good thing is that we have got used to study in first way, that is why I think it's efficient to accept new things .But,It's usually boring…To be honest,I'm prefer to the second one. it let me feel free and more comfortable.On the other hand,if I was shy, I would not study enough for new things. What's worse,the atmosphere of study would be embarrassed.But,I'm likely to choose the second,as free study atmosphere is better to learn deeper. 

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I think group discussions is a good way to strengthen  our  communication skill .
what i am thinking about is :   on   the   one    hand   ,before we enter university , everything we do is for exam ,we may not be suitable with this way to learn English  so  quickly   ;on  the  other  hand  ,I  think  some  students      in  our  class  is  so  shy  ,they  may  not  say  what  they  are  thinking   about  to  others  .
when   we  can  get  rid  of  the  diffculties   ,group  discussions  is  a  interesting  ,faster  ,wonderful  way  for  us  all .we   can   be  more  interested     in    english   ,  in  the  discussions  we  cna  be  more  close ,the  class  will  be  more   unity   .
I expect the new way to learn English .

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It is a good way for us to learn each other.

One advantage of teacher directed learning is learn some knowledge of faster, but it may disturb student’s learning plan and their will not have their own think. Learner directed learning can help student cultivate the independent ability and make the knowledge image deep but it will spend a lot of time. I prefer learner directed learning because I am independent man and I don’t like to do things according to what others said.

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One  man's trash is another man's treasure. Both of the two methods are effective if used correctly
.
For those who can't use their time properly and don't have the ability to learn by themselves,Teacher Directed learning method is effective. Every class is scheduled  previously. Students  can know what to learn and when to learn on the teaching program.The process of learning is arranged already.They need teachers' assistance. They can learn effectively in this methods.
Students follow teachers' steps to make progress step by step.

For those who have good self-learning ability, Student Directed learning method is effective.They know what to learn and how to learn. If they meet troubles, they can seek assistance from teachers.

In my opinion, the most significant thing  is to know how to learn through leraning. Different students need different learning methods.

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Through the pic I know there are two kinds of the way the teacher directed.The first has the advantage that the students under the guidance of teacher can produce their own ideas.They can't copy others.However,The disadvantage that the method is one-way.Teachers and students can't expanded aspect of knwoledge.Another,The advantage that the method is comprehensive.It's insteresting.The disadvantage that students can copy others.I use the first now,but I prefer the second method.we can get more and more koowledge by this method.In this way the teacher and the students not only increased the exchange,and together with progress.

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ZengTing                                     The pic showed us two method of the learning form.And everyone different levels of learning.So the teather directed maybe is good for the nature students ,but is bed for the students  and teachersin the classroom communication in time.Differently,learner directed learning is very free .We can talk about everything in our mind in a short time,and our teacher seems our friends.On the other hands,is a good way to active classroom atmosphere,so that we can learn more from the teacher and classmates.Dut the shy people can't participate in the class.Now in the perfessional class we use the teacher directed learning.And i prefer the second one,because i should improve communication skills, dut i should get more confidence to show my perspective in the class.

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ZengTing                                     The pic showed us two method of the learning form.And everyone different levels of learning.So the teather directed maybe is good for the nature students ,but is bed for the students  and teachersin the classroom communication in time.Differently,learner directed learning is very free .We can talk about everything in our mind in a short time,and our teacher seems our friends.On the other hands,is a good way to active classroom atmosphere,so that we can learn more from the teacher and classmates.Dut the shy people can't participate in the class.Now in the perfessional class we use the teacher directed learning.And i prefer the second one,because i should improve communication skills, dut i should get more confidence to show my perspective in the class.

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For  me,teacher  directed  is  very  important.Learning  is  not  studying  without aim  but  learning  aimly and  effectively.But  I  also like   freedom.Self -study  offers  more freedom  for  us.So,I  just  hope  I  have   more   free  time   to  study  myself  with proper direct of the teacher.And this Padlet is just what I want although I am not used to it now.Beacuse it is a good way to share our ideas in English with each other.

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Firstly,I think that our new teacher is so activity.Do not like our last teacher.He is so torpid.I can't stand  that.But,honestly,we don't like too much homework,we have some things own.So,I want less homework,thanks.And,acturally,I like the second method.The learner directed will help us a lot.Just like make us be thinkly!

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Jiangyue                                      It´s a good way for students to learn more from each other and teacher .This method give us more oppotunity to exercise English speaking and listening ,at the same time we can get more foreigh knowlege drom our teacher.But I think if teacher speak toofast or too slow some students can´t get the word clearly,after all students´ E nglish level are different.As for me I want to try this new method ,because I want ti try some new thing.

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Jiangyue                                      It´s a good way for students to learn more from each other and teacher .This method give us more oppotunity to exercise English speaking and listening ,at the same time we can get more foreigh knowlege drom our teacher.But I think if teacher speak toofast or too slow some students can´t get the word clearly,after all students´ E nglish level are different.As for me I want to try this new method ,because I want ti try some new thing.

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The  mean  of  the  pic:  Learner  directed    is  more  adjustable  to  student's  studying.
As far  as  I'm  concerned,one  advantage  of  teacher  directed learning  is  that  we can  go direct  way  when  we  meet  with diffculties,and  one  weekness  is  that  student  will  rely  on the  teacher  easily.F

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The mean of the pic:

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The mean of the pic：Learner directed is a good method of learning.
One advantage of teacher directed leaning is we can find out our mistakes fast and have little detours;One weekness of that is that we may miss some perspective. One advantage of learner directed is that we can have  broad mind and one weakness of that type is that too many ideas may make us confused.
The method I am using is learning directed now.I prefer this learing type to teacher directed.Because I think learning directed can help me get more communication.

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The teacher-centered meathod enables students learn systematiclly but it generates great dependence among students.

While the learner-centered one sometimes make students discomfotable but it help them learn automatically and independently which wins in a long run.

I chose the learner-centered model because it is more suitable for my learning at present.

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One primary learning goal I set for students in my classes is for you to develop an ability to write critically and analytically about any number of topics and concerns (See Developing Skills in Critical Writing and Philosophical Writing). After all, strong writing skills are highly valued by employers. But I am committed also to assisting you in enhancing your oral communication skills. Excellent communication skills are crucial to success in the workplace, especially if you aspire to a leadership position in your chosen career. One of the key ways in which students strengthen their communication skills in my courses is through engaging in cooperative learning in small group discussions.

In the pages that follow, I describe characteristics of small group discussions in my classes. I discuss also how you can be an effective participant in these discussions. I talk about group member roles as well as about ways in which we evaluate the success of our group work. I list some strategies for success in group work that you may want to implement. I describe getting started with small group discussions.  I look also at reframing disagreements in constructive ways and opening our eyes to differences among group members.  Finally, I offer a check list for evaluating your skills in effective class participation.

What Happens In A Small Group Discussion

What are the characteristics of small group discussion in my classes? When you take one of my classes, you will observe that we use small groups to generate ideas in preparation for a lecture, film etc.; summarize main points in a text or reading; assess levels of skill and understanding; reexamine ideas presented in previous classes; review exams, problems, quizzes, and writing assignments; process learning outcomes at the end of class; compare and contrast theories, issues, and interpretations; solve problems that relate theory to practice; and brainstorm applications of theory to life.

On Being An Effective Participant

In Class Discussion

How can you be an effective participant in class discussions in my courses? In their book, "Cooperative Learning," Johnson, Johnson, and Smith (Washington DC, ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 4, 1991) describe five characteristics of effective in-class discussions. I encourage you to spend some time thinking about ways you can act on their recommendations. To the extent that you can meet their objectives, you will enhance communication skills that are of value in the classroom now. These skills will also be viewed favorably by employers in the future.

Positive interdependence: The group sinks or swims together.

We achieve this goal in small group discussions in my courses when each group member shares a group task, a mutual goal, and common resources (a shared text or problem).

Face-to-face interaction and advocacy: Students help each other learn.

We achieve the goal of assisting, encouraging, and supporting each other in learning by the way we structure our classroom seating. Students are more able to learn together when you face each other in small circles. Students also support each other in learning when you make a commitment to solve problems jointly through discussion and shared explanations.

At first you may be disconcerted by group discussions. Sometimes students in my classes who have never participated in small groups approach their assigned tasks in highly individualistic ways. For example, rather than work together on a series of questions they have been asked to discuss, they decide that each student will work alone on one of the questions and share her/his answer with the others. I discourage the privatization of group work. More effective cooperative learning occurs when students maintain a commitment to sharing insights with each other. Four or five heads are better than one when it comes to responding to an assignment.

Individual accountability: Each group member has a responsibility to contribute to the group and do her/his "fair share."

Although small group work tends not to proceed well when students divide portions of an assignment among themselves, thereby privatizing the assignment, small group work is enhanced when students divide group member roles among themselves. Typical roles include:

a team captain who keeps the group on task and focused. She/he reads the assignment to the group, mediates conflict, and manages time.

a recorder or clerk who takes minutes and writes down salient points. He/she also reports back to the class as a whole.

an encourager who gives team members feedback and is responsible for ensuring that all group members are heard.

a reflector who keeps track of dynamics of group process and makes comments (to be turned in with the clerk’s) about focus, direction, organization, listening skills, participation of all members.

When students exercise these roles, they develop skills in leading, making decisions, building trust, and managing conflict. All of these skills are of value in today’s workplace.

Group processing: Each group concludes their work together by sharing the results of their work with others.

We achieve the goal of sharing with others when we devote time in class for reports from groups. Listening to each other facilitates your learning. When you present your work to others you arrive at a better sense of which aspects of an assignment you understand and which need further discussion and reflection. Group reports also enable me to do my job better. One of my key responsibilities in class is to facilitate evaluation of your work. I listen to group reports in order to determine on which areas in our assignment students need further work. I offer guidance and further help with the assignment based on what I hear in the group reports.

Group assessment: Each group needs to regularly assess the effectiveness of its communication strategies and seek ways to improve group communication.

Periodically, we reserve time in class to assess group dynamics. What is working? What isn’t? How can the groups function more effectively?

Strategies For Group Success

You can proactively contribute to making your group work a success. In the section below are listed strategies for group success. These strategies are drawn from Promoting Active Learning by Chet Meyers (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1993), Collaborative Learning edited by Kris Bosworth and Sharon Hamilton (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1994), and Engaging Ideas by John C. Bean (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996).

Getting Started

Silence is O.K. Think before speaking.

Maintain roles. Once each member of a group has an assigned role (e.g., clerk) for the day, agree to those roles and do not switch.

If you do not understand what another person has said, ask for clarification.

Respect the contributions of others. One of the ways we learn from in-class discussions is from seeing things from perspective different from our own.

Try to give "equal air time" to everyone in the group.

Reframe Disagreements In Constructive Ways

Say This

Instead of This

I don’t think I agree. Could you explain.

That doesn’t make sense at all.

I disagree because …. ‘

I see it differently because ….

Wow! Is that ever dumb.

I think we should check our notes and the original assignment.

That is not what the teacher asked us to do.

It might be better to …..

Have you considered ….

You are dead wrong.

Does everyone agree?

Let’s vote on it.

I understand how you feel, but I think you might consider also ….

That really offends me!

Opening Our Eyes To Differences Among Group Members

Extroverts and introverts:  A Question of Style

Persons who embrace an extroverted communication style like to think out loud, composing their thoughts on the fly. They may be uncomfortable with silence in a group.

Persons who embrace an introverted communication style like to think privately on an issue, listen to what everyone else has to say, and then speak their mind. They often are comfortable with extended periods of silence in a group.

A balance of group contributions occurs when group members appreciate varied communication styles while encouraging each other to step out of form on occasion: persons who favor an extroverted style need to periodically relax and silently ruminate about an issue; persons who favor an introverted style need periodically to be encouraged to contribute, even if they haven’t worked out the problem fully in their heads yet.

Gender and cultural differences:

Sometimes students assign each other roles in groups based on gender socialization, relying on communication styles with which they are most comfortable in social settings.  Groups work together best when group members experiment with a variety of roles in groups, even those with which they don’t have as much experience.

Sometimes differences in cultural backgrounds make group communication difficult. You may have grown up in a community (in a different region of the U.S. or in a different country) in which communication styles are significantly different than those you are encountering at UNI. Typical cultural differences in patterns of communication include greater or less degrees of bluntness, greater or less assertiveness in speech, and a preference for either direct conversation or for roundabout and indirect conversation. Groups work together best when members exercise a sensitivity to these differences, value their uniqueness, and remain open to talking to each other despite their differences.

Minefields of Egothink and Clonethink:

Group work can become frustrating if a group member puts all his or her energy into expressing his or her view and no energy at all into listening to others and reaching understanding as a group. But group work misfires also when a group member puts no energy at all into the group effort, quickly agreeing with the first statement offered and deciding that the conversation is over. Effective groups monitor the energy levels in their conversation: there is a middle road between the monopolizing tendencies of Egothink and the passive stances of Clonethink. What leads to an excellent discussion? All members agree to an extended conversation in which all share their views. When they move gradually but steadily toward the integration and synthesis of views, creative, high-energy, and effective learning occurs among all members of the group.

Are You An Effective Participant

In Group Discussion?

If you are wondering about your skills in group discussion, think back about a recent class discussion.  Then look at the list that follows.  If you can say that you regularly achieved the  outcomes on this list, you have solid group communication skills.   If you occasionally or rarely achieve these outcomes, review strategies for success listed above, and try implementing some of them in future class discussions.

I incorporated prior knowledge into group discussion.

I asked questions of group members in an open-minded way.

I built on comments of other group members to enhance discussion.

I volunteered ideas in a constructive manner.

I helped the group to summarize its progress.

I identified missing information in the group answer.

I built on the ideas of others.

Now that you have reviewed these strategies for success, you may have noticed something that I missed.  As you recall the most memorable classroom discussions in which you have participated, what strategies for success were present?   I would love to add your ideas to suggestions listed here.  Please contact me at martha.reineke@uni.edu .

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Hi everyone, the padlet's deadline is on Sunday Midnight. You can post your opinion earlier when you have time so that I can have enough time to give you feedback.

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What does the pic mean to you?
Write down one advantage of teacher directed learning and one weakness of this type of learning as well as one advantage and weakness of learner directed learning.
Which learning method are you using now? Which one do you prefer? and Why

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Allison（1）

During this semester, I will ask you to share your perspective on an issue or idea. A quick and easy way to do this is to use Padlet. Padlet also allows you to see and respond to your classmates' perspectives. Maybe a photo or website best expresses your perspective. Post it!