Exercise: Learning to learn in groups...

Adapted from material developed and provided by Maeve Houlihan and Aoife Doherty 
Lecture time: 1h15'

Objectives (5') - S1-S2 

To produce and present a critical analysis
To conduct independent research
To experience and reflect on group work

Transition (5')

Identify groups

Provide readings

Group work starts (20') - S3 

In groups of approximately 5

• Critically evaluate one of the articles provided.
• Preparing a group review (without visual props). 
• 20' to read and prepare of which 5' quiet time.

Presentation delivery (30')

10x 2-minute presentations followed by one quick Q&A on the subject matter

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Articles

• Power points – an Irish-German affair (The Irish Times) 
• Criticism of Project Maths syllabus fails to add up (The Irish Times) 
• Western tales of China’s imminent collapse are a bit rich (The Guardian)
• Teenage angst – the implications of China’s slowdown (The Economist) 
• The rise and fall of the Boomtown Prats (The Irish Independent) 
• Death of the Celtic Tiger? (New Zealand Herald – long article) 
• Hey, not so fast on European Austerity (New York Times – 3 page article) 
• Elisabeth Murdoch attacks News Corp values and praises BBC (Irish Times) 
• Verdict on UK riots: people need a stake in society says report (The Guardian)
• Why insensitive bosses make more sense (Financial Times) 
• Waiting for the great leap forward (Irish Left Review)

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Debrief Discussion (10')

What is critical analysis?

• Evaluating
• Subjective
• Persuasion
• Evidence
• Scientific
• Political 

Did typical roles arise? What were they?

• Manager
• Timekeeper
• Recorder/checker
• Sceptic
• Big boss
• Lurker
• Facilitator

Were roles assigned or volunteered for?
Did people change roles? Why?

Did each member have a voice, make an impact?

What was the dynamic (over time)?

• Initial analysis
• Independent research
• Synthesis
• Chaos
• Lost in the desert
• A cavalry charge

Did the group...

• Present a brief and cogent piece? 
• Add value - illustrate, relate etc?
• Reflect and critically evaluate?

e.g. (t: critical analysis - 30s) / (t: synopsis + 30s) + insightful analysis + impactful conclusions.

Wrap up - S4 - S5 - S6 - S7 - S8 - S9 - S10

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Further reading

A process for combining self-directed and group-based learning can be organised as follows. Note, groups should adapt and modify the steps to suit the round style and conditions. (Schwartz et al., 2001) 

1. First encounter a problem ‘cold’, without doing any preparatory study in the area of the problem.
2. Interact with each other to explore their existing knowledge as it relates to the problem.
3. Form and test hypotheses about the underlying mechanisms that might account for the problem (up to their current levels of knowledge).
4. Identify further knowledge gaps or learning needs for making progress with the problem.
5. Undertake self-study between group meetings group to satisfy identified learning needs.
6. Return to the group to integrate the newly gained knowledge and apply it to the problem.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 as necessary.
8. Reflect on the process and on the content that has been learnt.

The Seven Jump or Maastricht process offers a similar template for structuring small-group tutorial learning. (Grave et al., 1996)

1. Clarify unknown terms or concepts in the problem description.
2. Define the problem(s). List the phenomena or events to be explained.
3. Analyse the problem(s). 
• Step 1. Brainstorm. Try to produce as many different explanations for the phenomena as you [can] think of. Use prior knowledge and common sense.
• Step 2. Discuss. Criticize the explanations proposed and try to produce a coherent description of the processes that, according to what you think, underlie the phenomena or events.
4. Formulate learning issues for self-directed learning.
5. Fill the gaps in your knowledge through self-study.
6. Share your findings with your group and try to integrate the knowledge acquired into a comprehensive explanation for the phenomena or events. Check whether you know enough.

Alternatively the MacMaster ‘triple jump’ represents three main stages for student-driven problem investigation: initial analysis, independent research, and synthesis. Each stage consists of a series of activities (not necessarily taking place in sequence).

1. Initial analysis: identify problems, explore extant knowledge, hypothesise, identify knowledge gaps
2. Independent research: research knowledge gaps
3. Synthesis: present findings – relating them to the problem(s), integrate learning from others, generate a synthesis, self-assessment of learning process, repeat ‘triple jump’ if needed.

References:

• GRAVE, W. S., BOSHUIZEN, H. P. A. & SCHMIDT, H. G. (1996) Problem based learning: Cognitive and metacognitive processes during problem analysis. Instructional Science, 24, 321-341.
• SCHWARTZ, P., MENNIN, S. & WEBB, G. (Eds.) (2001) Problem-Based Learning: Case studies, experience and practice, London, Routledge.