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Analysis of Student Performance at the Beginning and End of the Course: The Group Learning Problem As a final portfolio assignment in the course, students analyzed a group learning situation in a college classroom. The case depicts a college teacher in an introductory psychology class using small group learning for the first time (click here for the problem). The students analyzed the same case during the first week of class, and I used it as a final course assignment to determine the extent to which they could incorporate concepts and principles from the course. In the final assignment I asked students to explain what the teacher should do to enhance understanding of the subject in the group learning format (Appendix E contains a copy of the assignment). I used this problem to introduce students to problem-based learning and to get them thinking about relationships between teaching approaches and student learning.
Students read articles about cooperative learning and lecturing. They wrote responses to questions about the advantages and disadvantages of group learning and lecturing, and discussed these in class. In addition, their work on the problem evolved into developing advice for the professor about how to make group learning activities effective learning experiences.
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