LEARNING IN GROUPS

LEARNING IN GROUPS

Group learning plays vital roles in facilitating and enhancing learning .

GROUP• Group means two or

more individuals with shared characteristics .

• It is a set of people who see each other frequently and consider themselves as a part of the group

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GROUP

It includes two or more individuals

It has common goals It keeps common code identity There is active interaction

among members There is interdependence It causes fellow feeling It causes collective feeling It facilitates collective wisdom It has a well organized structure

It gives sense of security to the members of the group

It gives status It develops self esteem It facilitates attaining goals It increases power of the individuals It facilitates socialization It facilitates sharing of feelings among members It develops problem solving skills It develops patience in members It facilitates innovative movements

TYPES OF GROUPS

PRIMARY GROUPS

Primary groups are those that are intimately knitted . They are typically small in size but intimate in relationships , and are usually long lasting . The members of primary group feel a strong personal identity with the group . E.g. : nuclear family , group of close friends.

SECONDARY GROUP

A secondary group has a formal structure . Contacts and communications are mostly indirect because secondary group s are bigger in size and members may not stay together .The members depend on mass media for communication

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDRY GROUPS

It may be small or large in size

Relationship is not intimate

It does not last long It is impersonal in nature People spend less time

in this group Less influence on the

personality of the members

It is small in size There is intimate

relationship It lasts long It is personal in nature People spend more

time in this group High influence on the

personality of the members

Formal and InFormal Groups

o Formal groups are groups having their on rules and guidelines .

Eg : school , college .

o Informal groups are formed on the basis friendship ,interest et

o The casual getting together of individuals for any purpose can be termed as informal group. This type of group s may not have its own rigid rules .

E.g.: coming together of some persons to discuss a marriage related matter.

GROUP DYNAMICS

Group dynamics is the scientific study of groups . It studies group’s information , structure , interaction , behavior and process.It can be defined as a system of social and psychological processes.Group dynamics is based on the field theory of Kurt lewin .

Educational significance of group dynamics

It facilitates student involvement in the learning process

It emphasizes the importance of group method It helps the teacher improve the relationships in

the class It helps the teacher and students achieve

emotional balance It cultivate leadership quality in pupils It enriches teacher pupil attachment It facilitate discipline in the class It develops sense or responsibility in pupils

GROUP COHESION

Group cohesion means the bond that links individuals to the group . Group cohesion is a measure of the attraction of the group to its members , the sense of team spirit and the willingness of its members coordinate their efforts. when cohesion is strong , the group will remain stable but when its is week the group may full apart.

Characteristics Of Group Cohesion

It shows the strength of the unity of the group It shows the feeling of attraction of members

to the group There is shared sense of belonging It creates desire to be enthusiastic about the

group It causes to sacrifice individual desire for the

group goodness It shows the willingness to work together

towards some goals Individual responsibility for the group tasks

Interdependences among members of the group

Size of the groupAchievement of group goalsAge of the individualsFamily expectationsMotivationOut look of the individualsTeam spirit of the members Individual need of the membersPersonal benefits Interest of the membersAttitude of the members

Factors Affecting Group Cohesion

Advantages Of Group Cohesion

It provides healthy social and psychological setting

It gives members increased sense of security

It improves fellow feeling among individuals

It facilitates socialization It develops values in members Group performance It develops good citizenship in

individuals Group performance It strengthens

social relationship

COMMON BARRIERS TO GROUP COHESION

Conflict of tasks among members of the group

Clash of personalities in the group

Breakdown in communication among group members

Struggle foe power in the group

Lack of opportunity for free expression

Poor impression of the group Lack of democracy Largeness of the group size Unpleasant experiences

Increase interaction among members of the group Encourage free expression Avoid formation of social cliques Deal with personal needs Set challenging group goals Explain individual roles in the success of the team

Recognize contributions of members Develop a strong identity as a group Know the team climate

Tecniques to Develop Group Cohesion

GROUP MORALE

Group morale is the spirit of a group that makes it want to succeed. It refers to the efforts of an individual or group to enhance the effectiveness of the group in accomplishing a task.

Factors Affecting Morale

Objectives of the organizationsLeadership Behavior of the members Job satisfactionStructure of the organization RemunerationAdvance and Promotional

OpportunityPhysical and Mental HealthWorking Atmosphere