SCHOOL PLACEMENT 1
Student:
Date: 17-11-2017
OBSERVATION
On my school placement I
observed group work being
used by the teacher to
enhance the learning of the
class.
Group work is a key way of
getting children to learn from
their peers.
Peer Learning
2016/2017
Class Observed: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Topic: Group Work
CRITICAL REFLECTION ON THE OBSERVATION
While on school placement I saw the teacher in the classroom
using group learning. The teacher divided the class into three
groups of students. The students were of mixed ability and the
one thing that I feared from a learning point of view was that
the stronger students would dominate the group and the
weaker ones would be nervous and not feel comfortable
contributing to the discussion.
The teacher asked me to help out with one group in the class.
The challenge I faced was that there was a clear gap in the
ability of the students. To bridge that gap I decided that I would
make sure that every child got a chance to speak and
contribute. The reasoning to make sure they all got to speak
was to develop their self confidence of speaking in public for
future life when maybe asked to do a presentation or give a talk
on a topic. Also by getting each child to contribute was making
them to get used to working together to get a sense of team
and belonging ness together as a group.
The task that I was helping them with was making a poster
which was based on a spider diagram which had to have ten
buzz words to prompt people to think about recycling and
reducing waste.
To help create a team atmosphere I told the students to come
up with a team a name to get a sense team spirit and
community among them. One pupil took the lead and delegated
out the tasks to the other children all children had there own
task to do. I helped the weaker students in the group that were
struggling with there task to help the achieve there goal and
finish their task with a positive conclusion. "The key task facing
teachers is set up learning activity which effectively achieves the
learning outcomes intended for each pupil"(C. Kyriacou, 2007
pg26.)
Peer learning is another thing that is greatly enhanced when
students are working in groups it is good because they are able
to work together in small groups and get information from
each other. To them they are just in groups with their class
mates but they are sub concisely learning from each other.
"Peer learning is another method of learning which is shown to
SCHOOL PLACEMENT 1 2016/2017

foster collaboration and prepare students for their future

careers. (A. Ramound 2016).

Group work is another good way of breaking down social circles

in the classroom between groups of friends and developing new
Social Circles ones with students that they would not normally work with on a
task. This can be good to build up a students self confidence and
communication skills. For a young person to develop it is key
that they are confident so that they will be able to take on tasks
outside their comfort zone and excel in them. Communication is
key in everyday life for a student as he/ she develops especially
verbal comunication as it is key to be able to get their point
across in a polite and confident manner. Communication is
something some students struggle with it can

Bibliography:

"The key task facing teachers is set up learning activity which

effectively achieves the learning outcomes intended for each
pupil"( Kyriacou.C 2007. Essential Teaching Skills 3rd edition,
Cheltenham: Nelson Thomas Ltd.)

"Peer learning is another method of learning which is shown to

foster collaboration and prepare students for their future
careers". Peer Learning a Pedagogical approach to enhance
learning. (Anita Rayound, Elizabeth Jacob, Darren Jacob and
Judiet Lyons 2016).