Mathematics and Society - OS X Lion Server

DIDACTICSTEACHING VIA LAB APPROACHESIn some classes voluntarily formed groups can easily result in one group (ormore) consisting of only the class "rowdies," in a group much more interested intalking about something besides mathematics, in a group consisting of "I ain't gonnado nothing" students, or in a few friendless students without a group.To l1\inimizethe chances of these occurring, you might make the group assignments, using a sociogral1\for some guidance.To make a sociogram, explain that the class will be doingsome group work soon and ask the students to write their names and to list two orthree students they would like to work with.(Point out that you cannot promiseto l1\ake "perfect" assignl1\ents to groups but that you will do your best.)take a couple of tries to sort out themass of arrows, but the diagram to theright shows a COml1\on way of organizingthe choices.Or you might prefer thesociomatrix iorm (see the figure).s:ociomatrix doesil t t"organize" theAIt maystudents as clearly but it is easierSoCrOGRAMto make if many students are involved.1--------------------------1With either form,you can pick outisolates (e. g., Sid) and watch forclusters that you might like toaccept or avoid (like the rowdies).Just as there seem to be no"official" recommendations for forminggroups, there are also none describingthe best group size, The nature ofv .,;the lesson, the amount of equipmentEllYV Vavailable and the number of stationsDEE:.,; Vplanned all have some bearing on the3 02.3 2. 3 1group size. Sometimes pairs of stu-SOCrOMATRlXdents fit an activity very well. Many teachers prefer that students work in pairssince work can be shared and eachD010SIDBILLCHOOSERBE:TTYvv'v'IIVmember of the pair can "keep busy."VV V.,; VGroups ofthree often seem to result in someone's being left out but would fit laboratory lessonswhich take two students to handle the apparatus and one to record the data.Some teachers like to have four students work at the same location, but in pairs; thisplan maximizes involvement yet makes varying viewpoints readily available.thumb is to have groups of fewer than 6 students.A rule ofLarger groups tend to fragment.51