The Power of Group Teaching

From day one of my teaching journey, this semester, the importance of variability has been stressed over and over again. In order to keep students engaged in material, teaching techniques should continually be changed. This week we are taking a look at the importance of changing it up with group teaching techniques. I would stretch to say that group teaching is the most common teaching method used in agriculture classrooms, therefore there are many different techniques to be used to better connect with each student. Check out some ideas that come to my mind when it comes to using group teaching in my future classroom.

Technology: 
Technology plays a vital role in today's classrooms, especially in a group teaching setting. During my student teaching experience I will be utilizing power-points that students are able to view on there 1-1 i-pads provided by the school. With students having access on their individual i-pad they will be able to create their own electronic notes while also participating in a group setting. Some other key forms of technology I plan to utilize in group teaching include; YouTube (educational videos to create interest), Facetime (to bring experts to the classroom without having to travel) and the list could go on.



 Field Trips:
Allowing students to experience something first hand is a great group teaching method, if facilitated correctly. Field trips allow for students to develop a first hand experience of content matter , with the utilization of community members. In the future I want to utilize field trips during an animal science course, specifically during a dairy unit to understand the different types of housing facilities used.
Discussion:
One of the biggest goals I have for any classroom I teach in, is that each student will feel comfortable sharing in a group discussion. No matter the type of discussion the teacher plays a key role in the success of the learning opportunity. I plan to utilize group discussion in each class that I teach because students get a sense of power when given the opportunity to have a say in what they are learning.

Group teaching takes on many different hats but it is evident that it can be a powerful teaching method. No matter the technique you choose to use, "the real goal is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they must have in order to enter the agriculture industry and compete successfully" (Newcomb. 1993). 

 If you're interested in implementing some new group teaching strategies into your agriculture classroom check out this resource through Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.

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Newcomb, L.H., McCracken, J.D., Warmbrod, J.R., & Whittington, M.S. (1993). Methods of teaching agriculture. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.


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