Placemat

Cohort two
Second Meeting
Framing Questions- what worked well-
Challenges
Describe why we should use co-operative
learning
Explain the features of placemat
Examine the potential of this teaching and
learning strategy
Describe the key features of Johnson's 5 basic
elements

Co-Operative learning
No other methodology has as much research behind it as to
its power.

Interpersonal intelligence is one of the most powerful
predictors of success in life- Gardner

Do we want students to sit in rows listen to us and if
confused just sit there until we come around to help?
Does society/ employers want kids like this?
Group work that is not structured properly is one of the least
effective approaches in the teaching and learning process.
Bennet
JOHNSONS 5 BASIC ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE GROUP WORK
1.Individual Accountability
Each student is responsible for their own learning
2. Face to Face Interaction
Groups of 2 4 and facing each other
Rearrange the room if necessary!
3. Collaborative Skills (skills embedded into the group work process
that may need to be taught overtly)
Social skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
4. Processing
The need to reflect and assess on the groups effort academically
and socially
Needed for development over time
5. Positive Interdependence
Students are supportive of each others learning
Needs to be taught
Johnson identifies 9 ways to encourage this
Johnsons 9 Positive Interdependencies:
. Goal: Role Motivation etc
Placemat
Uses to generate ideas/Brainstorm
- find out information already
known
- encourage team Problem solving
- Structure thinking for future
learning eg Mind Map or Essay
- Consolidate what already known/.
WHAT LEVEL OF BLOOMS TAXONOMY
HOW TO PLAN PLACEMAT
BEFORE
Decide which students will work well as groups (ideally 4)
Decide on a question/concept/ problem for the centre of the placemat
(POSITIVE INTERDEPENDENCE)
Distribute the placemat template to each group
Decide layout of Room( FACE TO FACE)
During
At first each member to work on their own on the Question or topic- set
the amount of time( depends on level of thinking ie
BLOOM(INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY)
After working on own decide how you want them to share ie group
discussion or structured discussion( COLLABORATIVE SKILLS)
Assign Roles will someone have to record, will someones role be to
ensure equal voice (POSITIVE INTERDEPENDENCE)
TEACHER MUST WALKABOUT KEEPING ON TASK (PROCESSING)
Share ideas of different groups eg walkabout






Write down your ideas INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Students share information with their group. Results are
recorded in the centre of the page.FACE TO FACE
INTERACTION
How structured will the sharing be? Round Robin?
How much time and in what order?
How will accountability for listening be built?
Will any formal group roles be assigned such as
recorder?
Is the primary purpose here listening, or probing deeper
as each speaks, or both?
What pre-skills need to be taught to make this effective?
(active listening?
Questioning? Critical thinking? Effective communication
COLABORATIVE SKILLS



Sharing then takes place between groups.
This can be done with Walkabout, Round
Robin, reporting to the whole class or a
number of techniques depending on your
purpose or time.
Who will speak for the group?
Again, how will accountability be built in?
How will note taking take place so all
have the results of the class?
How will a safety net be created for the
very shy, etc
Recap
Try and use placemat in a class
Process the Information- Which group work well or
not and why /why not
Use the review sheets in your booklet
Really useful to jot down ideas on particular
problems so you have it for next time
Im using this at moment to review info please call in
and see the benefits and challenges
I could use the help!!!!