Peer Teaching and Group Dynamic

PEER TEACHING

Definition

Peer teaching method is the tehnique of teaching material delivered trough associates or friends help themselves. Starting from the discussion of the material until the assesment is also made of and by students in group itself  (self-assessment dan peer assessment).

According to Jarvis (2001), Peer teaching is a learner-centered activity because members of educational communities plan and facilitate learning opportunities for each other. There is the expectation of reciprocity, e.g., peers will plan and facilitate courses of study and be able to learn from the planning and facilitation of other members of the community.

Advantage

•         Increase students' motivation.

•         Improve the quality and the learning process.

•         Improve students' social interactive learning.

•         Encourages students towards higher level thinking

•         Develop the skills to work in groups.

•         Increasing sense of responsibility for their own learning.

•         Build a spirit of working together.

•         Train communication skills.

•         Improve learning outcomes.

Disadvantage

•         Requires a relatively long time

•         If the student does not have the relevant knowledge base then this method becomes ineffective

•         The possibility is dominated by students who like to talk, smart, or who want to stand out

•         Not all teachers really understand how each student to work in groups

•         Need to be modified to fit applied to elementary students (this technique is usually applied in PT)

•         Require extra attention strict teacher

GROUP DYNAMIC

People may underestimate the importance of society and group memberships on their lives. Whilst people sometimes undertake solo journeys yet by and large much of our experiences of life involves being engaged with others and groups.

Group dynamics deals with the attitudes and behavioral patterns of a group. Group dynamics concern how groups are formed, what is their structure and which processes are followed in their functioning. Thus, it is concerned with the interactions and forces operating between groups.

Group dynamics is relevant to groups of all kinds – both formal and informal. If the UPA government has set up Group of Ministers for every governance issue, the Supreme Court of India has 27 Group of Judges committees overseeing all manner of non-judicial work in the apex court. In an organizational setting, the term groups are a very common and the study of groups and group dynamics is an important area of study.

What is A Group?

Every organization is a group unto itself. A group refers to two or more people who share a common meaning and evaluation of themselves and come together to achieve common goals. In other words, a group is a collection of people who interact with one another; accept rights and obligations as members and who share a common identity.

Characteristics of a Group:

Regardless of the size or the purpose, every group has similar characteristics:

(a) 2 or more persons (if it is one person, it is not a group)

(b) Formal social structure (the rules of the game are defined)

(c) Common fate (they will swim together)

(d) Common goals (the destiny is the same and emotionally connected)

(e) Face-to-face interaction (they will talk with each other)

(f) Interdependence (each one is complimentary to the other)

(g) Self-definition as group members (what one is who belongs to the group)

(h) Recognition by others (yes, you belong to the group).

Process/Stages of Group Development/Evolution:

Group Development is a dynamic process. How do groups evolve? There is a process of five stages through which groups pass through. The process includes the five stages: forming, storming, forming, performing, and adjourning.

Forming:

The first stage in the life of a group is concerned with forming a group. This stage is characterized by members seeking either a work assignment (in a formal group) or other benefit, like status, affiliation, power, etc. (in an informal group). Members at this stage either engage in busy type of activity or show apathy.

Storming:

The next stage in this group is marked by the formation of dyads and triads. Members seek out familiar or similar individuals and begin a deeper sharing of self. Continued attention to the subgroup creates a differentiation in the group and tensions across the dyads / triads may appear. Pairing is a common phenomenon. There will be conflict about controlling the group.

Norming:

The third stage of group development is marked by a more serious concern about task performance. The dyads/triads begin to open up and seek out other members in the group. Efforts are made to establish various norms for task performance.

Members begin to take greater responsibility for their own group and relationship while the authority figure becomes relaxed. Once this stage is complete, a clear picture will emerge about hierarchy of leadership. The norming stage is over with the solidification of the group structure and a sense of group identity and camaraderie.

Performing:

This is a stage of a fully functional group where members see themselves as a group and get involved in the task. Each person makes a contribution and the authority figure is also seen as a part of the group. Group norms are followed and collective pressure is exerted to ensure the Process of Group effectiveness of the group.

The group may redefine its goals Development in the light of information from the outside environment and show an autonomous will to pursue those goals. The long-term viability of the group is established and nurtured.