Communication in Small Groups
For this activity, students respond to situations they might encounter when working in small groups. The purpose here is to start students thinking about how they react in common group work situations. Noticing their own habits and the connections to culture can help students build constructive communication habits with their peers.
Respond to the following situations in writing
In your group, discuss the responses. Take time as a group to listen to what each student wrote and to tell that student how you would react if you were one of her or his group members. Consider what might be the underlying values for a particular behavior. Also discuss places where communication might be improved or strengthened.
Respond to the following situations in writing
- As your group talks about the topic, one member will clearly lead the discussion with strong opinions, and generally good answers. Most of the group members agree with this member, but one person will disagree on a couple of points. What do you do/say?
- No one in your group is talking, but the other groups are engaged in lively discussion. What do you do/say?
- Everyone in your group seems to understand the reading and has interesting ideas. You had difficulty understanding the reading so you don’t really have anything to say about it. What do you do/ say?
In your group, discuss the responses. Take time as a group to listen to what each student wrote and to tell that student how you would react if you were one of her or his group members. Consider what might be the underlying values for a particular behavior. Also discuss places where communication might be improved or strengthened.