Pedagogy and practice: Teaching and learning in secondary schools – Unit 10: Group work

Publication date:: Sep 2004
DCSF ref:: 0433-2004G
Audience:: Head of school department, Senior leadership team (SLT), Subject leader, Teacher
Function:: Continuing professional development (CPD), Good practice, Guidance, Training, Training materials, Units, Pedagogy and practice, Teaching and learning
Format:: Study materials, Training guide

This publication is available as a PDF file (323 KB).

This study unit offers some practical strategies that teachers use to engage pupils through group work. The topics covered include:

Group work – considering the research
What skills can we expect of most Year 7 pupils?
Organising group work – including it in lessons
Extending strategies for structuring group work
Troubleshooting during group work – developing social skills

The techniques suggested are tried and tested; they draw on both academic research and the experience of practising teachers. By working through this guide, teachers can build their repertoire step by step, starting with strategies that are easy to implement and moving on to those that will help pupils develop their skills further.

The unit contains ‘reflections’, to help teachers reflect on an idea or on their own practice, and a summary of the research with suggestions for ‘next steps’ and further reading.