Collaborative group work
Some schools are now emphasising the advantages of pupils working not only in groups, but more importantly working collaboratively as a group, to perform tasks designed explicitly for group solutions. In the first part of the video Gillies Walker at the High School of Glasgow Junior School describes the group activity he will be doing with his class, using some materials from a book called 'Get it Together'.
You can then see some of the pupils working on a problem. Note that although the main strategy being addressed here is one which the school has designated as ‘Working together’, it is clear that several other strategies are being used as well.
In the final section, Maggie Muir, deputy headteacher at Wemyss Bay Primary School talks about her school’s decision to encourage collaborative group work.
Points to consider
What are your views about ‘Working together’ as a problem solving strategy?
The resources described here demand collaboration by the group. Can you think of other ways in which real collaboration can be encouraged?
| Video 1: Working together | |
|---|---|
| Description | A teacher and deputy headteacher discuss collaborative group work and Junior 6 pupils work in groups |
| Duration | 1 |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Working together |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Working together |
| Transcript | Working together |
Ideas and links
- High School of Glasgow Junior School
Working together in Junior 6.
- Invergowrie Primary School
Group work in P2.