Group Norms in Action - EPI's Launch Your Classroom!

Summary

The video script highlights the importance of creating group norms in a 21st-century classroom to foster successful collaboration among students. It demonstrates a classroom activity where students are encouraged to individually list values important for group work, such as timeliness, voice for all, respect, and confidentiality. These values are then combined to form group norms. The script emphasizes that norms should be student-driven, reflecting their values, and not imposed by the teacher. The activity includes creating an anchor chart that visually represents these norms, serving as a constant reminder and guide for appropriate behavior during group projects, including the responsible use of electronic devices.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Empowerment through Creation: The script emphasizes the importance of students creating their own group norms, which can lead to a greater likelihood of them adhering to these rules.
• 📚 21st Century Classroom: The setting is a modern classroom where collaboration is key, and norms are essential for preparing students for future teamwork scenarios.
• 📝 Individual Reflection: Students are first asked to individually jot down values that are important to them when working in a group, fostering self-awareness and personal responsibility.
• 🗣️ Collective Decision Making: After individual reflection, students combine their thoughts in groups to create a shared set of norms, promoting teamwork and consensus building.
• 🔍 Identifying Values: Students are encouraged to identify values such as timeliness, voice for all, respect, and confidentiality, which are crucial for effective group dynamics.
• 🎨 Anchor Chart Creation: The norms are then visually represented on an anchor chart, which serves as a constant reminder and guide for group behavior in the classroom.
• 👀 Visual Reinforcement: The anchor chart is not only informative but also visually appealing, allowing it to serve as a decorative and educational tool in the classroom.
• 👍 Positive Reinforcement: The script suggests using the anchor chart to positively reinforce desired behaviors by pointing to it when students are off-task, rather than punitive measures.
• 💻 Technology Usage: The norms include the responsible use of electronic devices for group projects, highlighting the modern context of education and the need for digital etiquette.
• 📋 Role Assignment: The importance of assigning roles within the group is mentioned, indicating that structure and clear responsibilities can enhance group productivity.
• 🌐 Inclusiveness: The script highlights the inclusive nature of the norms, ensuring that all students feel valued and have an opportunity to participate.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on the importance of creating group norms in a classroom setting to foster successful collaboration among students.

Why is it important for students to create their own group norms?

It is important because groups are more likely to follow rules that they have created themselves, which leads to better collaboration and adherence to the norms.

What is the role of the teacher in the process of creating group norms?

The teacher facilitates the process by guiding students to identify and articulate their own values and expectations for group work, rather than imposing norms from above.

What does the teacher ask the students to do individually before discussing in groups?

The teacher asks the students to individually jot down five values that are important to them when working in a group.

What are some examples of values that might be important in a group setting according to the script?

Examples include following timelines, ensuring everyone has a voice, maintaining respect, keeping discussions confidential, and adhering to group roles.

What is the purpose of creating an anchor chart in this context?

The anchor chart serves as a visual reminder of the group norms, which can be referred to when guiding student behavior and ensuring they adhere to the agreed-upon values.

How does the teacher plan to use the anchor chart in the classroom?

The teacher plans to use the anchor chart as a tool to remind students of their expected behavior, pointing to it when someone is off task to help them realign with the group norms.

What is the significance of the students' agreement to use electronic devices only for the assignment?

This agreement is significant as it prevents distractions and ensures that technology is used purposefully for the group project, rather than for unrelated activities.

What does the script suggest about the use of technology in modern classrooms?

The script suggests that technology, such as iPads, is commonly used in group projects in modern classrooms, and it's important to establish norms around their use.

How does the script illustrate the inclusivity of the group norm creation process?

The script illustrates inclusivity by having students from different groups share their norms, showing that all voices are considered and incorporated into the final set of group norms.

What is the role of the 'group number role grants' mentioned in the script?

The 'group number role grants' seems to be a mechanism for students to signal when they need assistance, possibly by raising their hand, which is part of the agreed-upon norms for seeking help from the teacher.