My goal:

During my internship in semester 7, I would like to use group work activities effectively in my English class. I want my students to practice working together to learn communication skills.   

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Competency Area: 

• According to the teaching competencies, this goal is related to the second and third competency.

• Firstly, my goal linked with the first competency (planning and implementing lessons) under sub-outcome 1 (create lesson plans with learning outcomes). I plan everyday a lesson that has a group work activity.

•  Secondly, the goal is linked with the third competency (effective teaching strategies) under the sub-outcome 4 (using resources and equipment to support learning). I use different resources in my lesson. For example, story, smart board and colors.

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Rationale:

• I chose to apply this goal during my training practice because when I joined HCT I noticed that I learn better when my friends explain for me more than the teacher. When I was young most of the lessons focus on teacher-center. We didn't have the chance to work alone or in teams so I want my students to experience this strategy.

• From my experience in teaching in schools for my internship I noticed that students have poor communication skills especially younger students. They want all the materials for themselves and they refuse to share what they have with others. I think they should learn how to work in a team and help each other because in the future they will need these skills.

• I chose group work because my action research is about "the effect of shared reading on students' reading comprehension." Shared reading can applied for whole class or small groups so it is related to my first goal.

• Vygotsky believed on social learning. (Neff, n.d.). Which is learning from communicating with peers. I believe that students work and understand better when they help each other.

• In addition, I want them to practice the communication skills which is very crucial for the 21st century learning. (Framework for 21st, n.d.). Communication skills is important for them in the future when they will study in universities, in their career field and in their community.

 

Implementation:

•  I will organize my class every day into groups. I have 32 students so some groups will have 6 and some will have 5 students.

• The groups will have mix levels of high, middle and low students to help each other.

•  I will make a reinforcement chart to encourage them to work co-operatively with each other. The chart will be like going steps up to reach the moon. The group who reach the moon will get presents. The group who have the best communication skills will move one step up. ​

• I will ask my MST to help me to observe the groups while I am teaching or moving around the groups.

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Resources:

• People (MCT, MST & peer).

• Online journal  

 

Evidence:

• Video of students working together.

• Feedback from my MCT and MST.

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Evaluation:

During semester 7 I applied this goal. Some groups were working together and helping each other. While other groups depending on the high students to do the work then copy down the answers. One or two students were sitting down without doing anything or even coping answers. This goal was achieved last semester but I would like to adjust it to be better or clearer for the students. Firstly, I will explain what is mean by communication skills and what they will get from working together and helping each other. To have a general idea of it and be aware of why they are doing it. I would like to put special reinforcement to encourage them to follow the rules and be the best "working group". I would like to collect more evidence of students working together. I mean a live video not a picture because video can give a better understanding of what they are doing or saying.

In Semester 8, group working was better than last semester, at the beginning students wanted to work alone or refuse to discuss with other members. I think that because they still young "grade 4" and they prefer to have everything for their own. After I introduced the group reinforcement poster their attitude changed. They started to help each other and work together to go one step up, so that they can win the race. Even with organizing the class it was useful because before I enter the class most groups were sitting on their seats with their books prepared for the lesson. Which save my time better than before.