Students choose which group they want to work in, based on their interest in a specific theme, challenge or task.
The method supports students’ motivation, engagement and ownership of the learning process, as they are given the opportunity to work with something that interests them.
1
Present or involve students in identifying the themes, challenges, or tasks that students can choose from.
2
Give students time to individually consider which group they are most interested in.
3
Students individually indicate which group they are interested in by:
- Raising their arm or standing up
- Write on a list or digital board (possibly secretly)
- Stand by a poster, walk to a table or to a specific workstation
4
Form the groups and write the group members down somewhere visible, so everyone can see who is in which group. Adjust the groups if the distribution is uneven.
Didactic tips
- Consider using the Interest Groups method if there is a limit on how many students can be in each group. Some students will therefore not get their first choice.
- Be aware that students’ choices are often influenced by what others select. Therefore, consider asking students to write their preferences secretly. Alternatively, embrace the fact that students’ motivation can increase when they get to be in groups with their friends.
- If some students are unsure, you can provide a more detailed presentation of the groups.
- If the groups become too uneven or uniform in composition, the Interest Groups method can be used instead.
- This method is used, among other things, in the activity Interest Groups