METHOD

Competency Groups

The students are divided into groups based on their competencies or strengths.

The method supports that students use their individual strengths in collaboration with others and participate in group work where diversity becomes a resource.

1

Decide which competencies are relevant to the challenge, process or activity, e.g. creativity, communication, technique and/or structure.

2

Assign competencies to students or have them identify their own strengths. This can be done through a short reflection exercise, a questionnaire, or a class discussion.

3

Put the groups together so that there is a mix of different skills in each group.

Didactic tips:

  • Consider turning competencies into roles within the groups, so each student is aware of their strengths and responsibilities in the group.
  • Help students identify their strengths if they find it difficult. You can do this by pointing out what they typically excel at in class.
  • Instead of having students identify their own strengths, their classmates can do this based on how they experience each other. This can help promote a culture of appreciation in the classroom.
  • Groups are formed with mixed competencies (where everyone contributes different strengths). A variation can be to group with the same competencies (where they specialize).
  • You might want to take the lead in organizing groups the first time. Later, students will be better able to assess and form groups based on their competencies.
  • Be mindful not to lock students into fixed competencies and roles, so they also get a chance to explore and develop other skills.
  • After completing group work, students can evaluate their collaboration and reflect on whether they have discovered new competencies in each other.
Tags: Getting together, forming groups, exploring competencies
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Engage

MODES OF ORGANISATION:

  • Individual
  • Group

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

Optional questionnaire