Observation Report. Observation of a group Essay

Observation Report. Observation of a group - Essay Example 1990; Little, 1990; Ponticell, 1995; Guskey, 1994: Dufour & Eaker, 1998; Guskey, 2000). The isolationist learning model, implying that students have to work on their own and not in collaboration with their peers, is imposed upon learners by teachers and educational institutions from the inception of their educational journey to its conclusion. Predicated on the assumption that collaboration could lead to collusion, the unfair distribution of work responsibilities and, learner dependence on others, culminating in his/her resignation of learning/studying responsibilities, the isolationist learning model tends to discourage cooperative learning (Hargreaves & Dawe. 1990; Little, 1990; Ponticell, 1995; Guskey, 1994: Dufour & Eaker, 1998; Guskey, 2000). To the extent that this assignment was about the formation of a study group and could only be completed through learner collaboration, it was a significant learning experience. Murphy and Lick (2001) maintain that group size is an important predictor of the capacity of a group to satisfy its objectives, insofar as size directly impinges upon manageability. As such, they advise that group sizes range between two to six members. As noted in the introductory paragraph, our group was comprised of four members, implying adherence to the aforementioned advise and, supposedly, an enhanced capacity for the quality completion of the set assignment. The assigned task was simple enough in itself. Group members were required to watch a film, following from which they were expected to collaborate on the composition of a report on that which the film had to say about group dynamics and on the completion of a number of other learning tasks. The film in question was Alive. The group assumed an online form, whereby collaboration was limited to group discussions via WebCT. While this was, in some ways, easier than