Relevant Group Work Skills

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Relevant Group Work Skills

            The three group work skills include leadership, social, and explanatory skills (Evertson & Emmer, 2017). Social skills involve using appropriate phrases when summarizing, questioning, or expressing disagreement. Social skills also include active listening, whereby students listen to others without interrupting and incorporating the ideas in the discussion. Social skills also require students to practice turn-taking and share materials. Students who fail to practice social skills often argue, put down other students' ideas, and fail to participate in group work. Lack of appropriate social skills negatively impacts group progress. Explanatory skills involve identifying steps to follow when completing a task and reasons for the steps (Evertson & Emmer, 2017). It also applies when seeking explanations from others. Explanatory skills allow students to learn from others. Leadership skills, on the other hand, involve planning, initiative, and enthusiasm. Leadership skills enable students to acquire new skills.

            Group work skills go beyond the classroom. That is mainly because group work skills apply at home, in the playground, and the neighborhood. Students need social skills to socialize better in their communities or playgrounds. For example, when playing, they may form groups as they compete. There is a need to have turn-taking and active listening within the groups for a group to win against their competitors. Good social skills will enable the groups to come up with meaningful ideas that will aid in winning against their competitors. Explanatory skills are also applied in the playground and at home. For example, groups can develop ideas for defeating their competitors in a match and explaining each idea's validity. They can also seek help from their teammates whenever unsure what to do in certain circumstances. When unsure of how to complete a task at home, an individual can seek clarity from other family members or friends. Explanatory skills help individuals realize they do not have to know everything and can learn from others (Evertson & Emmer, 2017). Finally, leadership skills are applicable at home, in the neighborhood, and on the playground in different circumstances. For example, in the playground, individuals can demonstrate leadership skills by planning to win a game. The plan will act as a guide and help the teammates achieve victory over their opponents. Leadership skills can aid in acquiring new skills, such as solving interpersonal conflicts within the group.

 

References

Evertson, C.M. & Emmer, E.T. (2017). Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers. 10th edition. Pearson.