To The Teacher
A Little Help from Our Friends:
Small Group Dynamics

    Scientists usually conduct field research 6y working together in organized teams. This approach can also be used successfully with student groups, with each group sharing a task as well as the equipment necessary to complete it.
    However, it is not uncommon during group field activities for one or two diligent students to do all the work while the rest of the group stands by without becoming involved. To avoid this scenario, the teacher should organize the group assignments so that each student has a specific job. The active involvement of each student then becomes essential to the successful completion of the activity.
    The role assignments described below are for groups of four students each, and can be adapted for many types of field or classroom activities.

Materials Manager. This person is responsible for obtaining all equipment and supplies needed by the group. The materials manager should learn to use all equipment correctly and demonstrate its use to the other group members. This person supervises the use of equipment during the activity, collects it when the work is complete,Ľand inventories items before they are returned. If any equipment is lost or needs repair, the materials manager notifies the teacher before the items are put away.

Reader. The reader is responsible for making sure ail group members understand the assignment and complete it in the time allotted. This student reads aloud all written instructions and is the only group member who should go to the teacher with questions while the field work is being done. The reader also keeps the group on task so that they are able to finish their work on time.

Starter. The starter is the first person to conduct the specific activity necessary for data collection. For example, this student fills the water sample bottles, tests pH, reads the thermometer, etc. If the activity includes repeated sample collections, the other group members should take turns performing these tasks after the starter has begun the work.

Recorder. The recorder keeps notes on all important data and group observations. This student is responsible for recording the group's hypotheses and predictions for later comparison with the data actually collected. If the teacher does not provide data charts, the recorder should design them. The recorder also summarizes the group's findings and reports them to the rest of the class after the field work is complete.

    Role assignment's may be made by the group members themselves or by the teacher. To randomly make role assignments, students in each group can be numbered 1 through 4. The teacher can begin each activity by announcing that, for example, all "ones" will be readers, all "twos" will be recorders, etc. If several different activities are scheduled, roles should be changed so students can have different responsibilities. It may be helpful in the beginning to write out each role description on a card so that the students can refer to them while conducting the field activity.

    Role descriptions adapted from "Collaborative Groups," Full Option Science System, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1989; provided by Vicki Clark, Richmond Mathematics and Science Center.