Method Advantages Considerations
Student self-selection - students choose who to
work with
- students overlooked or
rejected
- inequity in skill
distribution
- inequity in task
distribution
Selective appointment:
Groups formed on the
basis of
criteria i.e. mark
aspirations,
meeting times,
complementary
skills, specific
competencies
- students have common
goals
- less pressure on low
achievers
- student skills
recognized and
rewarded as being
proficient
- appreciation of diversity
required in group work
- low achievers not
exposed
to higher expectations
- friends with shared
aspirations not accepting
a
newcomer
- less opportunity to
develop
new skills in unfamiliar
roles
Random selection - opportunity for students
to learn from new people
- opportunity to enhance
communication skills
- students resent lack of
choice
- student concern about
skills and attitudes of
other
students
Selection of topic
choices
- students interested in
topic
- students working with
interested
others
- inequity in skill
distribution
- student concern about
skills and attitudes of
other
students