Using Groups Effectively

The ability to be able to work in a group effectively is one of the major skills identified for 21st century learning.I have just purchased for the ISC, Keith Sawyer's Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration.This was prompted by Kevin Washburn's enlightening post in his blog about group work. He had attended a conference session conducted by Keith Sawyer, a jazz pianist and  expert on group work which raised questions such as :

• When are groups effective as a means of learning?
• What tasks are better accomplished collaboratively than individually?
• How do you structure groups for optimal effectiveness and results?

Kevin was so inspired that he developed his own 10 principles of using group's effectively. Well worth a read,particularly the practices that stifle creativity.Guilty Your Honour!