Deck 8: Organising Classroom Structures and Routines

Question 1

When groups are operating in the classroom, 'strategic positioning' by the teacher means the teacher:

A) leaves the groups to work things out themselves as much as possible.
B) observes what is happening in all groups while working with a particular group.
C) stands apart and intervenes only when asked.
D) spends equal time positioned near each group.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Within cooperative learning, team members sharing their information is a particular feature of the:

A) jigsaw method.
B) student-teams learning approach.
C) inquiry method.
D) reflective-action method.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Is the following statement True or False? 'There is not a single education system in Australia: each state or territory has an Education Department and political responsibility lies with a state-based Minister of Education.'

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which of the following is not a typical feature of primary schools?

A) Ambitious goals for literacy and numeracy.
B) One teacher per class per year level.
C) A school council.
D) A business manager.

Question 5

What are two ways of working that you might see in a differentiated classroom?

Question 6

Is this statement True or False? 'All students thrive on group work.'

Question 7

Homogeneous grouping means grouping students on the basis of:

A) friendship.
B) interests.
C) ability.
D) social programs.

Question 8

What is one problem that teachers need to be aware of when using friendship groups for learning tasks?

Question 9

In his key tasks for organising schools, Danielson (2002) did not include:

A) high-level learning for all students.
B) a flexible and individualised approach to instruction.
C) a safe and positive environment.
D) a culture of work and opportunities.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a feature of cooperative learning?

A) Effort is required by all students.
B) Work is divided into individual tasks.
C) Groups are as homogeneous as possible.
D) Each student is accountable for the group's success.

Question 11

What are three strategies teachers might use to maintain whole-class attention?

Question 12

Whole-class instruction is least well suited to:

A) an open-ended mathematical task.
B) an introduction to a new teaching unit.
C) a demonstration of a technical process.
D) the teaching of a complex concept or skill.

Question 13

The best topics for using cooperative learning in lessons are those that require:

A) pre-determined answers.
B) searching for answers and exploring alternative solutions.
C) the use of information technology.
D) collaboration on each stage of the task.

Question 14

Secondary schools normally have:

A) lower enrolments.
B) generalist teachers.
C) several school leaders.
D) a family environment.

Question 15

Identify the main similarities and differences between small group teaching and cooperative learning. What factors should teachers consider when deciding whether to use groups in the classroom?

Question 16

According to Carrington (2004), students in the middle years need 'supportive learning environments where teachers and students are able to …':

A) experiment with new pedagogies and approaches to curriculum.
B) participate in a range of activities.
C) sustain high levels of commitment, efficacy and goodwill.
D) create a supportive family environment.

Question 17

An argument against streamed classes is:

A) they are more difficult for teachers.
B) students can become demoralised.
C) students of similar ability cannot learn from each other.
D) they are time consuming to organise.

Question 18

School structures in kindergartens and early childhood centres should emphasise opportunities for:

A) individual activity.
B) group work.
C) play and interaction.
D) structured tasks.

Question 19

Which of the following theorists' work on the use of democratic procedures in classrooms contributed to thinking about cooperative learning?

A) Thelan.
B) Arends.
C) Dewey.
D) Slavin.

Question 20

A principle emphasised in open education is:

A) structured use of time.
B) competition.
C) direct instruction.
D) individual discovery.

Question 21

When planning to use cooperative learning in a lesson, which of the following is not one of the three planning steps?

A) Identify the cooperative learning skills students will need.
B) Develop materials.
C) Plan the tasks and roles for the students in each group.
D) Plan for the use of time and space.

Question 22

Decide on a lesson topic suited to the use of cooperative learning and describe the key steps you would use in planning and implementing the lesson. Identify three potential problems that may occur in your use of cooperative learning and how you would address them.