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The topic group work carries over from the last column, which focused on classroom management strategies for large writing classes. Unlike the material presented there, which addressed logistical concerns, group work follows a specified pedagogical framework from which certain logistical matters follow. Due to its complexity, the topic receives singular attention here, and while a good portion of this piece focuses on the writing classroom, the material presented is applicable to all disciplines and skill areas.

Given the blend of pedagogy and logistics, group work encompasses complexities for implementation that straightforward classroom management strategies do not. Common questions capture the nature of this complexity. These focus on a range of elements-group size, forming groups, getting groups started and monitoring their work, handling problems with participation or groups going off-topic, accounting for …