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Groups are an essential part of the classroom and learning experience of students. As teachers, we often form groups and or even disband them. In this post, we will look at the different types of groups that develop in a class and the reasons students join groups. Types of Groups The types of groups that develop organizationally can be defined in terms of two dimensions: formal vs. informal and permanent versus temporary. This means that there are four potential types of groups which are listed below.
Formal groups are usually set up by the teacher, while informal groups develop naturally due to student preference. How long a group lasts often depends on the purpose of the group. We will now go through each of these four group types in detail. Formal & Permanent Formal and permanent groups are called a command or functional groups. The teacher develops this type of group to complete a specific long-term task. Examples of this would include assignments, projects, or even teams for sports competitions. Formal & Temporary Formal and temporary groups have the same criteria as formal and permanent groups. The main difference is how long the group is together. Therefore, the difference between the first two groups is how long the group will exist. In addition, what is considered permanent or temporary will vary from teacher to teacher and from student to student. Informal & Permanent Informal and permanent groups are also called friendship groups. The purpose of this type of group is for socializing and generally having a good time. This type of group will develop naturally without the influence of the teacher. However, sometimes this type of group’s interest can clash with the teacher’s goals in the classroom when socializing becomes too important. Informal & Temporary Informal and temporary groups are also called interest groups. These groups often last as long as the members have a similar interest—for example, a book club or a study group. Reasons for Group Membership There are several reasons why people join groups. The teacher creates formal groups, but for informal groups, there are distinct reasons. Socializing is the main reason for group membership. Students are social creatures like everyone, and they enjoy each other and even the teacher at times. Therefore, students will join groups just to appreciate being around each other. As mentioned previously, students will join groups to enjoy various shared interests. Some activities require more than one person (i.e., basketball), which provides an opportunity for an informal group to develop to pursue this shared interest. Sometimes groups are joined because of proximity. Students who may not become members of the same group may do so because of physical proximity. For example, students from foreign countries may socialize together because they share the same foreign experience that local students do not. Lastly, protection is another driving factor for joining groups. The perils of high school and even college can be filled with experiences of bullying and taunting. Nothing helps to quell such negative experiences, such as having a group of friends who will protect you from such treatment. Of course, some students join groups not so much for protection as for the opportunity to torment other students. Conclusion Group types are just ways for teachers to be aware of another unique dynamic of students’ social experience. Some groups are top-down while others are bottom-up. In addition, the motivation behind joining a group can vary from student to student. Either way, understanding this can help teachers to help students.
Informal groups are created in the organization because of operation of social and psychological forces operating at workplace. Informal groups develop apart from officially prescribed plan of the organization. Informal groups arise rapidly on the basis of friendship or some common interest which may or may not be work related. There are informal groups of operatives. Informal organization
tends to develop when formal organization proves to be inefficient or when it fails to satisfy important psychological and social wants and aspirations of the members in the work environment. According to their characteristics, they can be classified into four groups namely,
1. Apathetic groups are least active, have fewest grievances and do not engage in concerted action against management. They are characterized by dispersal and unaccepted leadership, lack of cohesiveness, internal disunity and conflict and suppressed dissatisfaction. 2. Erratic groups are characterized by rapid inflammability, poor control, inconsistent behavior, centralized autocratic leadership and union formation activities. 3. Strategic groups are characterized by well-planned and consistent grievances. They act as shrewd, calculating groups that put continuous pressure on management in order to attend to their problems. 4. Conservative groups are characterized by moderate internal unity, limited pressure for highly specific objectives and a sense of self-assurance. Dalton has classified informal groups into three categories namely, horizontal, vertical and mixed.
Functions of Formal groupsInformal organizations exist because they perform certain desired functions for their members. Informal groups help their members in fulfilling the following requirements through their groups membership 1. Affiliation need, 2. Needs to establish a sense of identity and enhance self-respect, 3. Security need 4. Need to validate their beliefs and values, 5. Need for help in solving work problems, 6. Need to get information, and 7. Need for support for individual innovation and originality. Advantages of formal groupsThe different advantages of informal groups may be outlined as follows: 1. Informal Groups create pleasant work environment for its members. 2. All the needs and desires of the members are easily satisfied. 3. Work performance becomes easier on account of mutual cooperation. 4. They provide psychological support to their members. 5. Communication is facilitated. 6. It establishes group standards of performance. 7. Need for close supervision is also minimized. 8. Groups lead to organization and development, and facilitate research and innovation. 9. Group cohesiveness reduces employee turnover and absenteeism. 10. It develops group spirit and pride. 11. Members of highly cohesive groups feel less nervous. 12. Grapevine complements and supplements official communication, and 13. Groups helps to safeguard their members from outside pressure. Disadvantages of Informal GroupsSome of the disadvantages of informal organizations are as below: 1. Informal Groups often establish production norms below the physical capabilities of their members. 2. Groups insist on the observation of the groups norms. 3. Groups cohesiveness impedes acceptance of new employees. 4. Groups often hide their innovations from management and adopt them in their own interest. 5. Groups often oppose the management policies and procedures. 6. Groups often spread rumors affecting the smooth functioning of the organization. 7. Groups often demand a price for co-operation. 8. Jurisdictional disputes among groups create problems for management. What are informal groups in a school?"Informal groups are temporary groups that last for only one discussion or one class period. Their major purpose is to ensure active learning.
What are the types of informal groups?Types of Informal Groups
Apathetic groups. Erratic groups. Strategic groups, and; Conservative groups.
Which is a example of informal groups?Members of the sales team join every day for lunch with the human resource team. Another example of such informal groups is that sales team personnel help tech development employees to figure out the requirements of the product.
What are the types of groups in a classroom?This means that there are four potential types of groups which are listed below.. Formal and permanent.. Formal and temporary.. Informal and permanent.. Informal and temporary.. |
What types of informal groups exists on your classroom?
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