Question

In choosing this approach, Ms. Johnson?

1) avoids having students form their own groups of working with someone she or he likes
2) takes advantage of the information she has about students' individual learning styles so as to maximize student learning effectiveness and efficiency
3) avoids randomly assigning students to pairs
4) risks having incompatible students working together in pairs

Answer 1

Ms. Johnson's approach, based on maximizing student learning effectiveness and efficiency, aligns with the flocking method studied by Harding (2018), which has been shown to reduce free-riding and enhance learning outcomes in groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

In choosing this approach, Ms. Johnson takes advantage of the information she has about students' individual learning styles (maximizing student learning effectiveness and efficiency), avoids having students form groups based on personal preferences or random assignments, and accepts the risk of possibly pairing incompatible students.

A study by Harding (2018) supports this approach, showing that the flocking method—grouping students by similar schedules and motivations—can reduce free-riding and improve both group and individual learning outcomes. The flocking method is opposed to self-selection, which may lead to less optimal learning experiences and the prevalence of social loafing.