Final answer:
Small-group activities are generally effective for fostering collaboration and peer learning, but they're not always practical or sufficient for larger groups with collective action problems. Different group sizes and activities cater to diverse subjects and learning objectives, so the importance of always using small groups is nuanced.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that instructors should always plan for small-group activities requiring two to four participants to work together to solve a problem or complete an activity can be considered both fact and fiction depending on the context and learning objectives. While small group activities generally foster collaboration and peer learning, allowing students to engage deeply with course materials and concepts, they are not always practical or sufficient, particularly for larger groups where challenges such as free-riding and collective action problems can occur.
For instance, in a collaborative exercise, students might form a small group to brainstorm and critique ideas. This can be an effective way to explore course concepts, share diverse perspectives, and encourage active participation. However, what works for smaller groups may not translate well to larger groups, where individual contributions can become diluted or less noticeable. For example, if you free ride in a group of four, the other group members will likely notice, but in a group of 40 million, one's absence would not be perceptible.