Group Formation-Finding-Your-Matching-Card in a Collaborative Learning Classroom

Abstract

This paper presents a non-traditional strategy of group formation that engages students in utilizing prior learned knowledge to solve problems at a collaborative learning classroom. Through the grouping process students communicate mathematical thinking with their peers and physically moving around to find their matching cards and group parteners. The grouping process warms up students to launch an active learning mode. Although the grouping method was implemented\xa0in the mathematics content course for preservice elementary teachers and the capstone course for preservice secondary mathematics teachers, it could perfectly fit different types of classrooms including grades K-12 or college level.\xa0