Individual work is best suited for solitary/autonomous learners, while small group work promotes interaction and peer mentoring. Mentoring involves frequent face-to-face discussions and meetings to extend learning across multiple domains, differing from regular tutoring. While small groups provide valuable learning experiences, ensuring consistent learning, compatible meeting times, and preventing conflicts can be challenging. Both individual and group work have advantages and disadvantages, so educators should consider student expectations, group sizes and dynamics, and activity types when deciding between the two approaches.

1. MENTORING LEARNERS’
INDIVIDUAL WORK
Minasyan Eva Tigranovna

2. EFFECTIVE LEARNERS ARE MADE NOT BORN.
“Regardless of the group size the learning environment
should provide an opportunity
for students to obtain a deep understanding of the material”
Paul Surgenor

3. WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS DOES INDIVIDUAL WORK
SUIT BEST?
Solitary/autonomous Societal/group
learning learning

4. HOW IS INDIVIDUAL WORK DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR
TUTORING?
Mentor’s collaboration often extends across multiple
domains :
 frequent discussions – face-to-face
 weekly meetings
 distant communicating

5. WORKING IN PAIRS AND SMALL GROUPS
“Small groups can provide valuable learning experiences.
Small groups in the classroom allow student interaction in
less intimidating environments where peer mentoring and
instruction are taking place”, Tiberius R.
 Increase Interaction
 Promote Achievement
 High-level commitment
 Foster Socialization

6. ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUAL OR
SMALL-GROUP WORK
 Model / diagram  Quick-fire questions
construction  Quizzes
 Case study  Brian rings
 Scenario analysis  Team games
 Exploiting authentic  Audio/ video materials
materials
 Developing a
Presentation / Mini-
pitch

7. POSSIBLE PITFALLS
 Student expectations Have and have-not
 Group sizes syndrome
 Group dynamics “It is hard enough being a
professor without
 Activity types
taking on being a
 Tactics for questioning
„judge‟ policing and
 Time-consuming evaluating the opinions
of fellow students on
one another”
Tiberius R.

8. GROUP WORK VS. INDIVIDUAL WORK
Advantages of Group Work Disadvantages of Group Work
Disadvantages of Individual Work Advantages of Individual Work
 Learn quality skills and  Learning is inconsistent
insights from one another
 Conflicts in compatible
 Learn effective project meeting times
team skills
 Educators - involved in
 Improved socialization
and professional “policing” groups
networking  Individuals/high-
 Faculty grading time is achievers -
reduced frustrated/demotivated
 Share work load  An added burden

9. HELPFUL TIPS
 Seminar activities - as evolving processes.
 Delegate objectives clearly.
 Get all students actively involved.
 Keep activities to a maximum of 20 minutes.
 Consolidate merits - commitment and
initiative, intelligence and time-management skills.

10. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!