Facilitate Group Work

Group work is a widely used learning activity at CBS both as breakout discussions in class and as part of a longer assignment or project. Group work can be particularly effective for working with complex, open-ended tasks such as case analyses, project development, or critical discussions.

Not all students are comfortable with group work but creating a safe and respectful environment can support participation and students’ wellbeing. When well designed and facilitated, group work can make teaching more interactive, student-centered, and impactful. 

Tips on group facilitation	Description
Clarify the Purpose	Explain how the activity supports course objectives—e.g., preparing for case discussion, developing critical thinking.
Give Clear Instructions	Outline the task, time frame, and expected outcome (e.g., a takeaway point, draft proposal, or mini-presentation). Consider breaking the group work into more and shorter rounds connected by plenum sessions in order to make it focused and intensive.
Assign or Suggest Roles	Use roles like facilitator, timekeeper, or presenter to ensure balanced participation—especially in larger or mixed-ability groups.
Start Small, Then Scale Up	Begin with short, low-risk tasks (e.g., 5-minute breakout discussion) before progressing to project work or full case analysis.
Monitor and Support	Visit groups, listen in, ask clarifying questions, and offer guidance without taking over.

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