The aim of the “Social Learning” project is to promote group development within a class, increase the social skills of the students and increase the work productivity of the class.
Once “social learning” has been successfully completed, the following characteristics can be observed in the class:
• Group members understand and accept each other.
• Communication is open.
• Group members feel responsible for their learning and behavior.
• The group members cooperate with each other.
• Group members can solve work tasks in large/small teams.
• If decisions have to be made, there are established rules of procedure.
• Group members are able to deal openly with problems and resolve their conflicts in a constructive manner.
A school class differs from other groups (e.g. sports groups) in that it is not voluntary, attendance at school is compulsory and the students deal with topics that they have usually not chosen themselves; They also receive an evaluation of their work performance in the form of grades or reports.
Nevertheless, every school class goes through the development phases that every group experiences in the process of growing together. These are according to Lowy / Bernstein:
- Orientation
- Determination of norms
- Productivity
- Resolution
A class that is left alone in its development often does not make it past the 2nd phase. Children who demonstrate socially integrative behavior are not necessarily accepted by the group at the beginning of group development. The “go for it” and “scream loud” mentality is often more important than negotiating rules that are conducive to living together in a group. The group develops a dynamic of its own that is difficult to reverse later and this can lead to school learning being significantly impaired by negative work and social behavior.
