List the different types of Groupings stating their advantages and disadvantages

i. Ability grouping

This means putting learners who seem to be more advanced (in expressing themselves while answering questions) in one group say group “A”. The learners who are least advanced in say group ‘D’ and the average pupils in group ‘B’ and ‘C’.
This allows learners in any one group being of much the same standard. The teacher should never call the learners A, B, C, D but should choose or allow the learners to choose their own names, by using birds, animals, colors, countries etc.
Advantages
1. A learner creates confidence in him/her self to the other learners as long as they are of the same standards such that he can’t be left behind. 2. Ability grouping gives stimulation and encouragement to each learner. 3. The quick learners may learn as fast as they are able while the slower learners get special instructions and help at their own level and pace, and do not have to compete unfairly with quick learners.
Disadvantages
1. Once the learners discover the meaning of these kinds of grouping those in lower groups, for example ‘D’ group become discouraged and ashamed, and those in upper groups for example’ A’ group, become proud.
2. Parents of learners in lower groups, say ‘D’ group, blame teachers and think wrongly that the teacher ignores them.
3. Sometimes slow learners are also problem learners and they may become a great – problem if they are all in the same group. 4. There can be no academic competition within the class as a whole but only within the groups.
5. This kind of grouping is unnatural. It is important in the social training of children that they learn to understand and get along with those who are different from themselves.
6. If the dull learners are left together all day they will become duller.

ii. Mixed or non-ability grouping

This is where each group is made up of learners of varying levels of intelligence. This type of grouping is used for many subjects for example writing, oral language, history, geography, etc.
Advantages
1. It ensures an equal distribution of learning and response over the whole class.
2. The quick learners in each group help the others and encourage them to try to be as good as they are. This is because many learners learn more easily from each other than from the teacher.
3. It ensures an equal opportunity of being the ‘best’ group when there is inter-group competition.
4. It boosts the morale of the average and weak learners to be grouped with the clever learners.
5. Shy and timid learners gain courage from sitting beside those who are confident and happy.
Disadvantages
1. It cannot be used in all subjects for example reading and mathematics because slower learners may give up trying altogether.
2. The intelligent learners may be frustrated if the pace of learning is too slow for them.

iii. Social or natural grouping

This is a grouping where learners are free to sit whenever they like in the classroom, can be beside a friend or in a favorite place. It is used during religious education and story-telling
Advantages:
1. It helps to adjust when seated besides a friend or at a favorite place and learning takes place easily.
2. Sometimes learners work better if they are allowed to sit beside someone they know and with whom they can discuss their work. Disadvantages
1. When friends sit together they are inclined to chat and this may disrupt the class.
2. This does not prepare learners socially for life.

iv. Interest grouping

This is where learners who are interested in a certain topic or activity may be grouped together just while that activity is in progress. There common interest should lead to sharing of ideas and goal social interaction while they are working for example, at an Art lesson, learners interested in modeling might model, while others might choose painting, others construction etc.
Advantages
1. When learners are interested in what they are doing, they tend to learn well, what a learner wants to do, he will do well.
2. Not all learners like the same activities.
3. A learner will get an opportunity of developing a special talent.
Disadvantages
1. Some learners choose their friends rather than a subject or activity. 2. Some groups may be very large and some very small.
3. Timid learners may be afraid to volunteer for any new and challenging activity.

v. Sex grouping

This is grouping according to sex that is, having groups for males and females:
Advantages
1. Girls have interests and abilities which in many instances are quite different from those of boys.
2. Special training can be given to separate groups of boys and girls to prepare them for their adult roles in life.
Disadvantages
1. Sometimes boys and girls are separated from learning together when they could learn better if they were together.
2. Some teachers do not think that certain skills (like cookery) should be taught to both boys and girls up to a certain level.
3. At certain levels for example lower primary, if pupils are separated, they often try to ‘show off’ to each other, playing tricks when they should be working.

vi. Need grouping

This is where a teacher may discover in his class a group with a common difficulty. They are put in a special group. The remainder of the learners in the class is given suitable work to do while the teacher deals with the group with special need.

vii. Random grouping

This is where students are chosen in a haphazard way to form groups. There is no criterion used.

---

Titany answered the question on September 15, 2021 at 08:40