Meaningful collaboration is the engine that drives student engagement and fuels deeper learning. When students actively engage with each other, share ideas, and build knowledge together, they move beyond passive learning and into a realm of dynamic interaction and discovery. But creating the optimal groups for these collaborative moments can be a real challenge. That’s where grouper.school comes in!! A free online tool designed to transform the way you form student groups, making the process efficient, purposeful, and student-centered.
Why Use Grouper?
Grouper.school is FREE and makes it easy to create groups.
Flexible Group Creation: Easily generate groups of any size with a single click, allowing for randomization, customization, or grouping based on specific student attributes.
Intelligent Roster Import: Import student lists seamlessly without the need for specific formatting; the platform’s AI interprets and organizes the data accordingly.
Avoid Problematic Student Pairings: Identify and manage student pairings to ensure certain students are not grouped together.
Attribute-Based Grouping: Assign and utilize student attributes—such as proficiency levels, gender, or leadership qualities. Create balanced and effective groups.
Save Groups: Save group configurations for quick reuse in future sessions, streamlining the planning process.
Live Mode Display: Utilize live mode to display student groups, facilitating quick and organized assembly during group activities.
Easily Get Started
Start by logging into grouper.school and click on “Classes” to name your first class.
Avoid typing each student individually by clicking on the import icon. This looks like a flat line with an arrow. This is to the right of the class name line. Import any file you have that has a class list. If you have a Google Doc or spreadsheet you can download as a PDF or other format.
Use in Groupings
After importing your student list click the blue arrow to continue to use the list in groupings. You can also click “Groupings” at the top.
Quickly Form Groups
How many students do you want in each group? Simply click on the number and wait for the magic!
But Wait! There is More
Grouper doesn’t just quickly group the students! You have more control over the student groups. Easily DRAG the student avatars into the groups.
Have a group you like? Click the lock sign. A hidden easter egg is to click on the words “Groups of” to reshuffle the the groups.
Locked groups will not reshuffle.
Go Live
After you have your groups the way you like them, click on the “Go live” icon. This is a blue button with a screen icon that gives a friendly display for students to quickly identify what groups they are in.
Assign Student Attributes
Want to go beyond random groupings? Assign students an attribute such as “strong leader” to make for more balanced groupings.
Group By Attribute
Add a column to create your own grouping. Option to click the drop down arrow in the column header to choose a preset template. After labeling students with attributes you can select these attributes in the sidebar when doing groupings. This helps you to more evenly distribute students into groups based on the attributes.
Why Grouping Matters: The Power of Collaborative Learning
Grouping isn’t simply about putting students together; it’s about fostering an environment where they can effectively learn from and with each other. Research consistently demonstrates the profound impact of effective grouping:
1. Engagement Ignites:
Collaborative learning fosters active participation, increasing engagement and motivation among students.
- Research Evidence: A meta-analysis by Roseth, Johnson, and Johnson (2008) found that cooperative learning environments enhance motivation and engagement compared to competitive or individualistic settings. Students are more likely to be involved and take ownership of their learning.
- Source: Roseth, C. J., Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2008). “Promoting Early Adolescents’ Achievement and Peer Relationships: The Effects of Cooperative, Competitive, and Individualistic Goal Structures.” Psychological Bulletin, 134(2), 223–246. DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.134.2.223
2. Deeper Understanding Blossoms:
Collaborative learning enables students to articulate their thinking, engage with diverse perspectives, and deepen their understanding of concepts.
- Research Evidence: Webb et al. (2009) demonstrated that peer-to-peer explanations and discussions significantly enhance comprehension and retention of material.
- Source: Webb, N. M., Franke, M. L., Ing, M., Wong, J., Fernandez, C. H., Shin, N., & Turrou, A. C. (2009). “The Role of Teacher Instructional Practices in Student Collaboration.” American Educational Research Journal, 46(4), 1032–1064. DOI:10.3102/0002831209333183
3. Essential Skills Flourish:
Group work develops skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.
- Research Evidence: Johnson and Johnson (2009) outlined that cooperative learning prepares students for real-world challenges by fostering these essential skills in structured group settings.
- Source: Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2009). “An Educational Psychology Success Story: Social Interdependence Theory and Cooperative Learning.” Educational Researcher, 38(5), 365–379. DOI:10.3102/0013189X09339057
4. Diverse Needs Met:
Thoughtful grouping accommodates diverse learners by addressing varying learning styles, abilities, and needs.
- Research Evidence: Differentiated instruction strategies embedded in collaborative learning settings help meet the needs of all students, as shown in studies like Tomlinson’s work on differentiated instruction.
- Source: Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Use Grouper to Assist with Collaborative Learning
Grouper.school is more than just a grouping tool; it’s a catalyst for collaboration, engagement, and deeper learning. By simplifying the grouping process, Grouper.school empowers teachers to create a dynamic and supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Ditch the sticky notes and embrace the power of purposeful grouping with this invaluable tool.
