Blog #8: Peer Writing Groups

Throughout all the readings about composition research, the most striking piece was Godbee's in terms of the discussion on peer editing groups. In a lot of the reading the emphasis was on how trust needs to be built between groups in order to have successful writing groups. A lot of the issues that many point to is that students in group settings typically don't trust each, or some might take on authorial positions that might intimate quieter team members. As an SI, I have now experience both aspects. As a student, whenever I was placed in groups or asked to participate in group activities I always dragged my feet. I simply didn't trust the other members, or I was pushed aside in favor of the student with most leadership-like persona. As an SI, instituting group work among my students, I have also seen these types of patterns and actions occur. However, over Summer Bridge when I worked with my instructor in putting together groups of students over the course of several days for a project it seemed that constant work together as a group helped these students find a balance and trust. Of course, one group imploded because I put too many dominant personalities in one group, but the other three groups seemed to work seamlessly. In this respect, I think Godbee's five categories in regards to conferencing is true: voice, humor, respect, appreciative inquiry, and not alone are aspects that are gained through conferencing. However, I think I still have much work to do in how to manage group settings. Time management and group-trust building activities are my focus for this year's summer bridge.