Group formation methods

There are different group formation methods, i. H. Methods of finding small groups from a large group. The basic consideration must always be whether it is necessary to divide groups according to a certain rule (e.g. equal distribution of the sexes, the age groups involved, equal group size, etc.) or whether a free group division is possible.

• The simplest form is therefore the free division into groups
• In addition, a division can be made freely if criteria are specified (the group must, for example, be 4–6 people).
• External criteria can also play a role: For example, groups that are homogeneous in terms of performance or consciously heterogeneous groups can be formed. This can be done on the basis of assessments or tests carried out beforehand. Other such external criteria can be age, size, etc.

Group formation methods that dispense with such criteria but follow rules are e.g. B .:

• Election of members by two (or X in X groups) group heads;
• Counting by the group; each person comes into the group whose number they have counted;
• the lot .

Finally, there are games for finding groups: Ultimately, these games are usually based on the aforementioned procedures (like the lottery ticket in the example). Here, too, an example:

• Animal noises (with four desired groups): four types of animals are written on cards, each in the number of the desired group size. They should be animals whose noises can be easily imitated (e.g. dog, cat, cow and sheep). The participants now draw one of the hidden and shuffled cards, then spread around the room, close their eyes and finally imitate the sounds of the animals. It is now your task that the same noises or groups of animals come together.