Heterogeneous grouping refers to an educational setting whereby students from various backgrounds, for instance, students with learning disabilities or who are gifted, are collectively placed in different classrooms. This technique aims at polishing the skills and abilities of the students more effectively. Also, the varied groups comprise students of different ages, educational levels, skills, and interests.
The supremacy of this method allows students to learn from one another and present an opportunity to interact with diverse individuals. Sometimes, heterogeneous grouping results in advanced students mentoring their peers. However, on the contrary, such advanced students feel pressurized to take on a leadership role or to accord with other students while completing an activity.
The purpose of assigning mixed groups of students from education prospects develops a positive interdependence between various students in respect of working together and helping each other reach educational goals.
Example of Heterogeneous Grouping
An example of heterogeneous grouping can be a teacher deliberately pairing low, medium, and high-level readers in a group to read and study a given text together. This type of setting can improve the outcomes of all students, while advanced readers can help their lower-performing peers.
Furthermore, students with less ability when included in heterogeneous groups have exposure to a vast curriculum, School Analytics, thus elevating struggling students’ skills.