How to Design Tasks for the Communicative Classroom
- 1). Consider individual skill levels. A task that is easy for one student may be abstract and confusing for another. Your tasks should be general enough to benefit a variety of temperaments and thinking styles. Outline your expectations clearly and often, encouraging students who are struggling and rewarding those who succeed.
- 2). Include several steps in your task design to encourage teamwork and group cooperation. Assign a different student to each element of the project and require everyone to complete group evaluations. This will encourage them to put forth their full effort and treat each other with respect.
- 3). Ensure that all students are able to participate in the task by considering the size of your classroom. Even small contributions can make a student feel like a part of the group and encourage more open communication. If you are unable to include everyone, create extra tasks for the extra students (such as keeping score, taking notes, etc.).
- 4). Encourage self-expression. Unless students feel comfortable and confident expressing their unique taste among their peers, they may be reluctant to speak up or pay attention. Make your tasks general and flexible so that they complement a variety of thinking styles.
- 5). Design a set of clear and simple instructions for how to complete the designated tasks. Students who do not respond well to oral instruction may understand with the help of task cards, popular learning tools that outline class assignments in an easy-to-comprehend way.
