# Breakout Groups Or Not?

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2016/05/05/blog-breakout-groups-or-not/
- Published: 2016-05-05T20:10:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## I’ve been experimenting with teaching classes with and without breakout groups. I think that breakout groups arranged by rank/skill level can be beneficial in a class setting. However, lately, I’ve begun to reconsider whether breakout groups are all that beneficial from an instructor’s perspective.

Teaching in a breakout group format involves a fair bit of work shuttling back and
forth between different breakout groups and checking on their progress, particularly
if you are reviewing curriculum requirements. It can get hectic when dealing with
more than two breakout groups.

One recent [experiment](https://brianejohns.com/2016/04/28/blog-blitz-teaching/)
I’ve done is to teach different levels of the curriculum to the entire class rather
than by breakout groups. This has been in the context of a curriculum review for
upcoming grading/testing. This approach has been less chaotic and has allowed me
to do a more focused teaching job.

There are several advantages to this approach. First, advanced students can review
and strengthen their basics. Secondly, the lower-ranked students can get a taste
of the advanced curriculum material. Thirdly, concerning curriculum review, the 
senior students can refine their teaching when paired up with a junior.

What about when we are not doing [curriculum review](https://brianejohns.com/2007/09/07/blog-there-are-no-superior-styles-just-superior-fighters/)
for upcoming grading?

I generally cover conceptual materials such as the Bamboo Spirit Flow Drills, joint
lock flows, and anyos. After this month’s grading is completed, I intend to cover
a good number of the flow drills until the next grading, which will take place in
December.  The entire class can work on the flow drills except for complete newbies.
For the most part, breakout groups are not needed for this.

_One of the flow drills that I teach in class without breakout groups._

I’ve gotten very positive feedback from the class on this approach. Due to this,
I will likely do less of the breakout groups. However, I will not abandon it in 
its entirety.

## Over to you, what do you think?

## Additional Reading

 * [Flow Drills vs. Techniques](https://brianejohns.com/2016/10/04/blog-flow-drills-vs-techniques/)
 * [“There Are No Superior Styles, Just Superior Fighters.”](https://brianejohns.com/2007/09/07/blog-there-are-no-superior-styles-just-superior-fighters/)
 * [7 Benefits of Changing Martial Arts Partners](https://brianejohns.com/2015/05/11/blog-7-benefits-of-changing-partners/)
 * [High or Low Energy Private Lessons](https://brianejohns.com/2024/05/02/high-or-low-energy-private-lessons/)
 * [Style or Approach?](https://brianejohns.com/2012/03/01/blog-style-or-approach/)

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