The aim of this paper is to discuss aims and means of group work as a teaching- and learning method. In Denmark, group work has since the 1970’es been implemented in all kinds of educations from primary school to the university as well as in training sessions in organizations. The discussion in the paper will take its outset in introductions in pedagogical textbooks. Here, group work is often presented as a mean to learn social skills and co-workability. Though, as all students and teachers may know, this is not always the case.
Following the results from my Ph.D. dissertation, observations of long-term group work show, that group work can also be a pretty tough experience for the students (Christensen 2013). Contrary to the expectations, the group work seemed to lead to anti-social behavior and development of selfish skills. Thus, the paper will end up in suggestions for revision of the (often) laissez-faire group pedagogy, which is dominant in Denmark. This will focus on alignment of the means and aims of group pedagogy.