Teaching Group Work

Dr. Molly ReynoldsDr. Jami WarrenPresentation U!

Today’s goals• Evaluate benefits and drawbacks of groupwork• Research on groupwork• Identify practical steps to implementing

groupwork in the classroom• Provide additional resources for groupwork

1 minute….

- What do students enjoy about working in groups? - What do they hate about working in groups?

1 minute….

- What do you enjoy about assigning group projects? - What do you hate about assigning group projects?

Working in small groups…• Increases recall and cognitive learning (Blankenstein, Dolmans, Vleuten, & Schmidt,

2011)

• Improves overall classroom climate (Ediger, 2009)

• Appeals to diverse learning styles (Kayes, Kayes, & Kolb, 2005)

• Emulates work environment (Williams, Beard, and Rymer, 1991)

• Employers desire group work skills (NACE, 2013)• http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/10/11/the-10-skills-employers-most-want-in-20-so

mething-employees/

Healthy groups…• Have ethical goals• Are interdependent• Achieve cohesiveness• Utilize productive

norms• Are accountable• Reach synergy

Using groups: Getting them started• Strategically

consider the group composition

• Force them to develop group dynamics and norms

• Provide in-class time

Using groups: Your Role (Cont’d)

• Provide a rationale and goal(s)

• Serve as a facilitator

• Provide instruction

Using groups: Hold students accountable

• Use group contracts

• Allow groups to “self govern,” choose roles, etc.

Using groups: Hold students accountable

• Include multiple feedback points

• Grade product and process

• Peer Review Process• Group Summation Papers

Group Problems will still arise

Short-Term Groups• Clear instructions (with outcomes)• Assign points for the activity• Short “exit survey” type of evaluation

Blackboard Tools for Groups!• Setting up groups in Blackboard• Group Grading Function• Group Email Function

Questions!

Thank you!