Groupwork in the classroom

Dr. Molly ReynoldsDr. Jami WarrenPresentation U!

Today’s goals

• Research on groupwork• Evaluate benefits and drawbacks of groupwork• Identify practical steps to implementing

groupwork in the classroom• Provide additional resources for groupwork

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-mo

st-want-in-20-something-employees/

Healthy groups…

• Have ethical goals• Are interdependent• Achieve cohesiveness• Utilize productive

norms• Are accountable• Reach synergy

Group Development

Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning

Group Roles

Think about a time you worked in a productive, healthy group. What was so

great about the experience?

Think about a time you worked in a terrible group. What was so awful about

the experience?

Using groups: Getting them started

• Strategically consider the group composition

• Provide in-class time

Theunquietlibrary via Flickr

Using groups: Your Role (Cont’d)

• Provide a rationale and goal(s)

• Serve as a facilitator

• Provide instruction Thegreenpages via Flickr

Using groups: Hold students accountable

• Use group contracts

• Allow groups to “self govern”

Using groups: Hold students accountable

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• Include multiple feedback points

• Grade product and process

• Peer Review Process

Reflection & Peer Review

• Reflection on the process is important!• Students cannot perform if they are not aware

of the process• Group Summation Papers• www.catme.org

Methods for Peer Review: Fishbowl techniques

• Swim together or jump ship• Helping students observe group processes

Group Problems will still arise

Blackboard Tools for Groups!

• Setting up groups in Blackboard• Group Grading Function• Group Email Function• Adobe Connect

Presentation U! Highlights

• Presentation Power Hours: Thursdays 3-4pm

– Academic Integrity: Conducting, Evaluating & Using Research• Oct 16th

– Formal Speechmaking: Developing & Organizing your Ideas• Oct 23rd, Dec. 4th

– Formal Speech Delivery: Effective Use of Voice & Body• Today!, Oct. 30th, Dec. 11th

– Presentational Aids: From PowerPoint to Prezi to YouTube• Oct 2nd, Nov. 6th

– Listening & Responding: Empathy, Understanding, & Constructive Criticism• Oct 9th, Nov. 13th

Questions!

Thank you!