Groupwork in the classroom Dr. Molly Reynolds Dr. Jami Warren Presentation 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) employers-most-want-in-20-something-employees/ employers-most-want-in-20-something-employees/

Healthy groups… Have ethical goals Are interdependent Achieve cohesiveness Utilize productive norms Are accountable Reach synergy

Group Development FormingStormingNormingPerformingAdjourning

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 ragesoss via Flickr 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

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 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 23 rd, Dec. 4th – Formal Speech Delivery: Effective Use of Voice & Body Today!, Oct. 30 th, Dec. 11th – Presentational Aids: From PowerPoint to Prezi to YouTube Oct 2 nd, Nov. 6th – Listening & Responding: Empathy, Understanding, & Constructive Criticism Oct 9 th, Nov. 13 th

Questions! Thank you!