I have occasionally changed team locations mid-semester, usually when I feel that some are disadvantaged being in the back of the room or blocked by the podium. My class is small enough that I can do this (about 50-60). In even smaller classes there really isn't a need. I think it could be pretty disruptive in a larger class, but I had some interesting observations this semester when we switched places. I had several teams where people changed where they were sitting among their teammates, from front of the group to the back or integrating in differently. I know in a couple of cases, it was very deliberate on the part of students who felt that the communications were not optimal, but in the original team location, everyone would just continue to sit in the same places. I try to facilitate when I can see obvious communication problems (e.g. one person removed somewhat from the others), but not everything is obvious. So moving team locations allow a sort of fresh start for some and didn't hurt the teams that were already working well together.
Molly Espey
Molly Espey, Professor
Applied Economics and Statistics
263 Barre Hall
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634
(864) 656-6401
-----Original Message-----
From: Team-Based Learning [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dianne York
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2010 5:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Student is not a team player
Tamara,
I like your idea of rotating where the teams sit, and I may try to incorporate that strategy next semester. I can see the advantages.
I have 180 to 200 students per semester in 4 sections, and I teach in a room with stadium seating. I make a seating chart and use it for attendance, as well as to help with learning students' names - always a challenge for me.
I don't think rotating every 3 weeks would work for me, but I might try changing things at midterm or maybe every 5 weeks (2x per semester).
My concerns are the confusion it might cause when I take attendance, or call on a Team for an answer - I'm sure there will be several occasions when I'm looking in the wrong place! Plus I have students who specifically request to sit at the front.
Dianne York, M.S., MT(ASCP)
Lecturer, Biology
Lincoln University, PA
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