Hi Jana,
I had this problem twice already this semester, due to 2 students
leaving a course where I have 12 teams of 5 or 6. I did what Jim
suggested: I told the teams that they might be disadvantaged by being in
a group of 4. I suggested that possible solutions included:
Have each of the 4 join another group
look for a volunteer from a 6 person group
remain with 4 person group knowing about limitations
In one team, this was a bit tricky as we had already completed one IRAT
and GRAT and the team (with the original 5) had scored lower than any of
the others. I was concerned that a team of 4 would be at a disadvantage.
The team wanted to stay together and a member of another neighboring
team, who had missed the first class where teams were formed, happily
joined the group of 4. The team of 6 who lost the student asked if they
could appeal the decision - "no" was the answer and then I thanked the
students' flexibility publicly at the beginning of class.
In another team, 2 weeks into class, and after the second set of
IRAT/GRAT, another student left. This time the group of 4 had recruited
a friend of theirs from another team of 6. She happily joined and took
the initiative to explain the switch to her original teammates.
I have had teams of 4 in the past, in upper class elective courses.
It's been toughest when 2 out of the 4 are absent and the class is
working on solving complex problems.
My plan for the future is to have teams of 6 and 7 so that this is less
of a problem.
So delighted that you are trying this approach!
Sophie
Sophie M. Sparrow
Professor of Law
University of NH School of Law
2 White Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-513-5205
603.225-9647 FAX
[log in to unmask]
>>> Jim Sibley <[log in to unmask]> 9/8/2010 5:25 PM >>>
We usually do an orientation period with trial teams if roster can
change al
lot....maybe the first module with teams quickly formed on first
day....then
do real team formation at start of third week
Also teams of 7 can sometimes be a lifesaver....bigger teams have a bit
more
flexibility with departures
To address your current situation......ask the class, the teams what
they
want to do.....they may want to reshuffle....or they might already be a
team
and want to stay the course....let them decide
A team of 4 isn¹t the end of the world....in a mechanical design course
I
help with the teams are the same for a major project and size varies
from
4-7.....4 is not ideal...but it is what we feels makes sense in our
case
jim
From: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:07:55 -0400
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Shifting teams when students drop out?
Greetings all,
I am using TBL for the first time this fall (having been highly
motivated by
a wonderful presentation this summer at the Institute for Law Teaching
and
Learning). In each of my Criminal Law classes (78-80 students in each
class), we set up teams on the first day; the teams consisted of 5-6
people. I now have a student who has left school. He was in a
5-person
team, leaving that team with only 4 people. We are half-way through
the
fourth week of class, and we have 10 ½ weeks to go.
Would it be better for me to move a person from a 6-person team to make
the
smaller one have 5 people, or would it be better to leave the 4 person
team
as is? I am certain someone from a 6-person team would be willing to
move.
Also, the team that is now short a person has a ³problem student² on
the
team, and I worry that the other three don¹t have strong enough
personalities to handle him. Perhaps bringing in a new person would
help
shift that dynamic? On the other hand, I don¹t want to hurt any
dynamics
already created.
Any input would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Jana
PS By the way, we did our first iRAT and tRAT yesterday and today.
And as
expected, of course, the teams far outperformed the individuals. It
was
wonderfully exciting to walk around the room and listen as the teams
discussed the quiz and really worked together to learn and understand
the
material.
Jana R. McCreary
Assistant Professor of Law
Florida Coastal School of Law
8787 Baypine Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
(904) 256-1222
(904) 680-7771 (fax)
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