Kathy,
Although I've never had it happen, I wouldn't have ANY reservations about being able to defend having students do well designed group work. There is a lot of evidence to support the fact that BEING ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY AS A MEMBER OF A TEAM IS THE SINGLE BEST PREDICTOR OF WHETHER OR NOT COLLEGE GRADUATES WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY IN THE WORKPLACE. In fact, I think professors who don't use group work would have a much harder time defending their choices than you would.
As to what to do, I think that depends on two things:
1) What is the nature of the student's objections (at least her stated ones) to working as a member of a team?
2) What happens next?
Even if the student simply goes away, I think your response (and whatever advice I might offer) depend on her answers to question #1. However, irrespective of her objections to the group work, the student decides that she wants to come back, I think she should have to face the very real consequences of her past actions. As a result, I would only allow her to come back if she is willing to negotiate a "contract" with the team that both she and the team agree is a workable arrangement.
Larry
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Larry K. Michaelsen
Professor of Management
University of Central Missouri
Dockery 400G
Warrensburg, MO 64093
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>>> "Zoghby, Kathy" <[log in to unmask]> 02/25/10 1:45 PM >>>
Hello everyone,
This is my second semester of using TBL in my non-science major Human Genetics course. I have a student that has basically refused to get on board, so to speak, and has made life miserable for her team, in spite of many conversations and meetings with her and the team. Today she stormed out of the classroom and said she was withdrawing from the class. The rest of the team could not have been happier, and they have now said that if she changes her mind they do not want her back! So, I am at a loss and have no idea what I do with this - one, I might get pressure from the administration to let her take the course without being a part of the team (hopefully not likely, but what if) and two - if she does come back - what do I do? There are 7 weeks left in our semester.
I appreciate any words of wisdom. I realize the TBL conference is going on in New Orleans right now - wish I could have made it. Hopefully next year.
Kathy Zoghby
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