RE: Handling loud critics?Everyone, I want to thank so many members of this list who have replied to my request for information about their use of TBL for the first time. I will be writing this paper up in the next month or so and plan to post the finished product back to the list around mid-May. You have all given a great deal to me, I am sincerely grateful, and I look forward to giving back. In that vein, I received this good suggestion (particularly good for very large classes) in response to my post about how folks handle loud critics: "We used (and continue to use) a student liaison group to work with me (course director). Many times the students have given very good, constructive criticism that helped make the method work well for that group of students." -Kathryn K. McMahon, Ph.D. Texas Tech University Since TBL gives students so much more of a *voice* in how their classroom experience unfolds, I would be grateful to hear about times when they used that voice to *resist* TBL itself. My paper is about the teacher's subjective/emotional experience of using TBL, and moments of strong, public student resistence can be among the most emotionally trying for some instructors. Any anecdotes, tips or strategies you can share will greatly benefit my project. Thanks again. -Michael -----Original Message----- From: Team Learning Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Sweet Sent: Friday, March 11, 2005 11:40 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Handling loud critics? Hey Everyone, In my data collection about first-time TBL experiences, a theme is beginning to develop around what can make a TBL class "go bad." Specifically, a loud critic or group of critics can generate an infectious negative classroom atmosphere that festers and worsens. I am curious how many of you have experienced this and what strategies you used in the moment to respond to the critic but hold your ground (what worked? what did *not* work?). Information on this pivotal moment in the social development of the classroom will be VERY helpful. I know of one teacher who had a great first experience with TBL, but her second class mutinied so dramatically that it scared her back to chalk-n-talk. Help me prevent that from happening again! -M