Larry, 1) I pair the groups randomly, but work to get them in front of a new group each time as it offers a set of 'fresh eyes'. 2) Yes, I have the groups get up so that they are standing when presenting to one another. It's usually done on the periphery and in the aisles of the lecture hall. I typically have them record their group work on a sheet of flip chart paper. So, during the presentations you end up seeing two people holding up their group's flip chart paper and a presenter pointing to key points on the sheet during the presentation. Students in my class are conditioned to working in groups, as we do it most every class period. Therefore, collaborating to complete a SWOT analysis or make recommendations on marketing strategy is nothing new to them. I just post the assignment in a powerpoint slide or hand it out in class and ask them to get into their groups to complete it with a deadline of generally 20 - 25 minutes. They are also informed of what we'll do with their results. This often includes telling them that they will be presenting their results to another group and that they will be expected to justify their findings or recommendations. Another approach that I've used in large lecture halls is to have each group tape their flip chart paper on the walls along the lecture hall and have a representative presenter from each group standing next to the paper at the completion of the exercise. We then go through a process of 'speed presenting', where each presenter is given one minute to present something unique from their group. Presenters are not allowed to repeat information given by other groups, which puts pressure on them to be focused on what others are saying. The whole process keeps everyone in the room engaged. I hope this helps. Cheers, Tom I hope this helps. Cheers, Tom Tom DeWitt Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Marketing College of Business and Economics University of Hawaii - Hilo 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 974-7384 ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Michaelsen <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:51 Subject: Re: Inter-team discussions in the large lecture hall To: Thomas DeWitt <[log in to unmask]> > Tom, > > This sounds very interesting. I have a couple of > logistical questions. > 1) How do you pair the groups? > 2) When you say, "We then sit back down and..." it sounds like > you have groups stand up and move. Is that the case? > > Also, I think it would help others to have you give a generic > version of what you typically say to the class to get the > activity started. > > Larry > > > -- > Larry K. Michaelsen > Professor of Management > University of Central Missouri > Dockery 400G > Warrensburg, MO 64093 > > [log in to unmask] <---PLEASE NOTE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS !!! > 660/543-4124 voice > 660/543-8465 fax > > > >>> Thomas DeWitt <[log in to unmask]> 09/14/09 8:19 PM >>> > Karen, > > I tried something new this semester that works well for > me. I pair up groups and have them present to one > another. I give them approximately 5 - 7 > minutes for each presentation after they have completed an > activity. I task the groups with challenging the other > groups with their questioning and identifying best > practices. We then sit back down and have a lively > discussion about what they have learned from one another. > > Cheers, Tom > > Tom DeWitt Ph.D. > Assistant Professor of Marketing > College of Business and Economics > University of Hawaii - Hilo > 200 W. Kawili St. > Hilo, HI 96720 > > Phone: (808) 974- 7384 > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Karen Sirum <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Monday, September 14, 2009 13:56 > Subject: Inter- team discussions in the large lecture hall > To: TEAMLEARNING- [log in to unmask] > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > | > > > Hello Fellow TBLers, > > > I would appreciate the wisdom and advice of the group > regarding facilitating inter- team discussions in the large > lecture hall. I have 173 students and 26 teams in a > stadium style hall that seats 280, no microphones other than the > instructor's, no technology other than LCD projector, instructor > laptop, and ethernet internet access. How do you ensure > that all teams are included and all are heard (in 50 minute > class periods)?> > > Thanks, in advance, for any tips you may have!> > > Karen Sirum> > > > Karen Sirum, Assistant Professor > > Biology Education Research and Development > > Dept. of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Building > > Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 > > tel. 419- 372- 3877 > > [log in to unmask] > > > > | > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > > >