Kathy et al -

1 - support Larry's contention as well.  Indeed, from the medical
school side of things, if a student has a problem working closely with
others in a collaborative way - then, another line of work should be
sought.

2 - only once in our 9 years of medical school classes (hundreds upon
hundreds of students, and trust me, there are some real personalities in
our future physicians) we've have had only one problem student who
sounds close to yours.  Probably not remediable.  

3 - think of the sandbox.  those kids ages 3-6 who learn to play well
with others in the sandbox will go on in life and do pretty good.  Those
that don't - just never get there.  I say this as a child psychiatrist who had
a father once tell me this was his kid's problem - ' can't play in the sandbox.'  
Life.  My metaphor, however, did not work so well when doing a workshop
for faculty in the Emirates where no on could understand kids playing in
a little square of sand.  

4 - I judge the success of a tbl module as much on how positively engaged
the students are with each other through the questions as whatever learning
they may be doing.  

Soon we all get together!  Dean

Dean Parmelee, M.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Boonshoft School of Medicine

Wright State University

Dayton, Ohio

http://www.med.wright.edu/aa/parmelee.html 

On Feb 25, 2010, at 2:45 PM, Zoghby, Kathy wrote:

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