First: does the 3 person team think there's a problem? If you ask them and tell them why you are concerned, and they tell you point-blank "we're cool with it" then maybe nothing need be done. You have given them the choice. If they do say that they'd like a change, then I think it might be OK to add them as single members to existing teams: By now the class should realize that having more members is an asset, and the teams with fewer folks might really want those assets. I like Jim's idea of asking the whole class "what should we do?" and given the option, I think a few existing teams of 6 would readily accept a new member if the alternative meant a total class re-shuffle (which might be unfairly 'blamed on' the three folks from the tiny team.) However you wind up going, I think Jim is right on that you should be upfront with folks that it might be a little weird as the adjustment is made. -M From: Team-Based Learning [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim Sibley Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:17 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Small team Yes the team is getting too small.....but I would ask the team what they want to do....explain to them that they might do better....have more fun....learn more....in a larger team The difficulty in adding students late in the semester.....is team cohesiveness might look like clique behavior to a new single member....if you do add members I would be careful not to add single members from different teams to an existing team.....if you do shuffle the teams....be up front about what it will likely feel like for existing and new teams members...help students understand the transition from group to team...back to group....actually might be an interesting teachable moment Again I would ask the team/teams/and maybe the class....what should we do jim -- Jim Sibley Director Centre for Instructional Support Faculty of Applied Science University of British Columbia 2208-6250 Applied Science Lane Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4 Phone 604.822.9241 Fax 604.822.7006 Email: [log in to unmask] Web: http://cis.apsc.ubc.ca e-Portfolio: http://ipeer.apsc.ubc.ca/wiki/index.php/Jim_Sibley_Portfolio ________________________________________________ (c) Copyright 2010, Jim Sibley, All rights reserved The information contained in this e-mail message and any attachments (collectively "message") is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient (or recipients) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and that any review, use, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail, and delete the message. ________________________________ From: Robert Brekken <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: Robert Brekken <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:42:15 -0600 To: <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Small team I have a question about how to handle dwindling numbers in one of my teams. The class was set up with 8 teams of 6-7 members. At mid-semester one of the groups has dropped to only 3 members (other teams are all at their original #'s). Is it best to continue with this small team or add these people to other teams? If added to other teams, how would team grading and peer evaluation be handled? Thanks for any thoughts. Bob Brekken Bob Brekken Dept. of History Central Lakes College 501 West College Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 218-855-8190