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
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From: Robert Brekken <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Robert Brekken <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:42:15 -0600
To: <[log in to unmask]">[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