We use flag poles. When a team has finished the GRAT or tRAT then they put their flag in. When half the team flags are up, then there are only 5 min remaining. This is something you can get the class to vote on early in the course - they appreciate the buy-in and setting some time limits. We do have a time limit on the IRAT to make sure everyone is there on time. Prompt attendance is a a must. 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 Jun 28, 2010, at 12:26 PM, Rosalind Warner wrote: > Hi, > > I have been using TBL for about 3 years with considerable success in > Political Science courses, so am fairly experienced. I use the IFAT > forms in multiple-choice RATs, and use individual, team and peer > assessment. > > Does anyone know what to do with the few minutes in between the IRAT > and TRAT, when people are waiting for team members to complete the > individual RAT? Or when different teams complete the TRAT at > different speeds, some just wing through it and other teams have to > ponder longer. > > I have up to now told the class that I do not rigidly time the IRATs > or the TRATs, but give reminders to be aware of others and to try to > complete in a timely manner, but there are always the same students > who tend to take longer. > > I have also handed out reading materials in preparation for future > classes, or given them worksheets. In the case of teams, they have > ongoing projects to work on together. > > The noise level tends to increase for the whole class during this > 'dead time' and laptops tend to be opened, making it even harder for > those who take longer to finish. > > I am reluctant to rigidly time these as I want to avoid the time > pressure constraints, but any ideas would be welcome. > > > > Rosalind Warner > > Okanagan College > > Department of Political Science > 1000 KLO Road > Kelowna, BC > V1Y 4X8