Another possibility is to split up the team of 4, adding one person to 4
other teams, starting with teams having only 5 members.  If it were earlier
in the term, this might be the ideal solution.  I agree with Jim...let the
students decide.

Lynne



On 9/8/10 2:25 PM, "Sibley, Jim" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> We usually do an orientation period with trial teams if roster can change al
> lot....maybe the first module with teams quickly formed on first day....then
> do real team formation at start of third week
> 
> Also teams of 7 can sometimes be a lifesaver....bigger teams have a bit more
> flexibility with departures
> 
> To address your current situation......ask the class, the teams what they want
> to do.....they may want to reshuffle....or they might already be a team and
> want to stay the course....let them decide
> 
> A team of 4 isn¹t the end of the world....in a mechanical design course I help
> with the teams are the same for a major project and size varies from 4-7.....4
> is not ideal...but it is what we feels makes sense in our case
> 
> jim
> 
> 
> 
> From: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:07:55 -0400
> To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Shifting teams when students drop out?
> 
> Greetings all,
>  
> I am using TBL for the first time this fall (having been highly motivated by a
> wonderful presentation this summer at the Institute for Law Teaching and
> Learning).  In each of my Criminal Law classes (78-80 students in each class),
> we set up teams on the first day; the teams consisted of 5-6 people.  I now
> have a student who has left school.  He was in a 5-person team, leaving that
> team with only 4 people.  We are half-way through the fourth week of class,
> and we have 10 ½ weeks to go.
>  
> Would it be better for me to move a person from a 6-person team to make the
> smaller one have 5 people,  or would it be better to leave the 4 person team
> as is?  I am certain someone from a 6-person team would be willing to move.
> Also, the team that is now short a person has a ³problem student² on the team,
> and I worry that the other three don¹t have strong enough personalities to
> handle him.  Perhaps bringing in a new person would help shift that dynamic?
> On the other hand, I don¹t want to hurt any dynamics already created.
>  
> Any input would be appreciated.
>  
> Best regards,
> Jana
>  
>  
> PS  By the way, we did our first iRAT and tRAT yesterday and today.  And as
> expected, of course, the teams far outperformed the individuals.  It was
> wonderfully exciting to walk around the room and listen as the teams discussed
> the quiz and really worked together to learn and understand the material.
>  
>  
> Jana R. McCreary
> Assistant Professor of Law
> Florida Coastal School of Law
> 8787 Baypine Road
> Jacksonville, Florida 32256
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> (904) 256-1222 
> (904) 680-7771 (fax)
> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>  
> 
>