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 isn’t 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

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From: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Jana McCreary <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:07:55 -0400
To: "[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]" <[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 ∏ 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 “problem student” on the team, and I worry that the other three don’t have strong enough personalities to handle him.  Perhaps bringing in a new person would help shift that dynamic?  On the other hand, I don’t 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
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(904) 256-1222
(904) 680-7771 (fax)
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