Math 146, Winter 2015
More Suggestions for Learning in a Group
When working in groups with other students, the goal is for all of you
to cooperate in the learning of all members of the group. In other words,
when you are finished with a team assignment everyone in the group
should understand and be able to explain how to solve the problems.
The ideas listed below are meant to help each group member and each group
work at their full potential.
- Be prepared. Do the readings and homework before class. Be prepared
to discuss, explain, and/or ask questions.
- Listen carefully and with respect to each other.
- Criticize ideas, but do not criticize people.
- Everyone has the right and responsibility to contribute to the task on
which the team is working. In other words, when you are finished with a
problem, everyone in the group must understand and be able to explain how
to solve the problem.
- Ask your instructor for help when you need it (provided you have asked
your group first).
- Give help when it is requested.
- Make decisions by reaching consensus, not by majority rule. Don't
agree to something you don't understand.
- Do not allow one or two members of the group to dominate the
discussions. This can be very damaging to successful group activity.
Adapted from the work of Dr. James Epperson, The Universiy of Texas at
Austin, who got it from Beverly Black, Pat Shure, and Doug Shaw, who
trained a generation of Michigan graduate student instructors.
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