Small Group Collaborati ons

Generating Neural Connectionsvia

Social Connections

Jim Therrell, Ph.D., DirectorFaculty Center for Innovative Teaching (FaCIT)

NFO, August 21, 2012

Engaging. . .“If [students] can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we

should teach the way they learn.” -Ignacio Estrada

“I always found myself unable to think as a single person.” -Kurt Lewin

“The extraordinary power of interactivity is to get people thinking through doing and doing well by thinking.”

-Michael Allen (Guide to e-Learning, 2003, p. 312)

Integrated Course Design

Learning Goals

Teaching & Learning Activities

Feedback & Assessment

S I TU A T I O N A L F A C T O R S

(Anxiety / Groan Zone)

(Boring / Drone Zone)

Increasing Engagement

In accord with students’…

You control what’s…

Self-Regulated Learning (SRL)

“Hmmm, which one?”

To the extent that students saw their academic tasks as more important than competing alternatives, they were more likely to stay on task (Bembenutty, 2009).

When students feel competent, and to the extent that they internalize the value of pursuing the academic goal, the more likely they are to delay gratification (Bembenutty, 2009).

The 2-Step to Self-Regulation

1. Facilitate challenging, problem-based, cooperative / collaborative learning where

students construct their own work

2. Have students reflect on their work

(van Grinsven & Tillema, 2006)

Using evidence-based practices that . . .

... increase student engagement via small groups:

1. Problem-Based Learning2. Team-Based Learning4. Service-Learning5. Game Simulation & Role-Play6. Cooperative / collaborative learning strategies*

Cooperative Methods / 9 Reasons• Compared with competitive and individualistic efforts, results in:

– higher achievement– greater long-term retention of what is learned– greater time on task – more frequent use of critical thinking– more accurate and creative problem-solving– more willingness to take on difficult tasks and persist– more work toward goal accomplishment– more intrinsic motivation– transfer of learning from one situation to another

(D. W. Johnson & R. Johnson, 1989)

Rubric for Small Group Work

• Fully Engages• Understands the “Other” First• Facilitates Harmony• Listens Effectively• Generates Fresh, Appropriate Ideas• Follows Through w/ Responsibilities• Does Quality Work Consistently

(Likert Scale: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

Making Initial Connections

1. Group Mapping / Body Voting2. Alpha Circle by 1st Name

3. Alpha Circle in Birthday Order4. Whirling Bagel of Interests5. Group / Partner Choosers

a. Use neutral data (shoes, favorite color, etc.)

b. “Make 7”

6. M & M’sMost Meaningful part(s) of the reading:

1) Read the chapter/section/article as part of homework, identify 2-4 Most Meaningful parts, then come to class to explain WHY it was an M&M for you (or periodically make it a written exercise);

2) In class: “Please get into groups of 3 or 4.”3) Each student identifies an M & M (and explains WHY) and other students

follow along in their texts (5-10 minutes);4) Each group picks a Recorder & Reporter, then D&D:

-- Debate & Determine the “best” M&M in your group and WHY, 5-10 min;

5) Select Reporters at random to relate to the class the end result of their D&D, including the why;

6) Set timer & display7) Assess the quality of their reports through (a) asking other students to add or

comment, (b) Socratic questions, (c) a mini-lecture, etc.8) Adaptation: the “Most Muddy” point in the reading (and why!).

7. Concept Mapping

a) flip chart paper and markers for each group (3-4 students)

b) Identify the central concept (“learning”)

c) Guide or demonstrate with another concept showing lines &

relationships

Concept / Cluster MapWhat is your understanding?

Learning Culture

8. Writing Prompts

“I learned that . . . . . . . . .”“The muddiest point today was . . . . . . . .”[ after some practice, challenge them to form a

well-constructed paragraph per prompt ]

Skills for Success: 9. Improvisation (Yes & Thank You)

• “We should / We could”• “No, Yes/But, Yes/And”

• “Sound Ball”• “Last Word”

• “One-Word Story”– “The Professor”

• “Advance & Detail”

10.

Your Questions, Ideas & Comments