Collaborative Teams Can Enhance Classroom Work

Madison, Wis.—January 30, 2008— Research tells us that college students gain critical thinking and interpersonal skills when they tackle course projects in teams. But most students still say they would rather work alone.

Their dislike of in-class teamwork is understandable, said Peter Saunders, director of Oregon State University’s Center for Teaching and Learning. Bad experiences—such as being teamed up with slackers—often sour them on the idea.

To address this problem, Saunders led an hour-long online seminar for college instructors about managing student teams. During the January 30 seminar, Saunders offered ideas on how to set out ground rules for teamwork early in the course. For instance, instructors should review exactly what constitutes positive team behaviors so students are able to articulate and replicate them. Saunders also offered tips on how to:
• encourage all team members to take responsibility for team work
• promote time on task
• handle “slackers” and discipline problems
• work with teams in large classrooms

If you missed the live event, you can order the program in CD or transcript format, both of which include the presenters' handouts.

The seminar is second of a three-part series on mastering the art of college teaching. During these seminars, Dr. Peter M. Saunders tackles the three aspects of college teaching that instructors find the most challenging:
• Engaging large classes without falling back on lecture as the “default mode”
• Using collaborative teams successfully
• Using student learning assessment in a way that enhances rather than detracts from the learning experience

Magna Publications is a leading publisher of newsletters and other information products in the higher education segment. Magna also manages onsite and online conferences on topics of interest to higher education.

For more information please contact David Burns, Publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109, or dburns@magnapubs.com.