I allow students to get in small groups and discuss further the topic of the day and have them hear how others learn and complete tasks such as studying for a test or organizing a project to hand in
Working with one or two individuals that they wouldn't normally work with on a small or class activity. I know a longterm project can be difficult to pair some people with, but usually most anyone can work together and benefit in the short term.
Teaching communication skills for effective feedback and peer review. Project presentations are peer reviewed, I ask students to list things about the presentation that inspired them, what they learned from that presentation, what were the other student's gifts? Also students are asked to offer feedback on what they feel the other student could improve upon. I encourage students to use loving kindness and have an attitude that you're trying to make the other student a better therapist. I remind students no one is tryng to hurt their feelings, we are all trying to improve performance; which will ultimately lead to better job productivity.
I teach a lot of clinical skills. And one way that I promote teamwork is having them practice skills together so they can improve together. It works very well in a clinical setting. I do find it hard though to encorporate teamwork into a traditional classroom lecture. I try to give classwork that can be completed in a group, which speeds up the time it takes, to encourage teamwork behavior.
We teach semi truck driving and students are placed in groups of four. The students will work together and each day they rotate their duties. One person does the pre-trip and the next marks it on the paper while the other two have different paperwork to keep the others in order and proper procedure.
Alexander,
That is an interesting example. What are ways it has not worked? If someone else wants to try this it might be nice to see what issues you ran into and sharing them for others.
I have found asking students to exchange projects with another and take it as their own for a certain amount time helps develop a sense of empathy and care for something that is not theirs.
They have to examine it and develop it and eventually present it as if it their own work.
Thus it gives them an understanding of "walking in someone else's shoes" or working on someone else is project with the respect and care that they would give to their own work.
Having assignment development that will force them to participate in a team environment.
How do they like the decimal point role play? That is a great way to get them out of their seats and applying the material they are learning.
We develop a phone buddy system to keep informed anyone who misses a class. They exchange tel. numbers with 2 or 3 others who will keep each other up to date so noone in their small group falls behind.
In class the partnering or small groups work really well (MATH!!!) and it's wonderful to see the one on one tutoring that takes place because the all want everyone around them to be successful!!!
Role playing in Math might be a little more challenging......Who'd want to be the decimal point!!!????
Depending on the course we are in, I sometimes have my students come up with case studies or scenarios and exchange them with their classmates. As part of the assignment,they also have to offer solutions to the scenario they created, and compare them to the solutions of the classmate assigned to their scenario. This gives them the opportunity to be the instructor as to offering what they feel the solutions should be, and discussing them with their classmates.
Role Playing is extremely effective. Do we ever allow students to come with the scenarios for the role playing activities to see what they would come up with? Might be interesting to see what they interpret as opposed to the instructor.
We engage in many role playing activities in my classes. I create scenarios or career related problems that may arise on the job and assign one to each group. Each group member plays the part of therapist, client, or any other role involved in the scenario, and acts out the resolution in front of the class. It is a fun and memorable way to problem solve, and allows for their classmates to offer their ideas as well.
