Dear Hellenists,
Just a few thoughts on Thursday's initial round of teamwork.
(1) Congratulations on making it through the first session. Beginnings are always difficult with team-based learning, because everyone's still getting acquainted and figuring out how to collaborate.
(2) It was very interesting that every team's initial impulse was to work on its own, despite the remarks I'd made just a few moments earlier. Still, that solo time was valuable for illustrating both how individuals work at different paces (I noticed that some teammates were able to transliterate quickly, and others needed more time) and how easy it is for peers to get left behind in that kind of scenario. Even as we were ending class, some students hadn't filled out their worksheets entirely. That outcome is not really a concern for a first session (in fact, it was expected), but if it were to become habitual, it could be disastrous in the long run.
(3) I think it was also clear that, once teams began talking amongst themselves, the work got easier. As I saw it, more progress was made in the 10–12 minutes of true collaboration than in the 20–25 minutes of silence that preceded it. While I am sure that some of you would prefer to work alone, and would be quite capable on your own, that's not what team-based learning is about.
As we move forward, let me suggest that you minimize solo work and maximize discussion. I've noted that it's all right to divide up the work individually — provided there's ample time to review that work as a group. This does not mean everyone completing the entire worksheet on their own and scrabbling for the answer key to check their individual responses. Rather, it might mean each team member takes a set amount of items, completes them within an agreed-upon time limit (a brief one), and then reports their answers to the group at large, with discussion ensuing. Or, it might mean that the team works through each item with one member taking the lead, walking peers through his or her thought process and answering (or asking) questions along the way.
Either scenario could have been employed with Thursday's worksheet, with great success and great efficiency. I offer these thoughts in the spirit of true critique, because it's my job not only to present new material but also to make sure the overall process runs smoothly.
If you have any questions about yesterday's class — or any of our classes, or about team-based learning — please let me know.
Stay tuned for a clarification on yesterday's material, and next week's assignments.
DC
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