Christi Coomes

Blog #3

Video Choice #1

There are several pitfalls when working in a group with a diverse group of students, which can cause conflict.  Students arguing about an approach to the problem, students not working in the group, one student doing all the work and not allowing others to help, and students not having their voice heard are just a few examples of conflict which might occur.

 Contracts can be a valuable tool in eliminating or minimizing such conflicts.  Student generated contracts give the students’ ownership in the process.  The contract should have the roles and responsibilities of each participant, group expectations for effort and contribution, what to do if someone is absent, what is the procedure to eliminating conflict when it does arise, the consequences of not abiding by the contract rules and responsibilities, and contact information for each participant. These components act as a checks and balance to make for an effective contract.  In addition, if a contract is in place, then when there is an issue, students have a place to go to resolve the conflict.  Since the students have created the contract, then they are more likely to live by the rules and consequences.

Video Choice #2

Students need to learn how to work in teams and how to collaborate.  In many instances, students do not know how to know how to work together.  Therefore, we as educators need to include how the students worked together in some form of assessment to show growth in learning how to use 21^st century skills.

In the video, Mr. Jupp gives the students feedback about their project, which reminded the leader what his/her role was in the group.  He did not reprimand the student buy gently redirected the student. 

The peer assessment gives ownership to the students because the students are the ones responsible for evaluating others, in essence taking the leadership role usually held by the teacher.  When students are given a leadership role to evaluate others and be evaluated, it instills ownership because the teacher is out of the picture.

Question for Everyone

As students enter into the work force, professionally they will have to work in groups or teams collaborating ideas and solving problems.  To ensure that students will be successful in such an environment they need the skill set to prepare them for such tasks.  PBL naturally forces students into situations where they need to collaborate with one another to communicate their ideas and collected information.  They will have to problem solve together to complete the task.  In addition, group work requires students to be self-directed, for example, the group may determine the deadlines for a particular component of the project to be complete by a certain date or they may make the team contract for the project.  They acquire interpersonal skills because they have to learn to listen, share, and compromise, etc… in order to complete the task.  In addition, students’ develop a work ethic because there is no one to hide behind; they have to be involved in the process.