Emily Waddill Blog Post 3

Video 1: Group Contracts for Collaborate Work

1. Some problems that students might encounter when working in groups is having different opinions or ideas and not being able to agree on one. One student may do more of the work than the others in their group. A student might not want to do any of the work at all. Students also might not talk to each other respectfully which could cause an argument.
2. A contract is something that I believe is essential for group work and is something that I plan to do during my PBL unit. If there is a contract for the whole class with my expectations for working together, then it is clear and students will understand what I am expecting. If they also make a contract with their groups, then they have a chance to be even more specific with each other and really form good working relationships with their classmates.
3. If a contract needs to be revised then I think students need to know that they can do that any time as long as all group members agree on the revisions. If they start working on the project and come upon some issues then the contract can also be referred to at anytime as a reminder for the kind of behavior that should be happening and that student will be given a warning. If one of the group members break a rule in the contract, consequences will have been set and the student will know that if the behavior consists they will have to finish the entire project on their own. I really like how the video talks about the student being "fired" from the group and when put in those words I don't think any student will want that.

Video 2: Structured Groups: Making Group-Work

1. I really like the idea of assessing how students perform in their roles. Possibly the teacher assigns a student for a leadership role but that student is not quite ready yet. If you assess how the students do and they also peer assess one another about the roles, then you (as the teacher) will have great feedback for the next group project and which role assignments to try in the future.

2. I really liked how when addressing one group Mr. Jupp gave feedback to the group but addressed it in a way that he made sure to give the leader the responsibility of carrying out the suggestion that he gave. This will really help the students to take ownership of their work and force them to work together as a team.

3. When students assess each other’s’ work, I really think that they are more likely to hear the suggestions and follow through with them because they are from their own classmates. I think that sometimes when the teacher tells students to do something or gives a suggestion, they may brush it off or might even be completely defiant. However, the students would be more accountable and hopefully feel more pride for the work that they accomplished.

The profile of the SC graduate has characteristics that we all hope our students will reach in the future. So we must provide students with experiences that will promote collaboration, use of technology, work-ethic, integrity, and rigor. A well thought out PBL unit is one way to help foster those skills that will help our students to be outstanding citizens. Getting students to be motivated to learn is so very important and I think that PBL is a way to spark their desire for knowledge.