"TEACHING TABLES:" Increasing Student Accountability in Group Projects

Authors

  • Paige Wolf George Mason University
  • Tiffani Chen George Mason University
  • Kevin Rockmann George Mason University
  • Richard Klimoski George Mason University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13021/G8itlcp.4.2012.2018

Keywords:

student engagement, student motivation, collaborative learning, team-based learning, peer assessment,

Abstract

This talk will focus on strategies to promote student engagement, learning and accountability in student learning teams. In our experience, students frequently complain about an uneven labor distribution when working collaboratively on course assignments. In order to increase student accountability in teams, we implemented a number of interventions throughout the semester. Students were grouped students based on their availability for meetings, and demographic characteristics, thus promoting diversity while increasing student perceptions of procedural justice and control. The first project deliverable was a team charter, requiring groups to set clear norms for communication and conflict resolution. As the teams began working and norms were established, students completed ââ¬ÅTeam Experience Surveysââ¬Â and an interim feedback activity that enabled students to reflect on their collaboration processes and adjust strategies for the second half of the group project. Finally, at the end of the semester, students provided self- and team member evaluations of their contributions which were used in determining an individualââ¬â¢s project grade, further promoting accountability. The session will expand on our experience in each of the areas described above and will provide practical strategies for implementing our methods in other student teams as well as discuss the technology that enabled our approach.

Author Biographies

Paige Wolf, George Mason University

School of Business, Management

**2007 GMU Teacher of Excellence**

Tiffani Chen, George Mason University

College of Humanitites and Social Sciences, Psychology

Kevin Rockmann, George Mason University

School of Business, Management

Richard Klimoski, George Mason University

College of Humanitites and Social Sciences, Psychology

Published

2012-09-21