University students are often asked to work in groups, yet few are taught how to work well in teams and often struggle. University of Washington faculty Randy Beam (Communication) and Erin Hill (Physics) describe how they integrate instruction on teamwork into their regular courses to help student succeed in short-term and long-term class projects. Erin Hill's guidance on group work includes concrete descriptions of group roles (such as "equity monitors"). She then uses playing cards to randomize students' assignments to both in-class study groups and to roles within those groups, giving them the opportunity to practice their skills in a variety of situations. Randy Beam teaches his students about effective group dynamics, then guides them through building and maintaining successful teams as part of a quarter-long group research project. Arts & Sciences Dean Robert Stacy emphasizes how successful teamwork and collaboration are critical skills in students' lives after graduation, and encourages UW faculty to work together to support students to develop these skills.
This video was produced by the 2y2d Teaching & Learning initiative in collaboration with the UW Seattle College of Arts & Sciences, UW Bothell and the Center for Teaching and Learning. For more on teaching techniques, visit: www.uw.edu/teaching/