Group Work Guidelines

Why Groups?  Isn't The Instructor Supposed To Be Teaching?
There will still be instruction prior to the group work activities when the lectures are presented.  The group activities will replace many of the individual practice problems and examples normally given during or after a traditional lecture. Instructor guidance will be provided during the group exercises as well. The goal here is to reduce the amount of time spent passively taking notes and optimize the value of the time spent in the classroom.

How Will Groups Be Assigned?
Groups will be assigned using the following structure:

• If there are 30-40 students signed up in the class, there will be 7 groups, each with 4-6 students.
• If there are 24-29 students signed up in the class, there will be 5 groups, each with 4-6 students.
• If there are under 16-24 students signed up in the class, there will be 4 groups, each with 4-6 students.
• If there are under 9-15 students signed up in the class, there will be 3 groups, each with 3-5 students.
• Groups will be selected after the initial 1st week drop-add period is over.  Groups will be reshuffled at about the midpoint of the semester.  Groups may also be reshuffled at other times if deemed necessary by  the instructor (me).  A sample of how one could assign groups is given here.

Group Participation and Grading
Points toward the grade will be awarded in the following way:

• Points given for participation. Each student must submit completed problems. If a student is absent, they should lose these group exercise points, except for long-term extenuating circumstances.
• Each member of your group will be awarded one extra credit point for being the first to correctly answer and explain the answer to each Bonus Question. Bonus Questions bring in a sort of "game atmosphere".
• At the end of Group Work, giving a 1-pt extra credit problem for all students to participate in (individually) is a good idea to encourage attentiveness. This may be non-extra credit if desired.

When Will The Student Take Notes?
It will be the student's responsibility to take notes as the instructor covers the Lecture Notes before engaging in group activities. Also, all students should record solutions to Exercises as they are presented in a step-by-step manner.