Group work doesn’t have to be dreaded. Make group or team work in college courses more effective and less dreaded for both faculty and students by addressing many of the common pain points, such as uneven participation, coordination headaches, unclear expectations, and limited feedback. This first workshop on the topic will focus on Informal In-class Group Activities that when done right it trains group members on how to be an effective group or team member.

After going through this workshop, participants will:

• Identify and Address Common Group Work Challenges - Participants will analyze the root causes of typical group work pain points (uneven participation, coordination issues, unclear expectations, and limited feedback) and understand how informal in-class activities can proactively address these challenges.
• Design Effective Informal In-Class Group Activities - Participants will learn specific strategies and techniques for creating structured informal group activities that build essential teamwork skills, establish clear participation norms, and create positive group dynamics from the start.
• Implement Training-Based Group Work Approach - Participants will develop a practical framework for using informal activities as "training wheels" that prepare students to be effective group members before engaging in higher-stakes collaborative projects.

Presenter: Jen Kukis, TLC Coordinator

Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 9 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Mode: In-Person

Pathways: Student Engagement and Student-Centered