Teachers’ Guide

2.2. Techniques for teamwork engagement

Randomisers: This can be as traditional as picking names out of a hat, or assigning numbers and then making matches, or have the students pick up a colour-coded lollipop stick and matching colours to make groups. There are also a number of apps that allow randomization of groups.

Matching Peers: Some of the techniques that have been developed to promote effective and engaging teamwork are described here:

The Jigsaw method: This is a method of organizing classroom activity that makes students dependent on each other to succeed. It breaks classes into groups and breaks assignments into pieces that the group assembles to complete the (jigsaw) puzzle (Figure 1). Each member of a group learns a particular piece of information and then the group shares the information until everyone has learned all of the necessary material.

Think-Pair-Share: The think, pair, share strategy is a cooperative learning technique that encourages individual participation and is applicable in any class grouping. Students think through questions using three distinct steps: Think: Students think independently about the question that has been posed, forming ideas of their own; Pair: Students are grouped in pairs to discuss their thoughts. This step allows students to articulate their ideas and to consider those of others; Share: Student pairs share their ideas with a larger group, such as the whole class. Often, students are more comfortable presenting ideas to a group with the support of a partner. In addition, students' ideas have become more refined through this three-step process.

Buzz groups: This method known as “buzz groups” was first used by J Donald Phillips at Michigan State University. He divided large classes into six-member clusters asking them to discuss a certain problem for six minutes. (The “Phillips 66” technique) [4] Each group nominates a leader and a note-taker. Students are less inhibited about sharing information in small groups, and are also more likely to speak out in large group discussions.

Online Resources

• RandomisersMechanisms for random selection of group members are described.
• Jigsaw MethodThis technique layers the peer learning approach. Teams of peers divide the work for a project and then collaborate as ‘expert’ groups before reconvening in a ‘home’ group to collate and compile project outputs.
• Think-pair-share Think-pair-share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy in which students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about a topic. This technique requires students to think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and share ideas with classmates. Discussing an answer with a partner serves to maximize participation, focus attention and engage students in comprehending the material.
  King, 1993, From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side, College Teaching v. 41 no. 1 p. 30-35
• Buzz GroupsBuzz Groups are teams of four to six students that are formed to respond to course-related questions. Each group can respond to one or more questions; all groups can discuss the same or different questions. Discussion is informal, and students do not need to arrive at consensus, but simply exchange ideas. They are effective for generating information and ideas in a short period of time.
  Buzz Groups: Denton, K., 1999, The toolbox for the mind, ASQ Quality Press