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Posted on October 6, 2020 11:39 pm
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aSaByN
aSaByN
Reps: 202
Microsoft Teams Group Work
A teacher is having issues with his students not being on task when they break up into Microsoft Team Groups. He can't be in each team group at the same time to make sure they are all on task, but he's able to record each group and watch their recordings of group work. When he checks in on groups they quickly get on task if they weren't - he doesn't always catch the group off task. After a few days of group work and checking in with groups some groups are saying they need more time with their groups. He is conflicted about giving more time because he knows these teams that need more time used poor management skills and were goofing off more than others during their group work. What should he do?
 
     
     
 
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Solution 1
Posted October 8, 2020 8:49 pm

DuBuJy
DuBuJy
Reps: 101
The teacher should remind the students that they will be recorded in their groups and that the teacher will review the recordings. He should give the students a set amount of time to work in the groups, for example 15 minutes, before they have to come back as a whole group so there are no surprises. He can also make the assignment the group is working on due when class ends or by the end of the day. If it is late they will get a point off.
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Solution 2
Posted December 4, 2020 5:42 pm

Kristen Duffy
Kristen Duffy
Reps: 59
Part of schooling for kids is the social interaction and unfortunately, virtual learning and restrictions on social gatherings are restricting a lot of this interaction for students. This is undoubtedly a difficult time for students and teachers alike. However, I think this need for social interaction should be met somehow. I would suggest having small social group time built into the day too so they are able to have this type of social interaction that they are craving, but also clearly distinguish the social group time from the working group time. Make the expectations during group time clear and have students share their progress at the conclusion of each group session so that there is accountability for productivity during this time. Explain that they will be recorded and that requests for extra time on group work will only be granted if the time spent in groups is productive and on task. These expectations need to be clear early and often. Finally, if some group compositions are having significant trouble staying on task, I would suggest altering the groups so that students are working with others whom they are able to be productive with.
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Solution 3
Posted October 9, 2020 10:48 pm

aHaQaj
aHaQaj
Reps: 201
The teacher should remind the students they are being recorded and they view the recording to see if everyone is participating or not. I would then also go over the importance of staying on task and working in groups. Maybe even provide a few tips about staying on task during online school.
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Solution 4
Posted October 2, 2021 9:18 pm

tuXuNa
tuXuNa
Reps: 100
There are a few things that the teacher should do in this situation. First, he should remind students that their time spent in groups will be recorded and that it will be reviewed by him later, which he should also be doing if he is not already. That way, he can identify the groups that are being productive and those that are not. Next, he should speak individually with those groups that he has determined are not using the time for group work wisely and also consider reassigning them. Then, to hold all groups accountable, he should require groups to submit an assignment at the end of their time together. Something my professor did one semester was have us present the findings from our group discussion to the class, so he could do this as well. Finally, if he finds that most of the groups still need more time after this, he should provide it, as long as he continues to monitor groups and re-evaluate that decision.
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Solution 5
Posted October 3, 2021 4:40 pm

yperyH
yperyH
Reps: 150
I would start by giving the expectations there are for the students when participating in their groups, as well as, reminding them that they are being recorded. Something else that might help is, assigning specific jobs for the students such as, recorder, time monitor, speaker, etc..
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Solution 6
Posted October 11, 2021 10:35 pm

XyqyBy
XyqyBy
Reps: 103
One thing that may help is to assign each student a different role to take when they go into their breakout rooms. Assign someone as the manager so he or she can make sure everything is moving seamlessly.
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Solution 7
Posted March 1, 2021 1:02 am

Mary Claire Murphy
Mary Claire Murphy
Reps: 206
Remind the students that even though the teacher is not in the group with them, Teams does record their activity. Have a set meeting time of 15-20 minutes of group work during class and then come back together as one. Use the whole group time to check in with each group at the end of the time to check their progress. The teacher can also create that assignments or updates on the final assignment are due at the end of the class period so that students are held accountable for their class time.
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Solution 8
Posted November 3, 2022 5:54 pm

aveSar
aveSar
Reps: 202
Always record the class making sure they know. This a positive by letting those who were absent review. But also giving them a time limit to let them know that they cannot do the work and just talk or play.
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Solution 9
Posted February 27, 2023 3:31 am

TyVyRe
TyVyRe
Reps: 103
I would let the students know they can meet on Teams outside of class time. They have to deal with the consequences of their poor time management skills and no special treatment should be given. I would advise the students that they should come up with an agenda for the meeting to ensure that they stay on task.
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Solution 10
Posted February 24, 2021 7:09 pm

SeGyHu
SeGyHu
Reps: 201
I would change the groups around and split up the groups who talk.
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Solution 11
Posted October 9, 2020 5:28 pm

aSaByN
aSaByN
Reps: 202
I personally wouldn't allow more group time. It was a choice that these students chose to have poor management skills and not stay on task. They should absolutely have to deal with the consequences of their choice- even if that means a poor grade. However, I am not for failing students because they didn't plan accordingly. I would use this as a teachable moment. I would give the grade that the students deserve based on their work, but I would potentially allow extra work or a whole project redo (individually- not in groups) on their own time for a grade exchange. Additionally, moving forward if the teacher chose to do this type of work again, I would require all group work to be submitted at the end of the day for a grade. That way it will help keep the students on task and if they are still struggling the teacher will know there's a bigger issue at play.
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