I use team-based learning in all my courses. After I had a year with one or two teams that lagged behind the others. Team-based learning expert, Jim Sibley, suggested the following criteria to form teams. These team-forming criteria worked well for many teams ever since.
- Students rate each statement below (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). Privacy: Assure students that these ratings are for their eyes only. Instructors will never see these totals.
I love reading.
I understand most of what I read on the first read-through.
I know I will do well when I am asked to do a reading assignment.
I love writing.
I am a confident and clear writer.
I know I will do well when I am asked to write an essay.
- Students total their score and enter it at the bottom of the table.
- Students stand up and walk to either side of the room.
- On one side are the students who believe intelligence, sports talent, musical ability, etc. are in- born or fixed (FIXED MIND SET).
- On the other side are students who believe that intelligence, sports talent, musical ability, etc. are something that can be changed through experience and practice (GROWTH MIND SET).
- Students line up — staying on their side of the room— by their scores below from highest to lowest.
- Students count off within each row their group assignments. For example for three groups count off
1-2-3-1-2-3, …
- Students assemble into their new groups and choose a group name starting with A, B, or C.