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 Assignments
Group members will be assigned the following roles:

One person will record and present solutions as well as contribute to the solution.
The other 3 to 5 members will contribute to solutions and also record the solution. In other words, all students are expected to record solutions.
A new student will randomly be selected to present solutions the next time the class meets for group activities.

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

You will be given points for each day you participate and actively contribute to group activities. Each exercise will be worth one point. If you are absent, you lose these group exercise points.
If you do not actively contribute in group activities, you will not receive points for the group activities of the day. "Not contributing" would include doing other work (including assigned homework) or participating in other off topic activities.
Each member of your group will be awarded two extra credit points for presenting the most solutions to exercises in a week.
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.
Note that besides points from group activities, you will earn points for taking unit tests, homework assignments, and a final exam. See the course syllabus for a breakdown of how I plan to do this.

When Will I Take Notes?
It will be your responsibility to take notes as we cover the Lecture Notes before engaging in group activities. Also, you should record solutions to Exercises and take notes as Exercise Solutions are presented and discussed.