Why a Team Approach to Mathematics Study?

You can only use what you remember!! 

  10% of what they read 
  20% of what they hear 
  30% of what they see 
  50% of what they see and hear 
  70% of what they discuss with others 
  90% of what they teach someone else 

You can prepare for the 'real world' of work. 

Here's what a principal aerodynamics engineer from The Boeing Company
and members of the Washington State Software Association have to say.

What do we look for in employees? We hire those who have demonstrated that they: 
 1.Enjoy the process of learning & know how to learn independently 
 2.Thrive on inteleectual challenges 
 3.Are creative an flexible in how they solve problems 
 4.Have a good understanding of the fundamentals (mathematics, science, economics) 
 5.Can manage knowledge and information, as well as tasks and things 
 6.Can operate effectively in a team environment 
 7.Have good communication skills 

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Homework Teams - Rules and Roles

Group homework will be a significant part of this course. Generally,
there will be two assignments per week. There will not usually be many
problems, but they will generally require a lot more thought and
discussion than math problems you have seen befo re. Each member of the
team has an important role. These roles are to be rotated each week so
that everyone gets a chance to try each role. The roles are:

1.Scribe-The Scribe is responsible for writing up the single final
version of the homework report to be handed in. This is the only report
that will be accepted or graded. The grade will apply to each member of
the team. Whenever possible, the solution of each problem should have
symbolic, graphical and verbal explanations or interpretations.
Diagrams and pictures should be provided whenever possible.

2.Clarifier-During the team meeting the Clarifier assists in clarifying
for the group, ideas that other members of the team may present. The
Clarifier is responsible for making sure that each member of the team
understands the group's solutio n to the problems.

3.Reporter-The reporter writes a record of how the homework session(s)
went, how long the team met, what difficulties or particular successes
the team may have had (mathematical or otherwise). If there is
disagreement about the solution of a problem, the reporter should
present alternate solutions, and explain the difference of opinion. The
report should list the members of the team who attended the session and
their roles. The report should be on a separate sheet of paper and be
the first page of the homework report. The names of the team members
and their roles should be listed on this page.

4.Manager-The Manager is responsible for scheduling the team meeting
(i.e., coordinating when and where the team meets) and arranging for
any refreshments (pizza, etc.). It is the Manager's job to run each
meeting. If one of the team members is seriously ill and cannot attend
the session, the Manager assumes that individual's responsibility. If
the instructor has asked the group to prepare an "overhead" for class
presentation, the Manager will be responsible for that task.

The various roles should be rotated around the team. In some classes,
the instructor will determine the roles, in others the teams will do
that themselves. Remember, late homework will not be accepted.

Each team should decide on a method for duplicating the corrected
homework set and distributing a copy to each team member so that it can
be included in students' portfolios.

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Cooperative Behavior

When working in groups with other students, the goal is for all of you
to cooperate in the learning of all members of the group. In other
words, when you are finished with a team assignment everyone in the
group should understand and be able to explain how to solve the
problems. The ideas listed below are meant to help each group member
and each group work at their full potential.

Go to every meeting and be on time (Woody Allen says, 80% of life is
just showing up.)

Be prepared. Do the readings , look over the assignment and try to do
the problems before the group meets. Be prepared to discuss, explain,
and/or ask questions.

Respect each other. Criticize ideas, but do not criticize people.

Listen actively. Done't interrupt and don't tune out. 

Ask for help when you need it. 

Give help when it is requested. 

Do not allow one or two members of the group to dominate the
discussions. This can be very damaging to successful group activity.

Make decisions by reaching consensus, not by majority rule. Don't agree
to something you don't understand.

Discuss problems until there is general understanding. Just getting an
answer, even a correct one, is not the ending point.

Occasionally reflect on how the group is working. 

From time to time the members of the team will be asked to do a peer
evaluation of the group and its members (Go to the Team Evaluation
Form)