Case Studies and Examples

Content, Process and Structure

1. Theory and Practice in Group Dynamics
• Individual and groups
• Psychodynamic theory
• Group analysis
• Group approaches for different purposes
• Interaction theory
• The role of emotions
• Discussion points



2. Studies of Group Behaviour
• Properties of groups
• Social and task dimensions
• Leadership
• Groups in motion
• A seven-stage model of group development
• The five-stage framework for e-groups
• Preferences and problems
• Tutor as researcher
• Discussion points



3. Approaches to Learning
• From research into practice
• The nature of learning
• Learning research
• Developmental phases in learning
• Intellectual development
• The SOLO taxonomy
• Metacognitive learning
• Motivation
• Implications
• Principles of good practice for undergraduate education
• Theories about learning
• Conclusions
• Discussion points



4. Communicating in Groups
• The process of communication
• The content of communication
• Improving communication
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Transactional analysis (TA)
• Barriers to communication in groups
• Discussion points



5. Aims and Purposes of Groups
• Group purposes: task and maintenance
• The nature of aims
• Aims, objectives and outcomes
• Project aims and outcomes
• Devising learning outcomes
• Realising aims and outcomes
• Discussion points



6. Activities for Groups
• Range and format of activities
• Group tasks
• Group structures and activities
• Variety an blend
• Discussion points



7. Enabling Group Interaction - the role of tutor and e-moderator
• Tactical and strategic approaches
• Preparation - strategic issues
• During discussion - tactical issues
• Discussion points



8. Learning Groups in Context
• Bridging (learning) cultures
• Timetables on campus
• Moving collaboration into the online environment
• Groups in courses
• Discussion points



9. Assessing and Evaluating with Groups
• The purposes of assessment
• Using new technologies in assessment
• Assessing group skills
• The skills of assessment
• Evaluating groups
• Evaluation as learning
• Evaluation methods for groups
• Managing the evaluation
• Managing the evaluation
• Discussion points



10. Case Studies of Group Teaching and Learning
• Transferable skills
• Assessment of group projects
• The Upshot programme
• Teaching creativity through group work
• Handling change
• Discussion points?



11. Developing Group Learning
• Resource 1: Face-to-face groups for learning
• Resource 2: Moving to working online
• Resource 3: Planning
• Resource 4: Handling larger groups
• Resource 5: Running training sessions
• Resource 6: Table for collaborating online
• Resource 7: Exercises
• Discussion points