Introduction to Biochemistry
Group Formation
Prof. Hal White
Today’s Quotation
The emphasis on individualism obscures
the fact that most personal needs are
met, most problems are solved, most
public goals are attained by organized
collective action.
Marion Brady
Introductions (10 Minutes)
Fill out the Group Information Sheet.
Pass it to the next person in your group.
Repeat until every member has filled in
his or her information.
As time permits, discuss your answers.
Introduction to Biochemistry
Important Roles in Groups
• Recorder - Keeps track of group’s learning issues and who has
responsibility for pursuing each learning issue.
• Task Master - Keeps discussions on track. Diverts digressions that are
not related to the course.
• Skeptic - Challenges the accuracy and reliability of information. Makes
sure everyone understands important concepts before going on.
• Technical Advisor - Focuses on methodology. Expert on how things
are done and the principles behind how things work.
• Chemist - Finds out the chemical structures and properties of
compounds mentioned in the articles.
• Web-Scanners and Library Researchers - Roles that everyone
should assume. Tracking down answers to group learning issues on
the Internet and in the library.
Problem-Solving Ability in Groups
Impossible
Problem Difficulty
Can’t Solve
Trivial
Might Solve
PBL
Solution
obvious
A B
C
D
Group Members
Group
Potential
Problem solving is what you do when you don’t know what to do,
otherwise it is not a problem.
Wheatley (1984)
Forming Groups
Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous
“Homogeneous”
Groups
This Class
“Heterogeneous”
Groups
What Aspects of Heterogeneity
are Important?
Dawn’s Eight O’Clock
In your groups, discuss the following:
• How would you describe the situation?
• What are the issues involved?
• If this were your group, how might you
reasonably deal with the situation?
• What are the implications of these actions?
• How could the situation have been prevented
or muted?
Introduction to Biochemistry
Suggested Ground Rules for Behavior in Groups
• Come on time and be prepared for every class.
• Notify other group members, your tutor, and the instructor in
advance (when possible) if you must miss a class.
• Freely share information you gather outside of class with other
group members.
• Use class time wisely.
• Solicit and value contributions from every group member.
• Group members who disrupt the group's function by violating`
the group's ground rules can be confronted by the other
members of the group and suffer the following consequences:
….
Passions Aside
Time to Get Serious
• Why are you in college?
• How did you choose your major?
• What goals do you have for:
– this semester?
– this year?
– your college career?
– after graduation?
Time to Get Serious
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
C-342
High
School
Fall
Spring
Most of You
Are Here
F
S
F
S
F
S
Real
World
Graduation
What courses will you take?
Do you have a plan?
Time to Get Serious
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
C-342
High
School
Fall
Spring
Where do You
Go From Here?
F
S
F
This
Summer
S
Next
Winter
F
S
Real
World
Following
Next Winter
Summer
Graduation
Will you do undergraduate research,
Then
study abroad, find a summer job?
what?
Will you challenge yourself, or go with the flow?