APPLIED ACADEMICS NEWSWIRE
Volume # II No. 2
October 8, 1999
Helping educators to bring the real world into the classroom

In this Issue...

1) BE A TEAM PLAYER: TURNING A GROUP INTO A TEAM

Aside from literacy, numeracy and other academic skills, employers are screaming for the "soft" skills needed to make a work place productive. Often this requires that students graduate with an ability to effectively work on a team.

This is nothing new to educators, who have used group projects for years. But is groupwork the same as teamwork? More importantly, what turns a group into a team?

Often student groups never really work. A few students are grouped together for a project, they divide the work, complete their individual tasks, compile the project, and then complain that half of the group didn't do any work. Oh sure, the assignment gets completed, but there was no synergy.

Most groups rarely turn into effective teams because they lack the basic ingredients for success. Effective teams are highly interdependent. The goal is clearly defined by the team, and team members are willing to contribute their best to achieving the target. Supportive, honest and open communication creates an environment where team success can be evaluated without blaming an individual. Roles are defined. Risks are taken. Leadership is shared. Conflict is embraced as a necessary step to improvement.

So how can we encourage teamwork instead of groupwork? Keep teams together for more than one project. Spend the time needed to do team building exercises aimed at developing team trust. Discuss strategies for dealing with team conflict. Design projects that assign defined roles that require specific talents and skills.

Interested in team building? Surf to http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Misc/cc352.htm or http://www.teambuildinginc.com.

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2) TAKING TPC 12 TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL BATTLEFIELD

In a country blessed with such environmental bounty, it is almost inevitable that there will be conflict. There are those speaking for humanity's needs for living space and prosperity and those advocating for preserving the environment. Now it's time for TPC 12 students to wade into the fray. 

As part of her Master's work, Maryjanne Yusyp has created an online collection of projects that thrust TPC 12 students into the complexities of environmental management. Her website (http://web.syr.edu/~djleu/ubc/maryjanne/tpc12.html) provides the tools and links needed to complete a series of projects. The website also allows students from different schools to collaborate on projects.

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Praise From Our Mailbag (email that is)

"I have come across the APPLY Learning network on the internet and am very impressed by the 'Application of Mathematics 9 & 10' worksheets. For several years I was a technologist in the defense industry and I have always thought that using mathematics in real applications is what makes it interesting."

Kevin Adams, Durham University (UK) 
Initial Teacher Training student

IT Forum Update

Space is filling up rapidly for the Nov. 3rd IT Forum. The Forum will assemble IT educators and industry experts to chart the course of IT 11/12. Those interested in attending should call 1 877 293-2322. Don't delay, phone today!

Applied Mathematics 9 Start Up Kits

The Applications of Mathematics 9 Start Up Kit is NO longer available. Dave Williams, Director of the Curriculum Branch for the Ministry of Education, has indicated that there are curriculum changes arising from the Mathematics Task Force. Bruce McAskill (Bruce.McAskill@gov.bc.ca) is available to those teachers needing updates on the Applications of Mathematics 9 changes.

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4) CONTACT INFORMATION

APPLIED ACADEMICS NEWSWIRE is a service of the Center for Applied Academics.

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Vancouver, British Columbia
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Should you have questions about the CFAA list, please contact:
Bruce Deacon at cfaanews@islandnet.com

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