1. Starting, storming, solving, selling: Teaching problem- solving and teamwork skills through a four-step model. Lynn Donahue, Ed.D. Communication/Journalism Department St. John Fisher College

2. Goals: 1.Teach students to solve problems using a problem-solving process. 2.Teach students to effectively collaborative with each other using the combined resources of the group. 3.Reduce student procrastination by providing structure to the process. 4.Reduce interpersonal conflicts by providing communication skills. 5.Provide opportunities for students to receive multiple sources of feedback through multi-level assessments.

3. Define and Analyze the Problem Generate Arguments Develop Support for your Claims Identify and Evaluate Solutions The Problem-Solving Process

4. Teamwork Skills: Phases of Group Development (i.e. Norming) Active Listening (i.e. Paraphrasing) Non-listening (i.e. Selective Listening) Perceptions of Others (i.e. First Impressions) Speech Delivery (i.e. Audience Engagement)

5. The Project Assignment: Using secondary and primary research, your group will research a topic and propose a solution to a problem or issue of social significance. There are three goals: 1.First, you will learn how to problem-solve and create effective arguments regarding a topic of social significance. 2.Second, you will learn how to work effectively as a team by applying interpersonal and group work skills. 3.Last, you will learn, and have an opportunity to apply, public speaking skills by presenting your findings to the class during a final presentation.

6. Examples of Student Projects: 1.Reducing the spread of AIDS. 2.Combating the negative effects of sexuality in the media. 3.Meeting the needs of the medically uninsured. 4.Curtailing violence within schools.

7. A Four Step Group Process Model Step 1: Starting Establishing norms and identifying the problem Step 2: Storming Refining your Assertion and Creating Arguments Step 3: Solving Creating Solutions and Reducing Resistance Step 4: Selling Organizing your Information and Presenting the Results

8. Examples of Student Presentations Example #1: Sexuality in the Media

9. Example #2: AIDS in Africa

10. Five-Tier Assessment Tier 1: Group Portfolio (4 Phases, Outline of Presentation, PowerPoint copies, Bibliography, Meeting Notes (Comm 250) Tier 2: Critical Critique of performance in group applying communication concepts Tier 3: Peer Evaluation of 1) member participation and 2) individual and group presentation. Tier 4: Instructor Assessment of Individual and Group Presentation Tier 5: Instructor Assessment of Individual and Group Participation

11. Challenges: Gaps were present in problem-solving process: Some of claims were not supported with sufficient evidence Research wasn’t consistently cited in Power Point Some of alternative arguments and rebuttals were weak Students procrastinated: Regardless of structure in class, students still left majority of substance of project to last minute. Some group work challenges: Despite teaching communication and conflict- management skills, group members were resistant to confront members not performing to the same level. Peer evaluations were somewhat unhelpful – 4’s and 5’s. Feedback became too complex Thorough, but time-intensive and somewhat confusing for students (and still difficult to grade subjective measures like individual and group participation).

12. Accomplishments: Created an assertion and 3 arguments with evidence: Example: The growing rate of AIDS among African people is due to the lack of education, good health care and funding. Created solutions: Example: Safe sex/sex edClean needles Clean needlesProper medical care Protect open cuts/soresBetter schooling and educators Worked collaboratively on project: All students able to take on leadership roles during 4 Phases Students gained insight on use of communication skills and were motivated to use these skills in groups (result of critical critiques, structured process). Oral presentation was professional and well-done: Students practiced individually and as a group and implemented public speaking skills to an appropriate level.

13. Questions?

14. Discussion and Application: Please answer the 3 questions individually. Then get in groups of 3 and discuss your answers. 1.How do you/could you apply the Problem- Solving Process and Four-Phase approach to your group work? 2.How do you/could you apply the evaluation tools to your group work? 3.What challenges do you experience in your group work that you need feedback on?