Introduction to Biochemistry

1
Introduction to Biochemistry

• Group Formation
• Prof. Hal White

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Todays 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

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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.

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Introduction to BiochemistryImportant Roles in
Groups

• Recorder - Keeps track of groups 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.

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Problem-Solving Ability in Groups
Impossible
Cant Solve
PBL
Might Solve
Problem Difficulty
Solution obvious
Trivial
A B C D
Group Potential
Group Members
Problem solving is what you do when you dont
know what to do, otherwise it is not a problem.
Wheatley (1984)
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Forming GroupsHomogeneous vs. Heterogeneous
Student
Homogeneous Groups
Selected
Instructor
Selected
This Class
Heterogeneous Groups
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What Aspects of Heterogeneity are Important?
Skills?
Major?
Age?
Personality Type?
Gender?
Ethnicity?
Learning Style?
Academic Record?
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Dawns Eight OClock

• 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?

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Introduction to BiochemistrySuggested 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 .

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Passions AsideTime 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?

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Time to Get Serious
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Freshman
C-342
High School
Real World
Fall
F
F
F
Spring
S
S
S
Most of You Are Here
Graduation
What courses will you take? Do you have a plan?
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Time to Get Serious
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Freshman
C-342
High School
Real World
Fall
F
F
F
Spring
S
S
S
Where do You Go From Here?
Next Winter
Following Winter
This Summer
Next Summer
Graduation
Will you do undergraduate research, study abroad,
find a summer job? Will you challenge yourself,
or go with the flow?
Then what?