Building Teamwork in Advanced Laboratory Courses

Abstract

Establishing a structured process for team development and assessment is essential for fulfilling institutional requirements and can significantly enhance student learning and collaboration. A framework of shared expectations for teamwork was established through teamwork contracts and mid- and end-of-semester peer review feedback. The instructors found that providing explicit guidance on teamwork skills, particularly through a midpoint check-in, enabled midcourse adjustments to enhance collaboration and contributions among the team members. Students reported that writing teamwork contracts was a valuable process that allowed them to articulate expectations for team members and to establish a foundation of requirements for being a good team member.