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Learning/Teaching Principles
Design & Teach a Course
Solve a Teaching Problem
Group projects aren't working
Use Educational Technology
Try Something New
Research Projects
Other Resources
Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence
Office of Technology for Education
Step 2: Identify Reasons

Identify possible reasons for the problem you have selected.
To find the most effective strategies, select the reason that best describes your situation, keeping in mind there may be multiple relevant reasons.

Group projects aren’t working. 

Structure of assignment does not promote teamwork.

Grading scheme does not promote meaningful teamwork.

Students do not understand your expectations.

Students lack the necessary teamwork skills.

Students have very different knowledge and skills.

Students have preconceptions or misconceptions about group work.

Group composition is problematic.

Individual members of the group are problematic.

Students’ schedules prohibit meeting as frequently as needed.

This site supplements our 1-on-1 teaching consultations.
CONTACT US to talk with an Eberly colleague in person!
  1. Prior knowledge can help or hinder learning. |  MORE >
  2. Motivation generates, directs, and sustains learning behavior. |  MORE >
  3. The way students organize knowledge determines how they use it. |  MORE >
  4. Meaningful engagement is necessary for deeper learning. |  MORE >
  5. Mastery involves developing component skills and knowledge, and synthesizing and applying them appropriately. |  MORE >
  6. Goal-directed practice and targeted feedback are critical to learning. |  MORE >
  7. Students must learn to monitor, evaluate and adjust their approaches to learning to become self-directed learners. |  MORE >
  8. Students develop holistically and their learning is affected by the social and emotional aspects of the classroom climate. |  MORE >

learning principles