Group Work and Teamwork Series
Description
**NEW SERIES**
This series is designed to support faculty in designing, facilitating, and assessing effective teamwork and group learning experiences for students. Participants will explore foundational concepts in collaborative learning, examine evidence-informed practices, and develop practical strategies to foster meaningful, inclusive, and academically rigorous group work in their courses.
What to Expect
Workshops will typically be scheduled for 60 to 120 minutes, allowing time for presentation, reflection, discussion, and hands-on application of key concepts. Every workshop is designed to allow flexibility in participation.
Upcoming Workshops
Have you ever assigned group work only to hear groans from students, or felt frustrated by the results yourself? This introductory session explores why some collaborative learning experiences succeed while others fall short, focusing on the distinctions between group work and teamwork. In this session, participants will examine the benefits and common challenges of collaborative learning while being introduced to foundational frameworks that support effective group work. This session provides an opportunity to reflect on current practices and identify areas for improvement in their own courses. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and priorities, helping to inform and shape the focus of future sessions in the workshop series.
For some students, group work is an opportunity; for others, it can be a source of exclusion, marginalization, or additional barriers. This session invites participants to consider how collaborative learning can be designed to support a broader range of student experiences and strengths. This session focuses on integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and accessibility (EDIDA) principles into collaborative learning design. Participants will examine how power dynamics, identity, and systemic barriers can shape group interactions and outcomes. The session will highlight strategies for creating inclusive group structures, supporting diverse participation, and reducing barriers to engagement. Faculty will reflect on their own practices and identify ways to foster more equitable and supportive collaborative learning environments.
Many instructors value collaborative learning but struggle with how to assess it fairly. This session focuses on designing transparent and effective assessment practices that support student engagement, academic integrity, and meaningful contributions. Participants will explore strategies for balancing individual and group evaluation, aligning assessment with learning outcomes, and supporting academic integrity. The session will introduce tools such as peer and self-assessment to promote accountability and reflect meaningful contributions. Faculty will leave with practical approaches to creating equitable assessment practices for group work.
Series Information
Upcoming In-person Sessions
Rethinking Group Work: Facilitating Meaningful Student Collaboration, Sept. 15th at 1:00-2:30pm Register here
EDIDA Considerations for Collaborative Work, Oct. 16th at 1:00-2:00pm Register here
Assessing Collaborative Work, Nov. 10th at 1:00-2:00pm Register here
Audience
Western instructors, librarians, archivists, post doctoral scholars, and staff involved in teaching activities, course design, or supporting learners at Western.
Registration
Registration Instructions
- Login to Western Connect using your Western username and password.
- Go to the Event Calendars section and select the Centre for Teaching and Learning calendar, then select the program you wish to register in. Details and a description of the program will appear.
- Select the Register for this Event button. If the event has reached capacity, you may have the option to register on the waitlist.
- You will receive an automated confirmation email to your Western email account.
