Fine Tuning the Group Activity Using the 4S Structure

Allison HosierInformation Literacy LibrarianCoastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC

Today’s lesson

We will be learning about the 4S Structure by going through example activities that use this structure.

What is the 4S Structure?

The 4S structure is a piece of Larry Michaelsen’s Team-Based Learning model. It is the recommended structure for collaborative group activities for this model.

The 4S’s can be used as part of Team-Based Learning in a course that meets multiple times or adapted for one-shot sessions.

What does the 4S Structure Look Like?

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

In your teams…

Think about your experience with group work both as an instructor and as a member of a group.

As a group, create a list of: • The top 3 things you LIKE about group work. • The top 3 things you DON’T like about group

work

You will be asked to report your answer.

Results

Like

Dislike

How was the 4S Structure Used?

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Identifying Scholarly Articles

Identifying Scholarly Articles

You have been given the printout for two articles from a library database. They have been labeled “A” and “B.”

One article is from a scholarly, peer-reviewed source. The other is from a non-peer reviewed source.

In your team, decide which you think is the scholarly source based on the information in the printout and what you know about peer-reviewed articles.

How was the 4S Structure Used?

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Why does the 4S Structure work?

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Sources

Pretend you are doing research on the September 11 terrorist attacks.

You have been given a printout for a book found in the library’s catalog.

Decide in your teams whether you think this would be a good source for the example research topic.

Give the source a grade based on your evaluation where “A” is the best possible grade and “F” is the worst.

How was the 4S Structure Used

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Copyright Trivia

Copyright Trivia

On the next slide, you will be shown a true/false question related to copyright.

Discuss with your team whether you think the statement shown is true or false.

You will be asked to report your answer.

True or False

• It is possible to copyright an idea.

True or False

• It is possible to copyright an idea.

How was the 4S Structure Used

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Questions?

Allison HosierInformation Literacy Librarian

Coastal Carolina Universityahosier@coastal.edu

http://infolitfinetune.weebly.com/

Questions?

Significant Problems

Same Problems

Specific Choice

Simultaneous Reporting

Selected Resources

• Jacobson, T. E. (2011). Team-based learning in an information literacy course.

Communications In Information Literacy, 5(2), 82-101.

• Michaelsen, Larry K., Arletta Bauman Knight, and L. Dee Fink, eds. Team-

Based Learning: A Transformative Use of Small Groups in College Teaching.

Sterling, VA: Stylus, 2004.

• Parmelee, D. X., & Michaelsen, L. K. (2010). Twelve tips for doing effective team-

based learning. Medical Teacher, 32(2), 118-122.

doi:10.3109/01421590903548562