Below is a checklist adapted from Bowen and Jackson (1985-6) of things groups can do to function better. If appropriate for your class, distribute to your students.

I. Before the group begins:

• Expect to learn, to enjoy, and to discover.
  
• Team up with people you don't know.
  

II. As the group begins:

• Make a good first impression.
  
• Build the team.
  • Do something that requires self-disclosure.
    
  • Take interpersonal risks to build trust.
    
  • Establish team goals as appropriate.
• Start thinking about group processing.

III. While the group is in existence:

• Work at increasing self-disclosure.
  
• Work at giving good feedback.
  
• Get silent members involved.
  
• Confront problems.
  • Apply lessons from class work.
    
  • Work on issues in the group even if they appear at first to be just between two members.
    
  • Don't assume you can't work with someone just because you don't like or respect them.
    
  • If the group can't solve a problem, consult the instructor as a group.
• Regularly review your data.
  
• Vary the leadership style as needed.

IV. Wrapping up the group:

• Summarize and review your learning from group experiences.
  • Analyze the data to discover why the group was more effective or less so.
    
  • Provide final feedback to members on their contribution.
• Celebrate the group's accomplishments.

Bowen, D. D., and Jackson, C. N. (1985-6). "Curing those 'ol 'Omigod-Not-Another-Group-Class' blues". Organizational Behavior Teaching Review, 10(4), 21-23.