Group Roles for Labs

In your laboratory sections, you will be working in cooperative groups. To help you work through the labs and learn the material working together effectively, each group member will be assigned a specific role.

Your responsibilities for each role is defined on the chart below.

ACTIONS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
Lab Manager

  • Direct the sequence of steps.

  • Keep your group "on-track."

  • Make sure everyone in your group participates.

  • Watch the time spent on each step.

"Do we have all of the equipment we need?"

"We need to move on to the next step."

"Let's come back to this later if we have time."

"Chris, what do you think about this idea?"

 
Recorder

  • Act as a scribe for your group.

  • Check for understanding of all members.

  • Make sure all members of your group agree on plans and actions.

  • Enter the results into WebAssign for the group.


"Can you repeat that reading?"

"Do we all understand this diagram?"

"Are we in agreement on this?"

"Do we all agree on the values I am entering into WebAssign?"
Skeptic

  • Help your group avoid coming to agreement too quickly.

  • Make sure all possibilities are explored.

  • Suggest alternative ideas.


"What other possibilities are there?"

"Let's try to look at this another way."

"I'm not sure we're on the right track."

 

Energizer/Summarizer*

  • Energize your group when motivation is low by:

    • Suggesting a new idea

    • Through humor

    • Being enthusiastic

  • Summarize or restate your group's findings and conclusions.

"We can do this!"

"That's a great idea!"

"So here's what we've decided."

 

*This is a separate role if there are four members in your lab group, otherwise everyone should assume this role.