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Group dynamics

Enhance student interaction and learning by understanding and managing group dynamics. Explore how group processes impact the classroom using Tuckman’s development theory and social norms. Engage in interactive activities to observe and develop effective strategies for positive interventions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this training you will be able to…

recognise the phases of group development theory by Tuckman and translate the relevance of the theory to your own teaching
analyse what you can do as a teacher to assist group dynamics according to the phases of Tuckman’s group development
verbalise social norms in your own teaching practice
act upon group dynamics in your own teaching practice

Practical info

Target group		(Second year) workgroup teachers
Group size		Max. 16 teachers
Language		English
Time investment		3 hours in class + 1 hour preparation time + 2 hours portfolio (for teachers in Workgroup Teacher Programme)
Preparation and materials		Write down a list with social norms –shared standards of acceptable behavior by a group- you have in your own teaching practice and take this to the training. This serves as a follow-up for the social contract we discussed and modelled in the Didactic Bootcamp. For inspiration on (university) classroom norms have a look at: Drew, C. (August 31, 2023). 50 Classroom Norms For All Ages. Helpful Professor. https://helpfulprofessor.com/classroom-norms/ Bring a group dynamic case from your own teaching experience, focusing on a difficult situation involving classroom or subgroup dynamics, you can try out what to say/how to act in this situation. For understanding the Tuckman phases and the facilitating role of a teacher: Watch the following 5-minute video on Group formation (Tuckman) Clip Read for didactical strategies based on Tuckman’s phases: Largent (2016). Measuring and understanding team development by capturing self-assessed enthusiasm and skill levels. ACM Transations on Computing Education. 16(2). Go to preparation and materials

Planning 2026-2027

You can register by clicking on your preferred date in the table below; you will then be redirected to our registration environment.
The registration deadline is one week before the start of each course.

Date	Time	Location	Trainer	Department	Registration
Tuesday 8 December 2026	13:00 – 15:00	TBA	Ruth-Martine Huijs-Keegstra	For all domains	TBA
Thursday 4 March 2027	09:00 – 11:00	TBA	Ruth-Martine Huijs-Keegstra	For all domains	TBA

What your colleagues took home

“I very much liked how the training started in an interactive way, by experiencing teamwork ourselves with the Lego exercise. I also like how there was room to go over our personal cases with colleagues and suggest ways to improve group dynamics.”

“The problems discussed were very relevant as the dynamics are often self-recurring.”

“I think what we did was concrete and specifically relevant to my work. The best part was that I was able to reflect on my actions and think about how to improve them, but also understand where my role lies, which isn’t always interventionist.”