GROUP WORK 28 September – 16

October
Teacher’s notes for you to think about...

DEMOCRACY IN OUR GLOBAL ERA

Group Bernardo, João Machado, João Meira, Inês
members
Main questions Democracy or Slavocracy?
Democracy: a door for multiculturalism of globalization? Basis for
improvement or unquestionable dogma?
EU: or disguised tyranny?
The perfect recipe: men in black. Politics or Propaganda?
Strong points Controversial questions with clear rationale
Well prepared and very successful presentation
Weak points Rhetorical questions? … some questions seem to have a readymade
answer/airtight explanatory system!!!
Understanding of ‘research’
Collaboration Sorry, no observation at all.
skills Presentation evidenced clearly divided tasks. You seem to have
managed interdependence and co-responsibility.
Were roles divided?

DEMOCRACY IN OUR GLOBAL ERA

Group João Costa, Karina, Nuno, Rita (Tomás)
members
Main questions
Strong points
Weak points No presentation; some ideas, no research, no group.
Collaboration
skills

MULTICULTURALISM & CITIZENSHIP

Group Joana Duarte, Marta, Pedro, Tiago
members
Main questions Are we human or are we dancers? (BIG question)
Do we all have the same rights and opportunities?
Are we equal despite our different languages, religions, ethnicity, …?
Why can discrimination and multiculturalism be considered opposites?
Can we make the difference if we stand for Human Rights?
How are immigrants integrated in our society? Do they have full legal
rights?
How do immigrants and their cultures contribute to enrich society?
Do we accept each other as we are or do we seek for perfection?
(consumer society)
Strong points Excellent BIG question (connection with own experience, interests and
reflection skills)
Many ‘researchable’ questions
Ability to raise debate!
Weak points Presentation not well rehearsed
Rationale behind questions not very clear (‘the things we know that
made these questions possible’)
Collaboration Focused observation was not possible but see if you agree:
skills Group members easily out of focus
Poor listening skills
Objectives of work not clear for all. Hard time to get started
No one willing to perform coordination role

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Group Frederico, Hugo, Sara, Vranda
members
Main questions What is the future of English?
Will the English language lose its status as a global language?
If yes – Which language will replace English? Why?
What is the key factor for the survival of English as a global language?
Strong points Research was done
Presentation was well prepared
Weak points Participation was uneven
Lack of confidence – be bold!
Collaboration Focused observation was not possible but see if you agree:
skills Good listening skills
Objectives of work not clear for all. Hard time to get started
No one willing to perform coordination role

CULTURE, ARTS & SOCIETY

Group Joana Lima, Jorge, Miguel, Raquel
members
Main questions What is Art?
Can just anybody be an ‘artist’ or are there any boundaries?
Strong points Creativity
Understanding of the topic
Questions asked
Poster (as it was meant to raise curiosity and reflection, not
information)
Weak points Not much research done, apparently
Pictures chosen but insufficient rationale (or ill-explored) in
presentation
Presentation not (well) rehearsed
Some members too self-conscious during presentation
Collaboration Focused observation was not possible but see if you agree:
skills - Group members easily out of focus
- Poor listening skills; no turn taking
- No one to: make objectives clear; summarise and paraphrase;
systematize; distribute tasks; organise materials; wrap up …
- Some(?) members not aware that if they fail the group will fail
- Problems such as ‘finding time extra class to meet’ not
overcome
- Roles not distributed; need for these roles still not clear for all