How Do We Work Together?

“Welcome to lab! I have everyone’s pre-labs, so I know that you are all prepared. Pair up with the person next to you and go ahead and begin. You have 3 hours to complete your lab work.”

Krys looks at the person next to them. Sam was there, apparently their partner. Krys didn’t see Sam walk into lab, but there was a cute dog by Sam’s feet. Krys surmised Sam couldn’t see much. Krys did not say anything about the dog or ask about the need for any lab accommodations. Krys decided the best course of action would be to be extremely helpful, and not force Sam to do the actual hands-on lab work.

“It’s best not to make a big deal, Sam will appreciate me just getting the lab done quickly and then we can leave. The dog will be happier to not be in a lab. I’m helping and doing the right thing,” Krys thought.

Without saying a word, Krys collected the materials needed to execute the lab, and set them on the bench.

Krys began to weigh out the chemicals. “Cute dog,” Krys said.

“Thanks,” said Sam. “Her name is Neon. Do you need help weighing out the materials?”

“Oh, don’t bother, I’ve got this!” Krys replied without slowing down.

“I can’t see. Which container has the calcium chloride, and which has the sodium carbonate?” asked Sam.

“Don’t worry about it, I can just measure the correct amounts of each.”

“I’d really like to help,” Sam insisted.

“I can just do it, and I’ll share the data with you! I’ll work fast so we can get out of here. What kind of music do you like?” asked Krys changing the subject.

“Can I at least count out the test tubes for the reactions?” Sam asked weakly.

“Some of the test tubes in the drawer are broken, so maybe not,” Krys replied.

Sam and Neon sat and did nothing while Krys finished the experiment and recorded the data. Krys even typed it in a text file and emailed it to Sam.

Krys thought they had a successful lab, completed the experiment correctly and collected good data.

Krys and Sam did their lab calculations based on the data independently at home, both using Krys’ data. Both independently submitted their lab reports, and both received a grade of D. The data was not good and some of the measurements were made incorrectly. Sam emailed and tried to explain to Professor Sensitive that Krys did not give Sam the chance to record data, so the grade was unfair. Professor Sensitive responded and told Sam this was not the instructor’s problem, and that if Sam had doubts about the protocol Krys was using, this should have been corrected during the lab session because that is how teams work.

Task:

1. Identify the person most responsible for the bad grade.
2. Describe why the person you selected is the most responsible. Identify the actions that convinced you of their fault.
3. Propose actions that each character could take to create a more productive learning experience in the following class period.