The RIN Activity: Propelling Class Project Teams to the Finish Line

Abstract

Collaborative team projects are common across undergraduate and graduate courses in many disciplines. While instructors support student teams with structured activities and guided assignments (e.g., team building, team charters), few activities exist to support collaborative project teams as they approach the end of the project. This article explains the RIN (Responsible, Involved, Not Involved) activity, a structured approach to organizing teams and fostering progress in the final project stages. The instructor-facilitated RIN activity is a step-by-step guide for student teams designed to work through shared goals, individual responsibilities, collaboration opportunities, out-of-scope items, and deadlines. Leading into the final stretch of team project deliverables, the RIN activity can increase clarity, focus, and accountability for both the team and individual members.