working-in-groups-student-handout-strang-2011
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The document discusses types of groups, when to work in groups versus individually, characteristics of effective and ineffective groups, common group problems, identifying group values, and establishing an effective group process. There are three main types of groups discussed: informal classroom groups, formal class project groups, and long-term study groups. Effective groups have clear goals, task delegation, balanced participation, and support disagreement. Ineffective groups are dominated by some members and lack clear goals or roles.
working-in-groups-student-handout-strang-2011
- 1. Online Workshop Series Working in Groups - Student Handout Types of Groups: • Informal Learning Groups in the context of a classroom assignment • Formal Learning Groups for a class project or presentation • Study Groups organized across a semester or beyond When to Work in Groups: • When creativity is needed • Assemble diverse knowledge and expertise • To create a supportive framework to accomplish a goal or project When Not to Work in Groups • Instructor expects individual work • Your work is too similar • You fail to understand project goals on your own • Individual learning is more important than accomplishing the task
- 2. Group work Dynamics Characteristics of an Effective Group: • It has a coordinator or leader • Range of individuals who contribute in different ways • Clear goals are agreed • Everyone understands their tasks • Balance between the task (what we need to do) and process (how are we going to do it) • Supportive, informal atmosphere • Comfortable with disagreement • Members feel free to criticize • Lots of discussion Characteristics of an Ineffective Group • People talk more than they listen • Some members are silent and don’t contribute • Arguments between members (as opposed to constructive differences of opinion) • One or two members dominate • Disagreements are put to the vote without discussion • Some members are unhappy with decisions • Lack of clarity regarding goals • Roles are not delegated to certain team members • Lack of trust and helpfulness • Members don’t talk about how the group is working
- 3. Defusing Group Problems Commons Problems • Free Riders • Crowded Schedules • Group Polarization • Groupthink • The Road to Nowhere • Failure to Play as a Team Identifying Group Values • Justice • Responsibility • Trust • Integrity • Reasonableness • Respect Establishing a Group Process 1) Make Ground Rules 2) Establish a Regular Meeting Schedule 3) Assign Roles and Responsibilities 4) Collaborative Software and Tools Get More Help Visit the Study Toolkit Page at the Learning Commons website! http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/get-started/study-toolkits/online-groupwork/