Group Project 1
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate a) proper personal
communication skills and b) effective group decision-making processes. Your
objective is to prepare a 15 minute training session for the COMM 200 students about
what to do and avoid when holding a group meeting.
Method:
1. Develop a checklist of 3 individual communication skills
that you think are vital to group success.
2. Develop a similar checklist of 3 important decision-making
processes needed for task group success.
3. Based on your lists, create a simulation (or video tape) that
demonstrates what NOT to do during a problem solving
discussion.
4. Re-do the simulation (or video tape) and demonstrate the
characteristics of an effective group problem solving
discussion.
Requirements: The project will consist of two basic parts:
 An oral presentation based on the training idea. Part 1 focuses on the training
you would provide. Part 2 focuses on the rationale for the training.
 A written report that includes all supporting material in a properly indexed
fashion (due one week after the oral presentation).
Evaluation: Your group project will be evaluated on the basis of three factors: 1) the
oral presentation, 2) the written work, and 3) individual ratings given by your fellow
group members.
The general criteria for evaluating the project are: 1) Writing and presentation style, 2)
Illustration and support of the key ideas, 3) Theoretical assimilation & creativity, 4)
Understanding of key theoretical terms; and 5) Depth of analysis.
Your demonstration and analysis boils down to three questions:
1. How well did you demonstrate the skills and processes?
2. Did you properly define effectiveness for the simulated group?
3. Did you show that the skills and discussion processes influenced the degree of
effectiveness?
You will have to provide support for all your assertions that can be gleaned from the
readings, class discussions, and your own creative ideas.