Team Work
Why Group Work?
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It’s a break from lecture.
It gives everyone a chance to contribute.
It can be fun.
You can learn from each other’s strengths.
There’s no way to avoid team work in the real
world, so it’s best to learn how to do it now!
Expect to learn new skills
Some skills that develop with experience and help
make group work much more effective are;
 Note-taking skills.
 Giving a review to the class from those notes.
 Learning how to compromise.
 Learning how to encourage, support and work with
fellow group members.
 Learning how to explore situations or opinions rather
than judging them…
Get Organized!
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Sit in a circle.
Limit group size to 5.
Choose a leader.
Set schedules and deadlines.
Agree on ways to resolve conflicts.
Let everyone have a say.
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Group work means everyone in the group
should have a chance to talk.
The group leader should ensure this
happens.
Effective group members help those in the
group who may be shy, retiring or switched
off.
Learn to listen.
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Listening is as valuable a skill as talking.
‘Contributing’ means participating. You can
participate by listening to what people are
saying and considering their viewpoint.
Effective group work is about:
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talking at the appropriate time,
listening at the appropriate time, and
questioning at the appropriate time.
Be positive.
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Effective group work is about co-operation,
working together and moving forward.
Look for the positive things fellow group
members say.
Group work is not a power game where you
put other group members down.
Build on strengths.
Deal with weaknesses.
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Who in the group has the best ideas?
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Who needs help to feel a part of the group?
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Who needs to be ‘toned down’ a bit?
Expect different roles
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In some group work, you will have the
leadership role.
In some group work, you may know little
about the subject being discussed.
In some group work, you may be the ‘expert’.
Learn to adapt to the group dynamic.
Prepare for ACTION
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Group work is not a show of strength, of
arguing skill or debating power.
Group work is not a competition that you
have to win;
Group work is about designing a way
forward, co-operatively, so that something
positive happens as a result of group efforts.
General Advice
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Never miss a meeting.
Get to know everyone's working style.
Create a process for resolving conflict.
Contribute your ideas.
Ask questions.
Avoid working with friends.
Don’t gossip.
Roles for In-Class Discussions
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Leader
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Reader/Facilitator
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Reads questions and other materials.
Helps keep group on task
Recorder
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Verifies everyone’s understanding of goals.
Assigns roles and elicits contributions.
Takes notes, draws diagrams, etc.
Reporter
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Paraphrases others’ opinions to check comprehension.
Reports on group work to class.
Problems & Solutions
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Nobody knows
what to do.
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Some people
slack off (don’t
do enough
work).
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Clarify goals and objectives.
Choose a leader.
Clarify your roles and
responsibilities.
Set deadlines.
Elicit opinions.
Problems & Solutions
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Some people are
pushy (too bossy).
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Nobody wants to
make a decision.
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Be flexible.
Listen to each other’s
opinions.
Vote, if necessary.
Be willing to step up and be
a leader.
Draw straws, if needed.
Activity
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In groups of 4 or 5, assign each person a role:
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Leader
Reader/facilitator
Recorder
Reporter
Task: Write one sentence that expresses your
group’s opinion about the following statement:
Is getting an education in the United States
easier or more difficult than other countries?
* Practice appropriate opinion strategies!
Sources
http://www.edwdebono.com/cort/group.htm
http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/assessinglearn
ing/03/group.html
http://www.iamnext.com/academics/groupwork.
html