Tips for the first meeting
Make a positive start: Smile, ask questions, offer suggestions, make notes, talk predominantly about your group project
Introduce each other: Some people might not know each other
Take time: Don’t rush into the first meeting, first impressions are important
Identify the task: Make sure everyone understands the assignment and what is needed to successfully complete the group work i.e., read the assignment instructions together
Agree on rules: Everyone should be clear on what to expect, how to contribute and what happens if he/she does not participate appropriately
Identify areas of expertise: Who is good in what? Look up Belbin’s Team Role Inventories to help you with that process
Identify common practice: Who will be taking notes, who are you going to decide on things?
Make a plan: In one of the earlier meetings agree on a schedule e.g., when is what finished by whom?
Have a set agenda: Agree at the beginning of the meeting what issues need to be addressed
Be organised: Leave the meeting knowing what each of the group members has to do
Evaluate: Start off the meeting with a summary of what has been achieved so far
Be democratic: Let all people have a say and be polite to each other
Keep records: Keep clear records of meetings and attendance and make sure there is a record of who has done what
Things to consider
Before you submit or give the presentation make sure
you’ve met all the demands set out by your lecturer or school
In case you are asked to work on a written assignment be aware that in should be a coherent piece of work i.e., allocate who will proofread, who edits the paper, how are you referencing, what kind of abbreviations etc. you will use
Email communication can be a challenge. Be aware of
your tone of voice as written words can often sound harsher than intended
Group work will be successful if you…
Have clear objectives, agreed goals and allocated roles Reach agreements at most meetings Complete tasks as agreed Are all participating Are listening to each other Generate an open and trusting atmosphere Allow opinions to be questioned Respect each other Use your time effectively Have a systematic approach to discussion Regularly review the process Share information Can keep up a good communication
Group work will go wrong if you…
Are wasting time
Are not taking the task serious
Have no clearly articulated roles and tasks
Have a weak leadership
Lack planning
Have no clear agendas
Lack support
Isolate certain group members
Are going into too much procedural detail
Shot down ideas of each other
Lack innovation and communication
Learn more about Teamwork and other vital personal attributes to develop at university