TEAM PROJECTS: HOW TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS

ON-LINE TEAM PROJECTS: HOW TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS (A GOOD GRADE) AND ENJOY YOURSELF AT THE SAME TIME

Lisa Keys-Mathews
lkeysmathews@una.edu
Department of Geography

Team projects, also known as cooperative learning, teaches the fundamentals of problem-based and inquiry learning which, in turn, enhances your ability to reason and solve problems. This is key to survival and advancement in a professional environment. There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of experience.

ADVANTAGES

You learn more and student achievement is higher (retention and recall are increased, thereby supporting better grades)
Working as a member of a team is a daily occurrence in the professional world, therefore you are gaining valuable professional development. One of the most often asked series of questions in a job interview relates to teamwork.
- When did you last work as a member of a team?
- What role did you assume?
- Describe the group dynamics
- Do you assume different roles when you work as a member of a team?
Teamwork allows you to "divide and conquer" a problem
Brainstorming and "talking out a problem" are facilitated in a group. Thinking and problem-solving are clarified when you verbalize it. You are also allowed to test your ideas against others.

CHALLENGES

Everyone's schedules are different and team meetings are often hard to arrange
Ensuring that everyone does their equal share for an equal grade
Depending on someone you might not know, therefore not knowing how they will react to any given situation
In the professional world you are very rarely allowed to choose your team members, therefore you are not always allowed to build the team you "prefer"

ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESSFUL GROUP WORK

Whereas there are challenges, group work is an essential skill that everyone must develop. Here are a few ideas on how to keep your group dynamics positive and moving toward a common goal.

Read each entry closely and think about it before you respond
Try not to formulize your responses in your head while you are reading the entries, you will miss what they are saying
Don't be afraid of silence during a discussion, people need time to organize their thoughts after listen to others
Take turns
Return to the task when you notice that the discussion strays
Disagree politely
Manage your group time wisely - Socialize later
Ask for help
Be supportive
Share honest feelings
Keep all members involved
Paraphrase what others say
Help without giving all the answers
Express honest appreciation
Discipline unproductive impulses
Make everyone feel important

REMEMBER

Your group depends on every member to successfully achieve your goal

Talking and listening are vitally important to successful achievement

Treat others like you want to be treated