Here are some recommendations for getting started with your group. It is a good idea to create a group document that addresses these steps (some people call this a group charter), and then make sure each member has a copy.
There are 4 things to consider in establishing a group process that works:
- Ground Rules
- Meeting Schedule
- Roles and Tasks
- Supporting Tools
We’ve offered resources for each area and some tech tools that will help you facilitate your meetings online.
Establish Ground Rules
This involves agreeing on how the group will work together.
For example, you will want to think about how you will communicate respectfully with each other, and how you will address conflict.
- How will you make sure that everybody participates equally?
- What are the rules for dealing with a member who has not been in contact with the group for a certain period of time?
- How will you ensure that everybody participates meaningfully, and that everybody’s contribution is seen as being important?
- How will you negotiate agreement? For example, democratically, or role based?
- How will you deal with disagreement in the group?
- How will you deal with problematic interactions online?
- What technologies will support your group meetings (chat, WebCT discussion board,etc)
- What is the target goal for the group? (an ‘A’ grade? a good learning experience? the chnace to try something new?)
Resources related to Ground Rules:
Collaborative Group Work Guidelines (U of Guelph)
Teamwork in School, Work and Life
Create a Schedule
It is important to agree on and create a regular meeting schedule that works for everyone. You will need to consider:
- assignment requirements and due dates
- what things do you need to meet about in real time (synchronous communication)?
- what things can you contribute to according to your individual time schedule (asynchronous communication)?
- what constitutes satisfactory participation? (from your ground rules).
- set your schedule and post online for everyone to view and refer to.
Resources related to Schedules:
Meeting Strategies to Help Prepare Students for Group Work (U of Waterloo)
Designate roles and tasks
In planning how to work together, it is important to first identify roles and tasks. These can be structured or unstructured, but you will want to be clear up front on what everybody is responsible for.
Some suggested roles (for structured groups) might be helpful:
• Facilitator: organizes and facilitates online meetings
• Summarizer: summarizes what was discussed and outlines next steps and who is responsible for what
• Note Taker: Takes meeting notes and posts to group members
• Progress chaser: Follows up with group members to ensure that things move forward.
• Timekeeper: periodically reminds group of time left and work to be done.
• Presenter: presents material that is created by the group.
• Mediator: uses skills to assist in conflict resolution or decision making when necessary.
Some people take on roles to contribute to the overall work or atmosphere of the group. These can be extremely vaulable to building a good working team. The Derek Bok Center at Harvard offers some examples.
Resources related to Roles:
Meeting Strategies to Help Prepare Students for Group Work (U of Waterloo)
Teamwork Skills for Group Projects
Choose Your Tools
It’s never been easier to collaborate on documents together, or to communicate online.
Since group process (in the beginning) will be supported by the communication tools you select. Here are some options:
- Online brainstorming tool with integrated chat : Thinkature is a web based tool (in beta test stage) that nicely supports brainstorming and process planning. Workspaces are private to guests that the account holder invites via email. Accounts are free at this point. It supports text and voice chat as well as freehand drawing and image uploads.
- Wiggio is a new (free) tool that supports communication and working in groups. You can have a videoconference, share a calendar, share files and use a whiteboard to plan your project. Wiggio also supports mobile use (texting).
- Google Docs: for collaborative writing/presentation.
- Wikis: wiki.ubc.ca provides a free service for the UBC community. Share links, upload resources, capture your ideas.
- WebCT discussion forums (your instructor may set up a group discussion space that only your group can access). This allows for asynchronous communication (meaning that not everyone needs to be online at the same time. Discussion items can be posted and responded to at any time.
- IM: Many people use instant messaging (IM) to communicate and you can easily set up a group chat if a suitable time has been agreed on. This is syncronous communication (meaning you need to be online at the same time as the rest of your group).
- Skype (VOIP). Allows you to communicate using voice. Like conference calling but using the internet and free. Everyone needs to download it to use though. You can even have a group chat on Skype. There are other VOIP tools on the market as well.
- Telephone!
Just remember, if you are signing up to a blogging service that is hosted in the U.S., you’ll want to take note of the privacy policies before you give over your personal information. The U.S. has a different view of privacy protection than we do in Canada. More on protecting your personal information across borders.
