SC 319: |
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH |
Spring 1997 |
WORKING IN GROUPS is important to the design of this class. It will be most important in class discussions, where you will form a group with which you will work on applying the material from class for the rest of the semester.
Working in groups can also be important for your final project, because you are encouraged to collaborate on the project. No one has to collaborate on the final project, but if you do everyone who's name is on the project will receive a score that includes an evaluation of the project as submitted and information from other group members about how well each group member performed in the group. So, while everyone in the group starts with the same base score, an individual's score may be raised if other group members indicate he or she made an outstanding contribution to the project, or lowered if other group members indicate he or she did less than expected. Other than that, everyone in the group will receive the same score, so both exemplary work and mistakes will be shared by the entire group.
Working in a group makes it possible to get a lot more done on the project than you could working alone and provides an opportunity for others to check for errors. Since all the projects will be graded on the same basis, a group project can be much better than some individual projects. Working in a group can also be much more difficult, however, because you have to coordinate schedules and tasks. You also run the risk of sharing errors instead of correcting them.
Below are some of the characteristics of people who usually do well working in groups. If you don't think these characteristics describe you, you probably shouldn't do the final project in a group. If you don't think these characteristics describe someone who wants to be part of your group, you should probably not be in a group with that person. Form your group thoughtfully, because if you choose to be in a group you have to accept both the benefits and the problems that go along with working with others. When you tell me who is in your final project group it will be considered a commitment. No one will be allowed to quit a group and no one can be "fired" from a group after February 21.
Characteristics of Effective Group Members 1. Dependable. Effective group members can be trusted to do what they are expected to do. That means show up to meetings on time, do the tasks assigned on time, etc. Unreliable people ruin groups. Responsible people improve groups. 2. Flexible. Effective group members adapt to be a valuable part of the group. That means they share their ideas but don't feel their ideas have to be accepted, they adjust their schedules for group meetings if possible, they take on non-preferred tasks, etc. Inflexible people ruin groups. Flexible people improve them. 3. Communicative. Effective group members participate in the group. That doesn't mean they always have to have an opinion about everything, but when they do have an opinion they express it. One advantage to groups is the chance for multiple perspectives and multiple ideas to come forward and improve the original idea. Keep in mind that, in a group, more than 1/2 your communication should be listening to others. Communicative people improve groups. 4. Project oriented. Effective group members care more about the project than they do about their own personal glory or status. People who work to make the project a success improve groups. 5. Considerate. Effective group members care about the other members of the group, and try to make the group experience better for everyone. They treat others politely and civilly. That doesn't mean they don't express disagreement with ideas or suggestions, but they express that disagreement in ways that keep the group working together. Considerate people improve groups. |
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