Working in Teams Bev Hancock-Smith Centre for Learning and Study Support (CLaSS) Enhancing academic practice, writing development and professional skills

What we’ll do How we’ll do it Share ideas for effective team working Try it out – through a team-based activity Discuss some principles of effective team work Meet some tools/ideas to aid team work Some lecture input Some whole group discussion Try it out – through some group activities Q&A at the end

How do you feel about team work?

Why does team work matter? Task: Note down one or two important factors for effective team work

End Teamwork Task Your Task Make a bridge from the newspaper and sellotape. Criteria: Bronze: Water bottle can roll underneath Silver: AND can pass bottle through when upright Gold: AND the bridge can hold the water bottle Time limit: 8 minutes 8 minutes End Try and put your good team work principles into practice!

Reflection – How did you do? Checklist: Tasks clearly shared out? Everyone included in decisions? Everyone included in activity? Share and consider your initial ideas for effective team work: How did you do in terms of each category? FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES

Key aspects of Team Work TOOLS: Go-around (each person has a turn to speak) Responsibilities for Tasks (fair, agreed, clear) Complementary skills (use each person’ strengths) TOOLS: Listening: give time, use clarifying questions Clear speaking: your ideas; your rationale Everyone taking part Constructive Communication Managing Tasks and Decisions Team Spirit TOOLS: Consensus Decision-Making (not trying to “win”; aim for decisions that “everyone can live with”) Clear Responsibility: for identifying tasks, actions Checking: clarify details, confirm agreement TOOLS: Clarity (goals, tasks) Socialise (after meetings, celebrations) Appreciation and Recognition: (“well done!”)

BENNE, K and SHEATS, P. (1948) Functional Roles of Group Members.

Other Useful Resources Scrums Go-around, quick regular update Project management; identifying issues Focus on Group Work Belbin’s Team Roles E.g. “co-ordinator”; “resource investigator” Aids understanding of needs, strengths, weaknesses De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats E.g. “information”; “what could go wrong”; “creativity” Helps with valuing all perspectives; as a checklist

Centre for Learning and Study Support Enhancing academic practice, writing development and professional skills Tutorials and Drop-in Workshops Workshops run regularly: Keep an eye out on blackboard and MyDMU to see our upcoming sessions To sign up go the library what’s on page: www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Home/Calendar Book a 30 minute one-to-one appointment to discuss any aspect of your study or work: visit the Library “What’s on?” page to book. Just a quick question? Drop in every Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2-3pm or Tuesday, Thursday 5-6pm in the LDZ Kimberlin library where CLaSS will be waiting to answer your question! Guides HEAT, “Focus On” and more… To view our online resources go to: www.library.dmu.ac.uk/link/CLASS To help fit the pieces of your study together visit: www.library.dmu.ac.uk/link/CLASS