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

2. 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

3. How do you feel about team work?

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

5. 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!

6. 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

7. 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!”)

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

9. 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

10. 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:
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:
To help fit the pieces of your study together visit: