1. Amongst 3-4 People
Group Communication

2. Things to Consider
Do you prefer to work on projects by yourself or with groups? Why?
Are two heads really better than one?
What are group norms?
What makes a team work well together?
Why don’t some teams work well together?
What makes someone a good leader?

3. Group Dynamics There are several different types of groups.
There are several different types of group members.
There are only three types of leaders, and having the right kind of leader can be imperative to a productive group.

4. Four Humours

5. Medicine Wheel
Mouse is in the south; eagle is in the east; bear is west; and buffalo is north.

6. Learning Styles

7. Activity to Test the Theory
Let’s see if two heads are better than one.
Survival Game.

8. Types of Leaders
Let’s experience the different types of leadership and find out which would be best for your group.

9. Types of Leaders Explained
Laissez-faire – hands off. Leader lets his or her group members do whatever they want to do.
Democratic – majority rules. Leader facilitates discussions that lead to voting on issues.
Authoritarian – one person rules all. Leader gives assignments to members and wants things done his or her way.

10. Elect a Leader Who can do the best job of keeping everyone on track?
Who can do the best job of helping us abide by our norms?
What needs to happen in our group to make sure that we can get our work done well and on time?
How are we going to deal with conflict?

11. Group Norms Come up with a minimum of five that cover these areas:
How are we going to treat each other/talk to each other in our group? What happens if someone violates that?
What are we going to do if one or more person is absent (include the leader also)?
What are we going to do if one or more person is not doing his or her share of the work?
How are we going to make decisions?
How are we going to deal with conflict?

12. Practice Problem-Solving
1. Identify the problem
2. Analyze the problem
3. Set criteria for a solution
4. Develop solutions
5. Select a solution

13. Step 1: Identify the problem
Julie, a group member, has been absent for two days now, and your final project is due in two more days. She is in charge of doing the weather segment for the newscast. As a group, no one has been able to get ahold of her. No one knows if she has done any work on her part of the project or if she will be in school the next two days.

14. Step 1: Identify the problem
What is the problem in this situation?

15. Step 2: Analyze the Problem
Question the facts involved in the problem.
Julie’s been gone for 2 days.
No one has heard from her.
She is in charge of weather.
It’s due in 2 days.

16. Step 2: Analyze the Problem
Question the worth of the situation or aspects of the situation.
Julie’s been gone for 2 days – it will hurt her score on the absent portion and she hasn’t been here to contribute to her part of the project.
No one has heard from her – she hasn’t let us know if she’s done her part or not or given it to us so we can put it in our video.
She is in charge of weather – we will lose points for not having a weather segment and not having all participants on camera equally.
It’s due in 2 days – we have to get the rest of the video done and may have to take on additional responsibilities to get the weather done.

17. Step 2: Analyze the Problem
Question the policies involved in the situation and what role the group should take in the policies.
Julie’s been gone for 2 days – see norms
No one has heard from her – see norms
She is in charge of weather – it’s a required segment.
It’s due in 2 days – we will lose points if it’s late or missing parts it is supposed to have in it.

18. Step 3: Set Criteria for a Solution
What would make a solution work? (what’s our goal we want to strive toward)
What standards will the group set? (important that everyone gets a say, even Julie, whoever is here gets a say)
What does the group consider to be effective? (how will we know if the decision is the right one?)

19. Step 3: Set Criteria for a Solution
What does the group consider to be valuable? (Our own grades? Julie’s grade? Julie’s health? Friendship/relationship with Julie? Being on time?)
What does the group consider to be useful? (things that make less work for the rest of us? Things that make sure we get good grades?)
How will the group decide on a solution? (vote? Do a plus-minus chart? Let the leader decide?)

20. Step 4: Develop Solutions
Each member should brainstorm ideas for solutions. Notice it says ideas, not idea.
After each person has had time to generate ideas, share the ideas and discussion the benefits and disadvantages to each solution.

21. Step 5: Select a Solution
Discuss which of the solutions offered would best solve the problem of Julie’s absence.
Take a vote on which solution you want to use.
If there is a case of a tie, decide how that tie will be broken.
Once a solution is picked, figure out who will carry out the solution so it gets done.