Managing conflict
I have found especially in group projects that there can be an overload of conflict between students. Recognizing each group member's gifts and talents can create a much more harmonious project group
Daniel,
Your approach the team composition is well-founded. Back in the 1980s, Robert Slaven at Johns Hopkins provided many classroom activities established on the basis of teams of 3 to 5 members. This team size seems to be appropriate for a multitude of learning activities and scenarios.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I try to keep my teams at four or five members. The problem is usually some team members want to begin right now and others are slower to start the team interaction. But it all comes together in the end.
I have the students grade themselves at the end of the project. This gives me insight to the personality of the members for the next project. My program is a 6 term 10 week course where the students are together for the entire program.
I allow the students to pick their groups but do require them to change for each course if there is a project. If there is no project and they want to work in learning teams, that is their choice.
I manage the conflict via email but will not let them change out of the group until the end of the project. Utilizing conflict manangement tools, we/they work it out and hopefully they can take those tools into the work place.
Hi Stephen, we create a process for working with teams and have created processes for dealing with conflict in groups. This helps to keep the group projects focused. Tina
