Unit 2 WK 2 Setting Group Norms

Active Listening

 

Task 1: Contribute to a Discussion Board on your Cohort group page

 

Go to your Groups by clicking on PEOPLE and choose your Cohort Group. Start a discussion and share your most fantastic group collaboration experience ever. Think about the things that you and other members of the group did/said that made the experience meaningful and productive. Then offer a description of an opposite experience--a time when you worked with a group and had a horrible time.  You should read and respond to the descriptions that your cohort members offer too.

Task 2: Really read and listen to what your peers have to say, and respond in a meaningful way

Part of being a great group participator is being a great listener, reader, and responder. You do this by meaningfully and kindly engaging in the ideas and concerns of your peers. Read through everyone's posts on the discussion board and offer feedback that moves the group toward consensus about what will work best for everyone. 

Task 3: Set up a Collaborative page to finalize the Norms

Once you all have an understanding of what works well for each group member, set-up a Collaboration page for developing group NORMS or rules of action for your semester-long collaboration--preferably a Google Doc, that you can each collaborate on togetherWorking in groups without a set of ground rules is a bad idea. Setting Norms for your group is an important part of getting the most out of your group experience and helps you make sure everyone understands the expectations each group member has for the entire group.

 

"Norms" are kind of like "rules" that you and your other group members come up with together.

 

 

 

Some Examples:

For example, you might like a norm that asks that everyone respond to an email or message within a certain period of time; or you might ask for a norm that sets deadlines, or group roles, and so forth. You may wish for a norm that allows the group to "fire" a group member who is not pulling his or her own weight. This group member could effectively be fired by other group members and then have to work alone. Whatever you decide, include your teacher in the discussion--he or she may have good ideas for how to best word your group norms. 

Task 5: Sign your name on the dotted line (Or video yourself reading and agreeing to the norms)

Once you've all agreed on the norms, each group should sign a contract--that is, each group member should publicly state his or her agreement to the norms. This kind of agreement is a great symbol and reminder that you aren't just working for yourself, but you're working for a team.