Making Teams Work: Enhancing Commitment To Team And Teammates

Abstract

Location: JC Room G 

A common problem in group work is helping undergraduate students understanding the commitment required to work successfully in teams. Over the years, I've learned that it's not enough to tell students that successful team members demonstrate trust, cooperation, support, and mutual respect. When I first began using Team-Based Learning, I developed a series of four short readings tilted Making Teams Work 1-4 that address validation (acknowledgment), integrity, commitment, personal responsibility, generosity of spirit, and being frank with people. Following the readings, students engage in discussions and in-class exercises that aim to overcome and change negative attitude and behavioral tendencies that undermine many student teams. I will provide my Making Teams Work readings and exercises to any attendees that would like to use or modify them.