According to Tuckman, groups tend to develop through
certain stages. These stages are:
1. forming (people indentify with the group)
2. storming (clarifying goal and finding the role for each member of the group)
3. norming
(what kind of behavior is expected)
4. performing (working on the task in order
to achieve the goal)
5. adjourning (feedback and the future of interpersonal
relationship).
Our group is developing through all those stages as well. In the beginning we formed and got to know each others. We were polite to each others and did not want to talk about possible problems until the first task was over. Finding the best ways to work as a group took time.
At the end of the first task our group moved to the next stage "storming". The roles became clearer and we discussed about our rules (norming) again. After discussing the rules, the group payed lots of attention to behavior of all the group members. It sometimes felt that norming took way too much energy, and working itself became harder.
Unfortunately our group was not able to communicate openly enough to solve the problems. At the norming stage the group had to ask help from outside in order to be able to move to the next stage.
So what could have been done differently at the storming and norming stages? How the conflict should have been dealt with?
I am not sure I have answers. Emails, for sure, are not the best way to deal with problems. It is much more civilized to discuss than write emails. When you are working online all the time, sending an email sounds like an easy option. But arranging an online meeting would probably be better. Asking and getting help from the tutors while the issues are still "fresh" is important, too. Otherwise the problems just grow bigger and bigger, until solving them becomes hard.
So how will I help my students with team developing in the future?
At least I will try to explain them how teams develop, and what kind of issues they may have to deal with. I will also regularly talk with them about their group performance and possible problems they have faced. I will not leave them alone to deal with the problems, but rather help them to find solutions by standing next to them.
Now our group is performing pretty well and getting ready for the last task. We do not know yet if we are going to work as a group ever again. Maybe it is time for adjourning soon. If not just yet, then at least sometime next spring. I hope we will stay in touch, personally and professionally.
Interesting theory and hits the spot quite nicely. It's important for the teacher to stay in touch with the group - also adults can need help with sc. soft skills.
ReplyDeleteI have once made a quite interesting listening exercise. We were in pairs, and the idea was to stay quiet and listen carefully what the other had to say. It was really hard not to make questions or at least affirming noises!
ReplyDeleteAre teachers good at listening? For decades teachers have been the loud ones in a classroom. But teacher's role is changing and the students are expected to be the active ones. Still I would say that teachers are quite often talkative and not afraid of speak their mind. So maybe some listening and reading between lines exercises would not hurt teachers either?