Student-Friendly Guide

Teamwork in universities. READ THIS FIRST!

Part One: Basics and context

What do we mean by 'a team'?
The benefits of working in a team
Teamwork skills
Academic teamwork and the job market

Part Two: Getting started
Get in your groups
Get to know one another

Formulate your ground rules
The value of ground rules
Mission statements
Communication
Meetings
Taking decisions

Check out your assignment and plan your work
The project brief
The elements of project work
Programmes of work: the 'critical path'
Allocating tasks

Part Three: How are we doing?

Progress on the project
Progress from 'group' to 'team'
Personal progress

Part Four: Perspectives on team behaviour

Tensions: the task, the team and the individual
Team roles
Management systems and team organization
Team development: forming, storming, norming, performing ...
The decision-making process
Negotiation
Cultural traits and differences
Individual traits: 'cats' and 'dogs'

Part Five: Teamwork issues and solutions

The task: getting the work done
Getting help from your teachers
Sharing the work load: 'social loafing'
The 'free rider' problem
Focusing on the task
Taking decisions: 'risky shift', 'group polarization' and 'groupthink'

Personal and inter-personal issues
The group that doesn't storm
Getting your multi-cultural group to 'bond'
Do teams need leaders?
Dealing with a team member who tries to dominate
Working constructively with someone you don't like
Finding your place in the team

Part Six: Benefiting from the experience

Getting feedback - including appreciation
Reflection
Learning logs
Reflective reports

Applying for jobs
Polishing up your CV
Being interviewed
Group tests in assessment centres

Notes and references

Further reading

Background and acknowledgments