Group Work Project Contracting
At a Glance
Discipline
- Humanities
- Social sciences
Instructional Level
- College & CEGEP
Course
- Strategies for College Success
Tasks in Workflow
Social Plane(s)
- Group
Type of Tasks
- Creating & designing
- Analyzing
- Reviewing & assessing peers
Technical Details
Class size
- Small (20-49)
Time
- Multiple class periods (2-3 classes)
Instructional Purpose
- Assessment & knowledge refinement
- Preparation & knowledge activation
Overview
For instructors planning student group work projects over many weeks or months, this activity provides a process for students to collaborate with the instructor to design a group work contract that outlines policies and expectations for working through logistical and/or interpersonal conflicts. Ideas for policies and expectations are compiled by the whole class and the instructor. The agreements are consolidated into a group work contract that is signed by students and made available on the class’s online course page. (You can also call it an “agreement in principle”.)
Instructional Objectives
- Proactively co-construct and align guidelines for effective team work
- Learn strategies for creating and maintaining positive and responsible teamwork.
Workflow & Materials
Activity Workflow
Contributor's Notes
- Provides tools to address common challenges that arise in group work.
- Creates a culture in the classroom around being pro-active, encouraging, accountable and transparent.
- This activity can take up 1-2 classes and requires follow-up. Teachers need to revisit guidelines when needed, and feel comfortable implementing the guidelines.
- Students who are absent can feel left out. (This is why the opportunity for students to give feedback asynchronously after class is important.)”
- At the beginning of the semester, survey students on their experiences with team work. This can help you identify how much resistance or anxiety some students might have going into teamwork.
Applied Strategies
Published: 03/12/2024
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