Importance of Teamwork in PBL.
- Problem based
learning (PBL) is a powerful teaching and learning method
partly because of the group
processes that occur inPBL teaching
and learning interactions. - Group members
have to assume real-life
work roles in these
collaborative situations and, above all, they learn from one another. - In the PBL classroom, healthy group functioning is
integral. - The
facilitator, with knowledge and skills of group dynamics, can anticipate problem
areas in group functioning and resolve them in a constructive manner. - As teams tend
to go through predictable
patterns in order to function as a
cohesive and constructive whole.
Role of a teacher in PBL :- Teacher’s changing role….
- From ‘Sage on the Stage’ to Guide on the Side’.
What is team?
- Team :- A team is a group of people working together
towards a common goal. - Team Building:
Creating an opportunity for people to come together to share concerns, ideas,
experiences, and to begin to work together to solve mutual problems and achieve
common goals. - Team Dynamics:
Refers to the attitudinal and behavioral
characteristics of a group how groups form, their structure and process, and
how they function.
Soul of Team building!
- Surrender “ME” for The “WE”.
- There is no “I” in “TEAMWORK”.
- “Teamwork DIVIDES the task and DOUBLES
the success”.
5 Stages of Team Building (Tuckman, 1970s)
Stage 1. Forming
- High dependence on
leader/mentor for guidance and direction. - Little agreement
on team. - Individual
roles and responsibilities are unclear. - Leader/mentor
must be prepared to answer lots of questions about the team’s purpose,
objectives and external relationships.
Stage 2. Storming
- Decisions don’t come easily within group.
- Team members Compete for
position. - Clarity of purpose increases but plenty
of uncertainties exist. - Compromises
may be required to enable progress
Stage 3. Norming
- Agreement
and consensus forms among team. - Roles and responsibilities are clear
and accepted. - Big decisions are made by group
agreement. - Commitment and unity
is strong. - The team discusses and develops its
processes and working style. - There is general respect for the
leader and some of leadership is shared.
Stage 4. Performing
- The team clearly knows –
- What is it doing?
- Why is it doing?
- The team has a shared vision.
- There is a focus on over –
achieving goals. - Disagreements
occur but now they are resolved within the team positively. - The team is able to work towards achieving
the goal. - Team members look after
each other. - The team does not need to be
instructed or assisted.
Stage 5. Adjuring
- Adjourning is the break-up of the group, hopefully when their task is completed successfully, their purpose fulfilled.
- Everyone can move on to new things, felling good about what’s been achieved.
- From an organizational perspective, recognition of and sensitivity to people’s vulnerabilities during this fifth stage is helpful.
- Feelings of insecurity would be natural.
Characteristics of a Good Team
- Everyone participates actively
and positively. - Team goals
are understood by everyone. - Everyone takes initiative to get
things done. - Each teammate trusts the judgment
of the others. - The team is willing to take risks.
- Everyone is supportive of the
project and of others. - Team goals are given realistic
time frames. - Everyone is focused on the
ultimate goal of the project. - Celebrating success!
Characteristics of a Good Team Member
- Shares openly and authentically.
- Involves others in the decision-making
process. - Trusts, supports, and has genuine
concern for other team members. - “Owns” problems rather than
blaming them on others. - Attempts to hear and interpret
communication from other’s points of view. - Influences others by involving
then in the issue(s). - Encourages the development of
other team members. - Considers and uses new ideas and
suggestions from others. - Understands and is committed to
team objectives. - Does not engage in win/lose activities
with other team members.
An Effective Team Leader
- Creates trust amongst team
members. - Allows differences.
- Recognizes individual strengths,
styles and skills. - Keeps lines of communication flexible.
- Ensures tolerance.
- Allows mistakes.
- Encourages
silly ideas. - Shares
leadership. - Shares
success.
Personality types in a team
· Find out your weakness and convert into strength.
| Style | Profile | Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Driver | Take charge, strongly influential, focused on results. | Determined, thorough, decisive, efficient, direct | Dominating, unsympathetic, critical, impatient |
| Enthusiast | Social specialist, expressive, people person | Personable, stimulating, enthusiastic, innovative | Opinionated, undependable, reactionary |
| Analyzer | Well-organized, likes specific projects, puts structure to ideas | Industrious, persistent, serious, orderly, methodical | Indecisive, uncommunicative, critical |
| Affiliator | Adaptable, relationship oriented, likes stability, wants to be part of bigger picture | Cooperative, supportive, dependable, helpful | Conforming, uncommitted, hides true feelings |
Common Team Problems
- Overbearing or dominating participants.
- Unwilling to become involved.
- Unquestioned acceptance of opinions as
facts. - Rush to accomplishment.
- Quarreling members.
- Disconnected/lack of contact between
members. - Comparison of contribution.
Avoid…
- Groups members should avoid the
following behaviors: - Being overly aggressive toward other
members. - Withdrawing and refusing to cooperate
with others. - Horsing around when there is work to be
done. - Using the group as a forum for
self-confession. - Talking too much about irrelevant
matters. - Trying to compete for attention and
recognition. - Performance problems occur when roles
are unclear or conflictive.
How to form a good team?
- Know the expectations and roles of all
team members. - Focus on strengths, as opposed to
weaknesses. - Build team resources with brainstorming
methodologies. - Read the team’s feelings and be
sensitive to the team climate. - Beware of the dreaded team killers: the
pessimist and the perfectionist. - Build the right team: design it like you
would anything else.
Motivation for team work
- While working in team, engagement in
work depends upon.
| External factors | Internal factors |
| Complexity of problem. | Team leader |
| Knowledge/Skills/Background. | Ego |
| Availability of resources | Working atmosphere |
| Financial support | Moods/Attitude |
Dr. Abhishek Mishra
