An agenda and a summary of the meetings can be important elements in creating a joint “memory” as a group.
Include everyone in the group – especially in connection with major decisions, it is important that everyone is heard and feels involved in the group.
Remember that we are all different. Some find it easy to express their opinion, while others may need some time to reflect on what they think about a topic. Make room for contemplation.
Agree on some very specific guidelines for your group’s meeting and work discipline.
How many times a week do you meet? Do you meet in person or online? How long should a meeting last? How big a workload can you each handle? What do you expect from the group both academically and socially?
How do you use devices during group meetings? When is it important that you have each other’s attention and when is it ok to zoom out? Formulate your ground rules!
Remember that 100 % attention under a group meeting isn’t realistic. There must be room for breaks and personal reflection.
You should also have a talk on how you enforce the guidelines you make. E.g. find a way to ask for each other’s attention in a kind way, so that no one feels assaulted.
For more tips on how to make the framework for your teamwork have a look at ‘Get off to a good start’.
Have a talk on how you distribute the workload between the group members and remember to evaluate the teamwork. Learn from each other’s strengths to improve academically. Make sure to have an ongoing conversation about what you do as a group and if that is aligned with and enhances your task solution.
You should each take turns in the roles as notetaker and facilitator. If you don’t, you can get stuck in the same roles, and that may not necessarily be the best for the group.
By switching rolls you make sure that everyone gets the chance to actively participate with their competencies and sometimes make room for that others can contribute with their perspectives.
Majority decisions or unanimity?
If you don’t agree on your decision-making procedures, it will end up being the same people who make the decisions every time.
An important element in a good collaboration is that you assume that the people you’re working with has good intentions. If you do you’ll bring the best out in each other.
To enhance this you can use a technique from the theater:
‘Look’: Keep your eye on the assignment as if it were the ball in a handball match. Be curious, ready and follow attentively the assignment with your eyes.
‘Say yes’: React positively on the inputs from your team members. To reject others inputs is the same as letting the ball fall to the ground, while a ‘yes’ is to stretch to reach a ball even if it is a little off.
‘Do great’: Qualify each other’s inputs. Do not seek perfection from your own point of view, but add your ideas and your knowledge, so that it will contribute to the task solution.
Prepare your work papers as drafts/keywords/drawings by hand, so you get the sense of always being underway.
Any mistakes and misunderstandings will be more easily noticed when you have something written or visual you can share as a starting point.
It is important that you make room for breaks in your study group work. Both when you work together and when you work separately.
By taking breaks you give your brains the best conditions for studying, save information and get new ideas.
So, remember to go outside to get some fresh air during your work, have a cup of coffee or do a little exercise together. Then your teamwork will have the best conditions.
It is important that we dare to inquire, wonder, and ask for clarification – that we ask the so-called ‘stupid questions’.
Ask questions to each other based on the idea that those you ask know something you don’t or haven’t thought of yourself.
It can be a good idea as a group to strengthen your sense of the study group as something you share.
Sometimes you should have a conversation revolving these questions:
- What is our most important shared assignment right now?
- Which of the results we have achieved has been dependent on us working together?
- What could be the first step towards a stronger common ground?
Disagreements are part of a teamwork. Allow problem talk within the group, otherwise you risk losing group members and miss essential input. Conflict management is an important learning process. Respect each other’s opinions and try to negotiate a solution.
Find inspiration under the topic ‘Disagreements in the study group’.
Stop and take some time to reflect on how far you have come in your project and if there is something you should do differently.