Learning+Teams+Article

Learning Teams Article contribution - Terrence Wolfork

The interesting thing that I found out about the article “Online Learning Teams: Indispensable Interaction” is the **Team Charter** part especially dealing with **Conflict Management.** Having a list of guidelines especially at the beginning makes everyone accountable to be able to agree to disagree but not take it any further. This makes everyone respect each opinion although they may not agree with it. As the article stated, “good” conflict is a source of creativity and growth, while “bad” conflict damages relationships and ultimately hinders performance. With “good” conflict, the team does grow more so than with one person opinion. “Good” conflict can often direct the team to look at situations that one may not have considered before and make adjustments that will benefit the team. “Bad” conflict can damage a team especially if it is allowed to go too far. Someone from the team needs to be bold enough to step in quickly and go back to the charter to let those who are having bad conflict of their actions, and what they agreed to in the team charter. This will probably keep the conflict from going too far. The Team Charter concept is one that could be used in online classrooms as well as traditional face-to-face classrooms. Used properly it should increase awareness and respect of different views.

Learning Teams Article contribution - Mac Barron

The part of the article dealing with individual accountability caught my attention. As a teacher, I deal with this problem often. Whenever we have group projects, several students inevitably as if their grade will be effected by the lack of work on the part of one group member. I have used methods similar to what the article mentions, but with less formality and frequency. However, reading their methods makes me want to incorporate that daily ratings scale into the assignment description for future projects.