Group+Contract

Group Contract Assignment– Wiki Project Alison Clayton, Rebecca Yamin, Jennifer Sites, Anne Hoyt  1)  How will you avoid the pitfalls of “problem” groups from your past?

Good communication and clear expectations of tasks between members is the best way to avoid problems when conducting a group project. In order to maintain and manage these two components a group leader needs to be appointed and each member must acknowledge that person’s role.  2)  What goals do you have for your group project?

The goals for our group project include:

a) Collaborative learning: helping each other better understand and implement the lessons learned about Wikis. b) Creativity: using a more creative approach with technology to reach all types of learners. c) Critiquing: using constructive and helpful methods and tools in order to improve group performance. d) Application: having a very useful teaching tool to take with us and some day apply in a classroom setting.  3)  What are the expectations of the final group grade?  We expect to submit a final project that we are all proud of and that is completed to the best of our abilities. In doing so we would all expect to receive full credit for our efforts.

 4)  What rules do you want to create for how the team will operate?  a)   Maintain communication with group leader.  b)  State objectives for the project and expected completion dates.   c)   Ask questions that may surface while project is being completed.  d)  Submit individual portion of the assignment with plenty of time to make corrections or deal with any technical issues that may arise when submitting.  5)   What methods of communication will be maintained? Use of technology to communicate? For example Google docs or other resources?

The methods of communication being maintained within this group will include email and verbal correspondence via the telephone. Technology being utilized to communicate includes the group’s created Wiki Site and Wimba Chat Sessions within CE6.  6)  How will the work be divided and what will be the responsibilities of each team member?

The work will be divided evenly amongst the four team members, with each individual contributing to certain components of this project. Specifically, the responsibility of each team member will be to develop one strategy from the Marzano Research Laboratory website, and devote one full page to the expansion of this strategy. Additional segments of this project, such as the introduction, reference page, and group contract assignment, will be evenly split up amongst members of the group.  7)  How will you deal with conflicts/problems that may emerge in your group?

Conflicts and problems that may potentially emerge in our group will be dealt with diplomatically. We as a group will strive to effectively solve any personal issues that may surface, and will work together to minimize conflict within our group.  8)  Include any other points that you need to so that the group is able to accomplish the goals.

The goals of this group include the following points which will be reflected within the Wiki Project:  a)  Expert knowledge of strategies and subject matter, including sufficient research and effective comprehension, insight, and communication   b)   Complete and thorough supporting material, including introduction and reference page  c)  Effective communication and invaluable contribution by each group member throughout course of project, including collaboration, equity, teamwork, respect, commitment, perseverance, active participation, and positive attitude   d)   Well-planned project and efficient execution of subject matter, including clear purpose, developed strategies, and diverse references of material