Guest Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 hi eveeryone, been a bit since i posted anything,as anyone got any ideas on what i can put on my coursework.#the questions are why is it importnant to work as a team what do ou need to do in order to that team works effectively what are the difficulties thet may arise and how can they be overcome many thanks Quote
Guest Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Hi rustybum, not the dreaded coursework during holidays eh? It would help to know what you have already, are you currently working within a team? If yes then answering the questions with concrete examples from your own experiences within your team would help show your understanding. The questions are quite broad, is there any specific area you are particularly stuck on, maybe if you could rephrase your questions to be more specific? Maybe do a google search for team work and you may find some reading on the dynamics of what makes a team work, in the general sense, then apply that to your own team. Peggy Quote
Helen Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 The most obvious things seem to be the most difficult to put into words, don't they?! Clearly having an effective team is best for the setting because: * It runs smoothly, with everyone knowing what is expected of them (always supposing you have discussed roles and responsibilities beforehand!) *Everyone enjoys coming to work, and therefore the atmosphere is great and children like to come! Difficulties often arise when communication is poor; someone is left out of the loop through a verbal cascade messaging system, or emails are not received, notes lost, etc. Dominant members of staff can upset less dominant ones, and need to be supported by line managers, etc. A fair distribution of the unpopular jobs is also required to minimise disaffection! Quote
Guest Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 thanks eveyone pulled a bit off internet so gonna try and have a look (time permitting).my daughter has woke up this morning covered in chicken pox. Quote
Sue R Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Typical!! I've got up with the beginnings if a cold! Hope your christmas is as 'itch-free' as possible for your daughter! Sue x Quote
Cait Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 thanks eveyone pulled a bit off internet so gonna try and have a look (time permitting).my daughter has woke up this morning covered in chicken pox. Oh marvellous! Lots of baths with bicarb in the water then, you can sit on the side with your notebook and scribble away! Quote
Guest Posted December 28, 2008 Posted December 28, 2008 Oh marvellous! Lots of baths with bicarb in the water then, you can sit on the side with your notebook and scribble away! gonna try some bicarb then thanxs for that .havn't heard of that does it stop the itching x Quote
fingertips Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 hi eveeryone,been a bit since i posted anything,as anyone got any ideas on what i can put on my coursework.#the questions are why is it importnant to work as a team what do ou need to do in order to that team works effectively what are the difficulties thet may arise and how can they be overcome many thanks Hi Rustybum, This is my first posting on this forum - so I hope it's helpful! With regard to your coursework try researching psychologist Bruce Tuckman (1965) who first proposed the idea of forming-storming-norming-performing as a model for the phases that teams go through. At the storming stage you will read about various difficulties that teams often encounter - which might help you to answer your third question. Things such as competing for ideas, non-tolerance of others, arguing, defensiveness, blame when things go wrong, lack of ability to make decisions, formation of cliques and factions within the team (power sruggles) may surface. Sometimes, 'powerful leaders' emerge who shout everybody down; which stifles creativity and the generation of fresh ideas. The problem here is that although collaboration is needed; some people back away, their roles become diminished, unrecognised, unappreciated. People spend so much enegy on these emotional pressures that they have little left to achieve the real goals. thus the team's efforts fail because members of the group feel resentment and frustration. These issues of personal rivalry, politics compromise the team working well as a unit. Much of the time it boils down to open communication - only when people feel that they can express thoughts, ideas and opinions and be listened to respectfully, without confrontation (whether or not others agree with them!) can a team really become successful and function well. Others on the forum have suggested you research Belbin for his work on management teams and it's a good idea. He studied team interactions and his conclusions included a proposition that for a team to function effectively nine key roles needed to be covered. He gave an analysis of the 'characteristics' for each of the roles such as the 'completer finisher' who specialises in fine detail or the 'team worker' who is good on an interpersonal level. Although his research was based on executives his model is useful to gain awareness of how individuals in a team/group impact on each other, how different roles and behaviours influence group processes, how complementary skills bring synergy to the team and how important it is to focus on people's strengths and positives. You might find some food for thought here. Good luck! Fingertips Quote
HappyMaz Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Welcome to the Forum, fingertips! Rarely have I seen such an informative first post! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better! Make yourself at home. Maz Quote
Guest Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 With regard to your coursework try researching psychologist Bruce Tuckman (1965) who first proposed the idea of forming-storming-norming-performing as a model for the phases that teams go through. At the storming stage you will read about various difficulties that teams often encounter - which might help you to answer your third question Thanks for this Fingertips I remember reading this during my training but didnt know where it came from. I have often vaguely referred to it but without anything to back me up. You know how the memory gets over time. I will look this up again I know I found it interesting at the time as you can look at it in terms of your class of children (albeit older ones!) if I remember rightly. Quote
fingertips Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 With regard to your coursework try researching psychologist Bruce Tuckman (1965) who first proposed the idea of forming-storming-norming-performing as a model for the phases that teams go through. At the storming stage you will read about various difficulties that teams often encounter - which might help you to answer your third question Thanks for this Fingertips I remember reading this during my training but didnt know where it came from. I have often vaguely referred to it but without anything to back me up. You know how the memory gets over time. I will look this up again I know I found it interesting at the time as you can look at it in terms of your class of children (albeit older ones!) if I remember rightly. Hi there Susie65, Your memory serves you well - the model can be applied to help you understand the dynamics of a classroom. Think about the beginning of the year when all the children are getting to know each other and hardly speak where the role of teacher is paramount to help all the personalities 'gel' , become acquainted, feel included and safe. Well, here small roup work and partner work is essential to enable the 'forming' process to take place. Next we might see the phase of storming, when children get to know each other a bit more, perhaps feel vulnerable or anxious and then test out the boundaries and even test the authority of the teacher. Structures and routines are very important at this stage (conflict resolution based on respect for others, good Circle Times/PSHE) to ensure that things can remain safe. Importantly, sometimes its also back to the forming stage when a new child joins an established class. There will be an impact, as the new child establishes its identity - dynamics change and all the children need support once again to create the inclusive classroom. Happy new year! Nice connecting with you. Fingertips Quote
fingertips Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Welcome to the Forum, fingertips! Rarely have I seen such an informative first post! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better! Make yourself at home. Maz Thanks Maz! I do feel at home already. After all the mince pies and telly watching - it was nice to exercise the little grey cells again! Best wishes and happy new year, Fingertips Quote
fingertips Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Welcome to the Forum, fingertips! Rarely have I seen such an informative first post! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better! Make yourself at home. Maz Thanks Maz! I feel at home already. After all those mince pies and telly watching - it was nice to exercise the little grey cells again! Best wishes and happy new year. Fingertips Quote
Cait Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Definitely welcome to the forum! What is your setting base? Quote
fingertips Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 Definitely welcome to the forum! What is your setting base? Hi Cait! Thank you for your welcome to the forum. I'm a Nursery teacher in an independent pre-prep school in Hertfordshire. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everybody and sharing time/ideas with like-minded individuals! Happy new year! Fingertips Quote
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