14: Small Group Communication
- Page ID
- 217877
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 14.0: Why It Matters- Small Group Communication
- This page discusses the dynamics of small group work, highlighting the mixed experiences individuals have regarding collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics to improve productivity and satisfaction. The module focuses on exploring effective teamwork strategies, noting that while some thrive in team settings, others prefer independence; collaboration can be crucial for project success.
- 14.1: Introduction to Group Dynamics
- This page highlights the dynamics of small group communications, emphasizing both positive and negative aspects. It focuses on effective collaboration strategies and addresses challenges that can hinder group performance. Understanding group dynamics is presented as crucial for enhancing teamwork.
- 14.2: Small Group Characteristics
- This page outlines the key features of small groups, which involve a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve members. It emphasizes shared identity that cultivates belonging, shared goals that align efforts, and interdependence where member actions affect one another, reinforcing group cohesion and ownership.
- 14.3: Types of Groups
- This page categorizes groups into primary and secondary types. Primary groups, such as family and close friends, meet essential human needs for affection and inclusion. Secondary groups are task-oriented and include activity groups, personal growth groups, learning groups, and problem-solving groups. Recognizing these group types improves interpersonal functioning and engagement.
- 14.4: Roles in Small Groups
- This page discusses the impact of roles in small group communication, distinguishing between task roles, social roles, and anti-group roles. It highlights the significance of self-assigned or personality-influenced roles and mentions the Team Role Experience and Orientation (TREO) system, which categorizes roles such as Organizer, Doer, and Innovator. Understanding these roles is essential for improving group effectiveness and cohesion.
- 14.5: Challenges of Small Group Dynamics
- This page discusses challenges in small group dynamics such as interpersonal conflict, cultural and gender differences, power struggles, resource limitations, naysayer influence, inadequate leadership, groupthink, and social loafing. It emphasizes how varying communication styles and cultural backgrounds contribute to misunderstandings, and how leadership gaps can affect group effectiveness, ultimately hindering progress and goal attainment in collaborative settings.
- 14.6: Benefits of Small Group Work
- This page highlights the advantages of small group work, such as shared decision-making, resource pooling, synergy, and enhanced creativity from diverse viewpoints. It emphasizes that varied perspectives lead to improved quality outcomes and ethical decision-making. The ketchup storage metaphor underscores the value of differing opinions in effective problem-solving.
- 14.7: Introduction to Group Meetings
- This page outlines strategies for effective group meetings, highlighting the need for clear planning, defined roles, and task clarification. It emphasizes the importance of foresight and teamwork to foster a collaborative environment that boosts individual contributions. The content also recognizes various contributors, including CC licensed material from Lumen Learning and an image credit to Josh Calabrese.
- 14.8: Planning Small Group Meetings
- This page provides effective strategies for planning small-group meetings, emphasizing preparation and participation through tactile organizers like sticky notes. It offers tips for leaders on clarifying purposes, roles, and creating detailed agendas, while also suggesting that meetings may not always be necessary. The aim is to enhance productivity and outcomes in small-group discussions through thoughtful planning and organization.
- 14.9: Managing Small Group Meetings
- This page provides strategies for managing small group meetings effectively. It emphasizes preparation, maintaining focus on the agenda, summarizing discussions, resolving conflicts through consensus, and following up with notes and assignments. These practices aim to engage members, clarify roles, and outline next steps, enhancing productivity in collaborations, such as research projects.
- 14.10: Leadership in Small Groups
- This page discusses the essential qualities of effective leaders in small groups, including flexibility, accountability, trust-based power, vision, and credibility. It emphasizes the leader's role in addressing procedural, task, and interpersonal needs to foster group success. Leadership is portrayed as a dynamic process involving all skilled communicators, where leaders manage logistics, maintain focus, and nurture relationships among group members.
- 14.11: Introduction to Group Development and Communication
- This page examines the lifecycle of groups, highlighting how different development stages affect communication. It offers tools and strategies to enhance communication within groups, applicable at any stage. The content is provided by Lumen Learning under a CC BY: Attribution license.
- 14.12: The Five Development Stages of Groups
- This page explains Bruce Tuckman's model of group development, which includes five stages: Forming (getting acquainted), Storming (conflict and role exploration), Norming (conflict resolution and team cohesion), Performing (synergy and efficiency), and Adjourning (disbanding after achieving goals). The model is significant for understanding group dynamics.
- 14.13: The Reflective-Thinking Method for Decision-Making
- This page outlines the reflective-thinking method by John Dewey, which guides small groups through a structured decision-making process in five steps: defining the problem, analyzing it with data, establishing criteria for solutions, brainstorming options, and selecting the best solution. This approach aids logical problem solving amidst information overload, enhancing group collaboration.
- 14.14: Small Group Discussions
- This page outlines strategies for effective participation in small group discussions, emphasizing alignment of personal and group goals, task completion, constructive conflict management, and full participation. Through a family reunion planning example, it illustrates the impact of individual behaviors on group dynamics, aiming to foster ethical and productive discussions that ensure every voice is heard while maintaining focus on achieving group objectives.
- 14.15: Presenting as a Group
- This page discusses three presentation formats for small group problem-solving: Individual Reports, Symposiums with multiple speakers, and informal Panel Discussions. It highlights effective delivery techniques such as audience engagement, clear structure, and interaction to enhance presentations.
- 14.16: Putting It Together- Small Group Communication
- This page discusses the importance of understanding small group dynamics for effective collaboration. It highlights how familiarity with the group's lifecycle and member roles aids in contributing positively, whether by supporting peers, completing tasks, or taking on leadership roles.
- 14.17: Assignment- Working in Groups
- This page outlines the steps for completing the "Working in Groups" assignment, which must be submitted through the LMS. It features contributions from C. Shawn Burke, Eleni Georganta, and Shannon Marlow, and includes materials from Lumen Learning licensed under CC BY.
- 14.18: Discussion- Group Roles
- This page explains how to participate in the "Discussion: Group Roles" forum, detailing a two-step process that includes clicking on the prompt, reading instructions, and posting responses and comments. The content is provided by Lumen Learning and is under a CC BY: Attribution license.