Faculty Resources

In order to prepare students for teamwork in future careers, many instructors include team projects within their class. The extent to which these team projects actually teach team skills varies. To support faculty, ETD includes team training modules focusing on key teamwork competencies that instructors of any course can use. The modules below were created based on recommended competencies for team training. The goal of these modules is to go beyond small interventions and focus on the core skills necessary to work in a team.

ETD Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to implement strategies to improve team functioning and performance. Specifically, you will be able to:

  1. Leverage your own and your teammates’ knowledge, skills, strengths, and diversity to develop innovative and inclusive approaches to global challenges. [LO1]
  2. Devise a plan that manages team dynamics towards completing the work that includes workload, responsibilities, quality of work, and timeline. [LO2]
  3. Organize a team using a leadership model appropriate to the team composition and goals. [LO3]
  4. Deploy effective communication strategies to manage collaboration and conflict within your team. [LO4]
  5. Observe and assess your own and your teammates’ behaviors that contribute to team challenges, successes, and failures. [LO5]

Modules

ETD Faculty Toolkit

We have noticed that faculty sometimes find themselves in situations where the students in their classes are working in teams. Some of these teams have difficulties that hinder their learning. This toolkit is meant to equip faculty so that they can help their teams work effectively together. It is also designed to build team skills that have been shown to decrease the likelihood of team conflict.
 
The toolkit is designed like a first aid kit, with some contents aimed at prevention of debilitating conflict and others aimed at treatment. Each of the recommended tools for prevention,
diagnosis and treatment are described, including necessary materials and suggestions for increased effectiveness. Please be advised that some of these tools require facilitation of difficult conversations with team members.
 
The tools presented here were designed for a wide variety of courses and teaching styles. It is not expected that you will use all of the tools in any given course. We would be happy to talk to you about which tools would be most effective to use with your teams.
Toolkit Sections
  1. Prevention Tools
    • Spotlight Cards
    • Application of Strengths
  2. Diagnosis Tools
    • Peer Evaluation
    • Poll Everywhere
    • 5 Finger Pulse Check
  3. Treatment Tools
    • Team Dynamics Cards
    • Spotlight Cards

ETD Classroom Activities

Faculty are invited to use stories and critical thinking activities created specifically with Georgia Tech students in mind. These short activities are intended to troubleshoot specific team issues. Each activity comes with a lesson plan situating the project as a homework assignment or a 45-mminute in-class activity.
 

1) GT MINI 500 – Choosing Team Roles

2) THE INVENTURE PRIZE – Valuing Diversity

3) THE TECH TROLLEY – Keeping the Team on Track

4) GEORGE P. BURDELL – The Missing Team Member

5) THE LIVING BUILDING – Acknowledging Conflict and Moving Forward

6) THE MIRACLE ON TECHWOOD DRIVE – Tasks and Responsibilities in Teamwork Settings

Peer Evaluation Tool (PET)

The ETD team developed the Peer Evaluation Tool (PET) to help faculty better assess and monitor the student teams that make up their classes. The PET will both assist students in evaluating each other, and assist them in reviewing their evaluations, leading to a greater understanding of how students are working in teams. The PET currently exists as a macro-enabled Excel spreadsheet with which students rate one another according to 7 criteria (group participation, time management / responsibility, adaptability, creativity / originality, communication skills, general team skills, and technical skills).