Learning Through Experience in Team Work I

Recommended Prerequisites

Group Dynamics.

Teaching Methods

The sessions are organized into a set of experiential situations in outdoor context, involving interpersonal, intra-and intergroup dynamics.

Each test-situation, proposed to the participants comprises three stages: briefing; implementation of the exercise (s); debriefing.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit focuses on group processes and teamwork. Based on the relationship between the experiential component (implementation of activities / group exercises) and the conceptual component (continuous reflection on the experienced issues), this unit intends that students integrate a set of knowledge acquired throughout their training path, reinforcing, in particular, their competences of analysis /diagnosis and intervention in the work within and with teams.

Students should acquire:
- Competences of analysis and intervention in the field of teambuilding and teamwork.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The set of proposed activities throughout the sessions is organized into the following topics:

- Concept of Group.

- Group development.

- Leadership.

- Problem Solving and Decision Making.

- Conflict Management.

- Communication.

- Effectiveness.

- Intergroup relations.

Assessment Methods

Evaluation
Accomplishment of a group assignment : 20.0%
Individual essay based on the experience of the Outdoor activities : 80.0%

Bibliography

Beard, C & Wilson, J (2006) Experiential Learning: A Best Practice Handbook for Trainers and Educators, London: Kogan Page.

Klein, C., DiazGranados, D., Salas, E., Le, H., Burke, C. S., Lyons, R., & Goodwin, G. F. (2009). Does Teambuilding Work?.  Small Group Research, 40 , 181 – 222

Newstrom, J. W. & Scanell, E. (1980).  Games Trainers Play: Experiential Learning Exercises. New York : Mcgraw-Hill

Scanell, E. & Newstrom, J. W. (1991). Still More Games Trainers Play: Experiential Learning Exercises. New York : Mcgraw-Hill.

Silberman, M. (ed.) (2007). The Handbook of Experiential Learning. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons.

Stott, K., & Walker, A. (1995). Teams Teamwork And Teambuilding: The Manager's Complete Guide To Teams In Organisations. New York : Prentice Hall.

Thigarajan, S., & Parker, G. (1999). Teamwork And Teamplay: Games And Activities For Building And Training Teams. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

Williams, S., Graham, T.S. & Baker, B (2002). Evaluating outdoor experiential training for leadership and team building. Journal of Management Development, 22(1), 45-59.