Talk:Medicine Learning and Teaching Forum 2012 - Online Projects

1. Project Team Selection.
I have tried several methods and suggest that each group need a group co-ordinator. Do not allow students to select their own team. Attempt to balance group composition. Be prepared to reorganise the groups (course census date).

2. Project Topic Selection - 2 methods.

I have tried two methods and suggest that there is no preferred option. In either case, allow the students some time to do some initial researching of available topics before they are committed to that topic. I have even allowed groups to change their topic early in the process. Course coordinator provides a broad topic area and students select their own specific topics, in consultation with the coordinator. Course coordinator provides a list of specific topics, that students then pick from in a first come first served basis.

Belbin Team Inventory

Belbin | Belbin - Team Roles | Self-Perception Inventory Questions | Answer Grid | Observer Assessments

Mind tools

Belbin Team Inventory (Belbin Self-Perception Inventory, Belbin Team Role Inventory, SPI or BTRSPI) is a personality test for group workers. Developed by Meredith Belbin.

Information below from the Belbin Website

Role - Plant

• Strengths: Creative, imaginative, free-thinking. Generates ideas and solves difficult problems.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Ignores incidentals. Too preoccupied to communicate effectively.
• Weaknesses: Could be unorthodox or forgetful.

Role - Resource Investigator

• Strengths: Outgoing, enthusiastic, communicative. Explores opportunities and develops contacts.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Over-optimistic. Loses interest once initial enthusiasm has passed.
• Weaknesses: Might forget to follow up on a lead.

Role - Co-ordinator

• Strengths: Mature, confident, identifies talent. Clarifies goals. Delegates effectively.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Can be seen as manipulative. Offloads own share of work.
• Weaknesses: Might over delegate leaving themselves little work to do.

Role - Shaper

• Strengths: Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure. Has the drive and courage to overcome obstacles.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Prone to provocation. Offends people's feelings.
• Weaknesses: Could risk becoming aggressive and bad-humoured in their attempts to get things done

Role - Monitor Evaluator

• Strengths: Sober, strategic and discerning. Sees all options and judges accurately.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Lacks drive and ability to inspire others. Can be overly critical.
• Weaknesses: Could be overly critical and slow moving.

Role - Teamworker

• Strengths: Co-operative, perceptive and diplomatic. Listens and averts friction.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Indecisive in crunch situations. Avoids confrontation.
• Weaknesses: Might become indecisive when unpopular decisions need to be made.

Role - Implementer

• Strengths: Practical, reliable, efficient. Turns ideas into actions and organises work that needs to be done.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Somewhat inflexible. Slow to respond to new possibilities.
• Weaknesses: Might be slow to relinquish their plans in favour of positive changes.

Role - Completer Finisher

• Strengths: Painstaking, conscientious, anxious. Searches out errors. Polishes and perfects.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Inclined to worry unduly. Reluctant to delegate.
• Weaknesses: Could be accused of taking their perfectionism to the extremes.

Role - Specialist

• Strengths: Single-minded, self-starting, dedicated. Provides knowledge and skills in rare supply.
• Allowable Weaknesses: Contributes only on a narrow front. Dwells on technicalities.
• Weaknesses: May have a tendency to focus narrowly on their own subject of choice.

Margerison-McCann Team Management Systems

TMSDI

Other Universities

• Monash - A guide to group work