CLCs that Work
In every course, students are asked to apply the content to their personal and professional lives through classroom discussion and individual assignments. However, CLCs take this application a step further by providing students with a hands-on opportunity to identify, practice, and master the team skills which are so highly valued in the workplace. For a successful CLC experience, I encourage all team members to read the following at your leisure.
Why CLCs?
One big question students often ask is, “Why CLCs?” Well, I thought I’d share a bit about why.
One of the perks of online learning is that it is convenient: as a student, you get to choose when and where you work! It’s predominantly an individual task. However, the CLC concept thrives on the concept of collaboration.
Think about your daily life at home, at work, and at play. If you are married and/or have children, you know that it takes everyone chipping in to make a household run smoothly. At work, we are often called upon to participate in teams to complete a task. Even when we are just enjoying life, it is often better when enjoyed with others! Humans were designed to collaborate with others in life.
So, as you begin engaging in dialogue with your CLC team, remember that you are developing skills that are vital for success in your daily life. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I love the creativity and ingenuity that happens when I work with others towards a common goal. Even Helen Keller had the right idea: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
I’ve attached an interesting article about the importance of collaboration, particularly in the workplace. I hope that you take a bit of time to peruse it and give it some thought!
One of the perks of online learning is that it is convenient: as a student, you get to choose when and where you work! It’s predominantly an individual task. However, the CLC concept thrives on the concept of collaboration.
Think about your daily life at home, at work, and at play. If you are married and/or have children, you know that it takes everyone chipping in to make a household run smoothly. At work, we are often called upon to participate in teams to complete a task. Even when we are just enjoying life, it is often better when enjoyed with others! Humans were designed to collaborate with others in life.
So, as you begin engaging in dialogue with your CLC team, remember that you are developing skills that are vital for success in your daily life. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I love the creativity and ingenuity that happens when I work with others towards a common goal. Even Helen Keller had the right idea: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
I’ve attached an interesting article about the importance of collaboration, particularly in the workplace. I hope that you take a bit of time to peruse it and give it some thought!
are_they_really_ready_to_work.pdf | |
File Size: | 3663 kb |
File Type: |
When Conflict Arises
"We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others are bright, some have weird names, but we have to learn to live in the same box." – Anonymous
I don’t know about you, but I am a turtle when it comes to conflict; I like to hide in my little shell. But I know that this doesn’t really solve any problems; in fact, it can sometimes make things worse!
This tidbit for making your CLC team work is to work together! If a conflict arises, try using Wisinki’s (1993) A-E-I-O-U model from her book, Resolving Conflicts on the Job:
A: Assume that people mean well – Assuming that the other person involved is trying to cause conflict reduces the chances for effectively resolving the situation. Identifying a positive intention and stating what you believe it to be to the other person increases the chances for a positive outcome.
E: State your own feelings – After stating what you believe may be the other person's positive intention, respond by affirming the position and then stating your own concerns.
I: Identify what you would like to see happen – In an non-defensive manner, propose the changes that you would like to see happen. Use a phrase such as "I would like," rather than "I want," as the former is non-threatening.
O: Outcome – Attempt to identify a positive outcome that would be beneficial to both parties.
U: Understanding – Agree on an outcome and make sure that it is understood by both parties.
(p. 27).
And one surefire way to reduce conflict is to ensure that you are doing your part. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity to be a part of a positive collaborative experience!
I don’t know about you, but I am a turtle when it comes to conflict; I like to hide in my little shell. But I know that this doesn’t really solve any problems; in fact, it can sometimes make things worse!
This tidbit for making your CLC team work is to work together! If a conflict arises, try using Wisinki’s (1993) A-E-I-O-U model from her book, Resolving Conflicts on the Job:
A: Assume that people mean well – Assuming that the other person involved is trying to cause conflict reduces the chances for effectively resolving the situation. Identifying a positive intention and stating what you believe it to be to the other person increases the chances for a positive outcome.
E: State your own feelings – After stating what you believe may be the other person's positive intention, respond by affirming the position and then stating your own concerns.
I: Identify what you would like to see happen – In an non-defensive manner, propose the changes that you would like to see happen. Use a phrase such as "I would like," rather than "I want," as the former is non-threatening.
O: Outcome – Attempt to identify a positive outcome that would be beneficial to both parties.
U: Understanding – Agree on an outcome and make sure that it is understood by both parties.
(p. 27).
And one surefire way to reduce conflict is to ensure that you are doing your part. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity to be a part of a positive collaborative experience!
Tips for Working Successfully in a Group
I recently read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (2008). It was a powerful book! In it, he provides a few “tips for working successfully in a group;” I couldn’t say it better than he did, so I thought I’d share his tips:
Meet people properly: It all starts with the introduction. Exchange contact information. Make sure you can pronounce everyone’s names.
Find things you have in common: You can almost always find something in common with another person, and from there, it’s much easier to address issues where you have differences. Sports cut across boundaries of race and wealth. And if nothing else, we all have the weather in common.
Try for optimal meeting conditions: Make sure no one is hungry, cold or tire. Meet over a meal if you can; food softens a meeting. That’s why they “do lunch” in Hollywood.
Let everyone talk: Don’t finish someone’s sentences. And talking louder or faster doesn’t make your idea any better.
Check egos at the door: When you discuss ideas, label them and write them down. The label should be descriptive of the idea, not the originator: “the bridge story” not “Jane’s story.”
Praise each other: Find something nice to say, even if it’s a stretch. The worst ideas can have silver linings if you look hard enough.
Phrase alternatives as questions: Instead of “I think we should do A, not B,” try “What if we did A, instead of B?” That allows people to offer comments rather than defend one choice. (pp. 142-143)
I know some of these may need to be tweaked a bit for the online world, but hopefully you get the drift! Hope they come in handy!
Source:
Pausch, R. (2008). The Last Lecture. New York, NY: Hyperion.
Meet people properly: It all starts with the introduction. Exchange contact information. Make sure you can pronounce everyone’s names.
Find things you have in common: You can almost always find something in common with another person, and from there, it’s much easier to address issues where you have differences. Sports cut across boundaries of race and wealth. And if nothing else, we all have the weather in common.
Try for optimal meeting conditions: Make sure no one is hungry, cold or tire. Meet over a meal if you can; food softens a meeting. That’s why they “do lunch” in Hollywood.
Let everyone talk: Don’t finish someone’s sentences. And talking louder or faster doesn’t make your idea any better.
Check egos at the door: When you discuss ideas, label them and write them down. The label should be descriptive of the idea, not the originator: “the bridge story” not “Jane’s story.”
Praise each other: Find something nice to say, even if it’s a stretch. The worst ideas can have silver linings if you look hard enough.
Phrase alternatives as questions: Instead of “I think we should do A, not B,” try “What if we did A, instead of B?” That allows people to offer comments rather than defend one choice. (pp. 142-143)
I know some of these may need to be tweaked a bit for the online world, but hopefully you get the drift! Hope they come in handy!
Source:
Pausch, R. (2008). The Last Lecture. New York, NY: Hyperion.