Comprehending what encourages individuals to redo an activity and what dispirit them from doing the same is significant in increasing participation in a team. Teamwork is an efficient technique of motivating learners, developing important critical thinking, encouraging dynamic learning, developing decision-making and communication skills. However, without appropriate preparation and facilitation, teamwork can discourage learners and tutors, making them feel as if they have wasting time (George, 1997, p. 13).
From the group work exercise that was conducted in the class, I have learned several issues about myself concerning group work. I have been in this group for a long period. While in this group I normally work hard towards achieving the goals of the team. In addition, I try to attend all the group meetings and I am always willing to spend extra time on projects that concern this particular group. This is because I enjoy and feel happy when I am working with the members of my group who are also hard-working. Most of the time I long to work with members of my group because I believe my work is good and that the responsibilities assigned to me are beneficial to the rest of the group. I am so much interested in this group because I understand the importance of group work and I am proud of my participation and the contribution I make to the group.
I like this group and work hard since the members of my group appreciate and acknowledge my work. In addition, people are different and respond to situations differently. Thus, the members of this group have helped me in understanding that concept. Moreover, I have obtained extra knowledge that everyone has his or her weaknesses and strengths. This knowledge that I have gotten from my group affects the way I interact with other groups. This is because if I join a group where my work is not appreciated, I feel discouraged and cannot contribute anymore. In addition, if members do not recognize the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and respect them, I fear expressing myself in order to avoid getting embarrassed.
In future groups, I will ensure I implement what I have learned from my current group. I will ensure that in case I detect such gaps as mentioned above, I will inform the members of the importance of appreciating everyone’s contributions. Similarly, I will let them understand that everyone can learn from each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Hence, it is not essential to embarrass someone due to his/her weaknesses. In future groups, I will strive to sensitize the members of my group to have ownership of their responsibilities in order to achieve both personal and group goals.
From the results obtained in this exercise, there are several techniques or methods that I would implement in the future in order to be more motivated. First, I intend to ensure that before I meet with the other members of my group, I read exhaustively on the given topic or task. As a result, I will be in a position to contribute effectively and use my experience in order to achieve the objectives of the group. In addition, I will have personal goals in relation to the group goals set and ensure that they are achieved during a group activity. To be more motivated, I will need to be result-oriented in every group activity. Similarly, a small group made up of four or five members will make me motivated rather than a group composed of eight to ten members. This is because when members are few, everyone has the opportunity to express their feeling regarding a certain project or task. I would also be motivated in the future if I work with a group where members know and trust one another. This can be achieved by members introducing themselves before addressing the activity.
There are several team incentives that can make an individual more motivated when working in a group. Some of these incentives are applicable in my case and they include early, frequent and constructive feedback from the instructor. This supports the work of students by showing them that they can do well. In addition, an environment that is positive and open for learning would motivate me. Another incentive includes rewards awarded to the group that performs well. Ensuring or giving a task or a project that is neither too hard nor too easy can motivate a student to participate and contribute effectively in a group.
There are several considerations that are supposed to be made for team incentives when team members’ motivations are different. Some of these considerations include whether all members have a clear understanding of what they are supposed to do, the members have common expectations at the end of the task, all members participated in creating the goals of the group, and whether all the members have the intrinsic motivation or some require extrinsic incentives such as rewards. In addition, one needs to consider whether the group members comprehend the reason why they are contributing to teamwork. It is important to consider whether such members want to participate or not in the teamwork and understand whether they are comfortable in the group.
In conclusion, group work is important and effective if all members involved are committed in their participation and tasks to achieving a mutual goal (NDT Resource Center, 2010, par. 1).
References
George, R. (1997). The Rotarian. London: Rotary International.
NDT Resource Center. (2010). What is teamwork? Teamwork in the Classroom. Web.