University of Colorado Boulder
Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups
University of Colorado Boulder

Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups

Taught in English

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206,191 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.7

(3,201 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

11 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Recognize how hidden forces of context, systems, institutions, and interactions design affect group interaction

  • Develop decision making practices in order to become more creative and innovative

  • Learn how to communicate to resolve or diffuse group conflicts

  • Make better decisions about using technology for group work based on key practical and conceptual considerations

Details to know

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Assessments

4 quizzes

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There are 4 modules in this course

Week 1 is all about communication. But not the common sense or taken-for-granted notions of communication you might expect. Instead, we’re going to rethink communication and challenge some of the conventional wisdom about communication that is common in our society. We’ll compare and contrast different theories or models of communication, and see if we can develop a more sophisticated understanding of communication to understand the complexities of human interaction in today’s groups. We’ll also explore some of the hidden forces of group communication, like context, systems and institutions, and design. These are all things that are “present” in any group situation, influencing how we interact with each other, but easy to miss if we’re not looking. We want to expand our field of vision, so to speak, so we have a fuller understanding of what’s happening in any group situation.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 quiz2 discussion prompts1 plugin

Week 2 focuses on group development and decision making. We’ll look at how groups come together through socialization, how they develop norms, and how roles emerge. And we’ll compare and contrast different models that explain these processes. We’ll examine the various decision making traps that groups can fall into, while also developing better practices for making good group decisions. And we’ll explore how groups can be more creative and innovative in their decision making.

What's included

7 videos1 quiz1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Week 3 is all about conflict, difference, and diversity. We’ll learn how groups can have a good fight and how you can choose the right words in a dispute…as well as how to negotiate with others when things get difficult. We’ll also explore why difference and diversity are so important for group communication, and how understanding the concept of identity is critical for our involvement in groups. And we’ll pay special attention to communication and gender, one of the most significant aspects of difference and diversity for groups to understand.

What's included

7 videos1 quiz1 discussion prompt

Week 4 covers group communication and technology…an increasingly prevalent aspect of the modern landscape of group work we must understand. We’ll look at the concept of virtual work and how groups are using technology, as well as various models and theories of media functionality and information processing. We’ll cover several practical and conceptual issues we should always keep in mind when it comes to technology and group communication, and we’ll explore some cutting-edge thinking about technology and group work through the fascinating theory of sociomateriality.

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 quiz1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (1,044 ratings)
Matthew A. Koschmann, PhD
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses215,127 learners

Offered by

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