Page 223 - Learning to Learn

LEARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF -GROWER 223
EXPERIENCE 8: PERFORMING IN TEAMS AND WITHIN A COMMUNITY READING
“Let me Google that for you, Fred says.
“I think you just volunteered for the Technology Specialist role, Fred,” Sandra says wryly.
Fred starts to sit a little taller in his seat. “Yeah, OK, why not? I know search engines and how to
get the most out of sites like Wikipedia. If it’s out there, I can probably find it.”
“Sounds like a good fit,” says Ken, who sees there’s one important role missing. He takes out
his pen and starts writing: “Description of team roles” and “ Accountability” on the top of his
notebook page. And it looks like I’m the Recorder, he thinks.
Create and Implement the Plan
Once team roles are defined and decided upon, it’s important for the team to develop a plan for
achieving the team’s goals and objectives. The process of creating the plan need not be democratic.
However, it is important that all members accept responsibility for their role in first forming and then
performing to the plan. Successful completion of the plan depends on “buy-in,” or acceptance, by all
team members. Then the plan can be implemented with team members performing according to their
roles. The team Captain is responsible for the overall performance of the team.
Assess Performance
Regularly assess each member’s performance according to the criteria set for each role. Also assess the
team’s progress as it performs the plan and works toward meeting goals and objectives. By assessing
during the early stages of the plan (as well as on a regular basis), you can determine what is working
and what needs to be changed.
Let’s see how our team did at assessing their performance so far.
“Ok, now we need to ‘assess our performance’ and ‘modify our plan,’” Sam says. “So, how are we
doing, Sandra-the-Reflector?”
“I think we’re doing pretty well,” Sandra says. “Fred found some great stuff online about SII
assessment, a formal Reflector’s Report—“
“Aren’t you doing that now?” Sam asks.
“No, the Reflector’s Report is a written assessment. It has concrete steps and specific questions
to help guide your thinking, but even more importantly, Fred found something we need to talk
about. It’s called ‘assessment language’—“
“That’s great, Sandra,”said Sam.“So, Jennifer, what are you planning for the actual presentation?”
“Wait–“ Sandra says.
“Well,” Jennifer says, “I was going to create sort of cartoons, you know, for each team role and–“
“But Sam, this idea of assessment language and the way we give feedback to people, it’s really
important in helping the team improve–“ Sandra says.
“Hang on, Sandra,” Sam says, “What kind of cartoons, Jennifer?”
“Well, something edgy that would be fun but also show exactly, what each role is all about.”
“Time out,” Fred says, making a T with his hands. “Sandra was talking in her role as Reflector and
what she has to say actually matters right now . I should know; I found it and read it before I
gave it to her.”