Using technology to support team-working skills for effective groups: the development of tools and spaces

Awan, Rehana (2017). Using technology to support team-working skills for effective groups: the development of tools and spaces. In: 22nd Annual SEDA Conference Developing Teaching Excellence: Supporting and Developing the Work of Groups and Teams, 16-17 Nov 2017, Cardiff, Wales.

Abstract

This is a reflection, exploration and evaluation of our experience of using technology and, in particular, a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support the development of team-working skills and effective group working practices across a University’s diverse academic community. We explore the theory and pedagogy behind team-working and the advancement of effective groups, and how online tools and spaces can support this. We reflect on the challenges and opportunities in designing online resources to support team-working skills and in creating an effective online space for the development of a distributed (Arthur, 2016) academic community of practice (Lave and Wenger, 1991) (the learning design, structure and assessment); developing and engaging groups and teams where the teaching staff are predominantly part-time on a contract basis is a particular challenge. We consider engagement and participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the methods used to encourage involvement in the wider academic learning community (Gore, Hills, Hughes et al, 2016). We examine how technology can be harnessed and embedded to engage groups and teams to provide opportunities for greater inclusion of part-time teaching staff (Dean et al, 2017) in a UK-wide University. Those attending will be able to use our experience to inform and develop their own practice and explore collaboration on future projects cross-institution.