Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Rethinking Communication

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.

Group Development & Decision Making

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.

Conflict, Difference, & Diversity

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.

Group Communication & Technology

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.

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Introduces the major topics of group communication, including team building, decision making, conflict management, negotiation, and the use of technology in group settings

Taught by Matthew A. Koschmann, PhD, who is an expert in group communication and has extensive experience as a teacher and researcher in the field

Provides a comprehensive overview of the major topics in group communication, making it suitable for learners of all levels

Emphasizes practical applications of group communication principles, with a focus on developing skills that can be used in a variety of settings

Reviews summary

Teamwork skills: communicating effectively in groups

learners say this is a largely positive course that is well-received by learners and rated as 89 out of 100. It introduces concepts such as lectures, readings, exams, quizzes, homework assignments, instructors, deadlines, and certificates. A notable strength is that it teaches the essentials of effective group communication. Some reviewers noted difficulty with the peer critique process, especially when others submitted plagiarized work.

Utilizes engaging assignments, such as case studies and role-playing exercises, to reinforce the concepts taught in the course.

"Amazing course! I've learned a lot of new theories & ideas of Group Communication! in a simple yet interesting way. I will definitely make use of knowledge gain from this course in my practical life ! "

"The course is essentially good! I improve myself by attending online classes . Course presented by lecture is good and the teaching method is very nice . many many thanks Coursera to achieve such a good and valuable Certificate . Thank you a lot .PRADIP KUMAR JENAHAL , KORAPUT , ODISHA , INDIA ."

Involves peer critique assignments, where learners review and provide feedback on each other's work. This provides an opportunity for learners to receive constructive criticism and improve their communication skills.

"I really enjoyed this course and it has been very helpful both personally and professionally."

"The author has very nice explained all the aspects about communication and has given enough references and examples regarding the same.The content is really good and properly explained."

Teaches learners the fundamentals of effective group communication, including communication styles, decision-making, and conflict resolution.

"Great overview of group communication! increased awareness of issues groups often face and gave practical solutions on how to work through them to be more successful."

"This course has given me more insight into my daily interactions with persons and to better understanding their actions and what my response should be."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups with these activities:

Review Core Concepts in Communication Theory

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Strengthen your foundation in the fundamental principles of communication to enhance your understanding of group dynamics.

Browse courses on Communication Theory

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Revisit course materials or external resources on communication theory.
Summarize key concepts and models of communication.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own experiences in group communication.

Explore Online Resources on Virtual Team Collaboration

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Gain practical knowledge and insights into effective communication and collaboration in virtual team settings.

Browse courses on Virtual Teams

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Search for and identify reputable online resources (e.g., articles, webinars, videos) on virtual team collaboration.
Review and synthesize the information gathered from the resources.
Identify key strategies and best practices for communicating and collaborating effectively in virtual teams.

Design a Team Charter for a Group Project

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Develop a comprehensive document that outlines the goals, roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for your group.

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Facilitate a group discussion to gather input and establish the team's purpose and objectives.
Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member based on their skills and interests.
Establish communication channels, meeting schedules, and decision-making processes.
Document all aspects of the team charter in a written or digital format.

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Develop a Communication Plan for a Group Project

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Practice applying the principles of effective group communication to enhance collaboration and project success.

Browse courses on Group Communication

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Analyze the group's communication needs, including goals, timelines, and stakeholders.
Identify and select the appropriate communication channels (e.g., email, instant messaging, video conferencing).
Establish clear communication protocols and guidelines (e.g., response times, meeting frequency, agenda setting).
Create a communication schedule and track progress.

Participate in a Group Discussion on Conflict Resolution

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Engage in active discussion and role-playing exercises to develop strategies for navigating and resolving conflicts within groups.

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Prepare for the discussion by reviewing course materials on conflict resolution and group dynamics.
Actively participate in the discussion, sharing insights and experiences.
Engage in role-playing exercises to practice conflict resolution techniques.

Role-Play Conflict Resolution Scenarios

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Practice applying different conflict resolution strategies and techniques in simulated scenarios.

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Identify common conflict scenarios that may arise in group settings.
Develop role-play scenarios based on the identified conflict situations.
Practice role-playing the scenarios with other participants.
Reflect on the effectiveness of different conflict resolution techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Communications Specialist

Effective communication is a skill needed by all Communications Specialists, who provide information that helps organizations reach their audiences. Groups play a major role in all types of communication in an organization, since development of a PR campaign, writing press releases, and managing social media all involve teamwork. Taking this course will help you understand how to build better relationships with your team and communicate with them in a way that leads to better results. The discussions of conflict and diversity will help you manage the different personalities you will likely encounter in a professional setting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Specialist

Public Relations Specialist

PR involves managing the way that the public relates to an organization. Communication is essential in PR, both internally and externally. In this course, you will learn the best ways to communicate within your organization and to tailor your communication to the audience you are trying to reach. You will also learn how groups make decisions, which will help you better integrate with your team to develop PR campaigns and other communication messages.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Business Analyst

Understanding how to work with groups is key to success as a Business Analyst, and this course will teach you to work effectively in teams. Business Analysts may also work in consulting, where conflict resolution and negotiation are essential skills. In this course, you will learn how to work with others to clearly understand the business problem, develop solutions, and make decisions that improve the organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Team Leader

Team Leaders are tasked with making sure their teams are working effectively and efficiently. This course will teach you the skills you need to do so, including effective communication, group development, decision-making, and conflict management. This course will help you lead and inspire groups by building relationships and trust, as well as establishing goals and objectives, and facilitating communication among team members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Educator

As an Educator, you will work with a diverse group of people to meet the needs of students. This course will help you enhance your ability to manage conflict and foster diversity in the classroom, and will help you develop strong communication skills that will support your students' learning. The course will also enhance your understanding of group development and decision-making, skills which you can use to plan and lead effective lessons and activities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Project Manager

Project Managers work with teams to complete projects successfully. Effective teamwork is key to project management, and this course will teach you how to develop strong teams and lead them to success. You will also learn how to manage conflict and make decisions to help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Recruiter

Recruiters work with teams to find, hire, and retain the best talent for their organizations. Teamwork is essential to developing an effective recruiting strategy, and this course will teach you how to build and lead teams that can achieve results. You will learn how to develop job descriptions, screen candidates, and conduct interviews. You will also develop your communication and negotiation skills to help you build relationships with candidates and clients.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve revenue goals. Effective teamwork is essential in building and maintaining successful sales teams. This course will teach you how to manage and motivate teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop sales strategies, create sales presentations, and negotiate with customers.

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Customer Service Manager

Customer Service Managers lead and motivate teams to provide excellent customer service. Teamwork is essential in building and maintaining a successful customer service team. This course will teach you how to manage and motivate teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop customer service strategies, resolve customer issues, and communicate with customers.

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Event Planner

Event Planners work with teams to plan and execute successful events. Effective teamwork is essential to planning and executing successful events. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop event plans, manage budgets, and coordinate with vendors.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers lead and motivate teams to develop and execute marketing campaigns. Effective teamwork is essential to developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop marketing plans, create marketing materials, and manage marketing budgets.

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Community Outreach Coordinator

Community Outreach Coordinators work with teams to develop and implement community outreach programs. Effective teamwork is essential to developing and implementing successful community outreach programs. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop community outreach plans, create outreach materials, and manage outreach budgets.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers lead and motivate teams to develop and implement HR policies and programs. Effective teamwork is essential to developing and implementing successful HR policies and programs. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop HR plans, create HR materials, and manage HR budgets.

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Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers lead and motivate teams to develop and implement training and development programs. Effective teamwork is essential to developing and implementing successful training and development programs. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop training plans, create training materials, and manage training budgets.

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Social Worker

Social Workers work with teams to provide a variety of services to individuals and families. Effective teamwork is essential to providing quality services to clients. This course will teach you how to build and lead teams to achieve results. You will also learn how to develop social work plans, provide social work services, and advocate for clients.

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