METHOD

Team Contract

The students formulate a joint team contract, where they offer and coordinate expectations, division of responsibilities and principles (dogmas) for their collaboration.

The method supports the students’ cooperation skills, sense of responsibility and reflection on group processes. It can be advantageously used at the start of project work, long-term group assignments and/or interdisciplinary courses.

1

Create a team contract template on A3 paper that students can fill out. Optionally, draw stick figures in the center and leave space for students to write their names, so it’s clear which group the agreement belongs to. Make copies of the template so that each group has its own copy.

2

Explain why it’s important to align expectations when starting to work together in a group. Distribute the group contract template—one for each group. Go through it with the students and explain how it will be used. For example, will it be revisited during the project and/or used during the evaluation of the process?

3

In their group, the students reflect on what characterizes good collaboration. They complete their group contract by answering a series of questions, such as:

  • What are we each good at? (e.g. ‘X is good at coming up with ideas’, ‘Y is good at getting everyone involved’)
  • What is important to us in collaboration (our dogma rules)? (e.g. ‘We say yes to each other’s ideas’)
  • What do we want to practice in particular in our collaboration? (e.g. ‘Giving space and listening to each other’)
  • How will we handle disagreements? (e.g. ‘We vote if we can’t agree’)
  • How do we distribute the work tasks? (e.g. ‘We rotate tasks so that everyone gets to try different roles’
4

The students hang their team contract somewhere in the classroom so that they are visible throughout the process and remind the groups of the agreements they have made.

Didactic tips:

  • Consider using Random Groups or Interest Groups to form student groups.
  • Optionally, show an example of what a group agreement might look like (“what good looks like”) to inspire students. However, make sure they understand that they should not simply copy the example, but create their own version.
  • You may also plan a feedback session during the project, where students revisit their team contract and evaluate whether they are following their agreements.
  • If a group experiences difficulties with collaboration, the group agreement can be used to help find solutions based on the original agreements.
Tags: Cooperating, making agreements
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Engage

MODES OF ORGANISATION:

  • Pair
  • Group

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

  • Team contract (physical / digital)
  • Writing tools
  • Sticky tag / poster putty