Working With Groups

Sections in this Module

Introduction

The group presentation at the end of a long semester seems to be a current staple in many college courses. Of course, many students also find it daunting and onerous. Whether that speech is one of many, or the first presentation for that class, students need help organizing and giving the presentation, especially as a group. However, group presentations and overall group dynamics can be improved with helpful guidance from a communication center and their staff. These groups have different dynamics than a normal individual session, and this module aims to bridge the gap between the two so that a consultant can give quality feedback designed to improve the group presentation.

This training module is designed to familiarize comm center consultants with how to approach groups that visit the center, ways to connect with them, and then ways to give them feedback. The module will provide information about group consultations, a small activity to practice this knowledge, and then a short reflection to guide future group consultations.

This module will also build off of other modules, including but not limited to, listening, nonverbals, interpersonal, and giving feedback. Please reference the other modules if you need more information or knowledge.

Groups Dynamics

Learning Objectives

By the end of the training, participants should:

Understand the difference between group and individual consultations
Provide quality feedback to groups and their presentations
Identify issues that may arise with group presentations, and offer suggestions

Before giving feedback to a group, it is important to consider the differences between a group and an individual presentation. Furthermore, it is also important to consider that just working in a group can be different for many students as well, and they might need some help navigating group dynamics as well. However, group tutoring can help create better group functioning and the overall quality of the project (Van Berkel & Dolmans, 2006). This highlights the importance of understanding the group and the presentation they are working on when entering the communication center.

To prime yourself to work with groups, ask yourself and reflect on the following questions:

● What do you enjoy about working with a group?

● What do you dislike about working with a group?

● What challenges does a group face?

● What are some differences between an individual and a group presentation?

● What might make a group presentation effective?

● What are some group dynamics that a communication center tutor could help with?

● How can we give individualized feedback to a group?

Just like when we think about how an individual might feel when walking into the center, we need to also think about how a student in a group, working on a group presentation, might also feel. Note your answers above, and know that some students might not feel the same as you. Some might enjoy working in groups, but dislike giving presentations (or vice versa). Once a group joins you in your comm center, it is important to create immediacy (see non-verbal communication module for more info) with the members of the group.

Activity

Working with a partner, look at these two assignment sheets from non-communication focused classes (provide assignment sheets). Outline initial ethnographic questioning to decide on a possible approach to consulting for this client.

Connecting with a Group & Offering Feedback

When a group comes into your comm center, they already know each other and probably have met several times. You are the new person to the group now! Spend a little time getting to know them and what they are working on. Make sure that they are on the same page in terms of speaking parts and the overall assignment. You can help them with this as well!

Once you get the group acclimated and then they begin to practice, it is important to think about a few key items within the speech, and during your feedback. Those include, but are not limited to, the following:

Group speech important areas:

Does the group have clear structure and transitions throughout?
Does the entire group have clear organization?
Be sure to note the nonverbals of the group when not speaking - are they engaged?
Are the visual aids engaging and cohesive throughout?
Are the intro and conclusion clear and both capture the entire speech?

Group speech feedback tips:

Make sure to mention each person’s section in your feedback. Provide constructive feedback to all.
Try not to single anyone out (i.e. “Some of you had a lot to say, could we share some info so that others could say a little more?” Instead of - “You didn’t speak but for a few seconds”
Consider having each student write down their strengths and weaknesses after the presentation and use that information as a starting point when giving feedback.
Furthermore, ask questions of the group as a whole in regard to how things went.
Don’t forget to mention the content. Focusing on just delivery can be easy to do with a group of speakers.
Find a way to organize and take notes so that you can provide thorough feedback.

For more information on giving feedback, please see the “Giving Feedback” module.

Watch the speech below and provide feedback using the form below. Make sure to consider the areas and tips above. Your comm center administration may have other videos specific to your institution for you to watch as well.

Activity

Reflection

Reflect on how you can implement these strategies in your sessions/ brainstorm some of your own strategies that can improve the immediacy and overall outcome of your future sessions. For returning tutors, what are strategies you’ve used in the past that helped you feel connected with the clients?

Group Issues & Comm Centers

As you might already know, sometimes groups have problems and concerns. If a tutor feels like the consultation might be headed in the wrong direction, or could be unproductive, it is important for them to help to resolve the issue and set the meeting back on track. Sometimes, a tutor may need to be more assertive in getting them back on track as an outsider to the group (Bryant et al., 2016).

Furthermore, you might find a situation where some of the group members are not contributing as much or might be not as prepared. This is a place where a tutor, someone outside of the group, might be able to provide feedback and maintain the group’s cohesion. You can also try to get them to share their plans or what they may be having issues with. Pay attention to the group's nonverbal communication to help discover any of these issues.

Reflection

Considering what you now know about groups and providing feedback, consider the following questions. Type or write these down so that you have them for later use, or when you start to see group presentations in your communication center.

Provide an example of a group struggle you faced in regards to a group project or hopefully a presentation. How could a comm center tutor have helped your group in that situation?
What are some things you will want to consider when a group comes into the communication center?
What are some advantages to meeting with a group over an individual?
Consider the group meeting at the communication center. What are some strategies you will use before the speech, during, and after to provide help to a group?

Click Here for our References