This website is under construction and is the development of an idea first presented at the Clute Institute for Academic Research Conference in Puerto Rico during March of 2008 (see abstract below). To the best of my knowledge, no other site like this one exists – if there is one, please let me know and provide proof that it was established prior to March 3rd of this same year. While other sites carrying some group activities exist, none of these aspire to provide “one stop shopping” for the very best. This website is intended to serve as a platform for educators world wide. It is here, that we can contribute and discuss the very best group exercises which address communication, decision making, leadership, and an overall understanding of group process. Business professionals and students interested in group discussion are also encouraged to submit and comment. As of today, I am still learning wordpress (so far an outstanding tool). Please be patient with site development and feel free to provide any advice you have in this regard. In both academic and business environments, we know far too many meetings are held with those assembled never having studied the group skills which would allow them to excel in such affairs. It is hoped the proposed webiste will provide some measure of help in this regard. With this in mind, I wish us all the best group experiences and look forward to your contributions. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask.
Best,
Dr. Donald C. Smith (3.3.08)
Abstract
An Assessment of Small Group Communication Exercises
by
Donald C. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Communication
Director, College of Business Center for Communication Excellence
University of New Haven – A Leader in Experiential Education
300 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT 06516
Teamwork is essential in modern corporations and therefore an understanding of small group communication processes is vital. Training exercises both for academic and corporate audiences are designed to accomplish a wide variety of instructional goals. Activities might address any of the following communication behaviors: leadership, consensus building, conflict resolution, avoiding groupthink, decision making, listening, feedback, creativity and computer moderated group discussion. These are only a few of the many possible subject areas. Curiously, while it is widely recognized that students and employees must become proficient in these skills; acquiring relevant and engaging small group exercises is not always easy. This paper provides a discussion of the free resources currently available for trainers and teachers interested in running workshops or classes in the area of Small Group Communication
Groupwork's Weblog 