To work in a group - group contract

Latest revision: 2022-01-26

 

Bilden visar två olika varianter av gruppkontrakt som Ulrik Terp, Karlstads universitet, har tagit fram (In Swedish)The purpose of establishing a group contract is to create a consensus on goals and better prerequisites for the group’s work. It is important that everyone in the group participates actively and that all group members are allowed to give their views and wishes. Let the work with group contracts take time.

The group contract should address issues that are important for the group’s work and well-being, for example how to communicate in the group, level of ambition, how to approach the task (synchronous/asynchronous work), responsibilities, meeting times etc. Also address what happens if any problem arises. A contract can be made between students, but also between teachers and students.

Examples of questions

  1. What is the assigned task?
  2. How should we approach the task?
  3. What goals should we have with our work? (short and long term)
  4. How do we use the skills of each individual group member in the best possible way?
  5. What do we do if problems arise?
  6. How do we ensure that everyone in the group has a good working environment? (What do we mean by “work environment”)
  7. Anything else that you think is important for making a successful work in a group?

Source: Ulrik Terp, Karlstads universitet (freely translated)

Link tips

Karlstad University has developed the tool Working in group, a support for creating group contracts. The digital tool has been developed within the project Rethink:Kau, where the students were followed in their everyday lives and letting them describe their experiences and needs. The students have been involved throughout the process. An English version of the tool is available for download at kau:rethink, see link below.