Jean Lorelle Paul WilsonJean Lorelle Paul WilsonInstructional Development & SupportInstructional Development & Support

University of KansasUniversity of Kansaslpwilson@ku.edulpwilson@ku.edu

© 2002© 2002

The Role of Group Development The Role of Group Development and Facilitative Teaching and Facilitative Teaching

in Online Coursesin Online Courses

Lacoursiere’s Group Stages Orientation

High expectations, anxiety over purpose of group & roles, High expectations, anxiety over purpose of group & roles, dependent on the leader, high morale but low group dependent on the leader, high morale but low group work.work.

DissatisfactionReality check, negativity towards leader and/or task, Reality check, negativity towards leader and/or task,

morale drops but group work increases.morale drops but group work increases.

Resolution

Reality accepted and reconciled with expectations, Reality accepted and reconciled with expectations, decreasing negativity. Morale and work increase.decreasing negativity. Morale and work increase.

Lacoursiere’s Stages cont. Production

Positive feelings, hope. Group working well and Positive feelings, hope. Group working well and satisfied with group member relationships, able to satisfied with group member relationships, able to work autonomously.work autonomously.

TerminationConcerns about completion, sense of loss, possible Concerns about completion, sense of loss, possible

early disintegration of group can impede work. early disintegration of group can impede work. Morale still fairly high but may dip.Morale still fairly high but may dip.

R. B. Lacoursiere’s Life Cycle of Groups

GDS SCHEMATIZATION OF EACH OF THE FIVE STAGES, GDS SCHEMATIZATION OF EACH OF THE FIVE STAGES, The Life Cycle of GroupsThe Life Cycle of Groups, 1980. Roy B. Lacoursiere, M.D., 1980. Roy B. Lacoursiere, M.D.

• Help form cohesive groups & build trustHelp form cohesive groups & build trust• Identify group development stages & move Identify group development stages & move

group out of dissatisfaction into productivitygroup out of dissatisfaction into productivity• Just-in-time teaching of group strategiesJust-in-time teaching of group strategies• Intervene when conflict becomes destructiveIntervene when conflict becomes destructive• Encourage participation by all members Encourage participation by all members • Keep groups on taskKeep groups on task• Bridge differencesBridge differences

Facilitators Coach

• Ice-breakers

• Brainstorming• Norm-setting• Assisting with decision-making• Roles in group• Group interventions/conflict resolution• Help group reach closure• Act as a resource

Facilitation Strategies

Conclusions

• Provides useful framework for online courses Provides useful framework for online courses • Don’t have to be an OD expert to gain benefits Don’t have to be an OD expert to gain benefits • Active/interactive learning applied pragmaticallyActive/interactive learning applied pragmatically

• Student-centered approachStudent-centered approach• Can be used with traditional I.D.Can be used with traditional I.D.• Shows us that teachers will always be dynamic Shows us that teachers will always be dynamic

in ways that technology cannot be…in ways that technology cannot be…