Sometimes, however, a student always violates team agreements and uses all their warnings. The result is a more serious action that the teacher must decide. In my classes, it`s usually a sit-down meeting with me, the teacher. Meeting with a teacher is the result of several warnings and can never be used as a first option. Students must learn to deal with problems with each other and cannot rely on authority to solve them. “We talked about what to do as a group, and you were on the phone!” This allows us to work together. And the more students do it, the better they get. You`ll see the benefits right in front of your eyes in your classroom, but more importantly, students will see it for the rest of their lives. From group projects at university to working in an increasingly diverse and collaborative workplace, students know how to conduct these interviews to ensure that everyone has their full potential. And don`t forget that newcomers or infirmities didn`t agree, so take the time to explain and ask for their consent to the agreement (you can always do it in one break).
If you want to change it, you have a discussion with the whole group until everyone agrees. Students then have a plan that often accepts a fresh start, and the group can get back to work. Most of the time, and I want to talk about the highest time, this conflict resolution is a success. It is enough to draw the attention of most students to the fact that their actions concern everyone else, and they will do everything in their power to remedy them. Remember that we want peace, and sometimes we have to face the problem to achieve it. Some of the best collaborations I`ve ever had came after one of those heart-to-heart conversations. All of a sudden, everyone feels listened to and appreciated and therefore works harder and with more passion. The contract is not only a little minutia at the beginning of a project. This is the basis of accountability to ensure the success of this project. That`s why I get my students to sign their names. They sign an alliance for cooperation and the best possible results. That`s why I`ve seen five students fired from their groups throughout my career.
The group contract is not an excuse for students to fire each other, it is actually a tool to prevent it. They should access it during a group project, go back to their agreements and remember each other if they are injured.