Group
Work - Three I's and Two A's
A Quality Rating Scale
Group work is a key feature of participatory training methods. But there is
good group work and bad group work. As a trainer you must be able to tell how
well a group is functioning so that you can intervene if necessary to make it
more effective. The following table outlines a simple rating system whereby a
given group can be rated on a 1-5 scale in terms of three simple
characteristics.
| |
GRADE 1 - Excellent |
GRADE 5 - Poor |
|
Inclusion |
New members are welcome and encouraged by old members who explain
procedures and progress to date etc
|
New members are viewed with
suspicion. Nobody asks for their opinion and nobody listens when they
speak |
|
Influence |
It is not obvious that there is a 'boss'. Everybody contributes and is
interested in what everybody else has to say.
|
There is an individual or an
elite which does all the talking and makes all the decisions. Others just
follow along. |
|
Intimacy |
People obviously enjoy each others company. There is mutual respect and
an openness about sharing feelings.
|
The atmosphere is stiff and
formal with pauses when nobody knows what to say next. No personal
feelings are expressed |
The same scale can be used on more long standing work groups and in this case
the three I's can be supplemented by the two A's.
| Attendance |
Full attendance at every meeting and people hang around to chat
afterwards
|
Poor attendance record. Get
the business over with and leave. |
| Action |
An enthusiasm for trying out new ideas and sharing experiences.
|
Few new ideas are suggested
and even fewer get acted on. |
How would you rate the work groups to which you presently
belong?
If they get a low score, what could you do to make them
better?
|