Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
Teams and Team Work
Why is this a group-based MOOC?
Small groups provide powerful opportunities for social learning, whereby members share experiences and learn from one another.
Small groups – the starting point of a community – are required to get a social initiative off the ground. An individual can’t create social impact on his/her own.
Is a group the same as a team?
Yes. The edX platform uses the term team, but it means the same to us as group.
How are teams formed?
There are three options:
Option 1: You already have a team
For example, you’re part of a group of colleagues or friends, all of whom have registered for the GROOC because they want to work together. If this is your case, follow these steps.
Option 2: You are looking to join a local team
For example, you want to meet other GROOC participants in your area and create a team together with them. If this is your case, follow these steps.
Option 3: You are looking to start/join a virtual team
For example, you prefer to engage in social learning entirely online (which could mean asynchronously with people from around the world in different time zones). If this is your case, follow these steps.
Please note: All teams, regardless of option, must be created within the Team Space on the edx platform. And all teams are expected to self-organize.
Where is my Team Space on edx?
- Go to the ‘Teams’ tab on the course page.
- Click on ‘My Team.’ You will find it there.
How will teams collaborate?
Teamwork may happen in one of three ways, or a combination thereof, as follows:
- In face-to-face meeting
- Via an online platform such as Skype or Google hangout
- Within the team chat space on edX for asynchronous communication
How your group meets and completes the Group Charges is entirely your choice.
What are we supposed to do as a team?
Beginning in Session 2, at the end of every session, your team will be presented with a Group Charge. This is a team activity with a group reflection and discussion component. Some Group Charges will also include an action component.
After each Group Charge, your team will be invited to develop a summary of your experience(s) and/or group discussion (max. 1 page), highlighting insights, take-away ideas or conclusions you have drawn from the Group Charge. There is no specified format for this summary.
Please note: A member of your team should post and share this summary in the team chat space for your designated Facilitator to provide feedback.
What is the timeline to submit the Group Charge summary?
Teams should submit their Group Charge summary on the Tuesday before the release of the next session. If your team misses a submission , you will still be able to post your work, but we cannot ensure feedback from your facilitator.
Here is an overview of the timeline:
| Session | Release Date | Group Charge Summary Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Engaging | September 16 | n/a |
| 2: Co-creating | September 23 | October 6 @ 17:00 UTC |
| 3: Designing | October 7 | October 20 @ 17::00 UTC |
| 4: Scaling | October 21 | November 3 @ 17:00 UTC |
| 5: Resourcing | November 4 | November 17 @ 17:00 UTC |
| 6: Assessing | November 18 | December 1 @ 17:00 UTC |
| 7: Impact Gallery | December 2 | n/a |
How much time will a typical Group Charge take to complete?
Group Charges should take approximately 1-3 hours per session, depending on your group’s level engagement. If you are collaborating asynchronously online, however, this approximation may not irrelevant.
What can I expect from my Facilitator?
Every team (4-10 members) will be assigned a Facilitator. Your facilitator will introduce himself/herself in the Team Chat space.
Your Facilitator will support your team in three ways:
- Moderating team discussions
- Providing feedback on the Group Charge summaries
- Encouraging general engagement within the team.
Who are the Facilitators?
Our Online Community Facilitators are individuals with vast hands-on experience in the plural sector, committed to enhancing your social learning experience. Collectively, they speak 16 languages and are connected to social change networks across 52 countries. Click here to read their profiles.
How can I contact my Facilitator?
Facilitators will be checking your Team Discussion regularly. Please post questions there.
Does each team collaborate on one social initiative?
Ideally, yes. This GROOC has been designed to help teams move their social initiatives forward.
What if we don’t have a common interest on a social initiative?
This can work too. For example, if you share a broad common interest (i.e. social inclusion) or simply the desire to learn together, then your team can adapt the Group Charges to better match your team’s learning objectives.
Is there a deadline to form/join a team?
Yes. We kindly ask that you form/join your team by Wednesday, September 30th – so as not to hinder teamwork for the Session 2 Group Charge)
What is the recommended team size?
We believe the ideal group size for social learning is 5-6. That said, groups may have a few as 4 members, and as many as 10. Any group under 4 will be invited to merge with another small group.
May I join more than one team?
No. The edX platform will allow you to be part of only one team at a time.
May I switch teams?
Yes. If you decide to switch teams, kindly let your team members know before using the Leave Team button.
Can my team use other platforms or tools to communicate and/or collaborate?
Of course. Do what’s best for your team. Just be aware that your facilitator will only be able to interact with you within the edx platform.
May I follow this GROOC on my own?
Yes. If you don’t have a team, we invite you to be part of our large discussion forums and interact with the GROOC community there. That is social learning too!
Please note that if your goal is to earn a certificate, Individual Work counts for 50% and Team Work (Group Charges) counts for 50%.