Teambuilding & Communication

Module Details

Short Title: Teambuilding & Communication PENDING APPROVAL

Full Title: Teambuilding and Communication Skills for the Postgraduate Student

Module Code: n/a

NFQ Level: Expert

ECTSCredits:

5.0

Valid From: Semester 1 - 2012/13 ( September 2012 )

ModuleCoordinator:

HUGH MC GLYNN

Module Author: Catherine Dawson

Description: In this module learners will be introduced to the key concepts of teamwork and leadershipthrough a series of on-and-off campus activity based workshops. The skills required foreffective communication and presenting of research finding will be developed and refined.Networking skills for developing and maintaining good working and professional relationshipswith colleagues within the institute, the wider research community, and industry will bedeveloped.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to

Determine the characteristics and benefits of an effective team.1.Recognise the function of leadership and high performance teams within research and industry.2.Appraise a range of teambuilding activities, utilising both personal and group strengths.3.Evaluate a range of communication methods that may be used for effective communication of researchfindings and interacting with research colleagues and peers.

4.

Communicate your research findings to a range of audiences both technical and non-technical using arange of appropriate visual aids and illustrations.

5.

Develop networking confidence and skills for application in career planning, professional advancement,and forming new collaborations, etc.

6.

Pre-requisite learning

Module RecommendationsThis is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. Youmay enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerabledifficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning isexpressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which isequivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

No recommendations listed

Incompatible ModulesThese are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of thismodule. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in thismodule if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.

No incompatible modules listed

RequirementsThis is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. Youmay not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.

No requirements listed

Co-requisites

No co-requisites listed listed

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Module Teambuilding and Communication Skills for the Postgraduate Student

Teambuilding & Communication

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content

Characterisation and Benefits of Teamwork What is a team? Why are teams importantant in research and industry? Barriers to effective teamwork.Stages of team development, skills, diversity, participation, support, innovation, and problem-solving.

Function of Leadership What is a leader? What are the qualities of a good leader? Strategies for developing leadership abilities.Introduction to essentials of team leadership: individuals, planning, team spirit, and communication.

Team Building Strategies Review of teambuilding strategies and interventions. Implementation of team-building through activitiesdesigned to improve core elements and skills required in industry and research today such as teamwork,problem-solving, leadership, goal-setting, decision-making, creative thinking, presenting techniques,negotiation, and communication skills.

Communication Review of the different communication styles and techniques that can be utilised. Practical tips and realworld examples of effective communication in action. Development of active listening and questioning skills.

Presentation Toolkit Preparation, planning, and presenting - setting the context, writing, colour, and illustration of yourpresentation. Technologies and techniques that can be utilised for presenting and its impact. Understandingyour audience.

Networking The importance of social and professional networks within and outside of the research project. How to buildand maintain a social and professional network, boost personal impact, make positive first impressions, andestablish connections and rapport with peers. The importance of body language.

Assessment Breakdown %

Course Work 100.0%

End of Semester Formal Examination 0%

Coursework Breakdown

Type Description Outcomeaddressed

%oftotal

Assessment Date

ReflectiveJournal

Reflection on individual experience of teamwork andactivities undertaken

1,2,3,6 20.0 n/a

Other Maintenance of e-portfolio 2,5,6 20.0 Every SecondWeek

Presentation Group presentation based on teambuilding activitiesundertaken during workshops.

5 40.0 Sem End

Essay Essay on Effective Communication (max. 1500 words) 4 20.0 Sem End

Reassessment Requirement

Coursework OnlyThis module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat writtenexamination.

The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

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Module Teambuilding and Communication Skills for the Postgraduate Student

Teambuilding & Communication

Module Workload & Resources

Workload Full-time

Type Description Hours Frequency AverageWeeklyLearnerWorkload

Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Workshop based 2.5 Every Week 2.50

Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) No Description 4.5 Every Week 4.50

Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00

Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50

Resources

Recommended Book Resources

Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, Sarah Kravits. 2012, Keys to Success: Teamwork and Leadership,Pearson Educational Press [ISBN: 978-0-1328-5024-7]

Gill Hasson, 2011, Brilliant Communication Skills. What the best communicators know, do andsay., Pearson Educational Press [ISBN: 978-0-2737-6174-7]

Richard Hall 2011, Brilliant Presentation. What the best presenters know, do and say., 3rd EdEd., Pearson Educational Press [ISBN: 978-0-2737-6246-1]

Supplementary Book Resources

Steve Radcliffe, 2012, Leadership, 2nd Ed Ed., Pearson Educational Press [ISBN:978-0-2737-7241-5]

Sarah Lloyd-Hughes, 2011, How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking. Any audience. Any situation.,Pearson Educational Press [ISBN: 978-0-2737-5521-0]

Andrew Leigh 2011, Charisma. The Secrets of Making a Lasting Impression, 2nd Ed Ed., PearsonEducational Press [ISBN: 978-0-2737-6158-7]

Amanda Vickers, Steve Bavister, Jackie Smith. 2011, Impact. Impress your way to Success, 2ndEd Ed., Pearson Educational Press [ISBN: 978-0-2737-6161-7]

Robert Phipps. 2012, Body Language: It's What You Don't Say That Matters, John Wiley & SonsLtd UK [ISBN: 978-0-8570-8174-2]

Other Resources

Website: Pebblepadhttp://portfolio.pebblepad.co.uk/cit/login.aspx

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Module Teambuilding and Communication Skills for the Postgraduate Student