Question 1

Competency exercise - What do I have on my shelves?

Accepted Answer

This exercise is designed for the whole group, but can also be completed individually.

Imagine yourself as a shop. Some products sell well and are readily available, while others still need to be stocked. Similarly, most people have strengths they already possess and others they would like to develop.

Spend a few minutes identifying three or four strengths that you already have “on your shelves.”
Then think of two or three qualities or skills you would like to develop.

Take turns presenting your “shops” to one another.
Afterwards, discuss whether your group collectively has the strengths needed to succeed in your collaboration.

I am...

Question 2

Exercise 1: Your Opportunities and Preferences

Accepted Answer

This is an individual reflection exercise.

The purpose is to become aware of your own preferences and practical circumstances related to group work.

Consider where you see yourself on the different scales, based on your preferences and previous experiences.

Share your answers with the group. Discuss why you placed yourself where you did. What similarities and differences do you notice? Are there areas where compromise might be necessary? Write down a few notes summarising your discussion and any agreements you reach. You can also download the exercise here.

Question 3

Exercise 2: The Many Dimensions of Successful Group Work

Accepted Answer

This exercise is designed to help you explore the many different ways a group can work well together. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to successful group work. What works well in one group may not necessarily work in another. It is therefore important to become aware of each other's differences and preferences so that the group can accommodate them. This also helps build understanding later on if someone approaches tasks differently from the way you would.

The two columns below outline a range of preferences that can exist within a collaboration. Although some of these may appear to be opposites, they can all be part of a well-functioning group. The first part of the exercise is individual and is intended to help you reflect on what matters most to you.

Start by following these steps:

Check all the statements that you consider important.
Then select three statements that you would like to discuss with your group.
Compare your answers with those of your group members. Do you notice any similarities or differences? Try to explain in more detail what the different statements mean to you.
After your discussion, agree on three statements that you consider important for the group as a whole. You can also download the exercise here.

Question 4

The Pomodoro Technique

Accepted Answer

Something that can be incredibly useful, but that many people overlook, is the use of breaks. Planned breaks can help you make the most of the time you spend working on your project. Often, people either end up chatting and socializing for hours, only to realize they did not accomplish what they had hoped, or the opposite happens: they forget to take breaks, become tired, lose motivation, and struggle to maintain focus and perspective.

The technique is simple, and perhaps that is exactly why it works.

Decide exactly which task you want to work on.
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work on the task.
When the timer goes off, take a five-minute break.
Repeat the cycle.
After completing four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break of 30 minutes.

Question 5

Check-in

Accepted Answer

A check-in is a tool that you may already be using without even realising it. The concept is simple, but it can lead to greater efficiency and, perhaps more importantly, a better understanding of and connection with your fellow group members.

Perhaps someone has had a terrible morning and spilled coffee on their trousers, while someone else has had a fantastic start to the day, with every traffic light turning green on the way to campus. The purpose of a check-in is to listen to each other's experiences and gain an understanding of everyone's starting point for the day's work.

If the person who spilled coffee on their trousers snaps at a group member later in the day, the group already has some context and understands that the person may be feeling stressed or low on energy. This can help create understanding, strengthen relationships, and reduce the risk of potential conflicts. In addition, it is an excellent way for group members to get to know each other better.

How to do a check-in

Each group member spends a few minutes sharing how their day has been, how they are feeling, and how much energy they have for the work ahead.
Once everyone has had an opportunity to speak, the group moves on to the “real” work.
At the end of the day’s group work, you can conduct a check-out, where everyone reflects on how the day went and how they experienced the collaboration

Question 6

Meeting Facilitator

Accepted Answer

Meeting Facilitator

Taking on a leadership role can seem a little intimidating in the context of group work. Many people are reluctant to take charge because all members of the group are considered equals. However, appointing a meeting facilitator can be an effective way to improve the quality of meetings and make the time spent working together more productive. It also provides an opportunity to challenge and develop your communication skills.

Typical responsibilities include:

Preparing the agenda
Leading the check-in
Summarising discussions (and end nonconstructive discussions)
Keeping track of Pomodoro sessions
Documenting outcomes and decisions

Typical responsibilities include:

Preparing the agenda
Leading the check-in
Summarising discussions (and end nonconstructive discussions)
Keeping track of Pomodoro sessions
Documenting outcomes and decisions

Question 7

Meeting notes and analysis

Accepted Answer

AI can be used as a secretary during group work. When discussing topics such as assignment content, your study group can use AI to help create structure and analyse your discussions based on predefined themes. If you choose to do so, make sure not to upload data containing personally identifiable information.

With the consent of all group members, the meeting can be recorded, for example using Microsoft Word, which also offers direct transcription. The transcription can then be entered into an AI tool together with a prompt asking the AI to analyse and summarise the discussion based on the group’s predefined themes.

Example Prompt

After this prompt, I will insert a transcription from a meeting attended by [insert number] participants. Once I have inserted the full transcription, you should do the following:

1. Read through the entire transcription.

2. Then identify statements from the transcription that relate to the following three themes: 1) [insert theme 1], 2) [insert theme 2], and 3) [insert theme 3].

Next, organise the entire transcription according to these three themes and provide a clear and structured summary.

Question 8

Creating a study plan

Accepted Answer

You can use AI to help you create a draft study plan. Provide the AI with your fixed commitments, such as classes, group meetings, and similar activities, and tell it how many additional hours you would like to spend on reading and preparation. You can also include subject areas or specific literature that you need to study and ask the AI to create a study plan for you.

Example Prompt

You are a structured planner, and your task is to help me create a study plan. The plan should take into account classes, group meetings, and leisure activities. You should follow this process:

Take my fixed commitments into account: [insert fixed activities with day and time].

The study plan should be based on [insert lesson plan, reading list, or topic].

Based on the above information, create a focused study plan.

Question 9

Breaking a project into tasks

Accepted Answer

Getting started on a large project can sometimes feel overwhelming. You can use AI as a planning tool to break a large and complex project down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Example Prompt

You are an experienced project manager, and your task is to help me create a project plan for the following project: [insert project description].

The project plan should be action-oriented, realistic, and ensure that all tasks are completed before the deadline.

Question 10

Suggestion 1: Hold a meeting

Accepted Answer

“Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
— Winston Churchill

Conflicts can be related to academic issues, personal matters, or sometimes a combination of both. Whatever the cause, conflicts often provide valuable opportunities for learning and development.

The challenge is to turn a conflict from something negative into something that can contribute positively to your collaboration. So, what can you do as a group to manage a conflict constructively?

First and foremost, it is often a good idea to approach the person involved directly. Have an informal conversation—perhaps over a cup of coffee—and see whether the issue can be resolved through open and honest dialogue. If that is not sufficient, you can follow the model below for dealing with a conflict in a structured way:

Choose a facilitator to mediate and ensure that the conversation stays on track.
Allow everyone to present their perspective on the conflict.
Identify common ground and points of disagreement.
Develop a solution together.
Reflect on whether the conflict feels resolved.

Question 11

Suggestion 2: The Conflict Escalation Ladder

Accepted Answer

The Conflict Escalation Ladder is a tool that can help you identify the nature and stage of a conflict so that it can be de-escalated before it develops further. Most conflicts tend to follow a similar pattern.

Conflicts often begin at Step 1 and gradually move up the staircase if they are not addressed and resolved. The longer a conflict remains unmanaged, the greater the likelihood that it will escalate to the next level. Therefore, it is important to identify which step of the staircase your conflict is currently on and follow the recommended approach for that stage.

Question 12

If nothing works!

Accepted Answer

Sometimes you may find yourself involved in a conflict that has become so extensive that a single meeting—or even a conversation over a cup of coffee—is not enough to resolve it.

At EK, group work plays a significant role across many programmes, so it is important that conflicts are addressed before a project submission or examination takes place. Unresolved conflicts can have a negative impact on both the group's experience and the quality of the work.

Remember that it is perfectly acceptable to ask for help. You can seek support from a student counsellor or your lecturer. As a group, discuss what you believe would be the best way forward, and keep in mind that involving a neutral third party from outside the group can often be beneficial.

If you are dealing with the conflict on your own, remember that student counsellors are bound by confidentiality and are always available to listen and provide support.

Contact EK Student and Career Guidance

Question 13

Exercise: Give feedback to the group and each other

Accepted Answer

Use a few minutes on your own to reflect on the following:
- 2-3 things that worked well within the group.
- Something you would like to take with you into future group work.
- Something you would like to improve or do differently next time.
Take turns presenting your reflections to the rest of the group
You may also choose to repeat the Shop Exercise, but this time focus on one another. Describe the strengths, qualities, and competencies that you see "on the shelves" in each other's shops.

Group work

Table of contents

You in group work

Key Points

Collaboration

Key Points

Group work agreement

Student counsellors

Tools for group work

Key Points

Tips for use of AI

Conflicts

Key Points

Ending the collaboration on a positive note

Key Points