Following the idea of competence-based learning and empowerment, we need to improve the social skills. Since social life is shaped through group and intergroup collaboration, we need to transform our social groups into collectives which encourage peer-involvement-style learning in order to create a new understanding of the role of teachers or trainers as facilitators. This section includes theory aspects on teamwork, group dynamics, communication, diversity and conflict management.
Articles
Teamwork and Group Dynamics
Personal cooperation is a valuable management tool and can be a learning opportunity for enhancing social skills. The more diverse groups are, the more they need to reflect and to apply cooperative ways of decision-making. These necessary reflections include a more detailed understanding of group processes and team roles.
Communication skills are extremely important in order for there to be an efficient common understanding and appreciation amongst partners in any group. This section introduces models that illustrate conditions for successful communication and offers methods for gaining communicative competency.
We believe that developing diversity consciousness and managing diversity in groups will increase the quality of participation and include people from different social backgrounds in the collective process. This includes aspects that work against structural discrimination and marginalization, as well as to foster those who have not yet developed the capacity to get involved.
Good conflict resolution management influences the quality of collaboration and cooperation in the group in a positive way. With better conflict management we can improve the efficiency of communication and equip our participants with new skills.
