Question

This will be your first collaborative assignment with your team. Your team will submit one 1-2 page plan outlining the methods your team will use to work together. Topics such as communications, expectations of team members, and technology use should be covered.

Answer 1

Communications

Card Pieces*

In this activity, team members trade pieces of playing cards to put together complete cards.

Uses

This exercise is useful for showing team members others' perspectives. It builds communication and negotiation skills , and helps people to develop empathy .

People and Materials

Enough people for at least three teams of two.

Playing cards – use between four and six for each person.

A private room.

Instructions

• Cut each playing card into half diagonally, then in half diagonally again, so you have four triangular pieces for each card.
• Mix all the pieces together and put equal numbers of cards into as many envelopes as you have teams.
• Divide people up into teams of three or four. You need at least three teams. If you're short of people, teams of two will work just as well.
• Give each team an envelope of playing card pieces.
• Each team has three minutes to sort its pieces, determine which ones it needs to make complete cards, and develop a bargaining strategy.
• After three minutes, allow the teams to start bartering for pieces. People can barter on their own or collectively with their team. Give the teams eight minutes to barter.
• When the time is up, count each team's completed cards. Whichever team has the most cards wins the round.