Team Dynamics
Team Member Roles on an Online Team
United States Army soldiers pulling convoy duty in Iraq, if just one member of this team does not understand his or her role and perform it to the utmost of their ability it could spell disaster. From the lands these soldiers defend to workplaces around the world, teams exist in many facets of today's society, and establishing good team dynamics is important to overall success. When discussing team dynamics as they apply to an online learning environment, there are many factors to consider. From conflict management to effective communication, one could argue as to which factor is the most important. Though, if a member understands his or her role and how that role is important to team success, one of the most important factors in a team dynamic is satisfied. "Working with others on projects increases your understanding of how your and others' roles and responsibilities fit into the whole" (DeJanasz-Dowd-Schneider, 2001, 352). Working in an online team can be both challenging and rewarding, and as long as the roles of leader, scribe and mediator are satisfied, the team will succeed in any venture it sets out on.
The determining factor behind overall team success is the direction is sets out in. Just as the United States Air Force teaches its leadership, "leaders set the direction, envision the future and decide where the organization should be" (AFMAN36-2241V2, 2005, 208) the same holds true for a leadership role in an online team. However, unlike the military, assumption of this role in an online environment is usually not predetermined. Rather, the member with the most confidence and/or experience with the assignment will take up the task of leader. They assume ultimate responsibility for the team and will be a point of contact with the instructor to speak on the team's behalf. Team leaders are responsible for moving the team to accomplish the task (NYS Governor's Office of Employee Relations Online...
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