ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we concentrate on group characteristics as well as the characteris tics of group members and the environment to better understand how each affects group learning. We begin by tackling the meaning of group development. We consider how group members establish mutual respect and understanding, which they apply to support each other in the interest of accomplishing the group’s task. Team development can be viewed as a developmental sequence of predictable stages or a series of transitions from equilibrium to adaptation as unexpected changes emerge or pressure arises to get the task done on time. Group member characteristics, group characteristics, and situational conditions set the stage and affect how the group learns. As we see, this suggests ways to compose a team, structure the task, and establish other situational conditions, such as rewards, to facilitate team learning and outcomes.
