What are some tips and tools for creating a group contract online?

1 Define the purpose and scope

The first step in creating a group contract online is to define the purpose and scope of your project. What are you trying to achieve? What are the main tasks and deliverables? How will you measure your success? You can use a tool like Google Docs or Padlet to brainstorm and document your answers. Make sure everyone agrees on the purpose and scope before moving on to the next step.

2 Assign roles and tasks

The next step is to assign roles and tasks to each group member. Roles are the general functions that each member performs, such as leader, researcher, writer, or presenter. Tasks are the specific actions that each member needs to complete, such as finding sources, drafting an outline, or creating a slide deck. You can use a tool like Trello or Asana to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Make sure everyone knows what they are expected to do and when.

3 Establish communication and feedback

The third step is to establish communication and feedback mechanisms for your group. Communication is how you share information, ideas, and updates with each other. Feedback is how you give and receive constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. You can use a tool like Slack or Zoom to communicate and collaborate in real time or asynchronously. You can also use a tool like Google Forms or Peergrade to collect and provide feedback. Make sure everyone agrees on how and when to communicate and give feedback.

4 Set ground rules and conflict resolution

The fourth step is to set ground rules and conflict resolution procedures for your group. Ground rules are the norms and expectations that guide your group's behavior and interactions. Conflict resolution is how you handle and resolve any disagreements or issues that may arise. You can use a tool like Google Sheets or Poll Everywhere to create and vote on ground rules and conflict resolution methods. Make sure everyone understands and respects the ground rules and conflict resolution processes.

5 Review and revise

The final step is to review and revise your group contract online. Review your group contract periodically to make sure it still reflects your group's needs and goals. Revise your group contract if necessary to accommodate any changes or challenges that may occur. You can use a tool like Google Drive or Dropbox to store and update your group contract online. Make sure everyone has access to and agrees on the latest version of your group contract.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?