Surviving (and Enjoying) Teams at ID

Most of the work at ID is done in teams, and for good reason: collaboration delivers better results. Plus, you learn from each other, and develop skills you'll absolutely need to survive the professional design/strategy/innovation world, which also is heavily team-based. But any ID student will tell you that teams don't always run smoothly... and from time to time, you may experience what John Grimes calls a "Toxic Team"--the kind of experience that is frustrating at best, and at worst, leaves you stuck with unnecessary work on a project you think is lame. And that's not even mentioning burned relationships.

ID students and faculty have been working together in the last two years to help teams function better. One outcome of this effort is the Teaming Workshop, taught by Chris Bernard, open by pre-registration to a limited number of students (with plans for expansion in the near future--so plan on signing up for the next one if you missed the one during registration week). Another outcome is a Peer Teamwork Effectiveness lecturette, which I'll be presenting at 11:30 am on the Wednesday of registration week for all incoming students, to equip you with a basic set of tools for good team experiences at ID.

Just to be clear, this is not teamwork cheerleading of the sort you see on inspirational posters. There will be no trust falls, or group hugs. Instead, you'll learn why teams at ID function differently from teams you've been a part of before. (Note to those who think they understand teamwork already: this means you shouldn't skip Wednesday's session!) You will also learn three core principles of teams at ID, which every member of every team is encouraged to leverage whenever things look like they're getting off track. Plus there's lunch, so how can you lose?

Remember: ID teamwork training has been developed by students, for students, specifically to help you get the most out of team projects. If you miss these opportunities, don't come complaining if you're on a team that starts to go south!

Questions or comments in advance of the Peer Teamwork lecturette, Wednesday, August 22 at 11:30 am, please feel free to contact me at davidm@id.iit.edu.

--David McGaw, MDes. 2007

Student-run orientation

Hello everyone,

WelcomeID is thrilled to announce information about orientation! Everything kicks off August 20th with a series of informative talks that you won't want to miss. Throughout the week we have planned a few other events that support the school-run events and hopefully will help to jumpstart your time at ID. See below for a rough schedule, details to follow.

Till then,

WelcomeID

SCHEDULE OF STUDENT-RUN WELCOME EVENTS

Monday

12:30 p.m.
Welcome Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
What is ID?
Larry Keeley, Doblin Inc.
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
What is User Centered Design?
Vijay Kumar
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
How Am I Using This Stuff?
ID Alumni
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor

Tuesday

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
IIT Main Campus Tour
Lobby, Ground Floor

Wednesday

11: 30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Peer Teamwork Lecturette
David McGaw, McKinsey & Company
2nd Floor, Lunch provided

12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt “Run Around Chicago the ID Way"
Lobby, Ground Floor

Thursday

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
IDSAB Orientation
IDSAB Couch
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Software Overview
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Chicago Architecture Tour
Lobby, Ground Floor

Friday

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
International Student Panel
Presentations and discussion with current International Students
Nathan Lecture Hall, 6th Floor