I’m in the process of updating our information sheets and along the way also giving some of our downloadable resources a makeover. We’re also making some of them free to download and heres the first one!

The ‘Group Rating Sliders’ are taken from a section on the Prospective Sheet. They are used for two reasons:

1. To help young people understand what the qualities are of an effective group
2. To help groups measure their own development as a group when involved in an activity or project

The download includes cards that groups can use to assess themselves at various stages during a project/activity. It also includes a facilitator guide that includes descriptions of the various qualities so that a facilitator can help participants understand the qualities when making their assessment.

The ratings are a self assessment and so can’t be compared to other groups - it isn’t about scoring a ‘perfect 10′. Most new groups will initially score themselves as a ‘0′ - which isn’t a failure - in fact its in the middle. Only groups that have been together for while will be able to properly assess themselves, and they may do so positively or negatively.

Negative ratings aren’t a failure - most likely they indicate a group that is able to maturely and honestly analyse areas in which they need to improve. By using a different colour for different dates groups will be able to track and discuss what they have gained as a group throughout their involvement in an activity or project - something that can be very useful for project evaluations and useful too for evidence gathering.

Group Rating Cards

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