Alternative Dispute Resolution for Learning Teams

When working in a learning team is in imperative the team develops a learning team charter. This charter will spell out the ground rules for team members in the areas of performance, absenteeism, participation, and others. Included in the learning team charter will be an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) clause. This clause will list the procedure followed in the event disputes and disagreements arise during the learning team process.

For disagreements or disputes that develop in the learning team, the team should first try to solve the issue without the need for outside assistance. Examples of issues that may arise causing conflicts in the learning team are failure to submit works by deadlines previously agreed upon, failure to communicate effectively with other members of the learning team, failure to participate in group discussion or group activities, and failure to submit an original work. If the learning team cannot reach a decision in the first 24 hours, they will then attempt mediation. This list is not all en-compassing of issues that may arise. If the need for mediation arises, the group will collectively decide on an individual to be the mediator. This individual should not be in the learning team, but a completely neutral individual. This individual will hear all sides of the disagreement and help open the lines of communication between the parties involved. The mediator will not make a decision for one party or another, but help all parties see all sides of the disagreement. With all members listening to all information involved, it is possible a resolution will be found between the parties.

In the event all parties do not agree on a solution during mediation, the learning team will move forward with a more formal ADR, arbitration. During arbitration, an arbitrator, the professor will review and listen to the information presented and render a decision. The arbitrator will then render a final decision based on the evidence and information...