Group assignments...

[EmilyRoseLamb]

Hi guys,

So yesterday, I had to complete my first uni group assignment, a presentation. It was the most frustrating thing I've gone through in my academic life, and the outcome was a rather disappointing H2B (70-74%) (unimelb), the lowest grade I've received at Uni so far. My group work just went so terribly. I tried very hard to get the other students in the group to do anything for it. They didn't end up doing their part until the night before it was due (literally about 9:00PM). Didn't even have time to really read through their work. Additionally, this gave us literally 1 hour beforehand to spend making sure our timing was right, which it wasn't, and it ended up going over time. I feel so depleted, and feel I could have done more to improve the result, but don't know what. My question is: does anyone have any tips for improving their group work? What is the best way of going about it when you're up against 4 students who really couldn't care less about the result?

Thank you in advance 

[Joseph41]

This is why I don't like group marking. I'm probably not the best person to answer your question because I literally chose my units at time based on which subjects didn't require group work, but just know that I'm sure there'll be a number of people here who can empathise. And I'm sure somebody will be able to give some good advice based on their own experiences.

[Bri MT]

I'm sorry to hear that you've had that experience of engaging in work and others being blasé about it - and that that has left you dissapointed. I've been fortunate enough to have most of my group work being in advanced subjects which has meant that my classmates tend to care more. Still, if you're highly motivated you are likely to continue encountering this dynamic throughout your life. Part of the reason these assignments are given is so that you learn about this and develop your ability to manage these situations. Not all strategies will work in all circumstances with all people etc. but I think it's important to use these tasks to trial different ideas and add them to your toolbox.

Here are some things to think about:
- at the start, did you discuss what you thought the group could achieve and what you were aiming for?
Some students don't feel that they can do well, so why would they bother trying - in this case you may be able to motivate them
When people verbalise intent they are more likely to stick to it
If they realised much this meant to you this could also be a motivating factor

- did you schedule a physical meeting time early in the process?
People are more likely to feel compelled that they need to be present if you're meeting irl and less likely to forget about it (in my experience)
Some people are a lot more engaged in the meeting if it occurs in person and it can be easier to avoid miscommunication

-did each person have a clear, well defined role with very limited ambiguity?
How might this ambiguity have expressed itself?

- were there designated checkpoints where each person was expected to have completed tasks and shared that with the team?

- was there any discussion about conflicting priorities?

- if you're going to work with these people again you may want to consider what their proffered team member styles are (if you don't know what this means reply and I'll clarify)

- if needed, would you be willing to complete more work than you thought was your share to produce high quality work? Did your team know that? Did they know you wanted people to be able to look over each others work before the presentation?

- what did you do in response to your stress about the situation?


(You don't need to let me know the answers to all of these questions but they may be useful for you to reflect upon)

Hope that this helps and that you have a better outcome next time