I think a group contract is a great idea! I use the class contract outlining all the class guidelines/policies (aside from a class syllabus).
I think I will introduce a group contract. My students are busy and the idea of trying to find time to work on a group project outside of the class is a challenge.
I think "a group contract" would be beneficial to everybody!
Thank you :)
I, too, was a student that preferred to work solo. Indeed, one of the major pros of teaching for me is the level of independence. Nonetheless, most employers and jobs require some level of group interaction.
While there will always be group conflict, you can minimize the conflict. Another instructor gave me a great format for group work and I happily pass it on and hope it helps...
When groups are first assigned, in class, they must collectively complete a "Group Contract". A form that includes: everyone's contact info, best time to contact, group's shared goals, individual group member's strengths/weaknesses, and a plan on how any potential conflict will be resolved. Thus, as an instructor, you have that plan to refer back to in order to give guidance and the students have it to refer back to if they have a problem.
Simply acknowledging to students that group work is sometimes difficult, but saying "here is a plan" and requiring them to complete that plan in class goes along way to facilitating productive groups.
I understand your concerns. I use group work in my classes, usually one project per semester that counts for about 10% of their grade. The main problem I have in ensuring equal participation. Every single class I have at least 2 people complain that they have team members who "do nothing." It's a valid complaint, as I assign a group grade. One of my colleagues has the team members give each other a participation grade, which he factors into each students grade. I have yet to do this, as I feel that part of the project is learning "teamwork." Any thoughts?
I initially shared your hesitancy in working with groups, but I no longer feel that way. You just have to experiment and see what works.
Hi Wing! Thanks so much for your comments! Most employers with whom I speak affirm that teambuilding and communication skills are equal, or more, to discipline-specific technical skills. I too when using learning groups weight part of the grade on individual score and part on group score; I have found that using a rubrics is a big help.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
I definitely understand the obstacles of group work but they can be beneficial in some instances. It allows students to learn to work with one another. An important tool that students today need to learn is how to work with a diverse group of people. Most jobs today will require that you work as a part of a team on some level. I believe this skill is just as important as any technical skill they're currently learning. To ensure that all group members participate, a suggestion would be for part of the grade to come from you and part of the grade to come from a peer survey within their group.
I guess In your class with a couple of students its ok, but I have 25 to 30 students and also do alot of hands on but I find that some student kind of keep there distance and just have a hard time working with other people so by me having group sections students are learning how to get along with others and also I find they are enjoying working completing tasks together. I also have one on one so I kind of mix it up keeping students motivated.
There are both pros and cons to group activities and much of the success depends on the personalities of it's members. I have seen one student helping another to understand a concept, on the good side. I have also seen a student with comprehesion issues "hiding out" in a group where his participation is not monitored or manditory, on the bad side
