Karen,
great application of the ideas. I especially like your idea about getting a boss who probably isn't qualified for that job. Definitely true to life!
Dr. Ryan Meers
At our school we have 5 week modules and when we work in groups we arrange a different leader each week. That gives each student to work as leader and also work as group member. Sometimes, we get a person who just isn't good at leading a group making it a challenge for the group. I use the same arguments mentioned above, sometimes we are put in situations that we are uncomfortable with in life - how are you going to make the most of it and use the skills you do have to make it a success? Also, sometimes we get a boss who we feel isn't qualified to be the boss how are we going to work with it? This gets the students thinking about how it will be for them in the work environment.
Aaron,
this is a good observation to make & definitely something to watch. I think mixing the groups up helps some with this.
Dr. Ryan Meers
When I assign group projects I usually indicate to the students my policy on grading. There will be one grade for the group. I will not humor complaints about group politics. In order to receive as high a grade as possible, everyone will have to work together strongly as a group. With true synthesis going on there will be a certain degree of policing. Just as it is in the real world.
The only time I will listen to complaints is if (almost) all of the group members say that one person in particular is not pulling their weight. That individual will receive a separate (failing) grade.
This is a big chalange. But not so much that they enjoy working with eachother but that they have become dependant on eachother for success. This is a bad habit for them to get into because when they leave school and move out to the workforce that "crutch" will not be there and this may have a negative effect on their performance.
Dallan,
yes, I think if we carefully design the activities so that it is more of a group decision-making process rather than a delegate & do situation this can help.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Kenny,
this is definitely a challenge. I would say that it's also sometimes a situation where they don't want to boss around their friends or peers.
Dr. Ryan Meers
One of the challenges that I've seen in my class is some students (who don't study) riding off of other students to get a good grade. What I've done is have each student grade all students upon their contribution.
My biggest challenge is making sure that each student is contributing. Too often, the groups turn into leaders and followers. I need to better organize the assignments into sections that each student can be accountable for.
The biggest challange I find is having someone step up and be the leader. I think most people do not want to be a leader because they do not want their peers to believe that they are bossing them around. I have in the past assigned someone to be the group leader, and I often choose the person who would be least likely to volunteer. Those who volunteer usually just want to be in charge because they think they will just be delegating work. Choosing someone who would not normally volunteer usually results in a good group experience.
Jennifer,
this is definitely a challenge, but can also be a great teaching opportunity to discuss how to appreciate the views of others & respect their opinions.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Many of the challenges that I see is from one or two participants doing all of the work the flip side, every is assigned to do a part of the project and then 1 person does not show up or do their part thereby hindering the entire project. One way that I have dealt with this is to have a rubric of how the project will be graded. This allows those who have participated and completed their part of the project to receive a grade based upon their activitiy and not on those who did nothing.
I have encountered a few challenges in the past with working on groups. I have students who see others are taking the lead, so they will not participate. There are times when the entire group is very dominate in voices and many disagreements spring up.
As the instructor I will make sure to mingle with the groups. I make sure to get everyone involved - I will ask the non-participants questions and get to get their intersted sparked and included.
Group work can be challenging because students will contribute differently. Some students will feel that other students are not putting in same effort, therefore they will prefer to work as individual.
In student groups, some students are less likely to participate or contribute and can become a distraction to their peers instead of an asset.
I strongly agree. It is important to make sure to have a balance amongst all the groups and to also have a leader type to try and motivate those student's that want to sit on the sidelines.
Groups can be very tricky. First you must make sure the group is for something productive and not for socializing. You must monitor the students to make sure they stay on the topic at hand. One must also be aware that there may be confrontation amongst the group members.
I think I'll start using the peer grading (anonymous) recommended in this session, not necessarily to discourage lack of contribution, but to "encourage" cooperation. Sometimes students are reluctant to complain, and this, I think, removes that burden.
Jeannette,
I've also found that having students grade each other on various aspects of their group participation, including sharing of the work load, can help with this area somewhat.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Kimberly,
defnitely true. This can also be a great opportunity for teaching students how to deal with these diversities.
Dr. Ryan Meers
