Group projects
Group projects are good to help the students that have trouble engaging in class. But be careful for those students that work well on their own and do not like working in groups.
I agree, those types of students are challenging to place in groups. Sometimes I try to combine students that like doing things alone with others that feel the same and then I help them to identify areas of the project that they can each contribute their skills and knowledge to. It depends on the students of course, but this can help them see that working together is often beneficial rather than going it alone all the time.
James,
this is spot on, especially your second comment regarding the clear guidelines & grading. This is vital to successful group projects.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Group projects prepare students for the real world which they will transition into upon completion of their degree. Instructors need to establish clear guidelines on the grading rubric, participation, individual assignments, and self evaluation.
Group projects either go well or not, I feel that group projects help students learn to work together as a team. It help student to establish timelines. I also think that the instructor needs to have strict guidelines for the students to follow and help the students by giving an outline of what is expected of each student and also to the instructor to be a small participant is things are not going so well.
stacy,
we do want to be aware of these students. I would add that most of us will encounter group work of some kind in our professional work environments so this will be helpful to the reluctant students as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
