GROUP PROJECTS
I have found that group projects or activities and sometimes games where I split students into groups help to keep the class interesting and competitive.
Hi Kathleen,
This is an exciting group project, I am sure. This is so real and definitely something students take very seriously.
Patricia
For the business section of the massage therapy course, I have students figure how much they need to charge to earn their desired income. They must take into consideration start-up and operational costs. It opens students eyes to the financial realities realities. I have them work in groups so they can support each other as they figure how to structure their first businesses.
Hi Kathleen,
What type of group projects do you have your students do?
Patricia
I believe the most effective way to learn a concept is to be able to explain it or apply it in a way another can understand it.
Sometimes games can become too competitive. Instructor management is necessary
Hi James,
We must make things as real as we possibly can for our students. We must let our students know exactly what to expect and what is expected of them.
Patricia
This is true, however I have found that I have been able to utilize all these factors in some of the courses I have been teaching. Not by name, but by using the situations all the class is involved in it shows them how the REAL world works.
Hi Edward,
I can tell you enjoy this class. Your project seems so real, I am sure your students do well with it because it is so applicable to the real world.
Patricia
One of the courses I teach is "The Business of Marketing and Design." This class concentrates on teaching the students how to start a business (Freelancing Graphic Design), and also how to deal with businesses. I stress ethics, collaboration, how to deal with clients who think that they know everything (Why would they hire a Freelamcer if they know everything?), copyright laws, contracts, and the many issues that occur while doing business.
Depending on the size of the class, I will create two Advertising Agencies and the members are given a Request for Proposal. They do individual research, and then meet as groups. All decisions must be a concensus or it doesn't fly. They must write a formal proposal as well as produce all materials that reinforce the strategy that the group has decided will best solve the clients' problem/request.
I am always surprised to see who ends up taking leadership of their group. Usually, the person who will be the driving force understands time management. They realize that if the group is not prepared for the final presentation, the entire Agency is affected.
I enjoy this class because I am always surprised and it gives me a very good insight of the students that I am teaching.
Hi Laurie,
I have found that students are more likely to work better if they are allowed to grade each other. I also constantly remind my students each person is to participate. I give time in the classroom when possible to monitor everyone.
Patricia
How can we teach the students to work efficiently in groups and to work cooperatively? Sometimes students in a group will divide up the work but then not confer with each other about how their separate parts relate and fit together. I have group work in class but I sometimes wonder how much they really got out of the experience of working together. Hopefully, it's a positive experience. I think students do understand that the work world requires group work but sometimes class group work is not positive. Students can then be reluctant when another group situation comes around. For example, how does one handle this: two in the group work together well on the project but they leave the third student out of the loop and exclude the third student. How does an instructor help students work inclusively?
Hi Ally,
Exposure to group projects is good. Students need to learn how to be team players and pull their weight when doing group projects because at work being a team player is important.
Patricia
With clear expectations, this method can be very successful.
Who does want to play a game? If it keeps students on track for learning objectives, mission accomplished.
Hi Kathleen,
Group projects can be an excellent learning experience. Students need to learn how to work well with others because in the workplace there may be a time when they have to work in a group.
Patricia
Hi Anthony,
There must be rules in place for a group project that states everyone must participate because you are right, there are some people with certain personalities that will run the show and the shy and introvert students will not participate.
Patricia
Yes, group projects are good. You do need to have some balance in them though. If someone is too smart or an extrovert, they might dominate the discussion and not everyone will learn.
I agree that having student's break into small groups can be a great way to learn. They have to take on more responsibility for themselves and their felllow student's. They have an opportunity to have a control within the instructors guidlines. It gives them a chance to interract with each other. It helps them to learn to work with others and trust themselves. It can be fun. It produces another layer of learning.
