I hate group projects. That said, I know that it is unrealistic of me to think that I can go through life working alone. Yesterday, two professors assigned group projects. They always try to pair groups up evenly according to capabilities but it always seems like one person does all the work. Surprisingly, I was wrong yesterday.
In my first class, the assignment involved coming up with a newsletter concept, a name for it, and its contents. My teammates were really helpful with the name. I'm not really an on-the-fly creative thinker. I really needed help. As a team, we came up with some really great ideas.
In my evening class, my professor informed us that our final is a group project. That news almost pushed me over the edge. The overall project was easy, but I realized that there were some things that my teammates could do better than me. We divided the work up based on each others strengths.
Isn't that what group work should be about? Drawing on each other strengths. I had the opportunity to see the situation from a different perspective because I was not the strongest person on the team. I'll look at group projects differently now. I realize that I can't make a sweeping generalization about every group experience. Sometimes I may be the strongest and pull the weight, but other times I'll need to rely on my team.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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4 comments:
I'm glad you have a good outlook on group projects. I still hate them !! In my CMAT class, we had an in-class group assignment. If being a group assignment wasn;t bad enough, we have to do it NOW. I almost died. Nothing chaged about my ideas of group assignments, one person did nothing but type what me and the other girl suggested. He added nothing. luckily our magazine layout was a homework assignment.
In my other class, we have a group presentation due for later this month. Only two people have contributed ideas. I wasn't and still not feeling the topic chosen....workplace privacy. it's too broad and I believe you have no workplace privacy. It;s a mess. I am so not feeling a drop in my class grade because of these ppl.
WOW! You definitely have me beat in the hate department. If I disagree, I definitely express my opinion and offer options. I still prefer working alone but I realized that I can't do everything.
In one class, the professor elected me as project manager. I accessed the group's strengths and went from there. It worked out well.
Marni girl, yesterday was more proof. We had to get together in class for about 30 minutes. One person kept talking to others about another class. One guy wasn't there (not the first time he's missed class). It's like are you going to come the day we have to present? ooohh I can't wait for this class to end !!
oh good luck on your project
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