Working in Groups

During your time at university, you will almost certainly be required to work in groups, probably to write an assignment or give a presentation. There are a number of reasons why group work is common, including: To prepare you for working in a team in the workplace, To improve you communication skills, To develop negotiation techniques, To aid in understanding and remembering of information, To provide an opportunity to discuss a range of ideas, approaches and perspectives on an assignment or topic, To learn collaboratively and actively.

Choosing a group
Its not always possible to choose your group, however if you get the chance try to form a group with people who: Have similar academic goals to you, including desired grades, Have similar expectations of group members, Have different strengths, Come from a variety of backgrounds, Are able to meet at the same time.

Working Well in Groups

All groups have problems, but there are steps you can take to reduce these. Get to know each other, Record contact details, Write a group contract or list of expectations in the first meeting, Set goals or an agenda for each meeting, Set tasks and timelines for completion, Listen to each member, Contribute, but dont dominate, Identify individual strengths, and develop tasks around these strengths, Monitor and review your groups progress regularly.

Stages in Group Work

Groups dont automatically start working well together, especially if you dont know each other well. Usually, groups go through four stages: 1. Getting to know each other, and trying to understand the groups task, 2. Feeling negative and concerned that the group will not work well together, 3. Beginning to feel like a group, with individuals taking on roles and responsibilities, 4. Being productive! Different ideas and opinions are discussed, and decisions made about the groups project.

Learning Skills First Year Experience

E-mail: learningskills@mq.edu.au
http://www.mq.edu.au/learningskills/

Working in Groups...
Common problems working in groups
Not understanding the task Divide the assignment into smaller parts, Brainstorm togetherwhat could it mean? Talk to other groups, Organise a time for your group, or members of you group, to meet with your tutor. Quiet group members Be encouraging, Ask shy students questions directly using their name, Listen when they do contribute. Talkative group members Set time limits for individual talking Time, Interrupt politely and ask other students for their opinion. Dominating group members Remind everyone that you are working in a group, and that a range of ideas and opinions is important, Take turns in the leadership role. Unequal contributions Negotiate tasks, Set a timeline for the completion of tasks, Review the group contract, Check the group assessment criteria, which may require a summary of each persons contribution to the assignment. Different skills and abilities Identify individual strengths, Set tasks according to skills, Have pairs complete tasks, rather than individuals. Non-attendance at meetings Give the person a chance to explain their reason, Reschedule meetings if possible, Review the group contract. Getting distracted Keep breaks short, Nominate a time-keeper, Make an agenda for each meeting. Disliking some group members Be friendly and respectful, Contribute to tasks and meetings, Dont form alliances within the groups.

Group contract (sample)

Subject: Assignment: Group Members: Group Aims (eg. to achieve a Credit or higher, to increase knowledge of...): Timeline for tasks (What tasks will you achieve, and when?): Group Rules and Expectations:

Participation/Contributions Attendance at meetings

Meeting times and frequency (e.g. once a week) Planned method for monitoring groups progress (e.g. review and compare with assessment criteria to ensure all parts are completed and consistent):

Learning Skills First Year Experience

E-mail: learningskills@mq.edu.au
http://www.mq.edu.au/learningskills/