Unless you're allowed to choose your groups members, group projects are always a nightmare. Whether it's the irritation of coordinating a time you're all available and willing to meet, or agreeing on a topic, it's never simple. I've had quite a few nightmarish experiences with group project (one of them is currently ongoing), and each time I learn a little bit more.
Based off of what I've gathered from these experiences, here are three ways to make group projects manageable:
1) Contact Info~ This sounds totally ridiculous, but it's so important to write down everyone in the group's names, emails, and phone numbers. Waiting around for one of the other members of your group to initiate an email or group text message on the details of your project is never a good idea. It's better to take initiative in the beginning and start communicating with each other prior to the days leading up to the date the project is due.
2) Meet in person~ Google Docs is a wonderful resource for group projects when everyone has a busy schedule, but only after you brainstorm in person. It's so much better to have an open dialogue going while you're in the early stages of your assignment, rather than just planning it all out online. Even if you can only meet for fifteen minutes, you'll at least get to talk out your plan first.
3) Google Docs~ As I said before, Google Docs is perfect for group projects. After all of your initial planning for the project, and you've assigned tasks to each group member, create a Google Doc to work on the project. This is especially useful if the assignment is a paper or Powerpoint presentation. This software anyone in the group to view the document in all stages of the process. You can view this from anywhere you have Internet connection, which is so important, especially in school.
No comments:
Post a Comment