Group Assignments

[runner_rn_91]

Hi everyone. I'm about half-way done with my hybrid NP Program, and I've found that the last two semesters rely heavily on interacting on discussion forums to work through case study assignments. As with most students in the program, I feel as if I work hard and try to submit the most comprehensive answers possible. I rarely receive input from others.

I find myself reading others responses and not having much to contribute. I'll come back to the message boards at a later time and others have made recommendations that I glazed over or didn't even think of. I am not a big fan of these assignments, but I know they like to drill group work into us because we'll be collaborating with others as future providers. So..

Does anyone have any advice for these type of assignments? I want to contribute more to the group discussion and I know the obvious answer is to spend more time finding any gaps, reviewing the question and figuring out how I'd answer if I was assigned the question... I guess I have trouble noticing the small details at first blush (especially since most of the answers are 90% there).

I think this has made me question my status as student. I spend the vast majority of my time outside of work focused on school, but now I'm concerned I'm not picking up on small details that should be obvious for a student at this point in my program.

Thanks for reading!

[JKL33]

On 10/11/2021 at 12:32 PM, runner_rn_91 said:

Does anyone have any advice for these type of assignments?

Yes I do.

Review your study materials and resources in order to compose a complete answer, for your own learning process. That is the #1 objective. Keep tabs on what 5 or so of the other high-performing students in your class submit for answers, which will help you recognize something you may have missed.

As far as commenting on your peers' responses, find something you can comment on without merely saying "I agree" and respond with additional information. For instance if a peer has written about not prescribing antibiotics in a situation because it is not appropriate then perhaps you would respond with additional peer-reviewed research supporting that idea. Just find something in their response that you can use as a jumping point for additional comment.

On 10/11/2021 at 12:32 PM, runner_rn_91 said:

but I know they like to drill group work into us because we'll be collaborating with others as future providers.

Well, yes that is what they say and I have my doubts about the actual utility of the kind of group work you are discussing here. I think it has very little value, especially when, like you say, any feedback you get (if you get any) will only be from other learners. That's not ideal, especially when you are paying tuition to be taught by someone with some degree of expertise, in theory. Besides, there are plenty of other opportunities to incorporate the opportunity to collaborate with peers during the program.

So. Just make sure you understand the concepts involved; that's the whole point of the assignment and is what you need for your future professional functioning.

Let the rest go.

??

 

[runner_rn_91]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with your sentiments related to group assignments, and I feel like I learn much more when I'm responsible for the entirety of an assignment myself.. but, I will start paying closer attention to some others' responses and to try to pick up on the details I've missed. Thank you!