Group project

I have no real advice for you... I would say, keep all emails in case someone tries to blame you.

This is why I don't like group projects, and I am hoping I will not have to worry about them at my school!

Is there any way to get together either before or after a class you all have together, since you'll be in the same place, anyway? It might give you just enough time to figure out what's expected and how to divide it up. I also went to school about 50 miles from my house, and when possible, we just met when we were all on campus anyway and tried to do the majority of the rest of the coordination via email (though we did usually do the initial dividing of tasks in person). I know it doesn't work for all projects, but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

If these projects are something like PowerPoints, then much of the work can be done over e-mail. However, if you really need to meet as a group, then try to meet after class. If you need to meet outside of class, ask if you could meet halfway because you live so far away from campus. If some people refuse to try, then that's their own fault, and there's not much you can do about it. I would meet with as many members as I could and tell the others, "We're meeting at this place to work on the project, and I hope you can make it too. October is coming up, and I want to be sure we're keeping up with both projects." It might be a good idea to express your concerns to them or to your instructor (not stating names so nobody in particular gets in trouble). Good luck!

I've found with group projects that it is impossible to make all group members do an equal share of the work. One or two people do the majority of the work, the others get a lighter load. It's just the way it is. Look on the bright side, if you're the one who will be doing the majority of the work, at least you can do it your way.

This is exactly why I hate group projects too! There is always someone not pulling his/her weight.

I hate throwing people under the bus but if *I* have the time to get my end of the work done, you can too.

What has worked for me is to get the rubric and look things over and see how best to divide the assignment. You may just have to take the reigns and say, "We are meeting at X time right after ABC class to discuss our project." Pick a time when most everyone in the group will be on campus and do it. I'm sure someone will have some excuse so you'll just have to assign her whatever is left on the rubric.

Try to find what everyone's strengths and weaknesses are and try to delegate from there. If you don't make any progress, then you may have to be more firm & give them one more shot to get it together. I always hate to give an ultimatum but sometimes you just have to do it. Give a deadline and stick to it.

Do you have a clinical teacher that will support you? I always try to go up the proper chain of command. Document everything, save the emails, etc. and go to her and ask for advice.

I hate, hate, hate group projects because you hate to be a you-know-what to your classmates but I'm not going to let a deadbeat affect my grade.

good luck!

m

I agree, you might just need to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Maybe take a look at the rubric and then e-mail out assignments, adding that this is what you came up with, who else has an idea?

It will either motivate folks to get involved in the planning process....or it will get the work assigned. Either way, it's better then continuing to wait around.

Thanks for your suggestions! I emailed my group and scheduled a mtg next week at MY convience. If no one emails or shows up, I'll have to let the teacher know. I will keep yall informed.

Meanwhile, you need to protect yourself and assume that you're doing the project solo. You should be working on the project and figure that you're going to have to do the whole thing yourself.

If your group partners flake, you still may not find a sympathetic ear with the teacher.

Group projects SUCK.

"Meanwhile, you need to protect yourself and assume that you're doing the project solo. You should be working on the project and figure that you're going to have to do the whole thing yourself.

If your group partners flake, you still may not find a sympathetic ear with the teacher.

Group projects SUCK."

Yep.... only not exactly solo, you'll need to assume you'll be doing the extra work of coordinating something for each of the others to do (or often look like they have done) that won't mess it up too badly. Otherwise, you get dinged on either the "leadership" or "ability to work with others" aspects, which are sometimes part of the grade and sometimes obliquely there. If you are lucky, the group assignment was pushed by the English/Social/Educator side of the college ptb and your science/math/practical side prof is just going through the motions.

On the positive side, these are nursing students. So, you have a better than average chance that they won't be deadbeats about it.

I HATE group projects. I hate having to feel like the babysitter and try to force people to do work. Some people just don't care about their grades. If the project isn't going to force them to fail, then they don't see the need in putting in any effort.

I would keep all communication to prove to your teacher that you made an effort to work with them.

My advice: Don't push meeting in person. Try your very best to figure out a way to divide the work without needing an in-person meeting.

What types of online tools do you have? I take classes in an online program offered by a brick-and-morter university and we have many, MANY group projects. We use Wimba Pronto, Wimba Classroom, discussion boards, blogs, wikis, email, and telephone calls to keep in touch when doing projects. If your school does not have the Wimba tools or discussion boards/blogs/wikis available to you, consider meeting via Skype.

I enjoy collaborative learning and have gotten so used to doing group projects that it seems daunting to do something completely on my own in some classes. However, I agree with the OP and other posters that the logistics of group work can be very frustrating. I hate feeling responsible for someone else's grades---if I mess up, my mistakes should reflect only on me and not on everyone else. I also dislike how sometimes group members don't feel responsible---I've had several unpleasant group experiences in which no one seems motivated to do the work and assumes everyone else will contribute---and then I have taken on extra work because someone else didn't contribute. I feel like an enabler if I do that but I also don't want someone else's slacking off to impact the grade for which I have worked very hard.

One prof told me that in her classes, students need to complete group project contracts that clearly define who takes responsibility for the work and what the consequences of not completing the work by a certain deadline would be. I think this is a great idea and that it would divide the work fairly and not leave moderating the group (and coordinating the work of the project) up to one person.

You may wish to talk to your instructor to let him/her know of the issues you are facing. Your instructor may not be sympathetic but how are instructors to know if there are problems with group learning if students don't speak up?