Group Projects

[Malenurse1235954]

I bet I am not alone when I say group projects suck! I am in a class where the whole thing is going to be a series of group projects. The first project I did solo, sent emails made postings over a week worth of time. Its like no one even showed up. I am pissed, what else am I going to do fail yhe project? No, I finished it, start to end.

Second project started up, I made postings and sent out emails. It is due in 9 days, no responces. These are doctorial students, first semester. At least one is a half time student. Not that I am too busy with work to do school is an excuse for anything but being fropped from the class. I understand half the point of group projects is to get people working as a group, but if the group doesnt show up... At what point do I pull in the professor? Am I going to be in trouble for the first assignment since I did it without the group? I certainty can not do the entire class for 3 other people as well as myself. What do I do?

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I HATE group projects!

You absolutely need to pull in the professor at this point. I do not think you will be in trouble for doing the entire last assignment. It's not good, but what's done is done.

The point is that now you know there is a big problem and you are doing something about it.

Tell the professor the truth.

Good luck and please post back and let us know how it goes.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Our group project sucked. One nurse kind of assigned roles to the other nurses but didn't assign all the roles so we took it as this is what needs to be done and so two things weren't done.

[Malenurse1235954]

Thanks your two. Its 8 days till its due and I feel like I can finish this project in 1-2 days by myself depending on how critical I feel like being on my writing. One of the three other group members has been chatting with me a little has not actually done anything on the project except make a google doc location for me to share with her. Another said they were going to do something and the third said two days ago he would look at the project and still no word.

[TuesdaysChild]

Group projects. Ugh. So draining! I'm so idealistic and fantasize about inspiring my group to love the project and work together enthusiastically all high-fiving and everything. But no, it plays out just like your scenario. Every time. It ends up being just me stupidly talking to myself on the group forum like, "Okay everyone, it looks like we're getting off to a late start on this! How about to make it easier I'll take A, so and so take B, and so and so take C? Lemme know, okay?" And then another entry every couple of days along the lines of "Don't forget to let me know, K?"....... "Anyone?"......."Hello?" To add insult to injury, someone will come around at the very last minute with some lame apology and want to copy my work.

But I will tell the professor before the project is due. I'll say something like "I'm not trying to disparage my classmates and can't speak to any personal challenges they may be having, but I've been doing this project myself and I'm not getting the benefit of any collaborative effort from my group. Just wanted to make you aware of the circumstances of this assignment. All my communication is documented in our group forum. I appreciate your time and attention on this."

I will also send out a group e-mail informing them that I'm alerting the professor because I have gone above and beyond to reach out them and they haven't even initiated contact despite the fact that all the milestone dates have passed and, hey, my benevolence only goes so far and they put me in this position. I'm not in the habit of letting everyone walk all over me when it becomes clear that's all they intend to do. That's the fast road to burnout right there.

[AliNajaCat]

CC all group communications to your faculty from the beginning, not just at the end when things are crap. When people know somebody else is watching, sometimes they wake up and smell the coffee.

Actually, if I were your faculty, even at the doctoral (not doctorial) level, I'd make it a requirement to cc me on your group work, so I can evaluate how team members are working together and developing. That's one of the subtexts in group work assignments, even if they don't tell you explicitly.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Doctoral programs are all about group work. Some classes were actually taught by the students - at the beginning of the semester, we reviewed the syllabus and each picked a topic and taught it to our colleagues... kid you not. It's the norm. However, by the time you reach this level, everyone knows how to go about it, and all the 'rules' that apply. So, I never had any problems. For each group project, we met - assessed our individual skills and interests & decided on the game plan. Each person completed his/her work by the deadline... group reviewed & discussed .. revisions made .. project completed without any drama or issues.

Of course, this was a traditional program in a structured, scholastic environment. Everyone had to achieve the same GRE and entrance criteria. We had all gone through the same vetting process in order to be accepted to the program. There weren't any weak links.

OP - your situation appears to be very different. What type of program are you in?

[Malenurse1235954]

Major state university online format