Group Work

[RNbethy]

I am feeling very frustrated and don't know where to begin. Nearly half of my grade is based on a group assignment... I feel that everyone in the group has different priorities, which I understand. The problem is that people don't seem to care about getting the assignment completed and their standards are not that high. I understand that people have different values and I don't expect them to conform to my desire to put 110% into this project... but at the same time, I feel that my grade might suffer. I spent all week-end getting our assignment together and only 2/4 group members bothered to write me back. Even then I didn't get much of a response and only a couple people really wanted to discuss the assignment. People have work & other commitments, but this is really hurting the group. We've had several meetings but each time only 40-50% show up.

Now I feel that if we get less than 100% on the assignment, it will be my fault because I was the one who made most of the revisions, so there's lots of guilt weighing on me.

I'm hoping that people will want to put more effort into the next part of the assignment, but I don't think I should expect too much. How can you make a group more effective if everyone has different values and some do not care about grades? Should I suggest that we have group reflection? People literally don't seem to care that much at all.

[grownuprosie]

I would talk to your instructor and see if you can get your grade independently. Try to communicate on trackable sources like email. Also, it might be worth it to put your project into something like google docs where you can track who is making revisions. Later, when you are turning it in, you can prove that you did 90% of the work. This should matter to the instructor.

[RNbethy]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I'm not sure this would work in a CBL program that promotes group process and leadership. i.e. Going to the instructor might convince her that I lack leadership skills or something along those lines..... I've never been graded as a group before and it doesn't seem fair at all, but I don't want to lose points with the instructor by showing her I lack "CBL" skills....

Does anyone have advice that would fit in this type of program?

[grownuprosie]

could you define CBL?

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Are you in a Challenge Based Learning environment? I can see where you would have a concern if not everyone is on board. Still it wouldn't hurt to have a group meeting to talk about your concerns...if that doesn't work that's what the teacher is for...to help with advice.

Taking on most of the load by yourself when it's to be shared might be looked down upon of by your teacher when it's a shared project.

[RNbethy]

CBL stands for context based learning. In CBL, students teach themselves in groups and need to demonstrate critical thinking and cooperation/group skills.

Perhaps there are issues about me as a leader that makes it hard for people to work? I think a group meeting is good and I've scheduled one; I just hope all can make it! I hope the teacher doesn't look down on this - thanks for the advice :)

[futurehomebirthcnm]

No leader can force people to follow, however, you can incentive while CYA: what you can do is make it clear you're keeping track of everything (if you are, and if you're not, I would highly suggest it): that you keep attendance for each meeting, how many emails they respond to, and exactly how much everyone contributes; and that you will be updating the professor every week (or whatever works) about how much everyone puts into it--including yourself. So that does two things: it gives incentive for people to come (if they want to) and gives your prof an idea of how much work everyone is putting in--including yourself.