Group Projects - Educational or Educational Nightmare?

[Mr Ektion]

I've had good teams, and bad teams. When it's good, you see techniques to accomplish simple tasks in new ways. It also teaches you flexibility and patience with working with people with a conflicting work style/ethic. I've also learnt that two heads are better than one and the first idea on the table isn't always the best. Even if everyone nods their head politely.

But really, I can think up of so many more nightmare stories.... got any of either?

[galaxie]

They're both good and bad, but I always seemed to get stuck with complete douchebags who never did their part so I had to end up picking up the slack. I was a pretty good tattle tale though so usually I'd get credit for all my work, heh.

The beauty of online education is that I no longer have to suffer through group projects :)

[Mr Ektion]

i hate useless project partners. for real.

[-evil-duerr-]

the key to succesful group projects if you're kind of a control freak (like myself) is to establish yourself as the leader right off the bat.

[yoko*]

I don't think group-thinking is bad in itself but I find group PROJECTS, that are expected to be completed outside of class-time and that are worth credits, are incompatible with most students' day-to-day lives.

Firstly, the more members there are in a group, the less likely it is that everyone's work/family/school schedules will allow in-person group-work. As a result, most "group" projects really end up being individual projects that are submitted collectively.

I've found that every group needs someone to step up as a sort of leader and clear deadlines and expectations about everyone's individuals contributions need to be discussed in advance so that everyone is held accountable.

When it comes to group projects though, thank god for technology. Right now, I'm doing a group project and we are all contirbuting via GOOGLE DOCS. It's the best fucking thing ever.

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by -evil-duerr-

the key to succesful group projects if you're kind of a control freak (like myself) is to establish yourself as the leader right off the bat.

ding ding. That's me right there.

In group tests, I always volunteer to do the writing. Even if it sucks ass to be the one to do most of the work while people just shout ideas at you... having control over the pen helps you filter what is written down.

[galaxie]

How about outdated course material?
I'm taking THE stupidest class right now, but it's required for my program. I'm currently writing a 2000 word paper on how the information age has changed the way we communicate and do business. According to my course material, "super computers" have 20 gb hard drives. MAN ALIVE :(

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by galaxie

How about outdated course material?
I'm taking THE stupidest class right now, but it's required for my program. I'm currently writing a 2000 word paper on how the information age has changed the way we communicate and do business. According to my course material, "super computers" have 20 gb hard drives. MAN ALIVE :(

Woah. 20 whole gb? That must be a Gibson or something...

I wonder if those computers have 28.8bps modems...