Why I Hate Teamwork!

[florida-again]

I'm so angry! We had a piece of group-work to do, which is worth a substantial part of our grade.
We got together and practiced, discovered it was too long and agreed to cut it down.

So we reconvened and everyone agreed 'yes' they had cut their's down.

We just gave our presentation and one girl did NOT cut hers down, she added to it!

So we're now going to be penalized for it being too long and it will mean a substantial reduction in our grade.

I'm devastated because we don't get a second chance and when I asked her about it afterwards she really didn't seem too bothered.

 

[bicker]

There was recently another thread, with another member reporting having this same problem. While I understand the value of evaluating teamwork, I think it is inappropriate for any teach to do so unless they insinuate themselves into every interaction the team has, so she can evaluate performance not based on the final result of the team but rather based on how well each team member works in the interest of the team, given the circumstances that individual team member is confronted by with respect to the other members of the team.

 

[florida-again]

There was recently another thread, with another member reporting having this same problem. While I understand the value of evaluating teamwork, I think it is inappropriate for any teach to do so unless they insinuate themselves into every interaction the team has, so she can evaluate performance not based on the final result of the team but rather based on how well each team member works in the interest of the team, given the circumstances that individual team member is confronted by with respect to the other members of the team.

I agree.

Furthermore, our college finishes for xmas this week, and only one group out of ten chosen to go this week (us) and everyone else goes in 6 weeks time, after xmas.

The girl in question went to see the lecturer about this as she had a lot of other commitments and was concerned she would let the group down because she was so busy. The lecturer basically told her there was nothing he could do.....

and what a surprise....she DID let the rest of the group down!

 

[bicker]

So basically they're simulating reality, where the best opportunities go to those who are lucky, rather than to those who show excellence.

 

[florida-again]

So basically they're simulating reality, where the best opportunities go to those who are lucky, rather than to those who show excellence.

So true! I'm undecided whether to speak to my lecturer about this. It seems a shame that she went and told him she would have difficulty and did not want to let the team down, asking if we could present ours after xmas like everyone else (it was picked out a hat).

He said no, knowing that she was concerned about this, and it seems like I have a good case to return to him and point out that she had already warned she may not be able to work as hard as she could, and therefore should the rest of the group be penalized for this?

 

[piratesmate]

DH is working on his Masters and every course uses this horrible technique. Their reasoning is that this is "real world" - you work on group projects in the workplace & make group presentations. The difference is that in the workplace if someone isn't pulling their weight you can go to their supervisor if necessary. Unfortunately in school, if you go to the teacher most seem to take the "work it out yourself" attitude & say that's what you'd have to do in "real life".

 

[florida-again]

DH is working on his Masters and every course uses this horrible technique. Their reasoning is that this is "real world" - you work on group projects in the workplace & make group presentations. The difference is that in the workplace if someone isn't pulling their weight you can go to their supervisor if necessary. Unfortunately in school, if you go to the teacher most seem to take the "work it out yourself" attitude & say that's what you'd have to do in "real life".

It's really not a fair method IMHO. Last year I did a class with a similar structure. I worked with a great group on my presentation and we got a high mark.

I'm so upset now that this year's grades will be let down because of this, it's my final year so I won't get another shot.

 

[agnes!]

Lucky? I don't think so.

Your fellow student just sounds like a manipulator or a person who kind of slides their way through their commitments. She *knew* that she was going to have trouble...so she did a pre-emptive strike and went to the lecturer. Now he probably thinks that she is thoughtful and responsible...HA, what a joke! What really strikes me a awful is not only did she NOT edit her presentation, she *added* to it. What a twit.

I don't understand why the entire group is getting penalized, especially if everyone else's presentations were well within the time limits and she had an appropriate amount of time to do her presentation. And why is it up to the group to do the lecturer's work? How are students supposed to enforce the teacher's rules for the project? You might have a chance of getting the grade changed to truly reflect every person's actual work if someone gets an appointment with the lecturer and everybody (other than this girl) goes. I'm not sure what the chain of command is in a British university/college, but if the lecturer appointment doesn't go to the group's satisfaction, you might even consider going to the lecturer's supervisor.
If this girl was a decent sort, then she should fall on her sword and go to the lecturer and tell him that it is her fault that the project went over the time limit.

Sheesh, as I said in the other thread...I think group projects STINK.
And if I had to work this out in "real life"? I think I would be doing a tapdance on somebody's head!
Hmph...well, that *is* working it out, isn't it ?

agnes!

 

[florida-again]

Lucky? I don't think so.

Your fellow student just sounds like a manipulator or a person who kind of slides their way through their commitments. She *knew* that she was going to have trouble...so she did a pre-emptive strike and went to the lecturer. Now he probably thinks that she is thoughtful and responsible...HA, what a joke! What really strikes me a awful is not only did she NOT edit her presentation, she *added* to it. What a twit.

I don't understand why the entire group is getting penalized, especially if everyone else's presentations were well within the time limits and she had an appropriate amount of time to do her presentation. And why is it up to the group to do the lecturer's work? How are students supposed to enforce the teacher's rules for the project? You might have a chance of getting the grade changed to truly reflect every person's actual work if someone gets an appointment with the lecturer and everybody (other than this girl) goes. I'm not sure what the chain of command is in a British university/college, but if the lecturer appointment doesn't go to the group's satisfaction, you might even consider going to the lecturer's supervisor.
If this girl was a decent sort, then she should fall on her sword and go to the lecturer and tell him that it is her fault that the project went over the time limit.

Sheesh, as I said in the other thread...I think group projects STINK.
And if I had to work this out in "real life"? I think I would be doing a tapdance on somebody's head!
Hmph...well, that *is* working it out, isn't it ?

agnes!

It's difficult because we were unlucky as a group in being picked at random to go a whole SIX WEEKS before anyone else! I actually felt this girl was quite honest in going straight to the lecturer and explaining that she was concerned she would let the group down, and was there any chance in presenting after xmas?

She actually worked very hard on the presentation, the problem was that because she was so busy, we could rarely meet as a group. I'm guessing she ran out of time cutting the presentation down or timing how long the final result was. This would make sense as she was really busy these last few days. It is her fault as she should have stuck to the guidelines, but at the sametime, we were disadvataged as a group by being picked at random to go first, with a six week disadvantage on everyone else, with the further problem of this other girl being so busy during the short time we had to prepare!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I was one of the other threads
i am having the same issue with my group project for a business class
outo f 4 of us only 2 are doing any work what so ever
i owuld talk to the teacher
i did yesterday and felt much better
she see all communications on our group board and knows the other 2 arent doing any work
i was and kinda still am at my wits end with it all thank god its almost over

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Their reasoning is that this is "real world" - you work on group projects in the workplace & make group presentations. The difference is that in the workplace if someone isn't pulling their weight you can go to their supervisor if necessary.

I would say in the "real business world" it would be up to the team to pick up the slack of the one not doing the work. At least in my environment, elevating the problem would often be going to a director or VP. Not a good thing to do most of the time. Most project groups have to learn to solve their own problems, including dealing with slackers.

I hated group work in college as well. Primarily b/c all of us were dedicated to different things in our jobs. Everyone had competing priorities plus school work. I look back and see how much a learned from it though. So many lessons that I could not have learned if we were just assigned a paper or presentation on our own.

 

[Martha7]

Count me in as one who hates group projects also! My DS (17), had to do a group project earlier this year for his Government class. The girl he paired with did nothing! (Doesn't have a computer, and never even set foot inside the library!) My Ds went to the instructor and explained that he didn't feel it was fair. The instructor ended up assigning this girl another date and her own topic to research. My Ds had to present alone, (along with submitting the research paper), and the presentation had to take up the entire 90 minute class! I was so relieved when it was over, and now find out that they have another one due after the winter break! This time, my Ds will be with two other students, and I hope that they can get it together and all do their portions of the paper and presentation. My Ds volunteered to do it all on our computer, so that means we'll end up with the lion's share of the work, but at least we'll know that something gets done. It has to be a ten page research paper and a powerpoint presentation, again taking up the entire 90 minute class. I guess it's a good thing that we decided to cancel our December Disney trip! I just feel that this teacher is doing very little actual teaching. He also shows weekly episodes of "The West Wing" and has the students write little instantaneous synopses of what happened. Can't wait until the Spring semester comes!