Group work

Setting ground rules

By setting ground rules at the start of a group project, you can minimise conflict later on. Ground rules usually involve discussion around personal conduct and the more practical working practices. It is also important to consider the consequences if the ground rules are broken.

• Group work checklist: what to do at your first meeting (PDF)
  Follow these guidelines in your first group meeting to get your project off to a positive and productive start.

Working with others

First impressions are always important when working with a new group of people. Body language, gestures and facial expressions can say a lot about you and those you work with.

• Skills@Library listening and interpersonal skills page
  Detailed information and activities to develop the skills essential for working effectively as part of a team.

Episodes from Making group-work work

The first three episodes of the Making group-work work resource look at issues raised during the "forming" stage of a group, including allocating tasks, setting goals, and considering the approach to the project task.

• Episode 1 - The first meeting
• Episode 2 - Getting started
• Episode 3 - What is our approach?
  

Most groups experience conflict at some point during a project; this is often referred to as the "storming" phase. By understanding what causes conflict, situations can often be defused and the group can move on.

Episodes from Making group-work work

Episodes 4 and 5 consider the causes of conflict within a group situation, discussing methods of prevention and defusion, and the tutor's role in helping groups to manage conflict.

• Episode 4 - Managing conflict
• Episode 5 - Meeting the tutor.

Non-verbal communication

Being able to read body language can help to prevent conflict. A person's body language often contradicts their spoken word; by reading these signs you can deal with the issues and prevent the situation deteriorating.

• Reading non-verbal cues (activity, requires sound)
  Observe a conversation without sound. By noting the non-verbal communication it is easier than you might think to understand what is going on.

Group members often complain that not everyone is pulling their weight, or sub-groups form within the group and cause friction. These issues can often be quickly dealt with through discussion and appreciation of individual strengths.

Episode from Making group-work work

• Episode 7 - Participation and sub-groups.

Assertive behaviour
Advice on effectively communicating in a group working situation so that everyone feels positive about the outcome of a discussion.

Assessment is a topic that groups frequently have concerns about.

Who assesses your group project: the tutor, your peers, or do you assess each other? In some cases your project will be assessed in several different ways to provide a fair record of achievement.

Episodes from Making group-work work

• Episode 8 - Assessing group work
  This episode looks at the different types of group assessment and discusses their merits.

• Skills@Library Presentation skills page
  Group projects often involve doing a group presentation. This page has detailed information and activities to help you to improve your presentation skills.

Group members are usually supportive and keen to help each other to develop skills. However, some groups have a competitive element, and negativity can easily creep in. By evaluating performance and providing constructive feedback, your group can develop and excel.

Episodes from Making group-work work

• Episode 9 - Support and feedback
  Examples of both negative and constructive feedback
• Episode 10 - Evaluating the experience
  Each student provides an evaluation of the project and an assessment of the other group members.