Some tasks are not possible
alone!
Have a look at these BBC web pages:
You can have a go at the island game– it is silly!
Discuss the characteristics of group work below. Are there times when it would help you to work in a group?
Use the suggestions here to help you.
Group work is necessary to develop the skills to be effective in real work situations. Very rarely do you work completely on your own
Group work can be more productive as there are more people generating ideas
Group projects are often more interesting as the task can be more complex
Group members can motivate and support each other
Group problems:
Domination - one or two members take over, and the others lose interest
Critical - in order to sound knowledgeable, some members are always critical. Sometimes competition emerges
Conflict - sometimes open, sometimes not
Avoidance - whole group avoiding the task, often due to fear of failure
Inactive listening - nobody listens - people working as individuals, not as a group
Some suggestions:
Analyse the skills and strengths of each member
Mind map ideas and form a plan of action
Allocate tasks and set dates for task completion and regular meetings
Set up communications - phone numbers, room numbers, e-mail addresses
Set meeting places - this is absolutely essential at a first meeting
Keep reviewing progress on the task and on any problems with the group
Discuss any problems openly and with all group members
Are you good at working with
others?
This is a quiz that might get you thinking!