Working in Groups

The skills you develop working in groups will assist you throughout your time at University and are transferable skills that will be highly valued by future employers.

Group work allows you to:

• develop your interpersonal and communication skills
• learn from other group members' ideas and perspectives
• utilise the strengths of each group member
• develop problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• collaborate to create more complex and comprehensive work than you could do on your own.

No matter what the size or nature of the group you are working in, there are certain rules and strategies you should apply to ensure that the group operates effectively and successfully. These rules and strategies are equally important for groups that meet in person and for those that meet online.

Start with introductions

• Meet as soon as possible and get to know each other.
• Decide how and when the group will communicate, eg. email or group discussion forum.

Set your ground rules

• Be inclusive and treat each other with respect and courtesy.
• Be assertive, but not aggressive.
• Be an active listener.
• Have one person speak at a time.
• Encourage open discussion.
• Allocate tasks fairly.
• Accept responsibility for tasks allocated to you.
• Attend and contribute to all group meetings.
• Agree to address issues and concerns as they arise to avoid resentment and conflict.
• Agree on a process for decision making.

Create a schedule of meetings

• Decide on team roles such as chairperson or group leader, and minute taker.
• These roles can be shared or rotated.
• Clarify the responsibilities of each group member.
• Agree to a meeting schedule and venues.
• Set an agenda so everyone stays on track.
• Keep accurate minutes and distribute them to avoid misunderstandings.

As well as following the group work essentials already described, you need to focus on the specific requirements of the assignment itself.

It is important that the group identifies and analyses what needs to be done very early in the process, so that work progresses systematically and efficiently. It also means that group members can undertake their individual tasks confident in the knowledge that everyone is contributing to the overall efforts of the group. You should:

• ensure there is common understanding of the assignment's requirements
• identify specific tasks and estimate the time required to complete them
• prioritise these tasks and set deadlines - try this Task Manager
• allocate tasks to ensure work is divided fairly and effectively
• use meetings to regularly review progress and revise deadlines.

Sometimes, either by necessity or choice, your group will be required to work in an online environment. In addition to the traditional means of communication, you may utilise discussion boards, wikis, instant messaging and email.

In face to face and verbal exchanges we rely heavily on body language and vocal inflection to convey the meaning of our words, but if writing is to be your principal method of communication then you don't have this luxury. Be aware that the intent of your words can be misunderstood by the reader and consider carefully what you wish to express before you send emails or post comments online.
To maximise the group's success:

• set a regular time to meet online
• be an active participant: read, respond and contribute
• consider the impact of your message before hitting the send button.

All the principles outlined in Group Work Essentials still apply in an online environment.

Problems may arise within a group for a variety of reasons. They may result from members not contributing their fair share of effort, disagreements about group objectives, a clash of personalities, simple misunderstandings and straight-out differences of opinion.Should issues arise they need to be dealt with promptly and decisively. It is important to:

• consult your ground rules
• try to resolve problems as a group at meetings so that everyone is included
• provide everyone with the opportunity to be heard
• ensure that all past meeting minutes and task sheets are available for review
• consider the perspectives of everyone and treat them with respect
• be aware of University policy on bullying
• contact the lecturer or tutor if a problem is not able to be resolved.

Make the most of any opportunity you get to work in a group by being positive in your own approach and by actively encouraging the contributions of others. Good cooperation and collaboration will establish levels of trust and support that allow you to learn from and teach each other valuable skills and knowledge.

Group work will also enhance the social skills of all participants, build self esteem and confidence, and promote tolerance through the sharing of alternative ideas and points of view.

Finally, the experience of working in a group will help prepare you for the team environments you are likely to encounter in the workplace and will teach you a range of values and competencies that employers look for in graduates.

Understand the purpose of working in groups

• Have you checked all units to see if there is a group assignment?
• Be aware of the strengths you bring to the group

Follow the group work essentials

• Know who is in your group and how you will communicate
• Know my group's ground rules
• Know my group's meeting schedule and venue
• Know my role within meetings
• Have a record of all meeting minutes

Focus on the group assignment requirements

• Understand the assignment's requirements
• Use Task Manager to plan specific tasks and deadlines
• Know my tasks and their deadlines
• Use meetings to regularly review progress

Work together effectively online

• Set regular times to meet online
• Be an active participant, read, respond and contribute
• Know how to convey your messages in an online environment

Use effective strategies to overcome problems

• Try to resolve problems as a group
• Contact lecturer or tutor if a problem is unable to be resolved

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