Group work

University?

WorkSchool

Bullying and

harassment

Negative

experience

Positive

experience

64 %agree/strongly agree that group work experience was positive

0102030405060708090

worked well together improved negotiation conflict resolution skills

project management skills

listen to other peoples views

Positive reports of group work experiences (in percentages)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

problems as deadlines

approached

individuals not

completing their share of

the work

gossiping not talking to each other

bullying or harrassment

falling out I did most of the work

Reported negative experiences during group work (in percentages)

Reduced contribution to task:

28.1% (n=16)admitted to contributing less to a group assignment

not understanding the task (25%),

preference to working alone (37.5%),

other students being more intelligent (25%),

negative group behaviours (12.5%),

members not listening to ideas (18.8%)

too many other commitments (18.8%)

Group work has many positive aspects however when tutors are designing the task they need to

Be available to individuals who are experiencing difficulties

Set up a code of conduct for collaborative working

Consider if it is fair to have group work tasks that are assessed