Some helpful tips for how to successfully participate in group projects are provided below.

1. Actively ask students to be in your group where self-selection is permitted. Choose people who you think will be responsible, have a fair grasp of the subject and you seem to get along with.

2. Check out the practicalities: Can you obtain agreement on where to meet, how often, length of meetings? Does everyone anticipate being present for all meetings and see themselves making regular input. Make sure that contact details are available for everyone in the group.

3. Make sure everyone in the group has agreed on the group task and completion date.

4. Plan the task – break the project into stages and set time lines.

5. Ask whether group members have an interest in particular parts of the project.

6. Agree on someone/everyone recording who agrees to do what and note any areas that will require further discussion or input.

7. Negotiate the ‘leftovers’ with group members.

Avoiding Some Common Problems Students Experience when Working in Groups

It is important to realize that groups work best when everyone feels that their contribution matters and their input is valued. Encourage quiet members to participate and accept discussions about distribution of workload as a typical ongoing challenge to be resolved. Listen to a member’s concerns and use group resources for problem solving. Be prepared to renegotiate who does what and expect this to be an ongoing happening. Talk about poor quality contributions with all group members. Discuss whether it is not as good as you would like but of an OK standard for a group project. Before deciding to raise this issue, however, be clear about what you would want done differently and be prepared to offer help if required. Maybe openly ask if others feel the contribution would be improved if X or Y was added or changed.

Dealing with Seemingly Unsolvable Issues

Some problems may need to be raised with your tutor/lecturer – e.g. a group member’s long term absence through illness or chronic group conflict. Staff at student operations may also be a useful resource for suggestions on how to proceed. Remember that the services are confidential and can be useful in fine tuning your conflict resolution skills.