Group work is a valuable learning experience that will help you prepare for your future career. However, group work can present specific challenges such as working effectively and efficiently and being assured that each member of the team is committed to upholding the principles of academic integrity. The following are some tips to help you when undertaking a group work assignment.
1. Organising the group
- Decide early how often you will meet.
- Determine how you will communicate between meetings.
- Ensure everyone understands the assignment requirements.
2. Setting goals and roles
- Clarify the objectives of the assignment.
- Assign roles based on each member’s strengths.
- Ensure responsibilities are distributed fairly.
3. Working effectively
- Prepare for meetings by completing individual tasks in advance.
- Listen actively to others’ ideas.
- Respect different opinions and approaches.
4. Resolving conflicts
- Address issues early before they escalate.
- Focus on the problem, not the person.
- Be willing to compromise where possible.
5. Academic integrity
- Ensure that all work submitted is your own or properly referenced.
- Do not allow one person to complete the entire assignment.
- Hold each other accountable for ethical standards.
6. Finalising the assignment
- Review the completed work as a group.
- Proofread for errors before submission.
- Confirm that all assignment requirements are met.