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Working together is one of the most important experiences of studying at university. Learning in isolation makes everything harder. It is through discussion that we can unpack, explore and come to a better understanding of new ideas and concepts.
In your studies you'll experience working with your peers in lots of different ways. Most often, you'll work together in your weekly seminar discussions. These seminar discussions are designed to give you the time and space to tackle complex and challenging ideas. They aren't about listening to your tutor. They are about listening to - and talking with - your fellow students.
You could also be involved in group work as part of your assessment. This can be challenging but is most often an incredibly positive experience. Have a look at the below guide to get the most out of group work.
Group work is an important and useful skill. In your future career, part of your role is likely to involve some group work. In the rest of your degree studies, you're highly likely to encounter group work, including toward assignments.
Working with others can be more efficient - it enables you to pool your ideas and see problems from different perspectives. For this digital project, if you choose to work in a group, you will be able to attempt a more challenging project that you could accomplish alone. In a group, you can create a project you do not have the time or skills to accomplish alone. Group work also gives you the chance to learn from each other. There are many benefits from analysing, discussing and exploring your own ideas and questions and gaining feedback from your peers.
Getting started
Groups work best if people know each others' names and a bit of their background and experience, especially those parts that are related to the task at hand. Take time to introduce yourselves.
Be sure to include everyone when considering ideas about how to proceed as a group. Some may never have participated in a small group in an academic setting. Others may have ideas about what works well. Allow time for people to express their inexperience and hesitations as well as their experience with group projects.
Most groups select a leader early on, especially if the work is a long-term project. Other options for leadership in long-term projects include taking turns for different works or different phases of the work.
Everyone needs to discuss and clarify the goals of the group's work. Go around the group and hear everyone's ideas (before discussing them) or encourage divergent thinking by brainstorming. If you miss this step, trouble may develop part way through the project. Even though time is scarce and you may have a big project ahead of you, groups may take some time to settle in to work. If you anticipate this, you may not be too impatient with the time it takes to get started.
Organising the work
Break up big jobs into smaller pieces. Allocate responsibility for different parts of the group project to different individuals or teams. Do not forget to account for assembling pieces into final form.
Develop a time-line, including who will do what, in what format, by when. Include time at the end for assembling pieces into final form. (This may take longer than you anticipate.) At the end of each meeting, individuals should review what work they expect to complete by the following session.
Want to know more? Look at:
Kindred, M. (2011), Once upon a group: a guide to running and participating in successful groups, London: Jessica Kingsley, or:
Rose, C. (2008), The personal development group, London: Karnac.
Understanding group processes
Groups work best if everyone has a chance to make strong contributions to the discussion at meetings and to the work of the group project.
At the beginning of each meeting, decide what you expect to have accomplished by the end of the meeting.
Someone (probably not the leader) should write all ideas, as they are suggested, on the board or on large sheets of paper. Designate a recorder of the group's decisions. Allocate responsibility for group process (especially if you do not have a fixed leader) such as a time manager for meetings and someone who periodically says that it is time to see how things are going (see below).
Save some time toward the end of the first meeting (and periodically as the group continues) to check in with each other on how the process is working:
What leadership structure does the group want - one designated leader? rotating leaders? separately assigned role?
Are any more ground rules needed, such as starting meetings on time, kinds of interruptions allowed, and so forth?
Is everyone contributing to discussions? Can discussions be managed differently so all can participate? Are people listening to each other and allowing for different kinds of contributions?
Are all members accomplishing the work expected of them? Is there anything group members can do to help those experiencing difficulty?
Are there disagreements or difficulties within the group that need to be addressed? (Is someone dominating? Is someone left out?)
Is outside help needed to solve any problems?
Is everyone enjoying the work?
If you run into any problems during the group work that need outside help, please contact your personal tutor.
Source: Working in Groups, Harvard University.
Thinking about team roles
In the 1960s, British researcher Dr. Meredith Belbin conducted research on management teams. He found that people in teams tend to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in specific ways. He identified nine different team roles that underpin a team’s success.
Belbin’s model can support the creation of more effective teams. If team members have similar weaknesses, this can become a weakness of the team.
On the other hand, if team members have similar strengths, they may start to compete, rather than cooperate, over carrying out certain team tasks or taking on certain responsibilities.
You can have a read about Belbin’s team roles as you reflect on your own team working style. You may wish to think about:
What are your team-working strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What team role(s) do tend to you take on?
If you were going to create an effective, well-functioning team, what other roles would you need to ensure you had in the group?
Want to know more?
Conyne, R. K., Diederich, L. J. T., (2013) What is group work? Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Hayes, J. (2002), Interpersonal skills at work, London: Routledge.
Kindred, M. (2011), Once upon a group: a guide to running and participating in successful groups, London: Jessica Kingsley.
Rose, C. (2008), The personal development group, London: Karnac.
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