Group Projects

[futuremrsmlb]

Am I the only grad student that absolutely HATES group projects. I understand the purpose. However, at this point in my academic journey- I am OVER IT. I have never had a positive experience with them. :mad:
I'm always the student doing more than their fair share....

I'm annoyed

End ...rant...sigh

[cookderosa]

My husband is in his MBA right now and his last 2 classes have required group projects. He always offers to take the lead- it's the only thing you can do to guarantee that everything gets done. BOTH classes have had at least 1 team member not turn in their portion of the work. It's completely ridiculous.

[LaterBloomer]

A co-worker chose her master's program based upon the complete LACK of group projects. That would be a criterion for me!

[futuremrsmlb]

My husband is in his MBA right now and his last 2 classes have required group projects. He always offers to take the lead- it's the only thing you can do to guarantee that everything gets done. BOTH classes have had at least 1 team member not turn in their portion of the work. It's completely ridiculous.

Yes, this is my problem too. I always take on group lead for the same reason. I set deadlines and they are not met. I usually end up having to wait until the VERY last minute to submit the project since no one follows the deadlines. I have to send group emails and copy the instructor on every one of the so they can see the lack of participation. It is very inconvenient.

I have been in the workforce since I was 18. I work well with others. All different skill level, experience and background. I am currently a department manager. I get that the course work is supposed to resemble "real world" experiences". Blah blah blah, I will never like group projects in an academic setting. ever :willynilly:

[futuremrsmlb]

A co-worker chose her master's program based upon the complete LACK of group projects. That would be a criterion for me!

Not a bad idea!!! I should have done this...Grrr LOL

[dfrecore]

Yes, this is my problem too. I always take on group lead for the same reason. I set deadlines and they are not met. I usually end up having to wait until the VERY last minute to submit the project since no one follows the deadlines. I have to send group emails and copy the instructor on every one of the so they can see the lack of participation. It is very inconvenient.

I have been in the workforce since I was 18. I work well with others. All different skill level, experience and background. I am currently a department manager. I get that the course work is supposed to resemble "real world" experiences". Blah blah blah, I will never like group projects in an academic setting. ever :willynilly:

I agree!! I too have not had much problem working with lots of different kinds of people EXCEPT the ones that don't do their work, or complain a lot, or wait until the last minute to do stuff...you know, the exact same people who would be difficult to do a group project with!!!! banghead

When looking at the MBA options, I think the lack of group projects will be in my criteria as well!

[Prloko]

It has to do with the students you attend with. In my MBA program, we have some group projects and also group labs, and with the exception of my accounting course, its a battle trying to take the lead. Everyone takes the initiative. Its been an interesting experience so far.

I would also wager that with an MBA program, you WANT a few group projects. This way you can get to know your cohort and build a solid network throughout your career.

[bjcheung77]

It has to do with the students you attend with. In my MBA program, we have some group projects and also group labs, and with the exception of my accounting course, its a battle trying to take the lead. Everyone takes the initiative. Its been an interesting experience so far.

I would also wager that with an MBA program, you WANT a few group projects. This way you can get to know your cohort and build a solid network throughout your career.

+1, I haven't reached that level yet, but I would think the group projects will actually be beneficial.
It will get you acquainted with others that possibly will hinder your speed and help you get a look at how "real life" other projects can be.

For me, it would be like a window of opportunity to get my feet wet in these type of conditions and then allow me to find ways to "complete" or "get things done" with these obstacles at hand.

Each to their own, if it benefits them or not, it still will provide you some insight on how other projects are done.
I think this "issue" occurs pretty much at any level of project work, for myself, I need to work on that adaptability to be more productive.

[futuremrsmlb]

It has to do with the students you attend with. In my MBA program, we have some group projects and also group labs, and with the exception of my accounting course, its a battle trying to take the lead. Everyone takes the initiative. Its been an interesting experience so far.

I would also wager that with an MBA program, you WANT a few group projects. This way you can get to know your cohort and build a solid network throughout your career.

I don't argue this point at all. However, I am a department manager for a manufacturing company. I have plenty of "real world " experience working on projects with teams. In the real world, there is much more responsibility and accountability. In my 13 year journey to complete my undergraduate degree I have never had a positive or meaningful experience with group work.

So, it's no different in graduate studies. I am 100% anti-group projects in an academic setting

[Exfactor]

I've never had any problems with group projects via distance learning. I've been the leader of such projects, and been in the position of a non-leader. I've found being organize with individual roles established, and a date to have everything completed has always put me in a position to succeed in all the group assignments I have been apart of.

However, I do think that with distance learning many people prefer to work alone, as they become antisocial in online spaces. As a group leader, I also noticed how people get things done, as online learners are generally diverse in when they can complete task. Theres the student who can complete the work only on the weekend, as they spend Saturday and Sunday doing school work. Then theirs the student who does and submits school work at 3 or 4 in the morning. Then their is the student who usually submits their work during the day; during normal school hours.

I always found being able to work and understand that online learners come from diverse backgrounds; always have lead me to succeed in online group projects.