Team Assignments in Online Class?

[marianne202]

Team projects are very popular in online classes. If you look at any job ad these days they usually always say something like "team player", must work well in teams, join our team etc. I have done courses with many team projects and they are usually frustrating for those who are diligent or perfectionistic by nature. The idea is to get different personalities working together towards a common goal, something that is very common in our global economy. Just realize that some members may be slackers or just not as focused and serious as you are. If you feel that you need control and success then volunteer to be the team leader so you can control what you can. You have to accept that there will usually always be a member or two that doesn't pull their weight. I would usually make the instructor aware of the problem if the member didn't respond or start doing their work. Most of the time, the instructors don't want to hear about it, they know each students work performance and the team project is more about your ability to work together and overcome obstacles while still meeting your goal, not so much about who does what. While the idea is to simulate work experiences, in real-life you would probably replace a non-working team member, but that isn't an option in online classes. Just buck up and do what you need to do to complete the project and get the grade you want. I have had some great teams and some horrible teams. Just as in life, some co-workers pull their weight and others don't. Don't stress over a team project until you really have a problem. Good luck!