Group Grades Build Character?

Sometimes I wish the group grade had never been invented. Don’t you?

Your teacher will tell you that group projects are designed to teach students to work with different personality types. But quite often someone in the group is a slacker.

Slackers usually work really hard to make it seem like they contribute, but they often do nothing at all. Meanwhile, you do all the work, quietly steaming because you know that they are going to get a good grade because of your hard work. Doesn't seem fair does it?

It may not seem worth it at the time, but this experience is beneficial in the long run. You will be faced with this problem again, in college and on any job where you work with people. The experience will help you develop leadership skills, because you will develop the ability to take charge as you work. It will also increase your self-confidence knowing that you can overcome the challenges of working with unmotivated people.

What can you do when you're stuck doing all the work? Well, just know that some adults do understand. If you find yourself unable to motivate your group into doing some of the work on a big project, let your teacher know. If you don't want to seem like you're telling on someone, privately suggest to your teacher that she let the class do peer reviews. You can anonymously evaluate the members of your group. Your teacher probably already knows who the slackers are anyway!

Next time you’re involved in a group project, maybe you could direct your cohorts to the procrastination quiz.