Everyone has been forced into a group project at least once in there life, and if you're anything like me you usually end up doing the entire project on your own. There are always people who are not willing to participate to the extent that is required or expected. This is an open letter to professors.
STOP assigning groups and group projects.
Working with people is something that we all are forced to do at some point in our lives, whether it is for work or school. It is inevitable, but we can make it easier by not assigning projects that need to be done quickly and no assigning groups of people who do not know each other.
Assigning random groups.
Group projects are difficult enough when you're working with people who you actually know. In the rare occurrences where teachers or professors assign random groups or even partners, this is terrible. People should know each other's work ethics before they're forced to work with another student/other students. Sometimes people can be really nice in class but have sh*tty work ethics.
Random groups do nothing to motivate students to get anything done. If you're like me, just the thought of someone else not pulling their weight makes me dread every meeting with these people. It promotes arguments and infighting between the group and partners. All around, it feels unnecessary.
Giving unnecessary projects, to begin with.
Most group projects are large projects, which is why professors find it to be necessary to assign more than one person to the project. That makes sense. What DOESN'T make sense is smaller projects that could easily be completed by one person over three weeks being assigned to a group that is due in two weeks.
Assuming people can meet up outside of class
Meetings can also be difficult when people have different schedules that do not in any way correlate. With a group of four or five college students who have jobs and full class schedules, it's very difficult. Group chats and Google Docs can only get you so far in this situation. There is no reason that people's grades should have to suffer for their schedules.
Overall, group projects do not promote learning. They promote learning a large amount of information throughout a bunch of different students if done the way they are intended. There is nothing more infuriating to deal with when there isn't much time to produce a project.
Dear Professors,
Stop assigning group projects.
They're just making everyone else's lives harder.
Sincerely,
Every Student Ever.
