Group projects in school will lead to better success for an individual in the long run.
Many classes have incorporated group projects in the curriculum because of the beneficial effects on students. Cooperative student work has both pros and cons. Many students find it aggravating to work with individuals who do not put in the equal amount of work. However, the positive effects of group assignments out-weigh the bad, as it will lead to a more significant impact in further years.
When a teacher places a small group of students together and assigns an activity, it challenges students to explore different perspectives. A person who never seeks views from their peers will be one-sided and will miss opportunities to broaden his or her thinking.
Group projects provide a new way of thinking for individuals as they take in their classmates’ opinions on a certain matter.When each person generates a personal idea, they grow off one another, and eventually the group is able to reach a common goal that will be most affective in achieving the activity.Benefitting from different perspectives, many students find asking their peers to explain the material to be more helpful “Having the people [who are] going through the same class explain the material makes it easier to understand,” said Freshman chemistry major, Erica Flemming. Sometimes the way in which a professor lectures is difficult to comprehend, but when a person hears another student’s opinion, it can strengthen their comprehension as it is often defined in simpler terms.
Group projects force students to engage with each other and improve social skills, as well. All members of the group must collaborate in a discussion to accomplish the final task. For example, for shy people, talking to others is a great fear, but when made a part of a team they are able to work through their nerves and begin to expand their social skills.
Being able to immerse in conversation is highly important in society.The more opportunities someone has to improve social skills, the more successful he or she will be in the future.However, most importantly, group projects prepare scholars, both elementary and collegiate, for working environments.
“Working in teams is a common part of the business environment and may be an approach companies take to certain tasks, responsibilities or special projects,” said public relations professor Lynda Belcher in Chron.
As a person enters the workforce, he or she is surrounded by different individuals and will need to collaborate with coworkers to provide the most success for the business.
Teamwork is something that should be implemented early in a child’s education, as it will further be developed in the working environment. The main argument against group projects in the classroom rises as every group tends to have an individual who does not provide any help, better known as the ‘slacker’.
Teachers are well aware of the problem that occurs when certain pupils do not work to the needs of the group and have searched for ways to appropriately grade the student’s individual investment in the assigned project. Many educators now require each student to fill out an evaluation of other pupils’ performances in the group.
The mention of group projects agitates some students who would rather work Independently. However, with an adequate grading system, group projects equip young scholars for great achievement as they continue to prepare for their future goals in life.
