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Speaker
Text
- Ramiro
Part of your study at QUT will be working in small study groups where you are likely to be challenged with how to communicate and complete a project as part of a team. Have you ever tried studying with people you don’t know? Or do you prefer working with your friends. Do you find it difficult or fun? Do you get nervous? What role do you prefer when in a group? Everyone seems to have a different story to tell. - Alinho
It’s fun working with people you don’t know. I love getting to know people from different countries. - Amy
I had no experience working in small groups, so I didn’t know where to start. It made me very nervous. - Sam
My group was fantastic. Everyone was willing to talk about the subject and work together. It was really good to share the responsibility. - Richard
I have too many assignments and I work part time. You know just wasted time talking with a group and I prefer study on my own. - Fiona
The last time I worked in a group I ended up doing all of the work and everyone got all the credit. It was just unfair. - Al
Working in small groups can really make you hungry, so someone should order a pizza or bring lots of chocolate. - Banner at 1:33
- Forming Groups
- Laurelle
The first time my teacher asked me to make a group of three I didn’t even know where to start. - Tutor
Now… I’d like you to get into groups of three O.K?
Now we’ve got a lot to get through so I’d like you to do it quickly.
When you’ve found a group of three, I want you to sit down again with that group. O.K. - Stephanie
I like working with my friends, who understand me and you know, it’s easier for you to know someone and you can speak the same language. - Students
(Students’ own language) - Stephen
I like to work with people from different backgrounds. It can be difficult, you know working with strangers but it keeps me focussed on my work. I can learn different ideas and develop my group work skills. - Tony Carr
(in class)
You remember in class last week we talked about different kinds of surveys. - Tony Carr
(voiceover)
When I assign a group to a project, I first give students a chance to choose the group members themselves as I see this as an important part of independent learning. Students need to make decisions for themselves about where and when to meet. Who will be the leader (if anyone) and how the group will address the topic in the time frame given. If students live far off campus, or have part time jobs, these issues need to be addressed as well. On balance, when groups work well together, they can achieve very successful outcomes. - Merill White
O.K. so I want you to get into the groups that I assigned you to last week please. - Merill White
(voiceover)
When I assign group work, I decide on the group members because I want different people to work together. - Banner at 3:10
- Wokring Together as a Group
- Merill White
When they work in small groups that I’ve picked, they learn about how to work with various people’s styles, personalities and different levels of abilities. - Charlotte
After working in a group, I realised how important it was to figure out who had what skills. I mean, some people are really good at research and others are better at writing. - Marc
I’m good at writing, and sometimes, group members want me to do all the writing but it’s important that everybody helps out. - Dolly
It’s good to know everyone’s skills but you need to make sure that the work is given out evenly. - Tony Carr
Part of the group assignment is for the group to find their own strengths and weaknesses and discover how they can support each other.
If they have any problems along the way, they know they can ask for help. - Student 1
So, who is going to write up the report? - Student 2
No, I’m really bad at writing. - Student 3
Yes, I don’t like writing at all. You are good at English, you do it. - Student 1
Yeah sure, I don’t mind. I like to write but can you do the research this afternoon? - Student 3
Sure, I can help you with the research and then we can meet on Saturday at my place. My unit has a pool. - Ramiro
Working in small groups is a great way to learn. You can discover your own strengths and overcome weaknesses. You can learn to share the responsibility and learn how to work as part of a team successfully. Not only that, you can meet new people, make new friends and learn how to communicate better. And remember, if you need any help, just ask your tutor or lecturer. And don’t forget the most important part about working in groups – always remember to bring the chocolate. Ciao!
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