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From: jlong@uhunix1.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (John Long)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Group projects
Message-ID: <12806@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 3 May 91 00:52:14 GMT
References: <1991Apr29.212148.15481@rodan.acs.syr.edu>
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Organization: University of Hawaii
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In article <1991Apr29.212148.15481@rodan.acs.syr.edu> anand@top.cis.syr.edu (Rangachari Anand) writes:

>................deleted
>While it is true that the intent of group projects is to prepare
>students for the real world, the students are, it would seem, expected
>to pick up the techniques of group interaction on their own. 

Ouch! You hit a nerve... Last semester I took a course in system analysis
which consisted of some lectures on theory and one group project for the
class of 7 students. I do not feel that it prepared me *at all* for the 
so called real world. 

Let me say that I am an older student (43), have been involved with computing
for about 10 years, and have taught computer literacy in high school. So
I know a little about group projects and the real world.

The problem was that it was a group of peers. The blind leading the blind.
In the real world, groups are structured, with an experienced leader.

The flip side of the "one-person-does-all-the-work" problem is the case where
one person dominates the group. This was what happened in our group (it wasn't
me! ;-) 

The instructor would give new job assignments or titles to the various members
of the group every few weeks, but basically we were each doing our own thing,
because we had no real leadership. As a result, I jumped ship when I couldn't
convince the group that we were headed for trouble by ignoring a certian 
aspect of the problem. I do that in the real world, too!

I recommend that if you give a group project, you should be an active member
of the group, or possibly incorporate another more advanced class into the
group, so that there is some sort of leadership recognized by the members.
In other words, *teach* group activity, don't just assign it.

In the real world, there is corruption, incompetence, and all sorts of b.s.
I don't see the value of a course which gives hands-on experience with it.
But, then again, maybe it would be... 

You've asked a very good question! I hope some others can provide some more
feedback.

Aloha,
LongJohn