REFLECTIVE REPORT

Reflective Report: Working In Group for Students

Reflective Report: Working in Group for Students

Introduction

Working in groups is undoubtedly beneficial for educational and organizational assignments since a large number of people share in the tasks and cater each project aspect with much attention and coordination. This paper serves to reflect upon the team-building essentials of an effective group, whereby the members work together on a number of shared objectives. A large number of students, nowadays, engage in projects and group assignments/ projects that require them to work in groups for better coordination and collaboration. However, we need to see how it contributes towards individual and collective learning, productivity, task attainment, and enhancement in personal skills and abilities (Barsade et.al, 2000, p. 802-836).

Group working is a type of cooperative work, which requires high levels of coordination, planning and interaction. The work group or team is scheduled, each person knows what to do and how it affects the rest, defined roles, there are rules and experts in how to develop effectively. Doing tasks in group work is not easy, it requires coordinators, experts, resources, coordination, planning, interaction, role-taking, commitment, responsibility, confrontation of ideas, debate and of course knowledge of how to develop teamwork (Brett et.al, 2009, p. 105-109).

Group Working for Educational Motives

Working in groups for educational purposes is not a novel working practices, students feel comfortable when they work with their peers and friends. Students generate a range of alternatives when they work in groups with many people sharing the same motive of work. Similarly, another reason why students work in groups is because of an exchange of special knowledge that may assist them in handling complex tasks, organizing different events, carrying out practical experimentations, and other sports events. Students with different backgrounds come together to work under one platform, in order to makes working goals easier for them. They also avail a chance to teach each other, hence, enhancing others' capabilities in handling educational tasks and assignments in a more efficient manner (Beersma et.al, 2003, p. 572-90). This practice also gives students a structured experience so they can practice skills and utilize them later in life.

Discussion

Individual Learning in response to Group Working

Group or team working is a concerted effort to reach common goals; a set of collectively shared working methods and mechanisms to regulate behavior. The goal is to have a common purpose to which each member contributes (Belasco, 2000, p. 54-58). It involves identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the whole and not only of the parties and seeks ways to continually improve the dynamic that occurs between individuals that comprise it.

The teacher of an educational entity must not only be clear on the concept of group working, but also, she must project to her students in a simple and clear, based on the concept that man is a social being and as such reason for learning depends largely on the neighbor, because he manages through communication, exchange of ideas and knowledge ...