I really do believe that group work is essential to fostering 21st century skills in students. Collaboration and communication are such important components to succeeding in today's world. Knowing this truth while simultaneously experiencing frustration or disinterest in my own group experiences is an irony I view with wry amusement. Truly, things worthy of attainment require hard work and perseverance!
Now that I have a better understanding of the challenges inherent in group work, I am more determined than ever to create a classroom environment where group work is the norm. I think that constant exposure to the necessity of collaborating and communicating with each other will make group work a more desireable way to learn than not. The difficulty lies in those first few times where each member is uncertain of the strengths and weakness that they bring to the table and how best to create a sense of cohesion. Once a rythym is found though, the possibilties that can be wrought from a unit versus an individual are truly a revelation. Imagine what could be accomplished if our classrooms were made up of "Team 6's"!
I think the assessment in grading group work is three-fold: 1)How does each individual contribute to the group? 2) How does the group function as a unit? 3)What is the end product that the group produces?
Each question addresses a different aspect of the work involved in whatever assignment is given. There is leeway in some areas such as individual work and group cohesiveness, and there is a more narrow scope provided when grading the actual product that is created. There is always the overall goal of developing strong communicative and collaborative skills, and this is something that should be emphasized to students time and time again.
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