Tools & Accessibility
💡
Why Group Work?
•
Develop real-world skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
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Learn from diverse perspectives
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Build confidence and networks
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Practice soft skills valued by employers
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Promote empathy and inclusivity
🧭
Before Groups Are Formed
Group formation can be (depending on the module leader's preferences):
Self-Selected
Familiar, but may exclude others
Random
More diverse and realistic, but less comfortable at first
💬Once your group is formed:
- •Identify the main project tasks (e.g. research, analysis, writing, presentation)
- •Assign roles based on interests and strengths
- •Agree roles together – rotate if needed. Keep a record of who does what
🌍
Diversity & Inclusion Matter
Your group may include people with different:
- •Backgrounds, abilities, and communication styles
- •Disabilities (seen or unseen), which may affect how people work or participate
✅Use inclusive practices:
- •Be flexible with roles
- •Allow different forms of participation (e.g. written instead of spoken)
- •Use accessible formats (e.g. shared online docs, captioned videos)
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻
After the Group Forms
📍 First Meeting To-Do List:
- •Get to know each other
- •Set ground rules (e.g. respect, punctuality, contribution)
- •Assign and record roles (use a shared doc like SharePoint or OneDrive)
- •Plan next steps and deadlines
- •Choose how you'll communicate (MSTeams, email, etc.)
🧾 Good Ground Rules Should Include:
- •Attendance & punctuality
- •Rotation of chair & secretary
- •Equal contribution & task tracking
- •Respectful communication
- •Confidentiality of ideas
- •Active listening
🔄
During Group Work
- •Keep minutes of meetings (template in Appendix)
- •Give and receive feedback – be specific, kind, and constructive
- •Resolve small disagreements within the group. This is part of the learning!
- •Use shared tools (e.g. online journals, trackers) to monitor contributions
❗ If Conflict Arises:
Try to resolve it yourselves. Staff should only get involved in serious cases. (Please, check the rules that apply for each module with the respective module leader).
🧠
Feedback & Reflection
- Midway: give each other feedback to improve before final submission
- End: complete a peer evaluation form to assess:
- • Attendance, communication, contribution
- • Respect, leadership, etc.
- Be honest but fair. Feedback helps learning!
🎓
Academic Integrity
- •Group work must follow the same academic integrity rules as any assessment
- •Plagiarism or misconduct affects everyone in the group
- •Make sure everyone understands what's being submitted
⛔Before filing a complaint, students must try to solve things internally.