Posted by Michaela Tinnes on Jun 16, 2017; 3:26pm
URL: https://nabble.aealearningonline.org/Topic-2-Student-Help-tp3792p8296.html

In response to situation regarding Sarah and Ben and the group project, I think the obvious first step would be to pull them both aside together to help facilitate a little deeper discussion into what the issues may be within their group and how they could best be resolved. Once they were pulled aside, I would ask questions to help encourage them to resolve the situation. For example, I would ask them each to respectfully state what they were struggling with in terms of the group project. I would ask Sarah to maybe consider how motivated she would be to participate if no one wanted to give merit to her ideas. I would also ask Ben, on the flip side of that, how difficult it may be for the group if he is refusing to participate, whatever the reason may be. I may ask him to consider why his ideas had been turned down, and maybe if there were other ways that he could get involved.
I would also make some points regarding the purpose of group projects. I would talk about how it is important to communicate within the group, but also to make sure everyone is heard and has a purpose. The grade will reflect how well they can work together despite conflicting opinions and ideas, and that it is important to find common ground to move forward. I would also explain the fact that as they move on to jobs in the future, these same issues will arise as they learn to work with co-workers. I would then explain that while grades of course are important, the lessons that they learn about working in a group are also very valuable and shouldn't take a bake seat, so to speak,  to just earning a grade for the group project.