GAAAA! I HATE group projects!

[BoomerD]

It NEVER fails...I get the group with people who do abso-fucking-lutely nothing for the group project...then ask, "So, do you have the project done?"

I told the two kids in my Managerial Accounting project yesterday, "Nope. Not done. What have you contributed to it? You were supposed to do <this and that> and have it to me by last week. What happened to it?"

As always, the response was a blank stare...and "Oh, we thought you'd just do it all." :|

I managed to NOT blow up at them, right there in class...but I did tell them that if they didn't contribute, they didn't get a grade for the project...or would get an "F" for it. :Q

So far, they still haven't contributed a dammed thing...and it's due Tomorrow at noon. :roll:

Ah shit...I can tell how I'm going to spend MY night...finishing up MY project.
(yes, I already had the entire thing over 75% done...but I'm NOT giving them any credit for the work...already had that conversation with the professor)

 

[Newbian]

/Hug

 

[nboy22]

I'm stuck in the same situation in my biology class.

We are supposed to do presentations every week on simple things..

I sit there and wait and look at the discussion which helps us make the presentation, and maybe 2 or 3 people out of 6 post little tidbits of info from wikipedia.. that's the extent of their effort.

So then the night comes before it's due, I end up making the powerpoint because I want the grade, and then after I make it the rest of the people come chime in and Add like one picture into the presentation.

Yeah, thanks for helping guys.. I couldn't have done it without you.

 

[thescreensavers]

I hate when I get groups like that or, after I am done with it people ask to be added into the name list even though they did nothing. Just do your work, if you know they wont do anything just do it all your self and hand it in. Unless your teacher only gives you a partial grade that would suck. But you get the grade they don't. Group projects are usually a large grade so it should impact there grade pretty hard. They get what they deserve.

from now on I am just going to make people do certain piece of work if 2 days before its due they don't have it done there out done deal.

 

[Jeff7]

Mhmm, quite a familiar predicament.

 

[Kreon]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Mhmm, quite a familiar predicament.

Agreed

Group projects on the whole suck

 

[Ronstang]

As much as that situation always sucked I actually preferred it that way, even in graduate school, as it was the best way of guaranteeing I get an "A" in the class.

 

[alkemyst]

life is a group project. If you aren't the leader, then do whatever it takes.

Your professor is considerate...a true one would tell you tough shit, it's a group project.

One of the on-going themes here is our posters are always the bitch of the group.

If you want to play smart. Talk to others, find out who else has dead weight and go to your professor early on with your 'new group' tell him and the others they are now in their own group. This would be the right move, you'd complete a group project and show initiative to make it in the real world.

 

[Cattlegod]

you just submit the report without their name on it.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

I always find in these situations that if you want it done, you have to lead. Discuss deadlines with people so they feel like they're part of it, and get going. If you act like you have the whole thing under control and you're just bossing them around, it will breed resentment and the others won't do anything. I've found my strategy of making people feel like they're part of the group works the best - when they feel like they're part of it, they have more of a psychological obligation to do something.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
It NEVER fails...I get the group with people who do abso-fucking-lutely nothing for the group project...then ask, "So, do you have the project done?"

I told the two kids in my Managerial Accounting project yesterday, "Nope. Not done. What have you contributed to it? You were supposed to do <this and that> and have it to me by last week. What happened to it?"

As always, the response was a blank stare...and "Oh, we thought you'd just do it all." :|

I managed to NOT blow up at them, right there in class...but I did tell them that if they didn't contribute, they didn't get a grade for the project...or would get an "F" for it. :Q

So far, they still haven't contributed a dammed thing...and it's due Tomorrow at noon. :roll:

Ah shit...I can tell how I'm going to spend MY night...finishing up MY project.
(yes, I already had the entire thing over 75% done...but I'm NOT giving them any credit for the work...already had that conversation with the professor)

How is this different from the business world?

 

[Hacp]

That is exactly why group projects are counterproductive. If the group is larger than 2 people, one guy usually ends up doing all the work.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
life is a group project. If you aren't the leader, then do whatever it takes.

Your professor is considerate...a true one would tell you tough shit, it's a group project.

One of the on-going themes here is our posters are always the bitch of the group.

If you want to play smart. Talk to others, find out who else has dead weight and go to your professor early on with your 'new group' tell him and the others they are now in their own group. This would be the right move, you'd complete a group project and show initiative to make it in the real world.

This is a load of horse shit. Life is a group project where even the idiots are usually acting professionally and making an effort. In school half of the people do not care because they cannot get fired and are not getting paid. The biggest frustration I have with group projects in school is that all members of the group typically have different levels of motivation for the project. I've been on both ends.. not caring, and now caring and pissed at those who are not caring.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: alkemyst
life is a group project. If you aren't the leader, then do whatever it takes.

Your professor is considerate...a true one would tell you tough shit, it's a group project.

One of the on-going themes here is our posters are always the bitch of the group.

If you want to play smart. Talk to others, find out who else has dead weight and go to your professor early on with your 'new group' tell him and the others they are now in their own group. This would be the right move, you'd complete a group project and show initiative to make it in the real world.

This is a load of horse shit. Life is a group project where even the idiots are usually acting professionally and making an effort. In school half of the people do not care because they cannot get fired and are not getting paid. The biggest frustration I have with group projects in school is that all members of the group typically have different levels of motivation for the project. I've been on both ends.. not caring, and now caring and pissed at those who are not caring.

I'm sorry...the fact is that the majority of people act only enough not to be terminated, not to get the job done. Look up some Gallup studies on engagement.

 

[Cabages]

I thought you were an older gentleman? Around 50 or so?

What are you going back to school for?

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: alkemyst
life is a group project. If you aren't the leader, then do whatever it takes.

Your professor is considerate...a true one would tell you tough shit, it's a group project.

One of the on-going themes here is our posters are always the bitch of the group.

If you want to play smart. Talk to others, find out who else has dead weight and go to your professor early on with your 'new group' tell him and the others they are now in their own group. This would be the right move, you'd complete a group project and show initiative to make it in the real world.

This is a load of horse shit. Life is a group project where even the idiots are usually acting professionally and making an effort. In school half of the people do not care because they cannot get fired and are not getting paid. The biggest frustration I have with group projects in school is that all members of the group typically have different levels of motivation for the project. I've been on both ends.. not caring, and now caring and pissed at those who are not caring.

I'm sorry...the fact is that the majority of people act only enough not to be terminated, not to get the job done. Look up some Gallup studies on engagement.

First I'd say that working enough to not get fired is working harder than to not get an F.

Second, in the real world there are also clearer lines of authority. Groups projects in school don't work well often because nobody is in charge, even if someone is assigned as the leader they hold no real authority over the rest of the group.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: alkemyst
life is a group project. If you aren't the leader, then do whatever it takes.

Your professor is considerate...a true one would tell you tough shit, it's a group project.

One of the on-going themes here is our posters are always the bitch of the group.

If you want to play smart. Talk to others, find out who else has dead weight and go to your professor early on with your 'new group' tell him and the others they are now in their own group. This would be the right move, you'd complete a group project and show initiative to make it in the real world.

This is a load of horse shit. Life is a group project where even the idiots are usually acting professionally and making an effort. In school half of the people do not care because they cannot get fired and are not getting paid. The biggest frustration I have with group projects in school is that all members of the group typically have different levels of motivation for the project. I've been on both ends.. not caring, and now caring and pissed at those who are not caring.

I'm sorry...the fact is that the majority of people act only enough not to be terminated, not to get the job done. Look up some Gallup studies on engagement.

First I'd say that working enough to not get fired is working harder than to not get an F.

Second, in the real world there are also clearer lines of authority. Groups projects in school don't work well often because nobody is in charge, even if someone is assigned as the leader they hold no real authority over the rest of the group.

First, the level of effort to not get fired, in a world of legal liability, closely equates to that of not getting a F on a group project.

Second, I point to my first point. Welcome to a world of progressive discipline and legal liability.

 

[badkarma1399]

Originally posted by: Cabages
I thought you were an older gentleman? Around 50 or so?

What are you going back to school for?

The college girls. duh.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Last time this happened to me (a month ago), I presented to the class and only put my name on the credits. I got a bunch of WTF!? looks from the other guys, but a snicker from my teacher. Amen.

 

[RKS]

It seems that your classmates are mastering the art of delegation. They'll be your managers when you graduate.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
I always find in these situations that if you want it done, you have to lead. Discuss deadlines with people so they feel like they're part of it, and get going. If you act like you have the whole thing under control and you're just bossing them around, it will breed resentment and the others won't do anything. I've found my strategy of making people feel like they're part of the group works the best - when they feel like they're part of it, they have more of a psychological obligation to do something.

I agree. I asked each of them what part they WANTED to do, right at the start of the project...I GAVE them the choice.

I've reminded them weekly that they hadn't submitted their parts...and get the same blank stares and "Oh yeah, I'll get that to you by this weekend." :roll:

Originally posted by: Cabages
I thought you were an older gentleman? Around 50 or so?

What are you going back to school for?

Gentleman? WTF? You talkin to ME?

Yeah, 50 is way in the rear-view mirror.

I got hurt at work and am being "re-trained." :roll:

Originally posted by: RKS
It seems that your classmates are mastering the art of delegation. They'll be your managers when you graduate.

More like passing the buck...and no, they won't.
The "better" part of me sez that by the time this project is over, I'll have hidden their bodies so well that no one will ever find them...:evil:

Fortunately, neither of them is even an accounting major...:roll:

So it's not likely I'll have to work FOR them.


I've always been one of those "Type A" overachievers...this stuff drives me nuts.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Lame ass party boys and girls are everywhere. You should know this better than most. The difference is students don't get fired. Turn in your report with just your name on it and let the prof sort it out.

 

[vital]

this belongs in FML

 

[Leros]

I have never had this problem. Every group project I have been in has been fantastic.

Am I the only one?

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Leros
I have never had this problem. Every group project I have been in has been fantastic.

Am I the only one?

That just means you are the dumb lazy one.