Groupwork that Works

At various points on your programme, you will most likely be asked to participate in group activities. These activities may be assessed as part of your coursework (e.g., a group project assignment or group presentation) or they may involve non-assessed learning activities such as in-class discussions or problem-based learning activities. For both types of group activities, you will be collaborating with other students to achieve a common goal. Groupwork offers students a range of valuable learning opportunities that you might not achieve in individual work. According to Gibbs (2010) groupwork provides opportunities to enhance the depth and quality of student learning while also creating opportunities for students to develop competencies such as teamwork, collaboration and reflection. These competencies support your development as a student but additionally support your professional development. For example, teamwork and collaboration are important employability skills which are highly valued by employers because they are essential in the workplace.