Last semester, I took a level 1000 computing module- a module that can be read as a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory module . One mode of assessment for the module was a group project. It was my first group project in NUS; hence I was looking forward to it. We formed our groups during the first tutorial session. There were 4 members in my group. Among us was Mr. Q – a third year student.
It was decided that a meeting was to be held on weekly basis. However, for most meetings, Mr. Q was absent, citing excuses such as having other errands to run.
For this particular project, a lot of research was required. He would complain that he was assigned the heaviest workload and most of the time, he would do half of it, or even less. This greatly slowed our progress as we ended up having to do his remaining work. The worst had yet to come.
One component of the project was oral presentation and each of the members was expected to present. I suggested rehearsing for the presentation. However, Mr. Q was not keen on it and said that he had done lots of presentation and it was unnecessary, assuring us that he would do fine on the day itself.
On presentation day, he arrived in shorts and slippers despite the formal wear dress code that was required of us. He was stammering throughout the presentation itself and was unable to answer the question that the tutor posed. From the expression of the tutor, I thought our group was not going to get a good grade. True enough, it was reflected in my grade. As you would expected, he S/U-ed the module.
If you were in my shoes, what would you have done to motivate him to work?
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From the post, you would have realized that there is actually not much of a situation as I really did not have much of a chance to react to the situation. Think it is because I lag experience handling such situation.
ReplyDeleteHey Stanley,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog posts because you present your ideas very clearly with solid language. Also, your usage of paragraphs are effective and make reading easy on the eyes. Much appreciated.
About Mr. Q - I have faced similar people in the course of my study here in NUS.
The first thing I would do (after learning effective comm) is to let him know how essential he and his contributions are to the project. That is the soft approach. Then if that doesn't work, I may try to rebuke him (with courtesy) and let him know the possible consequences of his action (or non-action in this case). Nevertheless, in the end, if Mr. Q chooses to turn a deaf ear to whatever you and your project mates suggested to him, there's not much you can actively do to remedy the situation.
Hey Stanley,
ReplyDeleteI can so feel your pain! I had been in team for which majority if not all did not seem to take it seriously and most probably had decided to S/U it. It was seriously bad project for me. And I can't SU it because it's one of my minor.
Anyway, I shall let Mr Q know the consequences of his action to the team's dynamic and if he doesn't buck up, the matter will be brought to Prof.
Hi Stanley,
ReplyDeleteI think you meant to say, 'lack' the experience :) Though a lack in experience can cause a lag response haha. If I were to land in such a group, I would first count myself as being extremely unlucky ('suay' in hokkien) and next, I would make sure the person knows that I am taking this module very seriously and do not wish to S/U it. Meanwhile, I will slog my butt off for this module. I wouldn't confront the person one-to-one but will call support from my group members. Last. If he still doesn't change his attitude, I will tell the Prof as soon as I can, and not wait until the presentation is over.
Hi Steph,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correction. Did not spot the mistake. "Suay" is definitely a good word to use to describe the situation. Well, a group project really requires each and every member to put in 100% effort to produce a good piece of work. I believe that projects are just like art pieces. A missing part would flaw the entire artwork making it imperfect.
Well, I will just have to open my eyes wider when choosing my team mates the next time round for group projects.
To all:
ReplyDeleteGuess the solution for my problem seems to be:
1) Work hard on your part.
2) Talk to Mr. Q and let him know the consequences.
3) Report the situation to the professor.
Any other possible solutions from the rest of you out there?
hey stan,
ReplyDeleteWell i guess that there really isnt much you can do. Well except let the lecturer know about it. I mean you're probably not going to leave that class being best friends with this guy so might as well get something out of it. :) like get him working after been told off by the lecturer?
Yes and i just realized that this is exactly your third point. haha.. but not to worry, you're probably not in this alone. :)
Hi Stanley,
ReplyDeleteI could deeply understand your feeling when you get a MR Q in your group. Actually I once got a MR Q in my group. We got four people in total, but 95 % of the workload did by the remaining three. That time I felt unlucky and depressed, however, my other group mates did a very excellent job and they seemed to be quite happy with our grade. Don be depressed and feel you are unlucky like me, if I were you now and deal with mr Q again, I would like to talk with him in between about his attitude and let the tutor know in advance what is going on within our group, after a while if things unchanged I would like to let the tutor handle the stuff. As this has been out of our control. It sounds a bit unfriendly but this could be a good lesson for mr. Q~
Thanks, Stanley, for sharing this, a well described scenario. It is clear and concise. It's also highly relevant for our class since we do project work. You've also generated good feedback from this.
ReplyDeleteI only have one main suggestion (also in the form of some questions).
At what point would you like the reader to imagine being in your shoes? At the end it might have been too late to do anything. What about having readers respond to a question that makes the time frame manageable for salvaging the situation?
1) ...in NUS, hence I... >>> ...in NUS; hence, I.... OR ...in NUS. Hence, I....
(Be careful with run on sentences.)
2) ...such as having other errands to run. >>> ...such as having errands to run. (The meeting was not an errand, so no "other" needed.)
3) ...or even lesser. >>> or even less. (no comparison)
4) As you would expected,... >>> As you would expect, ...
5) If you were in my shoe, how ... >>> If you had been in my shoeS, how...
p.s. The photo on your blog skin looks very much like the area where I lived in northern Japan. In fact, the hills in the distance are identical to the ones above the Omono River Valley where my village was located, to the cell towers on the smaller hill. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteHi Stanley,
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a clear and consise post. It was easy to relate to the problem immediately (maybe due to familiarity of issues? haha) and the post was of a comfortable length to read.
I hope you don't mind, but just some minor errors that I have spotted in your post:
1. ...meeting was to be held on weekly basis. (edited: ...meeting was to be held on A weekly basis.)
2. On presentation day (edited: On the day of presentation)
As for solution, I would have to say till date I have no resolution over such a conflict. It is a struggle to balance between integrity and human relationships.