I’m a huge fan of projects. They give students a chance to explore course concepts in realistic scenarios and apply their learning through creative outlets. The best creativity doesn’t come from one person alone, so developing a collaborative classroom environment is essential. Group work can come with challenges, but with the right strategies, you can turn them into opportunities, making group projects a win-win for both students and teachers.
1. Start with Clear Expectations 🎯
Start by defining the objectives. What do you want your students to be able to do at the conclusion of the lesson? Share these objectives with the class so they understand the purpose of the project.
Next, provide clear project instructions. I like to break my project instructions into three main sections: the description of the task, the project requirements, and the content requirements. The task is usually a general description of what I expect the students to do and the premise of the project. The project requirements include information about the deliverables, such as the format (presentation, written report, visual display), and the content requirements specify what should be included within the project. Providing detailed instructions minimizes confusion when students are working on the project.
2. Group Dynamics Matter 🤝
There are several different methods for assigning groups. While my top preference is usually a mixed-ability group, some other popular choices include student-selected groups, proximity groups, personality groups, interest-based groups, skill-based groups, or random assignments.
- Mix it up: Create diverse groups with students of varying skills, strengths, and perspectives. This will foster peer learning and bring fresh ideas to the table.
- Group size: I like groups of no more than 2 to 3 students for most group projects. Larger groups can make it harder for everyone to contribute equally.
If one strategy doesn’t work in your classroom, play around with different methods to see which works best for you.
3. Build in Checkpoints 🗓️
Time management can be really tough for high school students. If your students are working on a large or long project, try breaking it into smaller tasks with deadlines to keep them on track.
- Monitor students: Walk around the room while students are working to ensure students are on task.
- Schedule progress updates: Check in with groups daily to discuss progress and provide feedback.
- Create smaller deadlines: Encourage students to submit parts of their work before the final deadline.
This approach ensures no one is scrambling at the last minute and helps you address potential issues early.
4. Foster Communication and Collaboration 💬
Strong communication is essential for effective collaboration.
- Provide tools: Use collaborative platforms like Google Docs™, Google Slides™, and Canva™ for group work.
- Teach soft skills: Dedicate time to teaching active listening, conflict resolution, and constructive feedback.
One common issue is a failure for each member of the team to contribute. By selecting projects that utilize collaborative platforms, students can all see the work simultaneously, allowing each team member to brainstorm and make edits.
Additionally, developing soft skills should not be overlooked. When students struggle, try to help them work through the problem and find a solution. Read more on developing workplace skills in the classroom here.
5. Evaluate Group and Individual Efforts 🏆
To further rule out the concern of unequal effort, try incorporating peer evaluations and self-assessments for large projects.
- Use peer evaluations: Have students rate their teammates’ contributions to promote accountability.
- Include a self-assessment: Let students reflect on their own strengths and areas for growth during the project.
6. Reflect 🔍
Once the project wraps up, take time to reflect on the work completed. This can be done in two ways.
- Group debriefs: Ask groups to share what worked well and what they’d do differently next time.
- Showcase projects: Host a gallery walk or have students present their work. (Pro tip: Add in a sharing form for the class to complete so students can learn from others and help them stay on task.)
Bring Collaboration to Life💡
Looking for a fun and engaging group project for your business class? 🚚✨
Check out the Food Truck Business Simulation Project!
This project is perfect for courses like Introduction to Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, or Business Essentials. Students work in teams (or individually) to create their own food truck concept, covering key business topics like marketing, finance, sales, advertising, business plans, budgeting, and social media.
The project wraps up with an exciting pitch presentation where students compete for imaginary investments from classmates and guest “investors.” It’s a hands-on, real-world way to bring course concepts to life, and students always rave about it! Learn more here!
Group work can be a great way to promote creativity, collaboration, and real-world application. By using these strategies, you can empower your students to work together effectively.
Which of these tips will you try in your next group project? Let me know in the comments! 👇
Business Girl Education 