group assignment pros and cons

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Does working as a group actually help us learn?

You can’t escape having to work with others these days – everyone accords high value to “teamwork skills”. But is collaboration really better than going it alone?

If you’re at university, you’ll almost certainly be made to work with your fellow students to complete a group assignment at some point during your course.

Some people get really enthusiastic about group assignments, while others view them with suspicion and dread. Usually what they fear most is the prospect of working with someone who’s hugely enthusiastic about group assignments.

But does collaboration benefit our learning? Or is a camel just a horse designed by committee ? In other words, is group work actually less efficient and productive than an individual performing a task alone?

As is almost always the case when humans are involved, the truth varies. Assuming there are no particularly irksome or troublemaking individuals upsetting the group harmony, there are some ways working in groups can be helpful when it comes to learning, and other ways in which it may be more of an obstacle. So, here are the pros and cons of teamwork.

Humans are, by nature, incredibly social creatures. At a neurological level, we see ourselves as part of a group and worry about the judgment of others . The underlying drive to be part of a group, to be recognised and appreciated by its members, and to achieve high status among them can be a serious motivator when it comes to completing a task.

Performance

Some studies suggest that group assignments do indeed directly improve an individual’s ability to learn and perform. “Socially shared cognition” and “transactive memory” are some of the loftier terms used to describe groups working together on an intellectual task. It makes sense that information discussed and delivered by friends and colleagues will be more salient than the same information delivered in a dull lecture while you’re struggling to stay awake.

Division of labour

The idea may be fashionable, particularly in higher education, but there is no decent evidence to support the existence of “learning styles” . However, people do excel at different things, whether due to affinity, aptitude, motivation or some other reason.

In group tasks, individual performance can improve if each person is allowed to focus on what they’re good at (such as presentation, analysis, research, and so on). Interacting with others who know a specific area better than you can enhance your own grasp of it, if only because they can articulate it in a way that hadn’t occurred to you before.

New friends

When supervisors assign group tasks, they usually allocate the groups themselves, rather than leave this up to the students. This means you meet and work with new people in group assignments. For both introverts and extroverts, this can be a plus. Extroverts are likely to enjoy this anyway, while otherwise-reluctant introverts may benefit from this obligation to interact.

As well as learning new skills and knowledge, group assignments could help you make new friends. This is a pleasant experience, and basic associative learning means we are better able to learn things that are paired with a pleasant experiences . On a more complex, “human” level, things we’re emotionally engaged with tend to be more stimulating and thus easier to learn and recall .

Group polarisation

There are some very clear drawbacks to group learning, however. And one of them is that the conclusions arrived at by groups can be a lot less cautious than those reached by people working alone.

Countless studies have shown the effect of group polarisation , where group decisions tend to be more extreme than individual ones. The subconscious desire for group harmony, together with one-upmanship, can lead to more out-there conclusions than each person would agree to alone.

In group assignments, this can lead to wrong conclusions, which means everyone’s marks suffer.

Social loafing

Even if you think you’re a conscientious, hardworking type, you may still be prone to social loafing , the tendency for people to put in less effort when working on a task with a group than they would do if alone.

If you don’t feel your contribution is noticed, why bother putting in the effort? The feeling that others will pick up the slack can limit your own performance.

Informational influence

While working in groups may improve your understanding and knowledge, there’s no guarantee that this knowledge will be correct. Informational social influence is where the groups we’re part of impact on what we know – but this could easily be wrong.

If everyone tells you peanuts are nuts and not legumes , you’re going to start questioning your own knowledge. If enough people in a group assignment arrive at a wrong conclusion, it could overwhelm your own correct one, which wouldn’t happen in an individual assignment.

The trivial matters

Have you ever been in a group where a ridiculous amount of time is spent on minor matters? Whose turn it is to supply the biscuits, what colour the background of the slides should be, and so on? This has been labelled Parkinson’s law of triviality , where groups spend far more time on easy-but-unimportant tasks than they do on important-but-complex ones.

The latter are challenging and daunting, and it’s harder to show authority or expertise (or even form an opinion) when discussing them. Hence it’s annoyingly common to spend hours debating something inconsequential, while the point of the assignment isn’t dealt with.

These are just some of the ways in which group assignments can impact on how we learn things, for better or worse. Obviously, it varies tremendously within different contexts, while modern developments, particularly technological ones, are changing things - hopefully for the better. (For example, social loafing is much harder to do in assignments based in online documents , where everyone’s individual contribution is tracked and monitored).

So, while it’s hard to say with certainty whether a specific group assignment will improve or hinder your learning, they probably are still worth doing. It’s rare to encounter an employer or institute that doesn’t emphasise “teamwork skills” these days, and in our increasingly interconnected society, learning how to be part of a group is something worth working on, regardless of the task itself.

Dean Burnett discusses how groups affect our thinking and more, in his book The Idiot Brain (Guardian Faber, £12.99). To order a copy for £7.99, go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min. p&p of £1.99.

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7 Pros and 5 Cons of Working in a Group

Table of Contents

Pros and Cons of Group Work

Working in a group has both positive and negative aspects, whether personally or professionally. Here are the major pros and cons of group work to mention:

Pros of Group Work

Here are the top seven benefits of working in a group and why they’re advantageous:

Diverse Perspectives for Better Solutions

Group work allows the pooling of different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. This diversity sparks innovative and comprehensive solutions to complex problems by considering various angles.

Skill Development through Collaboration

Working in a group nurtures teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Collaborative efforts help individuals improve negotiation, compromise, and conflict resolution abilities.

Shared Workload Enhances Efficiency

Dividing tasks based on strengths and interests enables faster and more effective completion of complex projects. Sharing responsibilities reduces individual workload and stress.

Enhanced Learning and Retention

Engaging in discussions and debates within a group aids in better information retention. Explaining concepts to others reinforces understanding and retention of knowledge.

Improved Decision-Making through Consensus

Group discussions facilitate thorough exploration of ideas, leading to well-thought-out decisions. Consensus-building fosters buy-in and commitment to chosen strategies or solutions.

Exposure to Diverse Ideas and Cultures

Interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds exposes individuals to different cultures, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches, enriching their learning experiences.

Read More: The 10 Importance of Group Work

Mental Support and Motivation

Collaboration within a group provides emotional support, motivation, and encouragement. The shared experience fosters a sense of camaraderie, making challenging tasks more manageable.

Cons of Group Work

While group work is beneficial in many ways, it also has some drawbacks :

Inefficiencies in Decision-Making

Group dynamics often lead to prolonged discussions and debates, delaying decision-making. Consensus-building requires time and effort, which can hinder quick actions, especially in time-sensitive situations.

Unequal Participation and Workload Distribution

Disparities in involvement among group members can arise, causing frustration and conflict. Some individuals may contribute disproportionately, leading to resentment or dissatisfaction within the team.

Read More: The 10 Characteristics of a Group

Conflicting Attitudes and Goals

Diverse academic or personal goals among team members might lead to conflicts. Varying levels of commitment and differing attitudes towards group assignments can create tension within the team.

Potential for Dependency or Passivity

A group setting might encourage passivity or dependency on others, where certain members rely excessively on the work of a few, leading to uneven contributions or lack of personal accountability.

Difficulty in Managing Different Personalities

Group work can involve clashes of personalities, work styles, and communication patterns. Conflicting personalities or dominant individuals may disrupt the cohesion needed for effective teamwork.

Read Next: 10 Importance of Staffing Function

By profession, Sujan Chaudhary is a BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) graduate, and by passion a blogger. He loves to share his business knowledge with the rest of the world. While not writing, he will be found reading and exploring the world.

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Education resources › Blog › 10 advantages and disadvantages of classroom group work

10 advantages and disadvantages of classroom group work

• Leadership & teamwork
• The science of learning

Written by the InnerDrive team | Edited by Bradley Busch

The use of group work in the classroom is one of the most widely researched and implemented teaching approaches in the world.  Numerous research studies  have shown the benefits of collaborative learning on academic performance, communication skills, and confidence. 

However, our understanding of how group work facilitates learning and why group work is only effective in certain situations is still limited. And like with all teaching strategies, the disadvantages need to be taken into consideration. 

Amongst educators, there is a growing debate surrounding the efficacy of group work due to the potential for laziness, unequal workload, conflict between students, and a loss of focus on the task at hand. So, we took a look at the pros and cons of implementing group work into the classroom to determine how effective it really is.

10 advantages and disadvantages of group work

5 advantages of group work, a new perspective .

The phrase “two heads are better than one” certainly has some merit. Researchers found that  if students are able to work together , for example on a problem-solving task, they are more likely to experiment with different techniques in order to try and solve it. They can also learn faster from positive and negative feedback.

Students also learn better by discussing and questioning each other’s opinions and reasoning as this allows them to develop different perspectives of how they can go about completing a task.  Research shows  this promotes  cognitive restructuring , enhancing academic,  social, and emotional learning  as a result.

Personal satisfaction

Working in a group can be tough. So, when students are able to overcome all the conflict, stress, and long hours that come with group assignments, the end result of getting a good grade can be extremely satisfying and motivating. 

Research shows  that students who contribute to group discussion and engage with the assigned problem-solving task are highly dedicated to figuring out a solution. When they find that solution, students report feeling extremely satisfied with their role in making that decision compared to students who weren’t as involved. This leads to a more positive depiction of their group learning experience.

Teamwork skills 

Teamwork is a staple part of academic life  and allows students to explore complex tasks that they otherwise wouldn’t have done if they had been alone, enhancing both their individual and collective learning. This is because working in a group exposes students to new perspectives, styles of thinking, and disagreement.

This provides students with an opportunity to improve their communication skills, collaboration and provides a larger capacity for brainstorming different ideas. This not only contributes to a more holistic approach to learning but can help group productivity as well.

Enhancing learning 

A survey showed  that 97% of students reported that working in a group environment has helped facilitate their learning and collaborative skills in some way. Some students suggested that group work served as a learning process in itself; that is, they learnt about groups by working in a group. 

Research also shows  that learning in a group leads to better memory recall and understanding. This is because students remember more from group discussions than if they listened to the same content in a more instructional format. 

However, these benefits are only felt if:

• Clear goals are set
• There is clear leadership
• Each member is assigned a specific role
• There’s equal participation from all group members
• The task is relevant to syllabus content

Although this study  was conducted with university students, these findings are still relevant to other educational levels.

Learning to overcome conflict 

Some teachers argue  that conflict during group work can actually be a good thing as it is representative of experiences students will have in their future workplaces. By experiencing it in a more controlled setting, students learn about communication skills and how to resolve interpersonal issues more safely. 

Group work also allows students to develop a better understanding of themselves and how their peers view them. By gaining  constructive feedback  from their peers about how well they did on a task and how well they worked as part of the group, students are better equipped to evaluate their social skills and behaviour.

5 disadvantages of group work

Anyone who has done group work knows that is can have its fair share of disadvantages. Let’s take a look at why. 

Presence of conflict 

When working with others, it’s natural that disagreement will arise due to differences in opinions. Some students find it difficult to accept  criticism from their peers  and struggle to get on board with ideas that aren’t their own.

Moreover, students who are quiet often have difficulty expressing their ideas in a group and may feel uncomfortable working with people they don’t normally speak to. As a result, they may be seen as lazy, creating conflict. 

Research shows  that the presence of conflict in group work can negatively impact the students’ enjoyment of that class, inhibit their individual learning, and increase stress levels. This is because students felt that compromising and coming to an agreement was an extremely difficult and draining process. This led to many students developing a fear of conflict.

Unequal participation

In group work, you’ll often observe a large discrepancy in participation between the different group members. With a lot of group projects, it’s common to find 1-2 students taking the bulk of the workload, whilst other members essentially freeload. This can lead to conflict and breed bitterness amongst the different group members – especially if the student feels others are being rewarded for their hard work. 

Research shows  that this is more evident in larger groups as individuals tend to diffuse the responsibility of tasks onto others as grades typically don’t consider individual contribution. Other times, a student may just give their peers the answer without explaining how they worked it out. Consequently, no real knowledge and understanding have been gained.

Avoiding the task

When working in a group, it’s quite common for students to go off-topic, especially if the task involves discussion. Some students may use that time to gossip, do other tasks, or loaf around. This results in the group work session being less  effective and productive . 

As a teacher, it’s difficult to make sure everyone is doing the task they’re supposed to for the entire session, not just as you approach their table to see how they’re doing. For some teachers, it feels that they have to  micromanage  the task in order for the task to be effective, diminishing the purpose of working in a group.

Time consuming 

Working in a team can be extremely time-consuming as a student. Not only do meetings have to be scheduled outside of class hours but they have to co-ordinate with everyone’s schedule. For sixth-form students in particular, this can be quite difficult due to  already being overscheduled . 

Researchers have even argued  whether the time-consuming nature of group work made the strategy ineffective. As a result, more research is emerging about when not to use group work in the classroom and suggest that for simpler tasks, students complete them individually.

Individual needs are dominated by the needs of the group 

Not all students learn at the same speed. Some may need more time to fully understand the task and process the information they’re being taught. On the flip side, some students may grasp the material very quickly.

Therefore, when working as a group, certain students are either forced to hurry up their learning to the extent that they either learn nothing or resort to copying. Alternatively, those who work faster may actually be going too fast, attempting to move onto the next task before everyone is ready. This can lead to conflict as students may get frustrated by the learning process.

Final thoughts

Group learning can be effective regardless of people’s socioeconomic status or whether they’re put into a group with the same people throughout the year. However, the advantages of this active learning environment are only observed when it is done right. 

Group size, how groups are assigned and how the teacher manages the groups can have both a positive and negative impact on learning. Due to the potential disadvantages, some  research suggests  that group work should only be used in moderation by allowing simpler tasks to be completed individually and more complex tasks to be completed in groups. 

For tips on how to engage your students in the classroom, take a look at our blogs on how to create a  psychologically smart classroom  and why you should  interleave your teaching .

About the editor

Bradley Busch

Bradley Busch is a Chartered Psychologist and a leading expert on illuminating Cognitive Science in education. As Director at InnerDrive, his work focuses on translating complex psychological research into accessible, practical strategies. Over the past 13 years, he has delivered thousands of workshops for educators and students, helping improve how they think, learn and perform. Bradley is also a prolific writer: he co-authored four books including Teaching & Learning Illuminated and The Science of Learning , as well as regularly featuring in publications such as The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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Many students have had little experience working in groups in an academic setting. While there are many excellent books and articles describing group processes, this guide is intended to be short and simply written for students who are working in groups, but who may not be very interested in too much detail. It also provides teachers (and students) with tips on assigning group projects, ways to organize groups, and what to do when the process goes awry.

Some reasons to ask students to work in groups

Asking students to work in small groups allows students to learn interactively. Small groups are good for:

• generating a broad array of possible alternative points of view or solutions to a problem
• giving students a chance to work on a project that is too large or complex for an individual
• allowing students with different backgrounds to bring their special knowledge, experience, or skills to a project, and to explain their orientation to others
• giving students a chance to teach each other
• giving students a structured experience so they can practice skills applicable to professional situations

Some benefits of working in groups (even for short periods of time in class)

• Students who have difficulty talking in class may speak in a small group.
• More students, overall, have a chance to participate in class.
• Talking in groups can help overcome the anonymity and passivity of a large class or a class meeting in a poorly designed room.
• Students who expect to participate actively prepare better for class.

Caveat: If you ask students to work in groups, be clear about your purpose, and communicate it to them. Students who fear that group work is a potential waste of valuable time may benefit from considering the reasons and benefits above.

Large projects over a period of time

Faculty asking students to work in groups over a long period of time can do a few things to make it easy for the students to work:

• The biggest student complaint about group work is that it takes a lot of time and planning. Let students know about the project at the beginning of the term, so they can plan their time.
• At the outset, provide group guidelines and your expectations.
• Monitor the groups periodically to make sure they are functioning effectively.
• If the project is to be completed outside of class, it can be difficult to find common times to meet and to find a room. Some faculty members provide in-class time for groups to meet. Others help students find rooms to meet in.

Forming the group

• Forming the group. Should students form their own groups or should they be assigned? Most people prefer to choose whom they work with. However, many students say they welcome both kinds of group experiences, appreciating the value of hearing the perspective of another discipline, or another background.
• Size. Appropriate group size depends on the nature of the project.  If the group is small and one person drops out, can the remaining people do the work? If the group is large, will more time be spent on organizing themselves and trying to make decisions than on productive work?
• Resources for students. Provide a complete class list, with current email addresses. (Students like having this anyway so they can work together even if group projects are not assigned.)
• Students that don't fit. You might anticipate your response to the one or two exceptions of a person who really has difficulty in the group. After trying various remedies, is there an out—can this person join another group? work on an independent project?

Organizing the work

Unless part of the goal is to give people experience in the process of goal-setting, assigning tasks, and so forth, the group will be able to work more efficiently if they are provided with some of the following:

• Clear goals. Why are they working together? What are they expected to accomplish?
• Ways to break down the task into smaller units
• Ways to allocate responsibility for different aspects of the work
• Ways to allocate organizational responsibility
• A sample time line with suggested check points for stages of work to be completed

Caveat: Setting up effective small group assignments can take a lot of faculty time and organization.

Getting Started

• Groups work best if people know each others' names and a bit of their background and experience, especially those parts that are related to the task at hand. Take time to introduce yourselves.
• Be sure to include everyone when considering ideas about how to proceed as a group. Some may never have participated in a small group in an academic setting. Others may have ideas about what works well. Allow time for people to express their inexperience and hesitations as well as their experience with group projects.
• Most groups select a leader early on, especially if the work is a long-term project. Other options for leadership in long-term projects include taking turns for different works or different phases of the work.
• Everyone needs to discuss and clarify the goals of the group's work. Go around the group and hear everyone's ideas (before discussing them) or encourage divergent thinking by brainstorming. If you miss this step, trouble may develop part way through the project. Even though time is scarce and you may have a big project ahead of you, groups may take some time to settle in to work. If you anticipate this, you may not be too impatient with the time it takes to get started.

Organizing the Work

• Break up big jobs into smaller pieces. Allocate responsibility for different parts of the group project to different individuals or teams. Do not forget to account for assembling pieces into final form.
• Develop a timeline, including who will do what, in what format, by when. Include time at the end for assembling pieces into final form. (This may take longer than you anticipate.) At the end of each meeting, individuals should review what work they expect to complete by the following session.

Understanding and Managing Group Processes

• Groups work best if everyone has a chance to make strong contributions to the discussion at meetings and to the work of the group project.
• At the beginning of each meeting, decide what you expect to have accomplished by the end of the meeting.
• Someone (probably not the leader) should write all ideas, as they are suggested, on the board, a collaborative document, or on large sheets of paper. Designate a recorder of the group's decisions. Allocate responsibility for group process (especially if you do not have a fixed leader) such as a time manager for meetings and someone who periodically says that it is time to see how things are going (see below).
• What leadership structure does the group want? One designated leader? rotating leaders? separately assigned roles?
• Are any more ground rules needed, such as starting meetings on time, kinds of interruptions allowed, and so forth?
• Is everyone contributing to discussions? Can discussions be managed differently so all can participate? Are people listening to each other and allowing for different kinds of contributions?
• Are all members accomplishing the work expected of them? Is there anything group members can do to help those experiencing difficulty?
• Are there disagreements or difficulties within the group that need to be addressed? (Is someone dominating? Is someone left out?)
• Is outside help needed to solve any problems?
• Is everyone enjoying the work?

Including Everyone and Their Ideas

Groups work best if everyone is included and everyone has a chance to contribute ideas. The group's task may seem overwhelming to some people, and they may have no idea how to go about accomplishing it. To others, the direction the project should take may seem obvious. The job of the group is to break down the work into chunks, and to allow everyone to contribute. The direction that seems obvious to some may turn out not to be so obvious after all. In any event, it will surely be improved as a result of some creative modification.

Encouraging Ideas

The goal is to produce as many ideas as possible in a short time without evaluating them. All ideas are carefully listened to but not commented on and are usually written on the board or large sheets of paper so everyone can see them, and so they don't get forgotten or lost. Take turns by going around the group—hear from everyone, one by one.

One specific method is to generate ideas through brainstorming. People mention ideas in any order (without others' commenting, disagreeing or asking too many questions). The advantage of brainstorming is that ideas do not become closely associated with the individuals who suggested them. This process encourages creative thinking, if it is not rushed and if all ideas are written down (and therefore, for the time-being, accepted). A disadvantage: when ideas are suggested quickly, it is more difficult for shy participants or for those who are not speaking their native language. One approach is to begin by brainstorming and then go around the group in a more structured way asking each person to add to the list.

Examples of what to say:

• Why don't we take a minute or two for each of us to present our views?
• Let's get all our ideas out before evaluating them. We'll clarify them before we organize or evaluate them.
• We'll discuss all these ideas after we hear what everyone thinks.
• You don't have to agree with her, but let her finish.
• Let's spend a few more minutes to see if there are any possibilities we haven't thought of, no matter how unlikely they seem.

Group Leadership

• The leader is responsible for seeing that the work is organized so that it will get done. The leader is also responsible for understanding and managing group interactions so that the atmosphere is positive.
• The leader must encourage everyone's contributions with an eye to accomplishing the work. To do this, the leader must observe how the group's process is working. (Is the group moving too quickly, leaving some people behind? Is it time to shift the focus to another aspect of the task?)
• The leader must encourage group interactions and maintain a positive atmosphere. To do this the leader must observe the way people are participating as well as be aware of feelings communicated non-verbally. (Are individuals' contributions listened to and appreciated by others? Are people arguing with other people, rather than disagreeing with their ideas? Are some people withdrawn or annoyed?)
• The leader must anticipate what information, materials or other resources the group needs as it works.
• The leader is responsible for beginning and ending on time. The leader must also organize practical support, such as the room, chalk, markers, food, breaks.

(Note: In addition to all this, the leader must take part in thc discussion and participate otherwise as a group member. At these times, the leader must be careful to step aside from the role of leader and signal participation as an equal, not a dominant voice.)

Concerns of Individuals That May Affect Their Participation

• How do I fit in? Will others listen to me? Am I the only one who doesn't know everyone else? How can I work with people with such different backgrounds and expericnce?
• Who will make the decisions? How much influence can I have?
• What do I have to offer to the group? Does everyone know more than I do? Does anyone know anything, or will I have to do most of the work myself?

Characteristics of a Group that is Performing Effectively

• All members have a chance to express themselves and to influence the group's decisions. All contributions are listened to carefully, and strong points acknowledged. Everyone realizes that the job could not be done without the cooperation and contribution of everyone else.
• Differences are dealt with directly with the person or people involved. The group identifies all disagreements, hears everyone's views and tries to come to an agreement that makes sense to everyone. Even when a group decision is not liked by someone, that person will follow through on it with the group.
• The group encourages everyone to take responsibility, and hard work is recognized. When things are not going well, everyone makes an effort to help each other. There is a shared sense of pride and accomplishment.

Focusing on a Direction

After a large number of ideas have been generated and listed (e.g. on the board), the group can categorize and examine them. Then the group should agree on a process for choosing from among the ideas. Advantages and disadvantages of different plans can be listed and then voted on. Some possibilities can be eliminated through a straw vote (each group member could have 2 or 3 votes). Or all group members could vote for their first, second, and third choices. Alternatively, criteria for a successful plan can be listed, and different alternatives can be voted on based on the criteria, one by one.

Categorizing and evaluating ideas

• We have about 20 ideas here. Can we sort them into a few general categories?
• When we evaluate each others' ideas, can we mention some positive aspects before expressing concerns?
• Could you give us an example of what you mean?
• Who has dealt with this kind of problem before?
• What are the pluses of that approach? The minuses?
• We have two basic choices. Let's brainstorm. First let's look at the advantages of the first choice, then the disadvantages.
• Let's try ranking these ideas in priority order. The group should try to come to an agreement that makes sense to everyone.

Making a decision

After everyone's views are heard and all points of agreement and disagreement are identified, the group should try to arrive at an agreement that makes sense to everyone.

• There seems to be some agreement here. Is there anyone who couldn't live with solution #2?
• Are there any objections to going that way?
• You still seem to have worries about this solution. Is there anything that could be added or taken away to make it more acceptable? We're doing fine. We've agreed on a great deal. Let's stay with this and see if we can work this last issue through.
• It looks as if there are still some major points of disagreement. Can we go back and define what those issues are and work on them rather than forcing a decision now.

How People Function in Groups

If a group is functioning well, work is getting done and constructive group processes are creating a positive atmosphere. In good groups the individuals may contribute differently at different times. They cooperate and human relationships are respected. This may happen automatically or individuals, at different times, can make it their job to maintain the atmospbere and human aspects of the group.

Roles That Contribute to the Work

Initiating —taking the initiative, at any time; for example, convening the group, suggesting procedures, changing direction, providing new energy and ideas. (How about if we.... What would happen if... ?)

Seeking information or opinions —requesting facts, preferences, suggestions and ideas. (Could you say a little more about... Would you say this is a more workable idea than that?)

Giving information or opinions —providing facts, data, information from research or experience. (ln my experience I have seen... May I tell you what I found out about...? )

Questioning —stepping back from what is happening and challenging the group or asking other specific questions about the task. (Are we assuming that... ? Would the consequence of this be... ?)

Clarifying —interpreting ideas or suggestions, clearing up confusions, defining terms or asking others to clarify. This role can relate different contributions from different people, and link up ideas that seem unconnected. (lt seems that you are saying... Doesn't this relate to what [name] was saying earlier?)

Summarizing —putting contributions into a pattern, while adding no new information. This role is important if a group gets stuck. Some groups officially appoint a summarizer for this potentially powerful and influential role. (If we take all these pieces and put them together... Here's what I think we have agreed upon so far... Here are our areas of disagreement...)

Roles That Contribute to the Atmosphere

Supporting —remembering others' remarks, being encouraging and responsive to others. Creating a warm, encouraging atmosphere, and making people feel they belong helps the group handle stresses and strains. People can gesture, smile, and make eye-contact without saying a word. Some silence can be supportive for people who are not native speakers of English by allowing them a chance to get into discussion. (I understand what you are getting at...As [name] was just saying...)

Observing —noticing the dynamics of the group and commenting. Asking if others agree or if they see things differently can be an effective way to identify problems as they arise. (We seem to be stuck... Maybe we are done for now, we are all worn out... As I see it, what happened just a minute ago.. Do you agree?)

Mediating —recognizing disagreements and figuring out what is behind the differences. When people focus on real differences, that may lead to striking a balance or devising ways to accommodate different values, views, and approaches. (I think the two of you are coming at this from completely different points of view... Wait a minute. This is how [name/ sees the problem. Can you see why she may see it differently?)

Reconciling —reconciling disagreements. Emphasizing shared views among members can reduce tension. (The goal of these two strategies is the same, only the means are different… Is there anything that these positions have in common?)

Compromising —yielding a position or modifying opinions. This can help move the group forward. (Everyone else seems to agree on this, so I'll go along with... I think if I give in on this, we could reach a decision.)

Making a personal comment —occasional personal comments, especially as they relate to the work. Statements about one's life are often discouraged in professional settings; this may be a mistake since personal comments can strengthen a group by making people feel human with a lot in common.

Humor —funny remarks or good-natured comments. Humor, if it is genuinely good-natured and not cutting, can be very effective in relieving tension or dealing with participants who dominate or put down others. Humor can be used constructively to make the work more acceptable by providing a welcome break from concentration. It may also bring people closer together, and make the work more fun.

All the positive roles turn the group into an energetic, productive enterprise. People who have not reflected on these roles may misunderstand the motives and actions of people working in a group. If someone other than the leader initiates ideas, some may view it as an attempt to take power from the leader. Asking questions may similarly be seen as defying authority or slowing down the work of the group. Personal anecdotes may be thought of as trivializing the discussion. Leaders who understand the importance of these many roles can allow and encourage them as positive contributions to group dynamics. Roles that contribute to the work give the group a sense of direction and achievement. Roles contributing to the human atmosphere give the group a sense of cooperation and goodwill.

Some Common Problems (and Some Solutions)

Floundering —While people are still figuring out the work and their role in the group, the group may experience false starts and circular discussions, and decisions may be postponed.

• Here's my understanding of what we are trying to accomplish... Do we all agree?
• What would help us move forward: data? resources?
• Let's take a few minutes to hear everyone's suggestions about how this process might work better and what we should do next.

Dominating or reluctant participants —Some people might take more than their share of the discussion by talking too often, asserting superiority, telling lengthy stories, or not letting others finish. Sometimes humor can be used to discourage people from dominating. Others may rarely speak because they have difficulty getting in the conversation. Sometimes looking at people who don't speak can be a non-verbal way to include them. Asking quiet participants for their thoughts outside the group may lead to their participation within the group.

• How would we state the general problem? Could we leave out the details for a moment? Could we structure this part of the discussion by taking turns and hearing what everyone has to say?
• Let's check in with each other about how the process is working: Is everyone contributing to discussions? Can discussions be managed differently so we can all participate? Are we all listening to each other?

Digressions and tangents —Too many interesting side stories can be obstacles to group progress. It may be time to take another look at the agenda and assign time estimates to items. Try to summarize where the discussion was before the digression. Or, consider whether there is something making the topic easy to avoid.

• Can we go back to where we were a few minutes ago and see what we were trying to do ?
• Is there something about the topic itself that makes it difficult to stick to?

Getting Stuck —Too little progress can get a group down. It may be time for a short break or a change in focus. However, occasionally when a group feels that it is not making progress, a solution emerges if people simply stay with the issue.

• What are the things that are helping us solve this problem? What's preventing us from solving this problem?
• I understand that some of you doubt whether anything new will happen if we work on this problem. Are we willing to give it a try for the next fifteen minutes?

Rush to work —Usually one person in the group is less patient and more action-oriented than the others. This person may reach a decision more quickly than the others and then pressure the group to move on before others are ready.

• Are we all ready-to make a decision on this?
• What needs to be done before we can move ahead?
• Let's go around and see where everyone stands on this.

Feuds —Occasionally a conflict (having nothing to do with the subject of the group) carries over into the group and impedes its work. It may be that feuding parties will not be able to focus until the viewpoint of each is heard. Then they must be encouraged to lay the issue aside.

• So, what you are saying is... And what you are saying is... How is that related to the work here?
• If we continue too long on this, we won't be able to get our work done. Can we agree on a time limit and then go on?

For more information...

James Lang, " Why Students Hate Group Projects (and How to Change That) ," The Chronicle of Higher Education (17 June 2022).

Hodges, Linda C. " Contemporary Issues in Group Learning in Undergraduate Science Classrooms: A Perspective from Student Engagement ,"  CBE—Life Sciences Education  17.2 (2018): es3.

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Teaching excellence & educational innovation, what are the benefits of group work.

“More hands make for lighter work.” “Two heads are better than one.” “The more the merrier.”

These adages speak to the potential groups have to be more productive, creative, and motivated than individuals on their own.

Benefits for students

Group projects can help students develop a host of skills that are increasingly important in the professional world (Caruso & Woolley, 2008; Mannix & Neale, 2005). Positive group experiences, moreover, have been shown to contribute to student learning, retention and overall college success (Astin, 1997; Tinto, 1998; National Survey of Student Engagement, 2006).

Properly structured, group projects can reinforce skills that are relevant to both group and individual work, including the ability to: 

• Break complex tasks into parts and steps
• Plan and manage time
• Refine understanding through discussion and explanation
• Give and receive feedback on performance
• Challenge assumptions
• Develop stronger communication skills.

Group projects can also help students develop skills specific to collaborative efforts, allowing students to...

• Tackle more complex problems than they could on their own.
• Delegate roles and responsibilities.
• Share diverse perspectives.
• Pool knowledge and skills.
• Hold one another (and be held) accountable.
• Receive social support and encouragement to take risks.
• Develop new approaches to resolving differences. 
• Establish a shared identity with other group members.
• Find effective peers to emulate.
• Develop their own voice and perspectives in relation to peers.

While the potential learning benefits of group work are significant, simply assigning group work is no guarantee that these goals will be achieved. In fact, group projects can – and often do – backfire badly when they are not designed , supervised , and assessed in a way that promotes meaningful teamwork and deep collaboration.

Benefits for instructors

Faculty can often assign more complex, authentic problems to groups of students than they could to individuals. Group work also introduces more unpredictability in teaching, since groups may approach tasks and solve problems in novel, interesting ways. This can be refreshing for instructors. Additionally, group assignments can be useful when there are a limited number of viable project topics to distribute among students. And they can reduce the number of final products instructors have to grade.

Whatever the benefits in terms of teaching, instructors should take care only to assign as group work tasks that truly fulfill the learning objectives of the course and lend themselves to collaboration. Instructors should also be aware that group projects can add work for faculty at different points in the semester and introduce its own grading complexities .

Astin, A. (1993). What matters in college? Four critical years revisited. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Caruso, H.M., & Wooley, A.W. (2008). Harnessing the power of emergent interdependence to promote diverse team collaboration. Diversity and Groups. 11, 245-266.

Mannix, E., & Neale, M.A. (2005). What differences make a difference? The promise and reality of diverse teams in organizations. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 6(2), 31-55.

National Survey of Student Engagement Report. (2006). http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2006_Annual_Report/docs/NSSE_2006_Annual_Report.pdf .

Tinto, V. (1987). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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Working in a group: exploring the benefits and drawbacks for university students.

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Group work is a common aspect of university education, requiring students to collaborate and contribute collectively towards a shared goal. While some students thrive in group settings, others may find them challenging or prefer working independently. Understanding the pros and cons of group work can help students navigate these experiences more effectively. This article aims to explore the benefits and drawbacks of working in a group, providing university students with valuable insights to make the most of their collaborative assignments .

The Pros of Working in a Group :

Enhanced learning opportunities:.

Working in a group offers diverse perspectives and knowledge. It allows students to learn from their peers, gain insights, and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Each team member brings unique experiences, expertise, and ideas, which can enrich discussions and broaden the overall learning experience.

Improved Problem-Solving Skills:

Group work fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are exposed to different approaches and strategies, encouraging them to think creatively and explore alternative solutions. Collaborative problem-solving cultivates teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to consider multiple viewpoints—a valuable skill set for future professional endeavours.

Development of Interpersonal Skills:

Group work provides an opportunity to enhance interpersonal skills, such as communication , negotiation, and conflict resolution. Engaging in discussions, active listening, and respectfully expressing opinions are essential components of effective teamwork. These skills not only benefit academic projects but also prepare students for future careers that require collaboration and effective communication.

Division of Workload:

Group work allows students to divide and conquer complex tasks. By distributing responsibilities among team members, individuals can focus on specific aspects of the assignment, leveraging their strengths and expertise. This division of workload not only lightens individual burdens but also increases efficiency and productivity, enabling the team to accomplish more within the given timeframe.

Online Group Work:

There are many pros and cons to studying as a group, and in the modern day, accessibility and fast-paced interaction and communication are paramount. That’s why online group work is starting to become more and more functional as a study method. From taking part in online study groups to collaborating with fellow students for a group assignment, having the option of online group work makes organising meetings and sharing work far more convenient and manageable, as students can organise a time to have a meeting, and as long as they have an internet connection, they’re good to go!

The Cons of Working in a Group:

Potential for unequal contribution:.

Unequal contribution is a common challenge in group work. Some team members may not actively participate or may rely heavily on others, leading to an imbalance in effort and outcomes. This can create frustration and resentment among group members and hinder the overall quality of the project. Effective communication and clear expectations can help mitigate this issue.

Scheduling and Coordination Challenges:

Coordinating schedules and finding common meeting times can be challenging in group work, especially when dealing with conflicting timetables and other commitments. Differing availabilities may cause delays, making it difficult to complete tasks efficiently. Employing effective time management strategies, such as setting clear deadlines and using collaborative scheduling tools, can alleviate these challenges.

Potential for Conflict:

Group work may give rise to interpersonal conflicts due to differences in work styles, opinions, or conflicting personalities. Disagreements can disrupt the workflow and hinder collaboration. It is essential to address conflicts proactively, fostering open communication, active listening, and respectful exchange of ideas. Conflict resolution strategies, such as mediation or seeking guidance from the course instructor, can help resolve issues and maintain a harmonious working environment.

Dependency on Others:

Working in a group means relying on others to fulfil their responsibilities. If one team member falls behind or does not deliver their work on time, it can impact the progress and outcomes of the entire group. To mitigate dependency issues, maintaining regular communication, setting clear expectations, and establishing accountability mechanisms within the group are crucial.

Conclusion:

Working in a group during university studies can be both beneficial and challenging. Understanding the advantages, such as enhanced learning opportunities, improved problem-solving skills, development of interpersonal skills, and the division of workload, can empower students to make the most of group work assignments. Additionally, being aware of the potential drawbacks, including unequal contribution, scheduling challenges, conflicts, and dependency on others, enables students to proactively address these issues and foster a positive and productive group dynamic. By embracing the benefits and finding effective strategies to overcome challenges, students can maximise their learning experience and achieve successful outcomes in collaborative projects.

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Largely grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theories of learning, collaborative learning can be a powerful strategy in the classroom. Group work can help students uncover and address gaps and misconceptions in knowledge, further developing their conceptual frameworks while improving their public reasoning and team-based skills (John-Steiner and Mahn, 1996). In this way, group work frees instructors to challenge students to higher orders of thinking, rather than remediation. More skilled or knowledgeable students can also provide scaffolding for their peers in this setting to advance learning (Chaiklin, 2003).

While the educational benefits of group work are numerous, so are the challenges. Students may feel resentment if a group member does not adequately contribute to a particular assignment, or, a student within a group may become overly dominant and prevent others from contributing to decision-making processes. Instructors should consider best practices around collaborative learning to mitigate challenges from the beginning, encouraging a smoother group process.

Collaborative learning can be implemented in the college classroom through a variety of ways: 

• Presentation - A foreign language instructor divides students into conversation groups. Their task is to perform a dialogue in front of the class pretending that they are ordering food at a restaurant. The groups have 30 minutes to prepare their conversation and 10 minutes to present it to the class. This activity culminates a course unit where students have learned vocabulary and phraseology around everyday conversations in the language.
• Problem Sets - After learning the steps for conducting several statistical tests, students in a statistics course are divided into groups and assigned a problem set. In well-functioning groups, all students contribute equally by working through the problems and offering assistance to one another until each group member fully understands the solution.
• Case Study - A sociology instructor implements case studies in the course around pressing issues. Students within each group take on particular roles and debate the issue under discussion. 
• Comparative Work - A writing instructor has groups write the same general letter to different audiences, adjusting tone, wording, and style to reach their unique assigned readers. Groups then read out their letters and discuss similarities and differences based on audience.
• Jigsaw - A literature instructor breaks class into groups to close read and discuss a passage from John Milton's Paradise Lost . After some time, the instructor uses the jigsaw method by creating new groups comprised of representatives from each original group. New groups share what they discussed previously, and explore new ideas.

Recommendations

• Group size - In general, smaller group sizes are desirable, typically between 3 - 4 students per group. When groups are too large, equitable student contribution can be challenging. When groups are too small, they may not experience as many benefits from the ideas and contributions of others.
• Stable vs. alternating groups - Depending on the goals of the activities and instructor preference, groups can be stable throughout the semester or change more frequently. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Stable groups grant students more time to become accustomed to how they work together. However, dysfunctional stable groups are less likely to achieve class learning outcomes. In general, for the group process to occur more effectively, members must spend significant time working together. Alternating groups help students by refreshing their expectations and enabling them  to work with other members of the class. However, students may also find forming connections with their group members more challenging. In general, groups may be formed randomly or the instructor can deliberately form groups using particular attributes (e.g. ability level or demographics).
• Group expectations and accountability - With regards to more time-intensive projects, students expect accountability of individual group members. To mitigate potential conflict, instructors can have groups come together before starting a project to develop an agreement around how the group will function. During this time, group members can also assign one another roles (e.g. facilitator, researcher, recorder, presenter) and delineate responsibilities. Finally, this agreement can address expectations around attendance in class and group meetings outside of class. For a more structured approach to balancing individual and group participation, instructors can also consider Team-Based Learning .
• Confidential peer evaluation - As another accountability measure, instructors can ask students to confidentially evaluate their peers on their contributions to the project. Instructors can choose whether to use these scores in determining final grades for a project. 
• Group and individual grades - To account for individual as well as group contribution, instructors can consider including both individual and group assignments for the project. In doing so, both efforts can be accounted for in the grading process, motivating students to perform well on their own while contributing to the group's progress.

Additional Resources

Cohan EG and Lotan RA. (2014). Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom. Third Edition. New York, New York: Teachers College, Columbia University.

Collaborative Learning: Group Work - Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation

Working in Groups - Harvard Bok Center for Teaching and Learning

Chaiklin S. (2003) Chapter 2. The Zone of Proximal Development in Vygotsky’s Analysis of Learning and Instruction. In, Vygotsky’s Educational Theory in Cultural Context. A Kozulin, B Gindis, V Ageyev, S Miller (Eds). New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. P. 65-82.

John-Steiner V and Mahn H. (1996). Sociocultural approaches to learning and development: A Vygotskyian framework. Educational Psychologist 31(3-4):191-206

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Grouping Students IV: Pros and Cons of Groupwork

Group work is another approach for having students complete assignments and task. A group is often characterized as anywhere from 3-8 students with most groups being in the 3-5 member range. As with other approaches to grouping, this one also has pros and cons. This post will explore the good and the bad of having students work together in groups

Here are some common advantages to group work.

• Encourages collaboration and cooperation
• Opportunity for decision-making
• Opportunities for role-differentiation

Groups encourage students to work together and collaborate in order to achieve something. As they work together, the students are developing communication and cooperation skills. The students also are being given a chance to work on their overall social skills as well.

In groups, students need to make decisions about various matters in order to coordinate the completion of the task. This involves critical thinking as well as negotiating skills.  Students need to maneuver this process in order to develop a plan for action.

Some problems with group work include the following.

• Organizational time
• Risk of chaos
• Student’s preference to work alone

Groups take more time to setup and get going. Students often have to move around and begin planning and discussing. Each group needs a little personal attention to get them focused and on the right track. After this, there is still lingering confusion over what to do even when the best teachers explain the assignment.

In a related point, group work brings chaos. Students are talking, in and out of their seat, and working on something that involves several people. This is in contrast to students sitting quietly in rows working on something. As such, many teachers are not comfortable with students working in groups. There is nothing wrong with not enjoying having kids in groups. However, a little bit of group work is an experience students need to become more versatile.

Just as some teachers do not like group work so do many students disagree with it. Many prefer to work alone, are shy, or do not like the noise. As such, the proper prescription is a little bit of group work without over doing it.

Group work is part of living in this day and age. Everybody needs to do it at least some of the time. It is important that teachers and students understanding the purpose and goals of group work before the process begins. This will help in reducing the impact of the cons of group work.

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i also feel that kids would get better grade for doing the work.

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6 Pros and Cons of Group Work

The notion of a group has been defined as having at least some key attributes, such as shared goals, collective perception, interdependence, needs, social organization, cohesiveness, interaction and membership, and if any of these are present, group work can be successful. However, it does not always work in your favor, especially when a group is composed of individuals from different backgrounds who have varying knowledge and skill levels. Here are the pros and cons of working as a group:

List of Pros of Group Work

1. It allows for more ideas to be shared. Great things can be achieved if there are plenty of heads looking for solutions and sharing ideas. With the ability to gather several different perspectives and possible approaches, you will be able to accomplish a more successful project. The fact that members can bounce around concepts makes group work highly advantageous.

2. It promotes a common direction. When you put together a team to manage certain tasks or handle special projects, members will always find a way to follow the same direction. Of course, there will be conflicts and arguments between individuals having different beliefs, but once all is on the same page, they will be able to find a common ground.

3. It can increase efficiency. Having more people to search for ideas, think and work will make things faster and lessen the amount of time required to complete each project. Unlike what many people say, group work will result in increased efficiency, even when dealing with larger-scale projects. Plus, there will be several people to detect flaws.

List of Cons of Group Work

1. It can create conflicts among members. If you have different personalities clashing in a team, combined with ineffective communication, you will surely see conflicts arising. Now, having individuals who no longer feels happy about working as a group will affect all parties, causing them not to be able to focus on their tasks at hand.

2. It can lead to loss of resources. Though group work can be efficient, there are also cases where a team would just spend a lot of time organizing and planning without really getting anywhere. In fact, there may even be difficulties in getting started, especially if the members do not take the time to get to know each other prior to brainstorming.

3. It poses the risk of having a free-rider in the group. It is almost always possible that there will be someone who rarely does everything, yet he also enjoys the accomplishments and benefits of the entire team. Well, all of us know that nobody likes a free-rider, so this can cause conflicts and arguments. Also, if someone does not contribute to the completion of tasks, the projects will not be completed on time.

Generally, group work is part of a business environment and is used as an approach to complete projects and achieve goals. However, it does not come with the difficulties of making different personality types share a common goal. Based on the pros and cons listed above, what do you think?

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Strengths and Weaknesses of Groups

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Many of us now routinely have to work in groups, either professionally or personally. From classroom learning, through university assignments, to projects at work, group working is becoming more and more standard.

Most of us will also recognise that groups can have both strengths and weaknesses—both for the group, and for the individuals involved. These strengths and weaknesses will vary with the purpose, structure and nature of the group. They will also change over time as the group evolves.

This page discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of groups, and explores some ideas for maximising the strengths, and overcoming some of the weaknesses.

Strengths and Advantages of Group Working

There are many strengths and advantages to working in a group, including making decisions as a group. These include:

The group’s work and decisions can draw on the knowledge, skills and experience of all members. This means that decisions can be informed by multiple perspectives, making them more likely to be based on stronger evidence—and therefore sounder.

Group working encourages members to develop and explore new ideas and perspectives . Research among students showed that those working in groups were more likely to try new techniques for problem-solving. They were also more open to new ideas. The thinking is that hearing different opinions can lead to changes in views, and therefore result in more willingness to hear new ideas.

Existing relationships can help to improve group cohesion . Where two or more people within a group already have a relationship, this can help to build group cohesion, by providing common ground.

Groups compensate for individual weaknesses and support personal development . In groups, individuals can compensate for their own weaknesses by drawing on the skills and strengths of others. However, they can also learn and get support from other group members to develop in areas of weakness.

Working in a group can satisfy the need to ‘belong’. Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs places the need to belong only three rungs up from the bottom. This means it is less crucial only than physiological needs (food, water and shelter) and feeling safe. Working in a group therefore meets a very basic need in all of us.

The challenges of group working can make success more satisfying . Working in a group is not always easy. Group members often feel far more satisfied by achieving a good result than those who work alone, who may feel that success is expected, or downplay their achievements.

Groups often provide unexpected learning opportunities . Working in groups gives opportunities for individuals to talk to others with similar problems and issues and share their experiences.

Groups can be a safe environment to improve individual understanding and support personal development . Individual behaviour, feelings and attitudes are greatly influenced by other people. Group members can therefore act as role models and provide reinforcement for changing behaviours through mutual support and positive feedback.

Groups may enable sharing of workloads and support networks . Working alone may lead to isolation or feeling unsupported. Formal requirements for group working can enable better sharing of work, and development of mutual support networks. This, in turn, can help to ensure that everyone can develop a better work–life balance .

You may also be interested in our guest post on the benefits to individuals of working in groups .

Weaknesses of Working in Groups

Many of the strengths of working in a group can also turn into weaknesses if not managed correctly. Groups also have specific weaknesses that stem from having several people working together.

Group decision-making can take a long time . Decisions made by groups are usually held to be better than individual decisions, because they draw on more perspectives and information. However, they can also take a long time to make, because of the need to explore these varying perspectives. Group leaders need to balance these two requirements to get the benefits of group decision-making without taking too much time.

Groups can be vulnerable to errors of decision-making, such as ‘groupthink’ . This is especially true where group members are more similar, or value cohesion above results.

Existing relationships within a group can damage development of wider group cohesion . Where two or more people within a group already have a relationship, this can encourage the formation of subgroups or cliques within a wider group. This, in turn, can make it harder for other members of the group to fit in.

It takes time to develop full understanding of roles and responsibilities . Until that understanding develops, groups may be vulnerable to misunderstandings and miscommunications. This can result in work not being done, or being done twice.

Working in a group may dampen individuals’ sense of responsibility for decisions . A collective decision is owned by the group, not by any one individual. This means that individuals may be prepared to agree to more risk for the group than they would accept for themselves. They may also be more prepared to accept a bad decision because they will not be held personally responsible.

Care is needed to ensure that all group members feel equally able to contribute . More confident people may feel more able to contribute vocally, and those who get more ‘airtime’ may feel more ‘heard’ than others. Feeling unable to contribute may lead people to withdraw from the process.

Conflict may arise with a group for several reasons. Conflict can arise because individuals have different ways of working, or different ideas for achieving the group’s objectives, or even because they disagree with the group’s objectives. Open conflict can be helpful in clearing the air, but it can also lead to the group fragmenting into subgroups, or individuals leaving the group or withdrawing their cooperation.

One or two people may take control of the group, and essentially side-line others. This can lead to poorer decision-making, individual withdrawal, and refusal to sign off decisions. A similar split can arise if one or two people are prepared to put in a lot more effort to get the work done, and feel that others are taking advantage of them.

It may be difficult to maintain confidentiality within a group . This is simply because information shared by more people is more likely to be discussed or shared further.

Some individuals may withdraw cooperation, or even disrupt the group . Some people do not like being in a group situation. In particular, they may not like to express problems or share ideas with others. If forced to participate, these people may become disruptive or withdraw. Other people may become disruptive if the group process does not seem to be going the way they want—for example, if their ideas have been rejected, even after careful discussion and consideration.

Individuals may resent the pressure to conform to the group’s norms . This may lead to them withdrawing. They may also disrupt the group to the extent that the norms have to be re-evaluated. There is more about this in our pages on Group Life Cycle and Building Group Cohesiveness .

Organising a group needs resources, accommodation, time and on-going commitment . This is a fundamental issue with any group. Those involved need to be clear that those resources are available.

There is more about many of these weaknesses, and how to overcome them, in our page on Group Decision-Making .

Getting the Best out of Group Working

Group working is unmistakeably now a standard part of most people’s lives . It is therefore important to be able to get the most out of working in a group, without succumbing to the many weaknesses and disadvantages of group working.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this is awareness. Being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of group working puts you in a far stronger position to address both. Group leaders play a key role in overcoming weaknesses, for example, by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute, and that there is time for decisions to be discussed fully. However, group members can also play a role, by being open in their communication, and honest if the group process is not working for them. Our page on Building Group Cohesiveness contains other ideas, as does our page on group processes .

Continue to: Group Diversity Group Dynamics

See also: Managing Difficult Behaviour in Meetings Rebuilding Teams After Remote Working Joining an Established Team Team Building

17 Major Pros and Cons of Group Decision Making

The group decision making process is a participatory event where multiple people can engage collectively to analyze the problem, and then develop a solution together. This process makes it possible to evaluate and consider several different courses of action that may be possible. The number of people that define a “group” varies based on the circumstances involved, but most organizations limit the number to seven or less.

These groups can be formal in nature, although many organizations prefer to keep the experience informal as a way to encourage creativity. Some groups are given the designation to come up with a specific goal or process that can help the larger team move forward. Others are tasked with a brainstorming session that benefits the individuals in the group alone. The decisions can be either structured or unstructured when results are achieved.

It is possible for the structure to lead toward an improved outcome when a variety of conditions that pertain to the chemistry of the group are satisfied.

There are several group decision making process and cons to evaluate if you are thinking about including this process with your team. Here are the key points to consider.

List of the Pros of Group Decision Making

1. It promotes the sharing of information between group members. The most significant advantage of the group decision making process is that it removes silos on your team. People are encouraged to share information with one another because every opinion is valid with this structure. It becomes possible to take into account a wider range of information because there are multiple views involved in each discussion. Everyone has the chance to contribute their unique expertise and experiences to the final solution.

2. It creates the foundation of a better decision. When a group comes together to make a decision collectively, then the judgment of everyone involved makes that process more intelligent and creative then if someone were tasked with doing it on their own. People are able to ask questions, collaborate, and discuss multiple ideas together as a way to identify strong solutions and complete recommendations.

This design makes it possible to observe a problem from different perspectives, which is the foundation of a better decision. Even if a leader is tasked with making the final choice, this advantage can help that person have more wisdom available to them for the process.

3. It can lead to a central position. When the group decision making process is a primary component of any decision that must be made, then it typically moves the solution from an extremist position to a centrist one. The ideas which come under discussion have all of the pros and cons of each one evaluated to determine what the best course of action should be. This process eliminates the potential for a single individual to guide an entire team down a path that everyone sees as being wrong without being able to do something about the situation.

4. It creates more investment in the mission and vision of the team. When people have an opportunity to take ownership over a decision or situation, then they are more likely to invest themselves in the final outcome. There is a greater commitment to the decisions made through the group decision making process because this effort encourages people to make an investment. It creates a spirit of cooperation that leads to a higher team moral over time. Even if the outcome doesn’t meet expectations, the group is willing to come together to create a better overall result.

5. It promotes higher levels of job satisfaction. When teams commit to a group decision making process, there is generally a higher rate of job satisfaction found at the individual level. When people are happier about going to work, then there is a direct correlation to the quality of communication that occurs in the workplace. Everyone gets the opportunity to learn from one another, thereby increasing the amount of knowledge they can use in every-day life. That makes it possible to cross-train in some situations to continue high levels of productivity even if someone is absent.

6. It involves intelligent risk-taking opportunities. Some people are unwilling to take risks when they have to do it on their own because of the potential for failure. When you place these individuals into a group decision making process, then they have more security to find an innovative solution because the risk factors involved are spread throughout the team. It makes it easier on each person involved with the group to become familiar with the problem, which allows for a potentially profitable decision to occur that some would be unable to find on their own.

7. It encourages collective thinking as a strength. Making decisions as a group is very different than making a choice as an individual. It makes it possible to find a diverse set of views that can create a positive outcome for everyone involved. Even when there are extreme views being offered as part of the group decision making process, the desire to compromise on a mutually beneficial outcome creates new opportunities that may be otherwise unavailable to everyone.

8. It increases the soundness of the organization. Whenever there is a decision that must be made, change is going to happen at some level. If there is one thing that most workers do not like about their workplace, it is the need to adapt to changing circumstances. When you can put everyone together in a room to discuss the problem that an organization faces, then it increases the soundness of its structure. There is a better chance that the team will come up with a cost-effective solution within a structure that is acceptable to everyone involved.

List of the Cons of Group Decision Making

1. It takes more time to reach a decision when using this process. The group decision making process is less efficient from a timing perspective because there are multiple voices involved. Each person has the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and experiences to the greater conversation. That requires more time than what a single person would require because there is more coordination, discussion, and participation. Unless there is a leader who can facilitate this process effectively, it is easier for teams to get lost in the minutia of details instead of dealing with the overall situation.

2. It can make everyone think that they carry a leadership role in the organization. Every organization relies on the leadership team to make effective decisions for everyone working on the mission or vision of the company. When you incorporate a group decision making process, then each person on that team is given a sliver of that leadership role. Although some individuals accept this responsibility in the form intended, many use this process as a way to expand their real or perceived power in the team environment. That can lead to reduced creativity because it discourages some team members to share their thoughts and opinions.

3. It can lead to a lower level of responsibility and accountability. When you put together a group to brainstorm a solution, everyone will be fast to except credit for a successful experience. If there is a bad decision that comes from this process, then it is easier for the individual members to deny any personal responsibility for the outcomes that were achieved. Being in a group situation makes it a simpler process to blame others for poor results.

4. It can contribute to a process that is called “groupthink.” Although the goal of the group decision making process is to come up with several different opinions to consider, there can be obstacles in place to this outcome. People often fight for their own ideas or opinions, which can create a bully pulpit during the discussion process. If one person stands out in a group that is apathetic, then there won’t be any other perspectives that become available. Some people will also agree with an idea that they don’t actually like because they want to avoid conflict within the group.

5. It relies on the expertise of each member to be successful. If you put people together in a group situation, then that does not guarantee that you will have a successful collaboration experience. The benefits that are available through the group decision making process only calm when there is enough experience and expertise in the group to solve the problem. When people can only offer opinions instead of facts to the discussion, then the possibility of a poor outcome increases under this situation.

The group must have the ability to recognize what the problems, obstacles, and solutions are to be effective when brainstorming a situation.

6. It can be a process that leads to polarization. There are times when a group decision may be inadequate for the solutions that are necessary for a problem that is under consideration. The individuals involved may move toward an extreme solution instead of taking a centrist approach. When this occurs, then the risks that the entire team will face in the future increase. Although there is the potential for massive rewards because of this process, it can also provide destructive elements to the culture of the workplace.

7. It creates a cost consideration that must come under evaluation. Because there is more time involved with the group decision making process, companies must make a salary investment in this structure that may cause their costs to rise. It requires time and money to find relevant information, arrange meetings, have discussions, and arrive at a consensus of relevance. If the budget is a significant factor in the choices that are being made each day, then an individual decision might be the better choice to pursue.

8. It can be influenced by interpersonal conflicts. Some people may choose not to participate in the group decision making effort because they have a personality or ethical conflict with other members of the team. When there is disagreement or disharmony involved with this process, then it is possible that the group may not arrive at a decision. This disadvantage is particularly powerful when the disruption occurs between leaders.

9. It can produce conflicting goals for an organization. There can sometimes be conflict between the goals of a group and the overall mission that an organization wants to achieve. When this disadvantage occurs, the group may decide to pursue their own goals instead of trying to create a benefit for the overall company. The group decision making process can sometimes come to the conclusion that self-improvement is a better solution than organizational betterment.

The pros and cons of the group decision making process encourage teams to compromise and share ideas in ways that help everyone. Although there is no guarantee of success from this process, when there are more people involved, then there are usually fewer risks to worry about at the end of the day. It encourages ownership without placing undue pressure on a specific individual to find the correct choice.

18 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Teamwork

Teamwork is the process of having two or more people working cooperatively and collaboratively on a specific task. It could be a project at work, a marriage, or finding the correct directions to the movie theater.

Anyone who has ever tried to build a team will tell you that humans are more complex than this basic definition. People want to feel valued with their contributions. They want to share their experiences, opinions, and education to help themselves and others succeed. If there aren’t any opportunities to provide these options, then individuals will feel excluded even if the work is still collaborative.

When people work together, then the diversity of experiences can provide teams of any size more strength than when someone is working individually. You can also find some disadvantages waiting for you when people get together to work.

That’s why a complete look at the advantages and disadvantages of teamwork can be useful.

List of the Advantages of Teamwork

1. Teams can divide a large project into smaller tasks. When teams can tackle a large project, then everyone can take a smaller piece of the work instead of making one person try to do everything. If you have a long list of steps that requires completion and deadlines that have zero flexibility, then a collaborative effort helps you to get more accomplished in a shorter time.

Imagine that you have a list of 50 tasks to complete. If there is only one worker available, then that person is responsible for all fifty items. If you had a team of 10 people working on this project, then each worker would only need to accomplish five tasks to finish the work.

2. Teams create brainstorming opportunities. When people have an opportunity to work together, then they can address difficulties or problems with a project or task with different perspectives. You have opportunities to brainstorm challenging situations with other people who have different experiences, perspectives, and opinions so that you can come up with new solutions. This advantage makes it easier to find the best steps forward when encountering an issue so that you can achieve success in the best possible way.

3. It offers a forum for communication Teams have the most success when they get opportunities to speak with each other consistently. Group work creates a natural forum for ideas to have a give-and-take with everyone. This advantage gives the team more time to look at feedback, discuss progress, and identify roadblocks so that productivity still occurs.

If a group commits to a thorough communication process, then it is much easier for them to meet deadlines or offer additional help whenever it is needed.

4. Teamwork encourages more individualized accountability. Teams create a process where you can have employees keep each other on their assigned tasks. It allows a manager or supervisor to focus on their work while each member keeps themselves and everyone else accountable to the project. Shared spreadsheets, collaborative documents, or regular meetings that require progress reports are all different ways to encourage this advantage.

Although there will always be some people who try to take advantage of a team to get lost and do minimal work, it minimizes the chances that there will be times when people can slack off.

5. It creates a structure where mentorship gets encouraged. Teamwork creates a system where you can have new workers paired with experienced ones to create mentorship opportunities. Instead of forcing people to sit through training classes or throwing them directly into the fire with their responsibilities, this advantage creates moments of guidance and leadership for everyone. It enables people to learn from and emulate their seniors or superiors, creating confidence in new skills.

This advantage includes reverse mentorship opportunities. Many new employees have access to technologies and ideas that may not be available to older workers. As one person passes along their experience, the other shows how the world is evolving. That creates more strength for everyone.

6. Teamwork creates places where you can recognize personal strengths and weaknesses. When people get opportunities to work as a group, then they can lead times of self-reflection for themselves and others. This increase in awareness can help people to discover their own leadership potential, discover hidden strengths, or begin to eliminate potential weaknesses so that they can find more problem-solving skills. There can be incredible opportunities for growth when teams come together regularly to examine themselves and teammates in safe, productive environments.

7. It creates stronger relationships. When people have opportunities to work and collaborate with one another, then openness creates stronger relationships. A positive environment creates daily moments where motivation and encouragement can build everyone up while creating personal and professional networks. It is an advantage that lets a group anticipate the needs of each other while still creating a personal plan for success.

The advantage of this system is that it creates circumstances where everyone feels comfortable. It becomes a safe place to experiment without negative criticism, encouraging everyone to find new moments of growth.

8. Teamwork creates cross-training opportunities. Teamwork creates more moments where individual members can cross-train one another to create new skills and strengths in time. This advantage makes it easier to integrate more people into different roles as the scope of a project allows. It is a benefit that creates depth and added flexibility because more people can cover vacant roles. You can prevent burnout because there are more ways to provide time off, create vacation opportunities, and eliminate the need to make people come in when they’re sick.

9. Working in a team results in movement toward a common direction. When a team gets put together to manage a project or complete a specific series of tasks, then people will find a way to follow a common direction. That doesn’t mean you won’t experience any arguments or disagreements along the way, but it does offer a variety of people from different backgrounds to find ways to work together. Once everyone gets on the same page after having an opportunity to voice their concerns or ideas, then most teams find a way to work together effectively.

List of the Disadvantages of Teamwork

1. Some personalities tend to dominate the conversation. Although leadership is a valuable skill that every team can use to its benefit, some team members can have strong personalities that dominate conversations and circumstances. When this dynamic occurs on a team, then it can become challenging for other members to provide feedback or share opinions. It’s a disadvantage that eventually leads to issues with team cohesion and cooperation, reducing chances at productivity instead of creating more of them.

2. Teams can divide labor unequally in some situations. Group work is positive when it involves the equal distribution of work and responsibilities. If each person can focus on tasks that reflect their strengths, then productivity levels can rise dramatically. When an unequal division of labor occurs within a team, then it might make it seem like one person doing the most work is treated equally to the individual doing the least. When everyone earns equal credit when only a couple of individuals are managing all of the responsibilities, then it can adversely impact the unity and purpose of the team.

This disadvantage can also lead to some workers feeling taken advantage of since they’re doing a majority of the work most of the time. It can lead to the top performers deciding to leave because they feel like they’re being held t a different standard.

3. Teamwork can encounter scheduling conflicts. Even with the significant technologies that we have to support teams today, it can be a challenge to schedule a time when everyone can attend a specific meeting. It is essential to determine whether the complications of scheduling the group work are as valuable as the assignment of tasks to each member. You can even encounter task management issues within this disadvantage because the duties of one member might run on an opposite schedule as the rest of the team.

4. Some people may feel like they’re contributions are unwanted. Whether the feeling is real or perceived doesn’t matter. When someone feels like they are unwanted by their team, then their contributions will feel undervalued. This issue may cause them to stop offering ideas or encouraging innovation when their suggestions might be the best of the group. Then the decreased creativity can spread out to the rest of the team, producing inferior work that may get rejected upon delivery. This issue can also cause low morale, impact passion, and cause people to begin working for themselves instead of the entire group.

5. It creates more competition within the workplace. When you put people together on the same team, then their natural competitiveness is going to come out strongly. When people compete with each other, then it can improve individual motivation when the approach is taken in healthy ways. If this issue becomes the focus of the group, then the quality of the work may decline dramatically.

When competitiveness rises to unhealthy levels within a group, then it may be better to work individually than with others.

6. Teams can create resource loss with their activities. Teams can sometimes lose focus collectively because they’re looking too much at the big picture instead of the individualized steps needed to reach a positive outcome. The planning stages that look at these specific roles can then waste money and resources because the efforts go toward the end result instead of the staged outcome needed.

Group work can also create a lot of wasted time when trying to get moving on a project because there is disagreement within the ranks. If there isn’t a consensus that can get reached, then it may be impossible to create the results you want.

7. You may not get the desired feedback from some individuals. Some people always agree with whatever the dominant idea of the group tends to be, creating the “yes” person who doesn’t contribute anything to the group. This issue can involve shyness, dominant personalities, or personal reasons that may prevent someone from sharing.

It can also be a disadvantage from the standpoint that the feedback someone gives within the team environment is incorrect. When one member offers advice to another, it may fall outside of the scope of expectations from the leadership.

8. Some people will always work better outside of the team environment. Some individuals don’t work well in a team environment because they are so used to working independently. Freelancers, gig economy workers, the self-employed, and a variety of other population demographics can still work as part of a team if they have enough autonomy to make them comfortable. If someone has built a career based on their individual skills and independence, then their inclusion in a team could hurt them and everyone else.

It doesn’t do anyone any good to try to force a square peg into a round hole.

9. There can be organization challenges to manage. Individual workers can often hit the ground running when they are given a new assignment. That person will use their education and expertise to begin the problem-solving process. Teams take much longer to organize as they come together in practical and social ways. There can be delays because of the training that some people need to get caught up to speed. Then, if something goes wrong, it can be challenging to determine who might be at fault when working in a team environment.

Groups can experience higher levels of success with teamwork when they take some specific approaches to organization. It begins when you consider the personalities and working styles of the individuals who are part of the team. If you can assign people who have similar working styles and schedules together, then you’ll create more moments of cohesiveness.

Assigning people a role on the team can help to prevent issues of leadership jumping or rogue personalities. Make sure that each team member receives a place on the team that entails their specific duties.

Then use the groups for training whenever possible. Combining expertise with new ideas is a powerful combination that can lead to incredible results. When you add in the other advantages and disadvantages of teamwork, then you can accomplish almost anything.

• Inspiration

Group work vs individual work: the pros and cons compared

Some people prefer to work alone. Some people are more productive in a team. Some people actually need a perfect balance of both.

What category do you fall into? In today’s in-depth article, we analyse the pros and cons of the two extremes mentioned above.

Group work: pros and cons

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. Michael Jordan

Group work and, in general, adopting a company policy that encourages socialisation and exchange between staff has been a growing trend, with results that are sometimes surprising. Spending the best part of the day in an office with a calm and friendly atmosphere and where swapping ideas with others allows you to improve your work performance can make the difference. Many companies have focused with increasing intensity on building a collaborative, cohesive team that can achieve goals together.

Sharing has a pivotal role in group work because it includes workload and responsibility, but also successes and failures.

When a team functions well and there is trust between its members , the positive results, in terms of individual efficiency and project productivity , and also creativity, are immediately visible.

Sometimes, comparing ideas with other people also entails risking confrontation with colleagues resulting in bad feeling, especially when there is inefficient organisation or differences emerge in commitment or responsibility among the various members of the group.

Here is a summary of the pros and cons of teamwork.

• Shared workload
• Increased productivity
• Opportunity for comparison and growth
• Support in difficult times
• Increased creative flow through sharing ideas
• Different skill levels
• Possible clashes
• Increased risk of distraction
• More defined schedules

Individual work: pros and cons

Better to be alone than in bad company.

Working alone is not actually the prerogative of people who have opted to work for themselves. Specific projects and roles in a team may also require one person to manage their activity without the support of others. Examples that come to mind are the work of an analyst or writing a press release but there are plenty of other examples.

The pros and cons in this case are the clear opposites of group work. People who work alone can organise their time as they wish, without external distractions. In terms of cons, lone workers must take on greater responsibility, without being able to brainstorm with colleagues if they have a creative block .

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of working alone.

• Independent organisation of work
• More immediate possibility of remote working
• Greater concentration and fewer distractions
• Responsibility and workload fall to one person
• No comparison of ideas
• Experiences limited

Be positive, always

As is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in-between the two extremes. Neither individual or group work is a better option, there are simply activities and occasions that require either the input of one or many people.

Whatever the role or profession, the important thing is to be positive  whether you work in a team or alone, constantly striving to achieve your goals,  both work and personal ones. Fights and arguments are common and natural if you work in a group, but it is important to share different ideas because that generates  constructive growth . It is always a good idea to respect other people’s ideas, regardless of your respective work roles.

Extroverts  tend to prefer  to work in a group , while  introverts   tend to seek out solitary roles . By respecting reciprocal attitudes and tendencies, you can think of allowing the option that best suits someone’s personality, putting people in the circumstances where they perform best.

Alone and in a team: how to design an integrated environment

Smart office design allows purpose-driven functional spaces to be created, based on requirements: individual and group workspaces, open spaces or sectioned off with walls, for when greater privacy is necessary. Integrated and modular furniture collections create a harmonious and pleasant work environment, allowing space for stylish design yet fully meeting the needs of workers.

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The 11 pros and cons of group projects, we all have a love/hate relationship with them..

Group projects have been a part of any students’ lives probably since middle school. College, however, brings them to a whole new level. Compared to high school group projects, doing multiple group projects in college has enlightened me on many more pros and cons to working on group projects.

1. Learning how to work in a group

This is a great skill to have for working in the real world and when you’re not getting a grade for teamwork. Unless you’re self-employed, you will always have co-workers.

2. Getting to meet new people

I have met some great people through group projects and can even call some my friends today! It also helped to have someone to contact even after the project was finished about what was going on in the class.

3. When professors let you pick your groups, then you can work with friends!

Already knowing your group members, their schedule, and how they work is honestly the best way to go about getting a good grade on a project. It also makes me not dread meeting up because I feel as if it becomes fun when friends are involved.

4. Taking some of the workload off of yourself

When all of the members do their equal share, it is so much easier on the individual. Just imagine looking at the rubric for the project and thinking about doing it all yourself. It would definitely be harder than you think.

5. Getting to collaborate and come up with new and creative ideas.

From working in group projects, I have been able to experience the different ways people think and brainstorm. I have honestly used some ideas that I never would have come up with and put them toward individual projects.

1. When people in your group won’t do any work

We’ve all been there. It’s 11:50pm and your project is due at midnight and there’s one person who hasn’t done their part yet so you quickly scramble to do it yourself. Or when you have a presentation and you have no idea whether or not people in your group actually know what they are presenting on.

2. Can be hard to communicate.

Having group chats is a great way for the group to keep in touch and updated on what needs to be done for the project. But it can also be hard when people aren’t answering your messages and it feels impossible to contact them.

3. When Professor’s assign groups and you do not know anyone

When everyone is dreading doing a project, no one is exactly thrilled to meet up with one another and work for hours on end in the library with strangers. This can make getting to know people hard and uncomfortable. Working together becomes even harder.

4. When you don’t work well with your group members

Even if you know your group members, some learning and conflict styles just cannot work well together. Especially if there are two people who want to be the “leader” of the group this can cause some heads to butt. Compromise and moving on is key to getting through group projects.

5. When meeting is impossible because of conflicting schedules

When students are put together in groups by their professors, conflicting schedules can be a huge con. Every college student has a hectic and different schedule between classes, extra curricular activities, working, and managing your time to get your other classwork done. I wish professors would take this into consideration when picking our groups for us and assigning multiple group projects a semester.

6. When you are ahead of the game and your group procrastinates

Getting everyone to have their work done by a certain time can be difficult especially because again, everyone has different schedules and works at different paces.

This semester I have multiple group projects for every class happening at the same times throughout the semester. To say it has been hectic is an understatement but I try to keep the positives in mind and work to the best of my ability to create a great project with my group members!

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Assignments For Students

Looking for advantages and disadvantages of Assignments For Students?

We have collected some solid points that will help you understand the pros and cons of Assignments For Students in detail.

But first, let’s understand the topic:

What is Assignments For Students?

Assignments for students are tasks or activities given by teachers to be completed outside of class time. These can include writing essays, solving math problems, or reading books. They help students practice what they’ve learned and prepare for future lessons.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Assignments For Students

The following are the advantages and disadvantages of Assignments For Students:

Advantages of Assignments For Students

• Boosts understanding of topics – Assignments help students dive deeper into topics, providing a clear and thorough understanding that goes beyond surface-level knowledge.
• Encourages independent learning – They promote self-learning, pushing students to study and solve problems on their own, fostering self-reliance.
• Enhances time management skills – Time management skills are honed as students balance assignments with other responsibilities, teaching them to prioritize tasks.
• Improves research and writing abilities – Assignments also refine research and writing skills, as students learn to gather information and articulate ideas effectively.
• Reinforces classroom learning – They serve as a reinforcement tool, solidifying what is taught in the classroom and making learning more effective.

Disadvantages of Assignments For Students

• Can increase stress levels – Assignments can often lead to elevated stress levels in students due to tight deadlines and high expectations.
• Limits free time – When students are loaded with assignments, their leisure time gets compromised, affecting their work-life balance.
• May discourage creativity – The rigid structure of assignments can sometimes curb the creative instincts of students, stifling their innovative ideas.
• Risks of plagiarism – Assignments also pose the risk of plagiarism as students might copy answers from readily available sources, compromising their learning.
• Difficulty understanding instructions – Sometimes, students face challenges in comprehending the instructions of assignments, leading to incorrect submissions.
• Advantages and disadvantages of Assignment Method Of Teaching
• Advantages and disadvantages of Assignment Method
• Advantages and disadvantages of Assets

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Purpose and Limitations of Random Assignment

In an experimental study, random assignment is a process by which participants are assigned, with the same chance, to either a treatment or a control group. The goal is to assure an unbiased assignment of participants to treatment options.

Random assignment is considered the gold standard for achieving comparability across study groups, and therefore is the best method for inferring a causal relationship between a treatment (or intervention or risk factor) and an outcome.

Random assignment of participants produces comparable groups regarding the participants’ initial characteristics, thereby any difference detected in the end between the treatment and the control group will be due to the effect of the treatment alone.

How does random assignment produce comparable groups?

1. random assignment prevents selection bias.

Randomization works by removing the researcher’s and the participant’s influence on the treatment allocation. So the allocation can no longer be biased since it is done at random, i.e. in a non-predictable way.

This is in contrast with the real world, where for example, the sickest people are more likely to receive the treatment.

2. Random assignment prevents confounding

A confounding variable is one that is associated with both the intervention and the outcome, and thus can affect the outcome in 2 ways:

Either directly:

Or indirectly through the treatment:

This indirect relationship between the confounding variable and the outcome can cause the treatment to appear to have an influence on the outcome while in reality the treatment is just a mediator of that effect (as it happens to be on the causal pathway between the confounder and the outcome).

Random assignment eliminates the influence of the confounding variables on the treatment since it distributes them at random between the study groups, therefore, ruling out this alternative path or explanation of the outcome.

3. Random assignment also eliminates other threats to internal validity

By distributing all threats (known and unknown) at random between study groups, participants in both the treatment and the control group become equally subject to the effect of any threat to validity. Therefore, comparing the outcome between the 2 groups will bypass the effect of these threats and will only reflect the effect of the treatment on the outcome.

These threats include:

• History: This is any event that co-occurs with the treatment and can affect the outcome.
• Maturation: This is the effect of time on the study participants (e.g. participants becoming wiser, hungrier, or more stressed with time) which might influence the outcome.
• Regression to the mean: This happens when the participants’ outcome score is exceptionally good on a pre-treatment measurement, so the post-treatment measurement scores will naturally regress toward the mean — in simple terms, regression happens since an exceptional performance is hard to maintain. This effect can bias the study since it represents an alternative explanation of the outcome.

Note that randomization does not prevent these effects from happening, it just allows us to control them by reducing their risk of being associated with the treatment.

What if random assignment produced unequal groups?

Question: What should you do if after randomly assigning participants, it turned out that the 2 groups still differ in participants’ characteristics? More precisely, what if randomization accidentally did not balance risk factors that can be alternative explanations between the 2 groups? (For example, if one group includes more male participants, or sicker, or older people than the other group).

Short answer: This is perfectly normal, since randomization only assures an unbiased assignment of participants to groups, i.e. it produces comparable groups, but it does not guarantee the equality of these groups.

A more complete answer: Randomization will not and cannot create 2 equal groups regarding each and every characteristic. This is because when dealing with randomization there is still an element of luck. If you want 2 perfectly equal groups, you better match them manually as is done in a matched pairs design (for more information see my article on matched pairs design ).

This is similar to throwing a die: If you throw it 10 times, the chance of getting a specific outcome will not be 1/6. But it will approach 1/6 if you repeat the experiment a very large number of times and calculate the average number of times the specific outcome turned up.

So randomization will not produce perfectly equal groups for each specific study, especially if the study has a small sample size. But do not forget that scientific evidence is a long and continuous process, and the groups will tend to be equal in the long run when a meta-analysis aggregates the results of a large number of randomized studies.

So for each individual study, differences between the treatment and control group will exist and will influence the study results. This means that the results of a randomized trial will sometimes be wrong, and this is absolutely okay.

BOTTOM LINE:

Although the results of a particular randomized study are unbiased, they will still be affected by a sampling error due to chance. But the real benefit of random assignment will be when data is aggregated in a meta-analysis.

Limitations of random assignment

Randomized designs can suffer from:

1. Ethical issues:

Randomization is ethical only if the researcher has no evidence that one treatment is superior to the other.

Also, it would be unethical to randomly assign participants to harmful exposures such as smoking or dangerous chemicals.

2. Low external validity:

With random assignment, external validity (i.e. the generalizability of the study results) is compromised because the results of a study that uses random assignment represent what would happen under “ideal” experimental conditions, which is in general very different from what happens at the population level.

In the real world, people who take the treatment might be very different from those who don’t – so the assignment of participants is not a random event, but rather under the influence of all sort of external factors.

External validity can be also jeopardized in cases where not all participants are eligible or willing to accept the terms of the study.

3. Higher cost of implementation:

An experimental design with random assignment is typically more expensive than observational studies where the investigator’s role is just to observe events without intervening.

Experimental designs also typically take a lot of time to implement, and therefore are less practical when a quick answer is needed.

4. Impracticality when answering non-causal questions:

A randomized trial is our best bet when the question is to find the causal effect of a treatment or a risk factor.

Sometimes however, the researcher is just interested in predicting the probability of an event or a disease given some risk factors. In this case, the causal relationship between these variables is not important, making observational designs more suitable for such problems.

5. Impracticality when studying the effect of variables that cannot be manipulated:

The usual objective of studying the effects of risk factors is to propose recommendations that involve changing the level of exposure to these factors.

However, some risk factors cannot be manipulated, and so it does not make any sense to study them in a randomized trial. For example it would be impossible to randomly assign participants to age categories, gender, or genetic factors.

6. Difficulty to control participants:

These difficulties include:

• Participants refusing to receive the assigned treatment.
• Participants not adhering to recommendations.
• Differential loss to follow-up between those who receive the treatment and those who don’t.

All of these issues might occur in a randomized trial, but might not affect an observational study.

• Shadish WR, Cook TD, Campbell DT. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference . 2nd edition. Cengage Learning; 2001.
• Friedman LM, Furberg CD, DeMets DL, Reboussin DM, Granger CB. Fundamentals of Clinical Trials . 5th ed. 2015 edition. Springer; 2015.

Further reading

• Posttest-Only Control Group Design
• Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design
• Randomized Block Design

The Pros And Cons Of Daily Caffeine Intake

Whether it’s brewing a cup of coffee at home, ordering a specialty $6 latte from a local coffee shop or cracking open a Red Bull on the way to the gym, the consensus is clear: The prevalence of the caffeinated beverage industry continues to grow. According to the National Coffee Association’s Coffee Impact Report , the coffee industry employed 2.2 million people and generated more than $100 billion in wages in 2022.

Caffeine — most commonly found in and associated with coffee, black and green teas, energy drinks and some dietary supplements — is ingested with the goals of increasing energy levels and boosting alertness along with motivation. However, regularly ingesting high amounts of caffeine has the potential to develop into a dependence and can induce feelings of anxiety as well as insomnia while also exacerbating some mental illness symptoms.

Dr. Sherecce Fields , a clinical psychologist and professor in the  Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences  at Texas A&M University, says it’s important to remember that caffeine is classified as a stimulant drug and should be ingested in moderation and with caution.

“Caffeine is in a similar class as drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine and behaves in a way that increases activity in dopamine neurons,” Fields said. “All of the things that are related to how it improves things like cognition and memory are related to its stimulant effects.”

According to the  National Library of Medicine , stimulant drugs function by increasing the activity of the central nervous system. Specifically, they activate neural pathways connecting the brain and the body, contributing to feelings of euphoria and focus and creating a cognitive edge.

At the correct dosages, caffeine can provide benefits to athletes and students by respectively increasing muscle speed and improving levels of focus.

“Caffeine is very popular with athletes because it can increase things like muscle speed, muscle efficiency and can reduce fatigue as it stimulates the peripheral nervous system to get up and get out,” Fields said. “A lot of individuals with undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will also use caffeine to help them focus because it acts in a similar way to some ADHD medications.”

Despite these benefits, caffeine is a substance that should be ingested and monitored carefully, and should never exceed the daily amount of 400 milligrams, as recommended by the  Food and Drug Administration .

“For individuals who consume quite a bit of caffeine, when they stop, they usually have increased anxiety or a depressed mood,” Fields said. “For someone who is suffering from a mood disorder like major depressive disorder or a generalized anxiety disorder, it can certainly exacerbate those feelings.”

Fields notes it becomes especially dangerous for individuals with underlying health issues like high blood pressure and inadequate heart health, as highly caffeinated beverages consumed without a level of caution can cause health complications.

These instances can even make their way into a courtroom, as in the case of Panera Bread’s three lawsuits surrounding their highly caffeinated “ charged lemonades .” These drinks contain more caffeine than a 12-ounce Red Bull and 16-ounce Monster energy drink combined. After consuming multiple refills of the drinks, two individuals died, while a third faced permanent health complications. Each had underlying health problems that made them sensitive to caffeine.

The multifaceted question of whether Panera Bread should be held liable for the deaths of these individuals is not easily answered. Fields emphasizes the importance of being a good consumer of information and the ethicality of accurate advertising.

“As a consumer, I try to encourage my students and my own son to be good consumers of information,” Fields said. “In Panera’s instance, it is important to understand that 390 milligrams of caffeine is pushing the limit, and if you have more than that, it can be quite dangerous, especially if you have hypertension or some other cardiovascular disease.”

Being aware of personal limits and a drink’s caffeine level are two simple but effective ways to reap the benefits of caffeinated drinks while avoiding the feelings of jitteriness and anxiety that often accompany them.

“Somebody drinking two to three cups of coffee a day exceeds the recommended maximum amount, which can have detrimental effects on your fight-or-flight system, your heart and your digestion,” Fields said. “At low doses, caffeine can improve behavior and focus, so the most important thing to consider is finding balance and having the correct dosage for your specific needs.”

The bottom line is that caffeine reactions differ significantly from person to person and can provide both health benefits and detriments, depending on the amount. So before ordering that third cup of coffee, remember that more doesn’t always mean better.

Media contact: Shana K. Hutchins, [email protected], 979-862-1237

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Part-Time MPA Programs: Pros and Cons

Examine the differences between full-time, part-time and online mpa programs..

Pursuing a graduate degree usually means a big payoff for your future but it can feel counterintuitive to take off a whole year or two from your career. That’s where part-time degree programs come in. Earning your degree as a part-time student means you can continue to work while you gain relevant skills to move your public sector career forward. But there’s more to it than just avoiding a break in your resume.

The number of students enrolling in part-time degree programs grew 13.5% between the fall of 2019 and fall of 2020. While a number of students likely were pushed to pursue online part-time programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on on-campus learning, many others are simply embracing the opportunity presented by part-time graduate degree programs. Keep reading to take a closer look at the pros and cons of earning your Master of Public Administration part-time.

The Advantages of a Part-Time MPA

Work while you learn.

One of the struggles that looms largest for professionals considering returning to school for a graduate degree is the feeling that taking a break will be giving up the ground they’ve gained in their career. If you’re interested in an MPA and you’re already working in the public sector, you know that resources are often tight at not-for-profit organizations and highly regulated in governmental agencies. Those types of organizations often can’t hold positions while their employees take time off. Further, you may really love what you do and not want to leave in the middle of certain projects or give up spending time with coworkers and getting satisfaction from your work.

Fortunately, many universities now offer part-time programs online that are designed for working professionals. These programs allow for the coupled goals of keeping a job and gaining an education that will fuel career advancement. Although splitting your time may initially feel like you’re making a compromise, working while pursuing a degree actually has a lot of benefits.

Maintain a Paycheck

Of course, the number one benefit of working while in school is that you can maintain an income. Whether you cut back on working hours or rearrange your schedule or don’t have to change anything about your work, is up to you and your employer. In any case, having a consistent paycheck while you earn your degree will certainly provide you with peace-of-mind and might help minimize the amount of scholarship funds or loans you have to seek out while you earn your degree.

Seek Tuition Assistance

Along with using your income to cover tuition costs, another benefit to keeping a job while you’re in school is the opportunity to receive tuition assistance. Tuition assistance programs are a type of benefit offered at some companies in which an employer reimburses employees for the costs associated with continuing education. 2 In 2019, one research firm found that 56 percent of employers offered undergraduate or graduate school tuition assistance to their employees, 3 so it’s definitely worth asking your human resources or benefits department if that’s something available to you. If you’re pursuing an MPA degree to increase your skills and improve outcomes at your organization, you have an even better argument for your employer to aid you in your academic pursuit. While it’s unlikely that your employer will cover your entire tuition, any little bit helps. You can also consider negotiating an agreement to receive a raise once you’ve completed your MPA program.

Gain Immediately Applicable, Relevant Skills

The nature of MPA programs is to provide courses that will make you a more competent public sector professional. MPA curricula are often made up of more practical skills courses than theoretical ones. This means that as you progress through your program and learn things like public personnel administration, budgeting and financial management, nonprofit law and other skills, you’ll be able to turn around and bring those into work with you. Pursuing a part-time MPA and maintaining your career could lead to an improvement in your work and could even help you earn a raise or a new title before you graduate. If you’re looking to change careers or organizations, working while you’re in school will give you a solid opportunity to practice your new skills and add experiences to your resume.

Contribute to a Positive Cohort Experience

One selfless reason to consider a part-time MPA degree is that professionals who are actively working tend to have a positive impact on their peers. Class discussions are livelier, more in-depth, and offer better insights when a diverse group of students are involved. The experiences you bring from your job could help better illustrate a lesson or you could even potentially get assistance from your instructors and peers about any challenges you’re facing at work that relate to the coursework. Keeping your job while pursuing a graduate degree can really give you and your peers a more well-rounded perspective on the field. Further, a cohort of current and future public administration professionals is a perfect opportunity to network with like-minded individuals.

Embrace the Opportunities of Flexibility

Contributing to the number of students choosing to pursue part-time MPA programs rather than full-time degrees is the availability of online NASPAA-accredited programs. Online degrees offer additional flexibility to part-time students because it means you can take classes from anywhere. While there are still due dates and occasional mandatory class meetings or testing times, in some online programs, you can even complete assignments and learning modules at whatever time works best for you. That means you don’t have to worry about days when you end up working late or missing important work meetings.

The Challenges of a Part-Time Graduate Degree

Spend more time completing your degree.

Naturally, the biggest potential downside to a part-time MPA program is that it will take you longer to complete the course and graduate. Generally, students need 36 credits to graduate with an MPA. Depending on the number of courses that are available each semester, you might be able to complete an MPA in about one year full-time, but many programs will take longer.

Juggle More Responsibilities

While part-time and online MPA programs do offer a lot of flexibility, you’ll need to be organized enough to handle your various responsibilities. Some people love that they’re able to go to work, take care of their kids and go to school at the same time. But others feel that adding one more thing to their to-do list could put them overboard. A part-time degree program definitely isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in it, make sure you have some plans in place for how you’ll manage your time.

Miss Some On-Campus Experiences

Another oft-cited concern from students completing part-time programs is that they’ll miss out on the experiences of full-time students like graduate conferences, on-campus events or office hours. While it’s true that you might miss some of the spontaneity of a university campus, you also won’t have to deal with commuting, parking, packing food, or other additional campus challenges and expenses. Plus, when it comes to online programs, they’re often a lot more collaborative than you may think. Many universities offer robust online learning management systems that include chat features and the ability for professors to hold virtual office hours on video conferencing platforms.

Earn your MPA Online in as Few as Twenty-Four Months

When you break down the pros and cons, it’s clear that a part-time MPA program offers quite a few advantages. The Kent State University online Master in Public Administration offers an accredited, comprehensive public administration curriculum online and part-time for working professionals looking to advance their careers. If you think the program is right for you, apply today.

Sources 1. Retrieved on January 11, 2022, from insidehighered.com/news/2021/10/18/graduate-enrollment-grew-2020-despite-pandemic 2. Retrieved on January 11, 2022, from inc.com/encyclopedia/tuition-assistance-programs.html 3. Retrieved on January 11, 2022, from statista.com/statistics/554081/percent-of-us-employers-offering-education-benefits/

'Everyone orders their own food': tripleS on the pros and cons of a 24-member K-pop group

T wenty-four member girl group tripleS poses for the camera during a showcase for the group's first full-length album "Assemble24," held at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul on Wednesday afternoon. [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

tripleS 's press showcase in eastern Seoul was a more chaotic affair than the average K-pop conference. Shouts and scrums ensued as photographers struggled to fit the full group — a whopping 24 members — into one frame. 

The commotion was emblematic of the challenges, but also the unique excitement, that come with a group of such unusually large size.

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“Assemble24” — consisting of lead track “Girls Never Die” — selected by fan vote — followed by introduction track “S,” “Heard Raider,” “Midnight Flower,” “White Soul Sneakers,” “Chiyu,” “24,” “Beyond the Beyond,” “Non Scale” and “Dimension" — is both tripleS's first full-length album and first release to feature all 24 members. It is not, however, its debut: tripleS has gradually gained members since 2022. The artists have been sorted into subunits called "Dimensions" by the vote of its fans, who also weigh in on its lead tracks.

tripleS's massive size allows the group to embrace an exceptional variety of concepts and perspectives —"We don’t force each other to order the same menu; everyone orders their own food," Kim Yoo-yeon explained — but also carries unique logistical challenges.

Up to now, for example, the group has traveled to engagements in a cadre of five minivans. Its current size has now rendered that option impractical, Kim Yoo-yeon explained, and members will now be packing into a bus.

Tasks, from household chores to performance choreography, are coordinated through a network of group chats — many for the various subunits, in addition to large one with all 24. Housing is similarly decentralized, with members spread across different dorms. While Kim Soo-min is the group's official cook, she often must delegate. "Different [dorms] have different members in charge of cooking," Kim Soo-min said.  

"It works," Kim Yoo-yeon added. 

Girl group tripleS performs ″Girls Never Die,″ the lead track of its first full-length album ″Dimension24″ on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Even professional tasks that other K-pop acts might complete without a hitch require expert coordination. Styling, for example, is done in shifts. "We have to split our team in half, and the team that goes early will have to leave the dorm at 1 a.m," Kim Na-kyoung said — though the members do, she clarified, switch around who goes first in the interest of fairness.

And working 24 members into a ten-track album was a tough task for Park So-hyun, composer and lyricist of tripleS’s many past releases, who produced “White Soul Sneakers.”

“Our 24-member album is that much more meaningful in itself, but it does lack in showing the charms of the individual members,” Park So-hyun said. Park ultimately tried to incorporate “not the stories of each individual, but the story of the group” into her song.  

That was Seo Da-hyun's goal as well. “I thought about how I should, as the team’s lead vocalist, incorporate my voice in a colorful manner,” she recalled. “Instead of making my voice stand out from the others, I put the focus on how I should blend in with the other members. That’s how I can really stand out."

Member Kim Na-kyoung found that differentiation as a writer; she made her lyricist debut with “Midnight Flower.” 

“I’ve been writing lyrics for a while now, but I’m honored to have my name credited in our 24-member album. I hope I get more opportunities like this in the future,” Kim Na-kyoung said.    

Park So-hyun also gave a peak into the group's future: more "Dimensions" activities that allow individual members to shine more. 

“Going forward, we plan to engage in more ‘Dimensions’ [subunits] to show more charms of the individual members,” Park So-hyun said.

“Though, if fans want to see the 24-member activities again, I’m sure we can do that too.”

To find out more about tripleS, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]

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Net neutrality is back: U.S. promises fast, safe and reliable internet for all

Emma Bowman

The Federal Communications Commission has restored net neutrality rules that ban content providers from restricting bandwidth to customers. Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images hide caption

The Federal Communications Commission has restored net neutrality rules that ban content providers from restricting bandwidth to customers.

Consumers can look forward to faster, safer and more reliable internet connections under the promises of newly reinstated government regulations.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to reclassify broadband as a public utility, such as water and electricity — to regulate access to the internet. The move to expand government oversight of internet service providers comes after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the magnitude of the digital divide , forcing consumers to rely on high-speed internet for school and work, as well as social and health support.

The Indicator from Planet Money

What happened to the internet without net neutrality.

Because the government deems internet access an essential service, the FCC is promising oversight as if broadband were a public utility. In doing so, the government aims to make providers more accountable for outages, require more robust network security, protect fast speeds, and require greater protections for consumer data.

The decision effectively restores so-called net neutrality rules that were first introduced during the Obama administration in 2015 and repealed two years later under President Trump.

The rules are sure to invite legal challenges from the telecoms industry — not for the first time. And a future administration could always undo the rules.

Meanwhile, net neutrality regulations are set to go into effect 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register.

But much has yet to be clarified about the rules: The 400-page draft order to restore the regulations has not been publicly released.

Here's what we do know.

What's net neutrality?

Net neutrality is a wonky term for the idea that the flow of information on the internet should be treated equally and that internet service providers can't interfere with what consumers do online.

Also referred to as an "open internet," net neutrality aims to level the digital marketplace, prohibiting internet service providers (ISPs) like Comcast and AT&T from running fast lanes and slow lanes — speeding up or slowing down internet speeds — for online services like Netflix and Spotify.

What's this latest battle about?

Without the net neutrality regulations in place, phone and internet companies have the power to block or favor some content over others. The issue has pit telecom companies against Big Tech. Net neutrality advocates — tech companies, consumer watchdogs and free speech activists among them — warn that without such regulations, broadband providers are incentivized to charge customers more to use internet fast lanes or else risk being stuck with slower speeds.

In recent years, the issue has largely become a partisan one. In 2015, the President Obama-appointed FCC chair ushered in the approval of net neutrality rules . Those rules were repealed two years later under President Trump after his pick to run the FCC called them "heavy-handed" in his pledge to end them.

Now, the return of FCC regulations has reinvigorated the net neutrality debate.

"Every consumer deserves internet access that is fast, open and fair," FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said ahead of Thursday's vote. "This is common sense."

As in 2015, the rules classify broadband as a utility service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.

The measure passed along party lines, with Democratic commissioners in favor of net neutrality and Republicans opposed.

What critics are saying

Opponents say the net neutrality rules are government overreach and interfere with commerce. In a letter to FCC chair Rosenworcel this week, a group of Republican lawmakers said the draft order to restore net neutrality regulations would chill innovation and investment in the broadband industry.

Dissenting FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Republican, said that fears of a sluggish or pricey internet without the rules were overblown — that consumers benefited from faster speeds and lower prices since the repeal. Net neutrality advocates dispute the argument that broadband rates dropped when net neutrality went away, saying the numbers are misleading .

"There will be lots of talk about 'net neutrality' and virtually none about the core issue before the agency: namely, whether the FCC should claim for itself the freewheeling power to micromanage nearly every aspect of how the Internet functions — from the services that consumers can access to the prices that can be charged," Carr said in October, when the Biden administration proposed restoring net neutrality.

Some telecom companies argue that the FCC is trying to solve a nonexistent problem in its stated aim to preserve equal internet access for consumers.

"This is a nonissue for broadband consumers, who have enjoyed an open internet for decades," said Jonathan Spalter, the CEO of USTelecom, a trade group that represents ISPs such as AT&T and Verizon, in a statement following the vote to hand regulatory authority back to the FCC.

"We plan to pursue all available options, including in the courts," the group said.

What's happened when net neutrality went away?

What ended up happening in the years after the rollback went into effect in 2018 was so discreet that most people unlikely noticed its effects, says Stanford Law professor Barbara van Schewick, who directs the school's Center for Internet and Society and supports net neutrality.

For the past six years, she says, "a lot of public scrutiny on the ISPs and then the attempts to bring back net neutrality in Congress basically kept the ISPs on their best behavior."

Still, there were changes. Some ISPs implemented zero-rating plans, the practice of excluding some apps from data charges, she notes, or were caught throttling — intentionally slowing down consumer internet speeds.

Absent heightened federal regulation, tough net neutrality rules that sprang up in several states, including California , Washington and Oregon, also have continued to keep internet service providers in check.

"It's still being litigated," van Schewick says. "And so, it is fair to say we haven't seen a world without net neutrality."

Goldco Review

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Goldco Offerings

Compare goldco.

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Goldco Review: Pros, Cons, and Is It Right for Your Retirement?

Paid non-client promotion: Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate investing products to write unbiased product reviews.

Goldco has many of the standard benefits common to other precious metals retailers in this space but with a much higher price tag in the form of higher minimum investment amounts. If you plan to invest $25,000 or more, Goldco's promotional and bonus offers can make it an attractive investment option and one of the best gold IRAs . However, for smaller investments, you'll be better off considering alternatives.

Goldco is best for those looking to invest larger sums of money into precious metals. For those who can meet the higher requirements, you could enjoy a fairly lucrative bonus in silver, which is not an offer many competitors have.

From Goldco's endorsement and media appearance, you will notice a more overt bias to its marketing resources than what you'll find from others in the industry. Be aware that using non-neutral sources of investment information to make financial decisions could impact how view the economy and allocate your assets, thus affecting your returns.

That said, the company does stand out for offering a free educational gold IRA kit that can help you learn more about this type of investment.

Goldco Pros and Cons

Goldco ira fees.

It is common for precious metal companies to charge several fees associated with opening an account and transactions. Fees are not listed on Goldco's site, and you will need to call a Goldco representative to get an idea of all the costs and promotions.

As of January 2024, Goldco charges a one-time set-up fee of $50 and between $200 and $250 per year for the custodian fee, which covers storage and insurance. The variance for the custodian fee depends on which third-party custodian you choose. Goldco is unique because it offers multiple options for investors to select which custodian fits their needs.

For an IRA, the minimum deposit is $25,000, and if you want to buy gold or silver directly, the minimum is around $15,000. Lastly, Goldco does charge a commission, also known as a spread, on purchases. 

How to Open an Account with Goldco

There are three steps to opening an account with Goldco ; the first is completing the IRA account agreement. Next, your account must be funded, which can be done by writing a check. However, using an existing retirement account to roll over is encouraged and typically does not result in a taxable event. Lastly, you will need to purchase your metals. The entire process takes between five to 10 business days.

Goldco's Bonus Offer

Most companies in this sector will offer new customers discounts and benefits if you can meet a certain deposit level. Goldco pays its customers in silver. For an IRA, investors can earn silver with a deposit of $50,000 and up. The bonus begins at $2,500 and scales to $50,000 in silver if you deposit $500,000.

If you make a cash purchase of $15,000, you will get $750 in bonus silver, which increases to a $50,000 maximum bonus. 

Goldco provides a few options for investors looking to add gold or other metals to their portfolio. Its main offerings include the Precious Metals IRA and a selection of gold and silver coins.

Precious Metals IRA

A Precious Metals IRA with Goldco allows you to trade gold and other precious metals while benefiting from the same tax advantages of a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA, depending on which type of IRA you open with Goldco.

Once you have opened an account, you will have the option to fund the account with cash to buy the metals, or you can roll over your money from another investing account such as a 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), or IRA. Any item you purchase will be kept in a secure facility with a third-party custodian.

Buying Physical Gold

Goldco allows customers to buy and sell gold that can be shipped and held directly at their homes. The Goldco website features dozens of gold and silver coins. Still, its selection does appear smaller and less diverse than other comparable companies that offer gold and silver bullion, bars, and other metals such as platinum.

Goldco IRA Review FAQs

Yes. Goldco has several independent reviews and has been highly ranked by a number of publications and services. 

Goldco is a precious metals company that specializes in helping investors protect their retirement savings through investing in gold, silver, and other precious metals. It profits primarily by charging commissions when investors buy from its inventory.

Goldco charges a one-time set-up fee of $50.

For physical delivery, the minimum Gold investment is about $15,000, but according to representatives, this number can be flexible. For IRAs, the minimum is $25,000.

Goldco was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Goldco is a reputable company in the precious metals industry. However, it is always wise to compare different companies before deciding on which one to invest in.

Goldco vs. American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold shares many similarities to Goldco, even down to its marketing tactics. Both sites prominently feature celebrity endorsements, free downloadable guides in exchange for your contact information, and customer reviews. The two companies even tout their respective status on the Inc. 5000 list.

The primary difference that investors will see is in the fees and minimums. AHG charges a one-time $230 application fee with a $5,000 minimum to receive physical gold and $10,000 to start an IRA, compared with just $50 to set up an account with Goldco and minimums beginning in the $15,000 range.

American Hartford Gold review

Goldco vs. Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group is a California-based precious metal retailer that, like Goldco, offers retirement accounts and physical delivery of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and more.

When comparing both sites, Birch presents more diverse products to customers, like bars, coins, and rounds. Goldco's website primarily offers coins, but when speaking with representatives, there is a broader array of options. In terms of fees, both companies are roughly equivalent.

Goldco vs. Public.com

Public is an investing app that offers ETFs, stocks, treasuries, and alternative investments. It includes a social media perspective, allowing investors to "follow" the portfolio of others and post about their investments.  There are no minimums or commission fees to invest in stocks or ETFs, but unlike with Goldco precious metals are not an area that investors can currently participate in through the app.

Public.com investing review

Alternatives to a Gold IRA

Those seeking to add diversification to their portfolio for retirement may be interested in gold IRAs and precious metal investing. Alternative investments may help with diversification, but consider balancing these with more traditional options like a 401k(k) or to supplement a traditional IRA .

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Goldco

We evaluated Goldco using Insider's methodology for rating investing platforms . We examined fees, account options, customer service experience, and investment selection and rated them on a scale of 0 to 5. Some investing platforms are better suited for more advanced investors, while others cater to newcomers. Goldco was examined with a focus on how it performed in each category. 

Watch: How scrappers cash in on gold from your old computer

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