The Value of Academic Group Work: Faculty and Student Perceptions

This research examined student and instructor perceptions on group work requirements in academic coursework. Results for 330 faculty and 1,589 students were examined. The study found that most faculty believed group work had academic value, had practical work applications and group project grades reflected individual contributions. Most faculty disagreed that all students working on a group project received the same grade regardless of effort; however the majority of students expressed the opposite view. Most students also indicated they would not take a course specifically due to a group project component, but that group work provided practical applications for work and, most importantly, that grading on group projects was fair. Recommendations include future research to study effectiveness of group projects in online settings and developing processes to encourage student participation in all modalities.