Today I had a huge group project due for a college course. Since the course is online I emailed all the group members last Saturday and volunteered to organize and type all the ideas and research they had found to contribute to the project. In the email I clearly stated when I needed the information. Well, only one person responded and I worked for 8 hours typing all the information up from him, plus desperately researching to make sure our project would receive an A grade. When it came time to turn it the project, i had received information from one more person and an apology from another.
Anyway....long story short, I had to make the tough decision whose names to list on the final project to be submitted. Ultimately, I chose to include everyone who had contacted me whether they contributed or not. I felt this was more than fair, but i am feeling bad for alienating the other two members of our group that made no contact. But, angry at the same time that two of us put in a lot of work and two others that were credited on the project gave little or nothing. I did send an email to the instructor indicating why I made the decision I did. I figured this is a business course, and if they didn't contribute in a coporate setting, they would be fired or at the very least reprimanded severely for it.
I just need some back up to help me feel better about this decision. My husband tells me I'm too nice about the whole thing and that I should have only included my name as well as the one other person who actually did the work. The situation just angers me more because i have been terribly ill for 2 weeks and I still was able to contribute 8 hours of my time to the project even though i am supposed to be resting under doctors orders. I really would like to hear everyone else's excuse. I have a bad feeling about future group projects with the same people. Maybe I'm just being a pessimist?
Business is all about making hard decisions. Doing what is right and feeling good about it don't always go hand in hand. But you did the right thing. If the others don't get credit for not contributing, that's their fault, not yours. If they want the grade, if they want the course credit, they will need to make the effort.
You were absolutely right. There are too many people in the business world that depend on others to carry them. Best they learn right now that it doesn't always work.
My teacher unfortunately did not agree with my decision. He was angry that all group members weren't included since this is our first project together. He said we did A+ quality work, but since our group didn't work well we are getting a D! He thanked me for telling him what was with all the grhat was going on. But he said I should have met with all the group members in person. I don't think he realized I live four hours away from the college! Any ideas besides email, how our group can meet in the future? This is really frustrating to deal with.
Quote from: doxielady5569128 on November 02, 2006, 08:23:35 AM
But he said I should have met with all the group members in person. I don't think he realized I live four hours away from the college! Any ideas besides email, how our group can meet in the future?
Here's an idea. Set up a chat group via Yahoo, AOL or some other venue and then all can participate on a specific date and time. If you set it up, you get to choose the venue....You can also save and print the list of participants and their input.
As far as the instructor is concerned, I can somewhat understand his thinking that all should be given credit. He is trying to teach team building as part of the course. However, perhaps he should have given strict and firm warning to the negligent parties that they are included on this project only and that only actual participants will receive credit on future projects, with the non-particpants being "fired" and receiving an "F" for that project (Welcome to Life 101). I think the "D" somewhat acommplishes that, but needs to be stated firmly. Getting angry at the group members who did participate puts blame on the wrong parties.
Unfortunately this is an example of what faces you in the corporate world. Those who are allowed to slide will do so willing and with no remourse.
Man! You have had some bad experiences with your classes. Remind me not to take any college courses in Nebraska.
HA HA! Well this is the first class i have ever had problems with. First the hacker now this. :dontknow: I am seriously considering just dropping this class and taking a different one instead. I absolutely hate this class and I think its going to drive me mad with all the busy work and drama involved! :doah:
Actually, I think i'll be able to stick it out. I hope! There's only 6 weeks left. You know when you have the countdown started this early, the class is bad. HA HA Rich, i have taken five years of college in Nebraska and never had this problem. FOund something interesting out today too. Apparently my mom had this instructor when she went there and he gave her trouble too. interesting. :thinik:
:thumb: I'd say you did the same thing. The same wouldn't be tolerated in the "real world."
I would have done the same thing. I would also contact the instructor directly and explain that you are not near the college and it would be nearly impossible to meet with the other group members as a result, even if they DID respond to correspondance. If you have the whole encounter documented (such as saved emails?) you can contact the department chair or the ombudsman. If nothing else it would draw attention to the practice since it really was unfair.
I am also taking online classes and have had to email A LOT concerning questions on assignments or grades and taking care of your questions/concerns is part of the professors job, it's also part of his/her supervisor's job to address students' concerns if they are not satisfactorily addressed by the professor.