Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 21:45:37 GMT Server: NCSA/1.4.2 Content-type: text/html CSE467 - Working in Groups

CSE467: Advanced Digital Design

Ted Kehl, Fall 1996

Working in Groups


Many of you have not had much experience working in groups. It will take some work to make things go smoothly, but I believe that you will find doing your work this way much more fun, interesting and ultimately rewarding. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of an explanation from a friend, you will be learning more than if you were working alone.

In your first group meeting you should spend some time talking about how you are going to work. This means setting goals for the group and expectations about how each person will contribute. Write down these goals and expectations as a team, and send me a copy. By the way, although email can be very useful for communicating, it cannot replace the occasional group meeting. You must meet at least once a week - the lab section is a natural place to at least touch base, but I would plan to use a good half-hour of this time for a group meeting.

You should also assign a group leader/coordinator. This position can rotate among the group members if you like, but there needs to be one person who takes the lead scheduling meetings and deciding on how the group should proceed.

At the end of the first week, the group leader must send me the group's list of goals and expectations. Every two weeks, the group should take the time to assess how they are working together and decide on any changes.

When the group hands in a lab or homework assignment, put the names of everyone who contributed to that assignment along with the amount contributed by each member. Normally credit would be spread out evenly. But if the group feels that one or two people have done more than their share, then they should indicate this. I will not pay great attention to this unless the amounts are way out of balance. I may use this in the end to nudge certain grades up a notch.

I know that many students resist the idea of working in groups. Here are some arguments often raised and my answer to them:


ted@cs.washington.edu