Rude or unprofessional to say something?

[roadrunner]

It's 8:16, and I've been sitting here logged into my course chat room waiting for my group members to login to our scheduled 8:00 chat. They haven't logged in yet.

This is a graduate level course, as we are all completing out Master's Degrees, and the entire course is group based, with the groups pre-assigned. We have weekly assignments to complete. I have completed all three assignments almost entirely by myself, because I can't get more than a basic yes/no response from anyone in the group. I was royally pissed to wake up Monday morning to find out that yet again, our group hadn't posted the weekly assignment, so I scrambled to pull it together before I went to work, and posted it. We technically have a group 'leader' but he has only logged in a couple of times so far.

I'm really frustruated. Honestly, my high school students are more diligent about their work.

So, would it be rude of me to comment to them that I'm finding the lack of cooperation and participation to be inappropriate? Or should I just suck it up and continue doing the work myself?

[laura]

I don't think posting something would be bad, but I maybe wouldn't start off by saying they are being inappropriate. Generally when I start a dialogue like that, I try to avoid putting people on the defensive right away, and I even will say things like "maybe I was confused, but I thought we agreed xyz" to give them an "out" if they want to take it. But if that doesn't get them in gear, then I would consider stronger language.

[villanelle75]

I would comment, but keep it as light as possible. Maybe instead of saying its inappropriate, I would say something like, "Hey guys, I know group work is always tough and we all have really hectic schedules, but I really feel like I'm being stuck doing more than my share of the work. In the future, when we agree to chat or when someone is supposed to do a certain portion of the project, let's all try to do our part to follow through."

You might also consider more carefully and specifically delegating parts of each project so each person know what they are supposed to do and when it is due to be posted and/or given to the group.

[sublime311]

You should ABSOLUTELY say something to them. Tell them to shape up or you and your work ethic are hitting the road! I completed my Masters through the University of Phoenix so I totally feel your pain when it comes to working with sucky groups - I've had a couple. Unfortuntely, the most responsible person always ends up doing most if not all of the work!

I tend to avoid confrontation, but in your case, I don't think you'll be able to. If you're unable to get your group to come together, I would definitely bring it up with your instructor.

[roadrunner]

Yeah, I wouldn't have likely used the word inappropriate, but I'm kinda at a loss as to what to say so as not to offend them, but still get the message across that this is not alright with me. It's so irritating, because these are adults, who are completing their 2nd or 3rd degree. It's not like they should not know what's expected of them!

I even had DH rearrange his schedule to make sure that he would be home now, in case one of the kids wake up.

I wondered about getting the instruction involved, but I don't want to be ratting them out - it will surely destroy any hope that our little 'group' has.

[Scooter]

The first thing to do would be to address them about it, before going to the professor. I think Villanelle's suggestion is good, although I would probably alter it be a little more directive (they're in grad school, they need to be professional enough to able to take criticism):

"Hey guys, I know group work is always tough and we all have really hectic schedules, but I'm being stuck doing more than my share of the work. Also, when we set a time to meet, we all need to be there at that time or remember to call so no one is left waiting. In the future, when we agree to chat or when someone is supposed to do a certain portion of the project, we all need to do our assigned part."

[roadrunner]

Thanks for the responses. I waited for 45 minutes before logging off. I'm such a pushover, I can't believe that I waited there for so long. :rolleyes:

I did post a message to our private group forum, and just said that I thought that we had a chat scheduled, but must have been mistaken, because I waited for 45 minutes and nobody showed up! I kept it lighthearted.

So now I'll just wait and see if anyone even bothers to acknowledge my post. They probably won't. We have another assignment due in three days, and, despite me asking them for input, not one of them has even posted their thoughts to the forum. ((sigh)) I guess I'd better go get started on that assignment as well. If I end up doing this one by myself, I will be taking this to another level with them. There will be no doubt in their minds that I'm fed up.

[imagirliegirl]

Good for you for saying something! I think that if no one replies to you then you should contact your professor.

I had a terrible group once that never wanted to meet or do any work so I talked to the professor and she let me do a project on my own. It was definitely worth it because their work ended up sucking and I made an A. Group projects suck!

[mrschica]

I'm glad you said something, I hate group projects for this exact reason. They should really be taking it a lot more seriously, especially since others depend on their cooperation. I'm sorry you have to deal with this immaturity! I can't stand irresponsible and inconsiderate people. :rolleyes:

[LRL]

Egh. I hate people who have absolutely no consideration for others, and don't mind their obligations. My husband goes through the exact same thing with his courses- I told him to definitely say something, and to make sure that he held everyone accountable for the work. Yep, basically he needs to babysit graduate students. Sad, isn't it? :rolleyes:

I am glad you said something. I had to do this with my first group in graduate school, except this was in person. I basically told them that they all made the choice to attend graduate school and the course, and that regardless of any other obligations, they needed to participate and contribute to every assignment. (Yes, this was after many light-hearted attempts-). I am always surprised at people looking to obtain higher degrees who want to act like they are back in their frat/sorority undergrad years.

[wendalah]

You might also consider more carefully and specifically delegating parts of each project so each person know what they are supposed to do and when it is due to be posted and/or given to the group.

I think this is probably the most effective suggestion. Since you have been the one completing and posting the assignments all the time, you may want to try something mildly tricky to get them off their butts. Tell them that you will be out of town one week and will NOT be able to post the assignment for class. Ask if someone will do it in your absence, and if nobody answers, call someone out point-blank. Then, tell them you'll be sending your portion of the work via email. Again, delegate someone to receive and integrate your work into the whole assignment. Etc, etc.

Keep a record of your communication and their answers. When the due date for the assignment pops up, you can check to see if they posted it (since you really won't be out of town ;) ). If they haven't posted it, after making a CLEAR plan together with you, print out all your communications with them and then talk to your instructor. This will present your case in a matter-of-fact, non-whiny way (some instructors get impatient with the he-said, she-said go-around regarding group project division) that you are, indeed, doing all the work.


I am always surprised at people looking to obtain higher degrees who want to act like they are back in their frat/sorority undergrad years.


No kidding! I taught both grad and undergrad at a university, and the grad students drove me up a wall. I'll take hungover 19-year-olds ANY DAY OF THE WEEK over 30-year-old "I can't do my assignment because it's Spring Break!" types.

[Pine Tree]

I'm a professor and teach mainly graduate classes - I would talk to your professor ASAP and explain the situation. I would much rather deal with this type of thing early on rather than later. Also, it creates a nice paper trail if I need to mark someone's grade down.

[cynder]

If they haven't posted it, after making a CLEAR plan together with you, print out all your communications with them and then talk to your instructor. This will present your case in a matter-of-fact, non-whiny way (some instructors get impatient with the he-said, she-said go-around regarding group project division) that you are, indeed, doing all the work.

I used to moderate online class for a graduate program and really agree with this. Group work in graduate school is not only common but a way of life for a lot of work places. If you have made a significant effort to corral your group and you have it documented (praise be the internet!), then you really have a case to bring to the instructor.

[Happy1]

I completely agree with what's been posted here so far. I sooo hate having to do group work like that. In Jr. High we were assigned into groups. My group voted me to be leader and I ended up doing almost all the work (despite practically begging them to help). The glory came though at the end of the project when our teacher gave the responsibility to the group leaders to grade each individual person in the group on how they did and we had to give reasons why. Needless to say I gave 3 out of the 6 of us F's for doing absolutely nothing, 1 person got a C for halfway making an effort and the other one got a B for being their part of the time. I was fair and got my revenge! Oh-and I have a feeling other groups were the same way. I know I wasn't the only one who had complained to the teacher about the lack of group participation and I have a feeling that's why he worked the grading the way he did. Either that or else he was just lazy. :p

Nikki :D