Slack team members are a major hurdle for distance group projects

A Massive poll found that 35% of Massey distance students saw unmotivated group members as the main challenge in group projects.  

Unlike internal group projects, where peer pressure and face-to-face interactions can maintain accountability, distance learners find it easier to be disengaged. 

Te Tira Ahu Pae’s distance vice president, Flynn O’Hallahan said, “Fostering group communication is more difficult for distance students. We have to compete with differing time zones, availability and restrictive communication methods”. 

Adding to the stress for 25% of students was ‘finding a time that fits with everyone’s schedules’ and a ‘lack of communication,’ which affected 18% of distance students. 

Despite their unpopularity, group projects can be an essential part of connecting distance students who often have limited interaction with peers. 

A Massey spokesperson said, “Collaborative learning and working in groups are great ways to help students develop key ‘soft’ or ‘transferable’ skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork and project/task management.” 

“Working in groups and teams, often online and across multiple locations and time zones, is increasingly a part of the normal workplace, and while we know it can be challenging at times, we do factor this into course workloads.” 

The spokesperson encouraged students to contact their course coordinators if they are experiencing challenges in their team. 

Taking the time to find the best platform to communicate and work through was important, as some distance students said websites like Discord are lesser known, and Facebook Messenger does not work for screen sharing.