Today I was to meet for a group project because the class that it is for was cancelled (use the time you would already have used to do work? What a genius idea!). But no. There was deliberate talking to individuals about it, but when the text came this morning double checking about it, someone had the nerve to say something along the lines of, "I didn't know we were meeting today, nobody told me."
Ya. Very passive aggressive. And because I sent that passive aggressive message out and won't be able to make it on Sunday if they all decide to meet, then this will likely be discussed again in a negative light (there is the foresight) because everyone knows that group work cannot be kept on target!
I understand the purpose and benefits of group work. It gets you communicating with students, working in teams, and having to participate to get things done. Well seldom in my group work experiences, even the good group work experiences, does this go well. Often times there is one, maybe two, people who do the majority of the work; half of the "team" does not understand what goes on and if they do, they never showed up to the meetings anyway; people don't do as they are supposed to and hold themselves accountable; and it stresses everyone out! I have also been in those groups where we have ran like a machine and have achieved everything in a short amount of time and were prepared and it was wonderful. That accomplishment will be needing some more hindsight as to how it was such a success. Group work is here to stay, so if you can't beat it. Join it.
But that's my frustration. But I've already posted on the Google document my information, so I am up to date for now. Besides, I felt tremendously better once I sent that passive aggressive text and though I know upcoming things, I'm okay. I also was the one who reminded a fellow student that we didn't have classes today, so her reaction and thanking me made me happy.
So despite everything that is attempting to go wrong with this beautiful week, I'm happy. I'm up to date on things, and though I am running around crazy, I'm relaxed and prepared. Things are going good.