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Experiential learning resources for the innovative educator
 “What are some effective group work strategies for students?” I’m asked this question a lot, and understand it well as a project-based educator. I’ve been through the ups and downs that come along with group projects, and as a result, have developed some group work strategies for effective collaboration. Let’s take a look.  Let’s be transparent here for a second: group projects can be awful. Once upon a time, one of my group work “strategies” was avoiding group work altogether. I would have students do projects, PBLs, or other learning activities independently because it felt easier than tackling all of the challenges that tend to come along with group work. Have you ever felt that way? Do these frustrating group work obstacles turn you away from group projects entirely?
The list goes on, but these are the most common group work challenges that I have seen and experienced.  Yes, these challenges are rough. They can feel daunting and overwhelming not only for you but for your students as well. I was one of those students who preferred to work alone on school projects for the reasons I just laid out. If anything was to get done I felt I had to do it myself. But here’s the thing: by skipping group work, your students miss out on crucial learning and skill-building opportunities that will set them up for future collaboration (which is unavoidable). Graduating high school doesn’t mean they’ve escaped group work—they’ll face it throughout their lives. So, if it’s inevitable, why not help them build the skills now to crush it later? Also, when students bypass group work, the outcomes are less impactful. Sure, the projects I did solo in high school may have been finished quicker because I didn’t have to deal with coordinating with others or resolving group conflicts. But the outcomes were limited—only one voice, one perspective, one set of resources, one person’s network, and so on. You get the idea. If you’re doing project-based learning with your students, you already know how important those elements are. Project-based learning is by nature collaborative and community-based, and there’s a reason for that. The result is big impact and deeper learning. In other words, don’t give up on group projects just yet. It’s possible to enjoy the benefits of group work without getting bogged down by all the challenges that often come with it. I’ve been a project-based educator for 16 years and have experienced these pesky group project challenges again and again. When it comes to project-based learning, avoiding group work isn't really an option. That meant I had to try out different group work strategies—if they worked, I kept them; if not, I scrapped them. So, in this blog post, I’m sharing the group work strategies that I’ve found to be the most effective!  Effective Group Work Strategies for Students1. Build a Strong Team Identity with a Team Branding Challenge An excellent way to improve group dynamics is by helping students create a sense of team identity and ownership from the get-go. One strategy I use is a Team Branding Challenge, where students work together to develop a team name, logo, mission statement, and goals. By encouraging teams to define their purpose and strengths early on, you set a collaborative tone for the project. It’s also just a fun and different way to approach group work. How this helps:
 2. Assign Defined Roles Based on Strengths One of the quickest ways to avoid confusion and conflict in group work is by assigning roles. Encourage students to assess their skills and strengths at the beginning of the project and assign roles accordingly—such as project manager, researcher, designer, or presenter. This ensures everyone has a specific task and prevents any one student from carrying the entire load. How this helps:
3. Solve Group Work Challenges with a Problem-Based Learning Approach Group work often falls apart due to common challenges like uneven participation, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts. One way to tackle these issues is by using a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Challenge where students team up to identify group work challenges and devise and implement their own solutions such as organizational systems or conflict resolution strategies. This approach gives students ownership over their group dynamics and empowers them to implement their solutions in real time. How this helps:
 4. Use Short Exercises to Build Teamwork Skills Teamwork requires practice! Your students won’t necessarily have the tools or skills to work effectively as a group just yet. Incorporate quick, low-stakes activities throughout the session to build essential skills like communication, active listening, and trust. My resource with 10 short exercises is perfect for this. These activities take only a few minutes and can be used at the beginning or end of class to improve group dynamics over time. How this helps:
 5. Implement Group Contracts At the start of any group project, have students create a group contract. In this contract, students define group norms, set expectations for participation, and outline how they will resolve conflicts. This document serves as a reference point when issues arise and promotes accountability. How this helps:
6. Facilitate Regular Group Check-ins Group dynamics can shift over time, so it’s important to check in regularly. Schedule time each week for students to reflect on their group’s progress, discuss any challenges, and recalibrate if needed. This open dialogue prevents problems from escalating and allows for continuous improvement. How this helps:
7. Incorporate Peer and Self-Evaluations Make peer and self-evaluations throughout group work projects the norm to encourage reflection on each team member’s contributions. Have students assess both their own performance and their peers', fostering honesty and accountability. These evaluations can also provide valuable feedback for improving dynamics on future group projects. How this helps:
8. Set Milestones and Deadlines Set clear milestones and deadlines throughout the project to keep teams on track. Breaking the project into smaller tasks allows students to focus on immediate goals and provides a sense of accomplishment along the way. Regular deadlines also give you the chance to step in and support teams that may be struggling. How this helps:
9. Encourage Diverse Perspectives Group work thrives when students leverage the strengths of their diverse team members. Encourage students to seek out different perspectives within their group and use those differences to enhance the project. This could involve assigning students from different academic backgrounds or interests to work together, ensuring a richer final product. How this helps:
10. Celebrate Group Successes Finally, celebrate group successes, big or small. Whether it's completing a major milestone, solving a group challenge, or producing a final product, acknowledging the hard work and collaboration of each team builds camaraderie and makes the experience more rewarding. How this helps:
Your whole life doesn’thave to be wrapped up in these group work strategies. My recommendation is try one thing at a time. Baby steps.  If you’re not looking to take your time on this and need group dynamics to improve ASAP, my recommendation is to have your students do the team branding project, the group work problem-based learning challenge, and skill-building exercises. Yes, I know, these are the three group work strategies that I have resources for, but that was deliberate. These are the three most effective group work strategies that I have tried, and when combined, the results are magical. If you’re looking for just one group work strategy right now, my recommendation is doing the group work problem-based learning challenge. This experience is designed to solve the peskiest group work challenges, and your students are the ones doing the work. Some of the group work strategies mentioned in this blog post, like "facilitating regular group check-ins," "setting milestones and deadlines," and "incorporating peer and self-evaluations," are strategies your students could use as solutions in their group work problem-based learning challenge. It's a comprehensive, all-in-one experience that both addresses group dynamics and applies those strategies directly to their work. The point is, don’t ditch group work altogether until you’ve tried some of these group work strategies. You’ll be glad you tried them. Bundle and Save  Helpful Blog Posts PBL Courses Join our experiential learning Facebook group!
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Blog IntentTo provide innovative educational resources for educators, parents, and students, that go beyond lecture and worksheets. AuthorSara Segar, experiential life-science educator and advisor, curriculum writer, and mother of two. 
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