The Art of Group Work: How to Develop Group Projects that Work Community of Practice

Community Information

Facilitator: Shannon Orr, Professor, Political Science Department & CFE Faculty Associate

Duration: Spring 2026

Meeting Schedule:

• Wed, Feb 4, 10:30-11:30 AM
• Wed, Feb 25,10:30-11:30 AM
• Wed, Mar 18,10:30-11:30 AM
• Wed, April 1, 10:30-11:30 AM
• Wed, April 22, 10:30-11:30 AM

Meeting Location: Olscamp Hall Room 106

Community Participants:

All BGSU faculty, adjunct instructors, graduate students, and staff are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Community Description: 

Group projects are a powerful way to foster collaboration, problem-solving, and real-world skills in students, but they often come with frustration for both students and instructors. This Community of Practice will empower you to design and manage group work that is fair, effective, and engaging.

In this community, you will explore strategies for:

• Structuring group projects to promote accountability and minimize conflict.
• Teaching students essential collaboration skills.
• Managing group dynamics and addressing common challenges like free riders and dominant personalities.
• Assessing group work fairly and effectively.

At the end of the semester, you will leave with a clear plan for implementing or improving group projects in your courses. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to assigning group work, this session will help you turn a notorious pain point into a rewarding learning experience for everyone.

All members of this community will receive a copy of the book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker.

Community Learning Outcomes:

By participating in this community, you will be able to:

• Create group assignments that promote meaningful collaboration, clearly defined roles, and equitable participation.
• Identify strategies to teach students essential teamwork skills, manage conflicts, and foster a productive group environment.
• Develop methods to evaluate group work that balance individual accountability with team performance.

Participant Expectations:

As a member of this community, you are expected to:

• Meet the community learning outcomes.
• Actively attend and participate in 4 out of the 5 scheduled meetings.
• Complete any assignments and/or asynchronous tasks.
• Complete any necessary deliverable activities or projects as determined by the facilitator.

Community Registration Deadline: Wed, January 28

Spring 2026 CFE Community of Practice Application Form