Purpose and Function of Group Work Group work facilitates peer learning and encourages students to develop collaborative skills

Purpose and Function of Group Work

Group work facilitates peer learning and encourages students to develop collaborative skills.  Studying collaboratively has been shown to directly enhance student learning by:

• enhancing understanding;
• students learning from one another and benefiting from activities that require articulation and testing of their knowledge;
• providing an opportunity for students to clarify and refine their understanding of concepts via discussion and rehearsal with peers.

Group work can facilitate the development of generic skills valued by employers which include:

• teamwork skills (skills in working within team dynamics; leadership skills);
• analytical and cognitive skills (analysing task requirements; questioning; critically interpreting material; evaluating the work of others);
• collaborative skills (conflict management and resolution; accepting intellectual criticism; flexibility; negotiation and compromise); and
• organisational and time management skills.