These are improvements that I settled upon during my quantitative and qualitative analysis that I feel could be used to improve the teaching of collective activities, or be used in the process of formulating future briefs. They are not given in a particular order so as not to emphasise an importance or hierarchy between each suggestion.
Improvements
- Emphasise the aim of group work being about helping others rather than having them help you.
- Encourage recognition of the value of all voices and allow space for relationship-building within the design process.
- Encourage respectful discussion around cultural and societal differences to promote mutual learning in a safe space.
- Assist in establishing good communication at the start to ensure efficiency and avoid abortive work.
- Recommend initial development of ideas be done through group discussion rather than as individuals to encourage cohesion, consideration and a ‘common goal’.
- Encourage division of labour as smaller groups rather than as individuals to account for differing levels of comfort with presenting findings/work/opinions.
- Emphasise responsibility to others, aiming towards taking responsibility for one’s own contribution to the group.
- Encourage efficiency of work but also culture of learning through rotating roles for a range of experiences.
- Assist in planning of project development to help set realistic responsibilities and timescales.
- Encourage continued reflection upon individual learning from collective work, and recognise the help of others whether in individual or group work.