Remember that group project I complained about? (I deleted the OP because I didn't want anyone in my group to stumble across it). Just got it back. C+! My lowest mark in the entire two years I've been in the program was a B+, and that was only once or twice. This was the final mark I was waiting for in my entire program (I'm finished now, though! woohoo) and it sucks to end on such a low note.
I slaved over that thing. The thing is, though, if I didn't, we probably would have received a failing grade. Throughout the instructors very lengthy feedback she basically says that our idea for the paper sucked (and it was an idea I spoke out against in our group but I was out voted) and that although we covered everything, we didn't cover it in near enough depth. The thing is, two of the people didn't cover their topics at all and I spent forever researching, trying to add things in to make it work. She pulls out things I discussed (that were not touched at all by the people who were in charge of that section) and says things like "This is a great start, but what about these 10 other things you didn't think about" which I obviously couldn't do when I was only given enough time to proofread, not generate a paper on my own, and was trying to maintain some of my group mates' original text. If it had been my way we wouldn't have written about this topic at all and I think we lost marks because our topic idea sucked.
This blows. It moved my overall mark down to an A-. I'm pretty sure that she read and agreed with my letter I had to send in, blasting my group mates, because she also handed in our marks for class participation and I got perfect, and I know I didn't earn a perfect grade. Looks like you guys were right when you said I should blast my group members, I think it saved my mark in the course. Still sucks, though.
Re: I HATE group projects
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I hear ya on that! I despise working in groups.
I'm sorry that the mark wasn't what you'd hoped, but at least it didn't bring down your grade too much. I mean, you still obviously kicked butt!
I'm glad you sent the teacher honest feedback. No sense covering for people, they've got to own their behaviour and consequences. And you know what? I bet they all know to whom particular criticism was directed.
At least it's still an A?
I'd have the exact same reaction. And the worst part is you know it's not all your fault and beyond your control. Honestly, I think your effort deserved top marks. It's unfortunate that there wasn't a way to combine the participation and work grade so you'd have an A + C = B type thing and ended with your A fully in tact.
And no more group! Yay!
It does suck though that her comments mirrored what you wrote was frustrating about the group experience. It's one of those times that it's difficult to be satisfied that you were proven correct.
But no more group! Yay!
So what's next? If you don't mind me asking.