Drop games class over a group project?

College Life
1

<p>I’m a game design student. One of the issues with many of these classes is that they stress group work (with the exception of one which I was really happy that it did not). However, one of the classes I am taking is not required for my degree and is about how games can be used in education. I have wanted to take this class for years. I was finally able to get this opportunity during my final year.</p>

<p>However, this class also tends to be popular with non-games students who take it because they think that it will be an easy credit. At the beginning of the semester, our professor slapped us randomly into groups. Since the demographic of the group is such that it is mostly non-gamers in the class as opposed to gamers, most of the class does not care about the material.</p>

<p>This has manifested in my own group. We have had to make major decisions and I have waited days over email. One such decision involved naming our group. It took five days to get a confirmation that a name I chose was okay for the rest of the group. After I told him in class what we decided, the rest of our group decided to change it at the last minute. I felt this was disrespectful since not only did they waste my time, but they decided then and there that my idea wasn’t good enough instead of discussing it privately in email like they were supposed to do so. This caused a great deal of embarrassment to myself.</p>

<p>Further, I have more experience than all of these people. I don’t say this to brag, but constantly they speak over me and brush off anything I have to say (even when I know what I’m talking about). I have had a number of game design classes and even went to San Francisco on behalf of my university to work on a mobile game. I am also doing games-related research on the side. It is not like I am another student in the class.</p>

<p>I emailed the professor and told him my thoughts. He told me to trust him and that he would try to work things out. Nonetheless, when I did have an opportunity to switch groups and wasn’t able to do so, he yelled at a few of the students in such a way that they felt like they were dumb for not taking me since I could be a programmer for their group (we have to make a game). We talked afterwards and while he still feels like he wants to help me, he also feels like his hands are tied. Not only that, my group now knows I despise them because of this incident. We have to evaluate each other and I am not sure I will get grade markings due to this.</p>

<p>Like I said, I want to take this course, but I am not sure it is worth the drama. Additionally, I am doing 18 credit hours and research on the side. It doubly stinks because I am also working with this professor on some research. I don’t think his opinion of me will change if I do drop, but I fear risking that. Nonetheless, I also think I have to consider my sanity. It seems like I am risking a lot of that for a class that should not matter.</p>

<p>Alternatively, I am thinking of asking him if I can audit the course if I find out by then that I still can’t work with this group in a month’s time. I just really don’t have time for people who could care less. I do want to learn the material, though, and possibly make something that I can throw in my portfolio. So maybe if I audit it and he lets me work on my own thing, that would benefit me most. I do have to make a decision by Friday, though, if I want to drop the course without a grade.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>I would recommend sticking it out. This sounds like it would be a good experience for you in learning to work with people who are different than yourself, have different backgrounds and experience levels, and may not work in the same way or on the same timetable as you do. It’s obviously not a pleasant situation, but you won’t be able to run away from working on a team every time someone frustrates you. You may have a job in the future where you have to work with people who seem less experienced than you or don’t seem to care as much as you or don’t respond as quickly/aren’t as communicative as you would like them to be (perhaps, even a job where you are designing a game as part of a team that frustrates you for whatever reason).</p>

<p>It seems odd that you would be ready to jump ship after something as simple as naming your group, but I’m sure there were other conflicts that you didn’t mention? It’s important to learn how to compromise and to pick your battles. The name of the group really isn’t that important. Brush it off, and move on.</p>

<p>Have you considered finding a time when you can all meet in person to hammer out decisions so that you don’t have to wait on emails? Have you considered calling or texting, instead of emailing, since people don’t always check their email frequently? Or you could try to catch up with people after class to ask them a quick question so you can get their response on the spot rather than waiting for them to respond to an email.</p>

<p>Also, perhaps, the group is getting vibes that you feel that you’re better or more qualified than they are. That may make you seem a little conceited to them and might make them a little less enthusiastic about what you say. I’m not saying that you’re not more qualified than they are or that this is what’s happening, but you may want to consider how other’s perceive you and your actions.</p>

<p>It’s important to learn to work as a group. In the real world, you can’t always abandon your team whenever they annoy you. You also don’t always get to pick your team or your co-workers. This may be a way for you to practice different ways of handling situations in a relatively low-stakes situation.</p>

<p>If this class and learning the material is important to you, then stick it out. Perhaps you could take it pass/fail, if you don’t need it more your degree and you’re concerned about you grade in the course. That way you still get to learn and participate, but you don’t have to fret about what you grade will be.</p>

<p>If you really don’t think you can handle the group work, then just drop the class. I doubt your professor would care, and he seems to be aware of your frustrations with your group, as well.</p>

3

<p>If you can’t handle this, you can’t handle the real working world.</p>

<p>But maybe you could take it pass/fail.</p>

4

<p>You may have more experience in game design than your classmates, but they may have more experience than you in other areas (like education, or child development). Don’t assume that your classmates are just there because they think it’s an easy grade - lots of people want to explore other topics and subjects that may seem irrelevant to their major. Also, keep in mind that even if you are objectively the most experienced person in the group, that doesn’t mean they have to listen to you. You ARE just another student in the class - a student who has developed a vested interest in the subject matter, but still just another student. Keep that in mind, as your classmates may sense your superior attitude and feel resentful. You’re supposed to be working together as a group, with equal input.</p>

<p>Group projects are an essential part of college AND of life. When you work in the work world, you will have to work on teams - and some team members may not know as much as you or be as invested as you. You can’t ask your boss to take you off the project every time or let you work independently on your own thing. So consider this a learning experience. If you really want to learn the material and have been waiting to take this class for ages, get through it!</p>

<p>Have a conversation with the rest of your group, like adults. Let them know that you don’t despise them, you’re just frustrated at the lack of progress you’ve made and the gaps in responsiveness to email, but you’re sure that you all can work it out. Perhaps you can set a deadline for responding to emails (within 24 or 48 hours, whatever’s amenable to everyone) and hold each other accountable that way. Maybe you all can discuss conflicting commitments that you have - you may find that one of your group members has two small children at home or that another works 40 hours a week, and that may give you some sympathy for their plight (although it’s not an excuse for them not to be engaged). Exchange phone numbers so that you can phone or text each other, and agree on regular meeting times in regular areas (maybe once every two weeks).</p>

<p>Then set deadlines for deliverables. Maybe an outline of the project by X date, and a workplan by Y date. Some of the stuff will be divide and conquer, where individual pairs or people can work on certain parts of the project, and then you bring it together to make sure it’s cohesive. Hold each other accountable (in adult, non-hostile ways) for missing deadlines or meetings.</p>