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(7) Have you been involved in many group assignments since you started yourcourse in an Australian University?Six of them had done a lot of group assignments, one of them had done only a few<strong>and</strong> one had never done one.(8) Would you like to have more group assignments? Or you think there were toomany?Five responded that they did not like too many group assignments, <strong>and</strong> one said, “Ilike to do assignments by myself. Group assignments, I find I can’t do the wholeassignment”. One of them worried about issues of equity; he commented, “If I canwork with the students who are responsible in your group, I feel good. However, ingeneral, there are at least one or two group members that are lazy”. One of thegraduates thought the number of group assignments at present was all right <strong>and</strong> justfine. Only one student said he would like more group assignments.(9) Do you prefer to choose your own group members? Why / why not?Four of the graduates liked to choose their group members. One of themcommented, “I prefer to choose group members by myself, to ensure I know themembers are diligent <strong>and</strong> responsible”. Two of them preferred the lecturer to choosethe group members. One comment was, “In addition, I am not active enough toapproach people. So I prefer lecturers to assign my own group members”. One ofthe graduates was not so sure; he said, “Yes, but maybe no, because if you studywith close friends… you need to discuss with people who have a totally differentopinion to you; that is the purpose of group assignments”. One student did not careone way or the other.(10) What problems have you encountered in group assignments?All except one had experienced problems related to group assignments. One madea good comment: “At first, time organisation was a big problem. Furthermore, thereare many ideas from the different people <strong>and</strong> sometimes it is difficult to consolidatea harmonious plan <strong>for</strong> the whole process of one assignment. Thirdly, some studentsdo not pay much attention, or are lax, concerning the marking of assignments; thusnot want to contribute too much. Fourthly, when some people do the assignment,their ideas are different with others”. In addition, one of them worried that if everyonefocused on only one part then they would not underst<strong>and</strong> the whole assignment verywell.(11) Do you think you get better results with group assignments?Four of them responded negatively <strong>and</strong> only one gave a positive answer. The restthought it would depend on different situations. As one commented, “It depends, I’dstill prefer individual assignments. Not that I’ll get better marks with a groupassignment, but maybe if I get higher, it won’t be fair if it’s other peoples work, orlower when I’m restricted to a group”.(12) Do you think group assignment is a good thing <strong>for</strong> your learning? Why / whynot?Six of them thought group assignment was good. One of them commented, “Thereare some advantages in group assignments. When you work in a group, aimed at anissue, it will help you broaden your ideas <strong>and</strong> your knowledge because everyone inyour group will have their own opinions”. One graduate disagreed, commenting,“Maybe it can increase teamwork, or cultural learning, but from my experience, Idon’t know if it is really useful”.(13) Have there been many presentations since you started your course in anAustralian University?All of them had done some presentations in an Australian University.92

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