Group projects have become an end-of-semester tradition for some students. Some instructors attempt to not only teach material, but encourage social growth with elaborate and time-consuming projects.

"Some subjects may require final exams, but with what I do, the group work and presentations are more appropriate," said Ocek Eke, communications lecturer.

When students spend an entire semester working on the project's topic or issue, they learn more comprehensively, Eke said.

"You know more than what a final exam would prove you know," he added.

Some students find that balancing an already hectic schedule with the equally tight calendars of their peers can make these projects more of a hassle than necessary.

"I'd rather have exams during finals week because of time; there's always other stuff to study for and it's difficult to work with other people's schedules ... it's easier to get the work done on your own time," Carolyn McNaney (junior-health policy and administration) said.

Such time conflicts can lead to group work being divided up and done individually, but even then the experience can still be valuable, McNaney said.

"We would just meet up for 20 minutes and split up the work, but it would teach you to rely on other people and be more responsible because your work is affecting the other members," she said.

Others believe groups might work better if they schedule several meetings.

"I think the best way is to schedule two or three meetings leading up to the date that the project is due, and then just try to get everyone together," Stefanie Anderson (senior-material science and engineering) said.

Teaching students responsibility and teamwork is an important goal of group work, said William Harkness, professor emeritus of statistics.

"It really gives the students an opportunity to work together and teach other, which improves student learning," Harkness said.

Increasingly difficult questions can be asked because students are putting their heads together to come up with answers, he said.

"The good students help the poor students through interaction, and with the social aspect, the students usually like it," Harkness said.

Group projects then become a way to encourage students to work as a team, which will help when they are employed, Eke said.

"In the real world, you'll get a job, and you'll work with people ... group projects make it easier," he said.

McNaney said she has had mixed experiences with group work, but the projects have a useful purpose.

"I've had good and bad experiences; the bad ones are where people don't do their work," she said.

"But because they associate the material with outside stuff, you have to apply it to the real world."