BlogTEAMWORK VS WORKING ALONE: WHAT DO STUDENTS PREFER TODAY?
TEAMWORK VS WORKING ALONE: WHAT DO STUDENTS PREFER TODAY?
2025-09-13
Whenever students are presented with any assignment or project work, the dilemma of either working on it alone or joining a group for collaboration always presents itself along with it. This choice is frequently made, whether it's for a larger assignment, homework, or a class project. Each choice has advantages and disadvantages of its own. A student's learning, productivity, and even feelings about the work can all be impacted by the method they use to complete a task. Whereas new ideas, shared responsibility, and a sense of teamwork can result from group work, working alone can allow a student to truly focus, have more control over their work, and experience less distraction. Why is it that one of these options is preferable to some students while the other is seen as an obstacle? The decision and preference depends upon the task at hand, the student's personality, and their ultimate goals as well. It is important to consider how students can get the most comfortable working environment for efficient and smooth learning.
Different learning methods, whether it be an individually assigned task or a group project, impact students' performance in noticeable and significant ways. A research conducted by Aida D. Stoian involving 56 second-grade students, with one group working individually and another group participating in both individual and group activities showed that students who used a mix of both methods performed better and were more motivated than those who worked alone.
It would be wrong to discard one method of working in favor of the other since both of them have their own importance, where one could be more useful or efficient in certain scenarios. An article by Queen’s University Belfast states that, “Group work can encourage the development of key professional skills, enhance student engagement and encourage deeper learning” (Group Work). Working together with other people gives us access to multiple perspectives and approaches. This may help coming up with findings or solutions quicker. Group work also allows for students to engage in a social environment, which benefits social and emotional health.
But how well do these researches reflect on real-life classrooms? To find out about the preference of students towards individual and group work, a survey poll was conducted among 37 students of grade 9. Most students preferred working in groups rather than on their own, attributing it to enjoying the chance to bounce ideas off each other, and for some, working in a team just feels easier. Even though some students feel more focused and responsible when studying alone, the majority appreciate the creativity and support that come from collaborating with others.
Of course, group projects can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to working with classmates who might not contribute as much. Despite those challenges, the general feeling is that students today prefer teamwork because of the shared responsibility and motivating atmosphere it creates, even though working alone has its perks. However it is important to note that students have also expressed how working alone makes them feel more responsible towards their work, which may be diminished when working together with other students.
In conclusion, many students today prefer working in groups because it allows them to share ideas, learn from different perspectives, and feel motivated through collaboration. Working in a team also creates a supportive environment where students share responsibilities among themselves, making tasks feel more manageable and enjoyable.
References
Stoian, Aida D. “The Efficiency of Differentiated Learning - Independent Learning Situations versus Collaborative Learning.” Network Intelligence Studies, vol. 4, no. 07, 2016, pp. 51–59, www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=537553. Accessed 12 Mar. 2020.
“Group Work | Academic & Student Affairs | Queen’s University Belfast.” Queen’s University Belfast, Oct. 2017, www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/CentreforEducationalDevelopment/UsefulInformation/ActiveandInteractiveLearning/GroupWork/.
