The "Excuse-Meister"... We have to admit that there is an "excuse-meister" in all of us. Whether it be our busy work/life schedules or unplanned complications along the way, we can't let excuses stop us from completing assignments and working together as a team.
3 strategies to dealing with the "excuse-meister" in your group:
1. Communication: Everyone makes excuses. There will always be road blocks in our lives that cause delays or detours. Communicate with your teammates. Be kind, but also be honest. Tell your teammates if you are currently having issues. Let them know that they don't have to worry and you will get your part done soon, or if you can't get it done, maybe they can help you out with the assignment for the week. That's what teammates are for, to support each other (just don't take advantage of them!). Take note that we are adult learners and we all have lives outside the classroom that can interfere with school work. With that, remember to be honest. Be an adult and just admit when you can't get an assignment done or contribute to the group. You may not get much praise, but your teammates will appreciate your honesty.
2. Set schedules and goals: An "excuse-meister" usually makes excuses because he procrastinates. He makes excuses to himself and others that he will get his part done later, but by the time later rolls around it isn't done and he has come up with another excuse! Start small. Maybe set a schedule for when small ideas/parts should be contributed throughout the week. That way, a big daunting task due at the end of the week won't seem so overwhelming. Be sure to make it clear to your group about the seriousness of completing tasks in a timely matter. No one likes to have a student "piggy-back" off the group. A good teacher will allow students to reflect on their group members' contributions and assign grades as individuals.
3. Modes of communication: With online classes we don't have the benefit of seeing our teammates face-to-face on a weekly basis. It is harder to motivate (or guilt!) your teammates when you don't really know each other at all! We are all aware of how time consuming it is to turn on the computer, log onto Laulima, read everyone's forum postings, and write a response to it. Make it easier. Communicate through text. Everyone reads their texts because it is delivered instantly and people always use their phones (at this day in age). It is harder for an "excuse-meister" to make an excuse this way without sounding totally shady.
Remember, everyone makes excuses from time to time, but don't let the excuses make you into an... (dum dum dummm!)... "Excuse-Meister"!
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