n order to accomplish this goal I grade a portion of the group work as individual and the other portion as group. For instance, at SLA we use a common rubric. There are 5 categories and for most group projects I assess the students individually on Research, Knowledge and Process while assessing the group grade through Design and Presentation. This allows for students to evidence individual learning while also collaborating on a group endeavor.
Allow students to identify one person in the room they would like to work with and then pair up the partners.
Try to work on a group project yourself. Own the fact that it is challenging, and have some compassion for the difficulty that comes from working with others.
We need a new educational model that makes learning personal and motivating, and helps secure our students' future in the knowledge economy. Mobile technology opens the door to it.
By Mary McCaffrey