• A group sitting together

Making groupwork work

Making groupwork work

Different types of groupwork at ITU
Groupwork is a central part of many courses at ITU. Different types of teamwork serve different purposes. In some courses you might collaborate in short exercises, join study groups to discuss course material and give feedback, or work on bigger projects throughout the semester. Some group activities focus on discussion and how best to understand complex concepts. At other times the aim is to produce shared outcomes (e.g. reports, prototypes or technical solutions).

Groups are formed differently
During your studies groups will be formed in different ways. In some courses, groups are assigned by the teacher – randomly or with the intention of creating a mix of different skills or perspectives. At other times you will be invited to form groups yourself based on project ideas or work preference or other considerations.

Teamwork skills for your future career
Groupwork at university will help deepen your understanding and expose you to new perspectives. As you engage in groupwork you practice important collaboration skills: You will learn to communicate more clearly, provide constructive feedback as well as gain practical experience planning tasks, facilitating meetings, managing deadlines, and navigating disagreements. This experience fits directly in your CV as it is skills of high value among future employers.

Psychological safety strengthens effective groupwork
Psychological safety means feeling able to ask questions, share ideas, or admit confusion without worrying about negative reactions. In a study setting, this helps groups clarify misunderstandings early, experiment with ideas, and build stronger shared solutions. Collaboration becomes productive and supports deeper learning.


Six simple suggestions to support inclusive groupwork


1. Talk about how each of you work the best:
Align expectations early – consider doing a collaboration agreement
(see tools below)

2. Make it easy for everyone to participate:
Create structures that can help everyone contribute – both for the big picture and for the small tasks (see tools below)

3. Share tasks flexibly:
Remember there are many ways of contributing. Keep track of tasks, delegation of to-dos, and project progress (see tools below)


4. Agree on how you communicate and provide feedback:
People process info differently – some prefer talking while others understand visuals or text better (see tools below)

5. Plan realistically: Remember breaks/buffer time:
Energy levels vary. To avoid overload, build in pauses and help each other set doable deadline

6. Do regular check-ins and adjust as you go:
Regular check-in rounds on what worked well and what didn’t enable adjustment. Wrap up to agree on one small action to improve for your next meeting (see tools below)

Tools to help improve your teamwork

Agreement

How to make a collaboration agreement

Some degree of challenge or tension is to be expected when collaborating.

Differences in expectations, busy schedules, and diverse ways of working can occasionally lead to misunderstandings or friction.

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Structure

Tips on how to structure meetings

If you actively suggest and maintain clear structures for when you meet up, you increase efficiency.

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Plan and notebook

Tips on how you evaluate collaboration along the way

The first step is to create a collaboration agreement.

However, it only becomes useful if you return to it and follow up as part of your teamwork.

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Feedback between each other

How to work with feedback in your group

Often among students you need to provide feedback to each other.

Feedback is not just about praise or criticism - it is meant to move your work forward.

This is sometimes challenging, as feedback can easily be experienced as personal.

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When collaboration gets difficult

Academic debate or personal conflict?
Disagreements and moments of tension are a natural part of working in a study group. In fact, academic debate is a core part of university learning. Through discussion, you deepen your understanding of different theories, methods, and perspectives.
It’s important to distinguish between constructive academic debate and personal conflict—because they call for very different ways of responding.

If you experience tension, address it early!
It is important to act on signs of tension or personal conflict. Tricky situations arise around many topics. Sometimes groupwork is challenged due to uneven workload – some feel invisible, while others feel they carry the project.

At other times clashing ambitions can occur, where some aim for top grades, while others are satisfied with just passing. Miscommunication can also challenge collaboration – small issues or attempted jokes escalate quickly across platforms.

Take small matters seriously – you get better at teamwork only if you practice!

Where to turn for help and guidance
As a first step, try using the tools to help improve your teamwork at this site (link above). If you feel involved in a situation too difficult to handle on your own, reach out for support.

Contact your course manager or supervisor for guidance on possible ways forward - they can often help point you in a constructive direction.

If you’re unsure how to approach the course manager, consider asking your teaching assistants for advice.

You can also book a group session in the Study and Career Guidance (see below).

Group sessions in the Study and Career Guidance

The study and career guidance team

How to make a booking for your group

If your study or project group is experiencing challenges or early signs of conflict, you can request a dedicated group session with a study and career guidance counselor.

To book, please email studentadvisors@itu.dk with a short description of your situation and your group size.

We will then get back to you to propose possible times for setting up a joint meeting.

A group session

What to expect in a group session

When you book a session for the group, you can expect a student guidance counselor to help guide a structured conversation about your collaboration.

Through facilitated dialogue and guidance; together, you will work towards a clearer understanding of the situation. We support your dialogue and help keep it constructive and focused.

Often, we can help identify concrete actions to improve how you collaborate as a group.