Group Projects That Work

Summary of Tan, A. & Yeo, L. (2024)

Background & Existing Knowledge
Group projects are often used to develop collaboration skills but can fail without structure. Peer regulation and planning increase their success and student satisfaction.

New Insights from This Study
✔ Students using structured peer planning performed better on group projects.
✔ Shared goal-setting improved equity and accountability.
✔ Metacognitive prompts encouraged deep processing and problem-solving.

Practical Applications: How Educators Can Use This Research

Structured Group Work
📌 Begin with a peer-designed project plan.
📌 Assign rotating leadership and reflection roles.
📌 Break large tasks into small, trackable milestones.

Peer Monitoring and Reflection
📌 Use check-ins to resolve conflicts early.
📌 Provide tools for self and peer assessment.
📌 End with group debriefs focused on collaboration.

Assessment Integration
📌 Grade process and product separately.
📌 Include reflective journals as part of project grade.
📌 Allow revisions based on peer input.

Conclusion
When students co-own the structure and process of group work, peer learning becomes more authentic, equitable, and effective.

Key Words
group projects, peer regulation, student planning, collaboration, project-based learning

Reference
Tan, A., & Yeo, L. (2024). Structuring Group Work for Deep Collaboration in Secondary Classrooms. Asia-Pacific Journal of Education, 44(1), 44–60.

Suggested Citation
Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Group Projects That Work. Excellent Educator, 2(13), 8.