Group Work
A group work accommodation provides students with additional supports for group work or an alternative to group work that allows the student to demonstrate learning and participation.
Who is this for?
A group work accommodation may be necessary to support equitable access for learners:
- Whose disability imposes challenges to navigating social dynamics and communication.
- That experience a barrier to maintaining the pace of others due to persistent or chronic health conditions.
- With a disability impacting communication and speech.
- That struggle to interpret and understand spoken information, even if hearing is unaffected
This accommodation supports students to:
- Equitably demonstrate learning by alternate means when disability impacts their participation in group work.
- Allow students to participate in group work by providing reasonable amendments to group work requirements.
What it is
When working in a group or demonstrating knowledge through group work is not a stated learning outcome or essential requirement, this accommodation provides alternate means to demonstrate learning and participation where communication and social requirements may create barriers for the learner.
When working in a group or demonstrating knowledge through group work is a stated learning outcome, this accommodation provides additional supports and alternatives for learners to participate in group learning, projects, and presentations.
What it’s not
An exemption from group work when working in a group is a defined learning outcome or essential requirement being taught or assessed.
How can I support this in my classroom?
An altered group assessment could include:
- Assigning specific parts of group work to specific students in a group and/or allowing for student with accommodation to complete a specific piece of work.
- Group (or individual) presenting only to the instructor.
- Allowing recorded presentations.
For an individual requiring an alternate to group work, instructors should consider:
- An individual assignment or project with equivalent learning outcomes.
- Reasonable alternatives discussed with the learner.
- The confidentiality of the student while ensuring they are assessed on the content of the course.
Additional Notes
For more information on general group work, consult 7 Tips For Using Group Work Effectively in a Diverse Classroom and From Team Charters to Reflections: Six Steps for a Successful Group Project.
