Differences in teamwork between post‐secondary classrooms and the workplace

This article compares the factors that affect groups of students working to complete assigned class projects and people working together in the workplace. Similar factors characterize successful teamwork whereever it occurs, just as similar factors characterize unsuccessful efforts. Highlighted here are differences between post‐secondary classrooms and workplace teams. The main purpose is for college and university instructors to recognize these differences and alter their expectations of teamwork by students accordingly.