Individual Competition vs. Group Collaboration?

It was interesting how each group decided to play the game Dr. Collins assigned engaged us in our last class. Our group decided before it began that we will equally “win” and decided that we each throw out a “Y” every time. I suggested the idea, thinking “why not all of us get equal points so no one has to lose?” People in our group was willing to try this method, and we all followed the rule all through the ten attempts so it worked out, but someone in the group, at any time, could have decided not to follow the rule, to gain an individual advantage. 

Although I come from a collectivistic culture, I can be a competitive person so if the game was done in different circumstances, I may not have offered the suggestion of all of us getting the same amount of points. I think I felt comfortable with the people in my group and I trusted them enough that I thought it would work. I don’t think I would’ve felt the same way with total strangers, and even with the group I had, I may not have felt that this method would work if the class atmosphere was a competitive in nature and the instructor emphasized on individual achievements rather than group collaborations.

At the end of the game, Dr. Collins showed us that, although no one person won the game, we accumulated the most points as a group. I think it is a great refection of learning that takes place in a collaborative, group-centered atmosphere. We tend to be competitive in educational settings because that's what we are used to, but group learning can be more meaningful, deepens our understanding, and be more fun as well!  Thanks to my group (Jason, Meghan, and Duane) for trusting each other and for Meghan's suggestion of giving the winning back to Dr. Collins for Mateo's college education fund. That was a fantastic idea!