“What Are the Keys to Successful Collaboration When Working Together as University

Students?”

Script for the role play

[Scene: A university classroom. Four students are seated around a table, preparing for a
group presentation.]

Sam (Leader):
Hi team! Today, let’s talk about something that affects all of us-working together effectively.
Our topic is, “What Are the Keys to Successful Collaboration When Working Together as
University Students?” Let’s explore how to make teamwork more productive and enjoyable.

Priya (Monitor):
That’s such an important topic. We’ve all had good and bad experiences with group work.
Collaboration is more than just dividing work. It’s about working as one team and helping
each other grow.

Nimal (Timekeeper):
Exactly. I’ll keep an eye on the time and take notes as we go. We’ve got 10 minutes to
discuss, so let’s make it meaningful.

Ayesha (Devil’s Advocate):

Sam:
That’s a fair point. But in real life, we don’t work alone. Most jobs require teamwork.
Learning to collaborate at university helps us prepare for our future careers.

Priya:
Yes! Group work improves communication, teaches us patience, and helps us understand
different viewpoints. These are skills we can’t learn from textbooks.

Nimal:
Noted: “Group work builds life skills – communication, patience, adaptability.”

Ayesha:
But let’s be honest. Sometimes group work is frustrating. There’s always someone who
doesn’t reply to messages or submits work late.

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Sam:
True. One key to successful collaboration is setting clear roles from the beginning. When
everyone knows their responsibility, there’s less confusion.

Priya:
And having deadlines for each task—not just the final one—helps everyone stay on track.

Nimal:
I’ll add: “Clear roles and internal deadlines support accountability.”

Ayesha:
What if someone still doesn’t contribute? Should the rest of us do their work?

Sam:
No, we should first communicate with them. Maybe they’re dealing with something
personal. But if the issue continues, it’s okay to inform the lecturer. It’s about fairness.

Priya:
Exactly. Everyone should carry their share of the load. Otherwise, it’s not a team effort.

Nimal:
So far, we’ve identified:
 Importance of roles
 Open communication
 Accountability
 Fair contribution

Ayesha:
Another thing—sometimes leaders dominate and don’t listen to others. That kills creativity.

Sam:
Agreed. A good leader listens, encourages input, and supports the team. It’s not about
control—it’s about guiding the group.

Priya:
That’s why respect is key. Everyone deserves a chance to speak, and every idea matters.

Nimal:
Let me write: “Respectful leadership encourages participation and creative thinking.”

Sam:
Let’s list some qualities that make collaboration successful.

Priya:
Trust. Without trust, we can’t rely on each other.

Nimal:

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Commitment. Each member should care about the outcome.

Ayesha:
Honesty. If someone can’t finish a task, they should say so. Hiding it only creates bigger
problems.

Sam:
Great points! Here’s a list of core values for collaboration:
 Trust
 Commitment
 Honesty
 Respect
 Communication

Priya:
Also, flexibility. Sometimes we need to adjust plans when things don’t go perfectly.

Nimal:
Noted: “Flexibility helps groups adapt and move forward.”

Ayesha:
Let’s talk about tools. What helps us collaborate better in practical terms?

Sam:
Group chats like WhatsApp for quick updates, and shared docs like Google Drive for working
on the same file.

Priya:
Yes! And apps like Trello or Notion help manage tasks and deadlines.

Nimal:
Let me list: “Effective tools – WhatsApp, Google Docs, Trello.”

Ayesha:
But tools alone won’t help if members ignore messages. How do we keep people engaged?

Sam:
By making everyone feel involved. Ask for opinions, give compliments, and support each
other.

Priya:
Motivation is powerful. A simple “well done” can make someone feel valued and
encouraged.

Nimal:
So we add: “Appreciation and encouragement build team spirit.”

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Ayesha:
We’ve talked about values and tools. What about after the project? How can we learn from
the experience?

Sam:
Reflection! After every group task, talk about what worked and what didn’t. It helps us
improve for next time.

Priya:
Peer evaluations also help. They make grading fairer and make people more accountable.

Nimal:
Final checklist:
 Start with planning
 Assign roles
 Use digital tools
 Motivate each other
 Reflect after completion
 Use peer evaluations

Ayesha:
Let me play devil’s advocate one more time. Can all students collaborate successfully, or is it
just luck?

Sam:
It’s not luck—it’s effort. With the right mindset and tools, any group can work well. It takes
communication, commitment, and patience.

Priya:
We’re all different, but collaboration teaches us to respect those differences and turn them
into strengths.

Nimal:
We just need to believe in the team and do our part.

Sam:
Well said, everyone! Let’s wrap up with a quick summary.

Priya:
Successful collaboration means working together with mutual respect, trust, and shared
responsibility.

Ayesha:
It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. We grow as individuals and as a team.

Nimal:

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With clear communication, good tools, and teamwork, we can make any group project a
success.

Sam:
Thank you, team! Let’s keep using these lessons in all our future projects.

All Together:
Yes! Let’s collaborate and succeed—together!

[Scene Ends]