TOEFL integrated writing: is group the best approach?

The reading passage says that when project is accomplished by a group of people it would have several advantages and yield better results than working individually. However, the lecturer casts doubt on those advantages.

First, the reading states that the individual members of the group could actually shine in the team because their contributions and ideas are greatly recognized and this would lead to overall good results in the team by working together than working individually. In contrast, the lecturer states that some members in the team do not contribute any ideas and if the project resulted in success the credit goes to whole team but not for the members who have struggled hard to make it success.

Next, the reading says that if the project is assigned to a group there would be more quick responses and creative solutions and project is completed more quickly than those accomplished by separate individuals. However, the lecturer casts doubt on it and says that some projects would take more time when accomplished in a group because they should arrange meetings between their members to come to an agreement and take final decision about the project.

Finally, the author says that the team members who have voice in taking decision would feel better and rewarding about carrying the work that is entailed by their decision than doing work imposed by others. In contrast, the lecturer says that in a group one or two people would become influential and it affects the team. The other team members were neglected and the influential people would pass their ideas instead of being discussed with the other team members, only because such influential people would not be interested in them. Moreover, when a project would fail due to the effects of such people the whole group members would be blamed.

In sum, the reading states that in projects group work would yield better results than working alone. However, the lecturer casts doubt on these advantages and disagree with the author's opinion.