During this stage, members reconcile competing loyalties between themselves and their group and their responsibilities. They accept the group, the ground rules, their roles in the group, and the individuality of fellow members. Emotional conflict is reduced as previously competitive relationships become more cooperative. Group members begin to settle down and start helping each other. The change is significant to an observer - they become more relaxed, enjoy themselves, and begin to work together.
Groups are a good thing.
I don't think I was fully taking advantage of them, but I hope to improve in that aspect. The team is now an effective, cohesive unit. You can tell when the students reach this stage because they get a lot of work done. Complaints are rarely made. They have moved from passive to active learning.