Task 3 Reflection

     Well it's the end of the semester and this will be my last blog post. This week we were assigned to create a ScreenR presentation describing our scenario and the unique aspects of it.

Reflection

1. Share the web address url of your group's ScreenR presentation.

     http://screenr.com/IR97

2. Reflect on your contributions and how you contributed to making your group a success.

     This week I contributed to the group by giving my thoughts of what the unique aspects of our scenario are for the ScreenR presentation. Throughout the semester I believe that I contributed to the group by always giving my input and always helping get tasks done on time. We lost a couple group members, but Warren and I always managed to get the assignments done well and on time. We communicated frequently and easily which made getting the assignments done more stress-free. This class was fun. I usually don't like working in groups, but when all group members are on the same page and are there to support each other, it makes it more better and more enjoyable.

     I had a great semester! Have a great summer everyone!

Task 3-6 Reflection

     This week our group came up with strategies to dealing with the "Excuse-Meister" explained in Richard Dool's paper on "Managing Conflict in Online Student Groups".

Reflection:

1. Why is it important to use teams in PBL?

     Using teams in Problem Based Learning is essential for getting perspective. It allows students to solve their problem with an open mind, seeing solutions that they might not have thought of on their own. 

2. What are some of the problems you see in student teams?

     Along with Dool's personalities of the "Martyr", "Excuse-Meister", "Breathless in...", and "Silent Partner", the big problems are communication throughout the assignment and fulfilling the expectations of the group.

3. What strategies can you use to manage conflict in student teams?

     As the instructor it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the group (without seeming too obviously nosey) and to communicate with each student. Get all sides of the story and assign grades fairly according to teammate reflections. Be kind, be fair, keep your cool, and pass it on.

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?

     No questions or problems here. Warren and I have learned to work effectively in a group together... Too bad the semester is almost over.

Week 15 Teamwork

     The "Excuse-Meister"... We have to admit that there is an "excuse-meister" in all of us. Whether it be our busy work/life schedules or unplanned complications along the way, we can't let excuses stop us from completing assignments and working together as a team.

3 strategies to dealing with the "excuse-meister" in your group:

1. Communication: Everyone makes excuses. There will always be road blocks in our lives that cause delays or detours. Communicate with your teammates. Be kind, but also be honest. Tell your teammates if you are currently having issues. Let them know that they don't have to worry and you will get your part done soon, or if you can't get it done, maybe they can help you out with the assignment for the week. That's what teammates are for, to support each other (just don't take advantage of them!). Take note that we are adult learners and we all have lives outside the classroom that can interfere with school work. With that, remember to be honest. Be an adult and just admit when you can't get an assignment done or contribute to the group. You may not get much praise, but your teammates will appreciate your honesty.

2. Set schedules and goals: An "excuse-meister" usually makes excuses because he procrastinates. He makes excuses to himself and others that he will get his part done later, but by the time later rolls around it isn't done and he has come up with another excuse! Start small. Maybe set a schedule for when small ideas/parts should be contributed throughout the week. That way, a big daunting task due at the end of the week won't seem so overwhelming. Be sure to make it clear to your group about the seriousness of completing tasks in a timely matter. No one likes to have a student "piggy-back" off the group. A good teacher will allow students to reflect on their group members' contributions and assign grades as individuals.

3. Modes of communication: With online classes we don't have the benefit of seeing our teammates face-to-face on a weekly basis. It is harder to motivate (or guilt!) your teammates when you don't really know each other at all! We are all aware of how time consuming it is to turn on the computer, log onto Laulima, read everyone's forum postings, and write a response to it. Make it easier. Communicate through text. Everyone reads their texts because it is delivered instantly and people always use their phones (at this day in age). It is harder for an "excuse-meister" to make an excuse this way without sounding totally shady.

     Remember, everyone makes excuses from time to time, but don't let the excuses make you into an... (dum dum dummm!)... "Excuse-Meister"!

Task 3-5 Reflection

     This week we compiled the information from the whole of task 3 that we have been working on to make a Task 3 Final document.

Reflection:

1. What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?

     All the information that we needed for the final document was all pretty much already done in the prior document, so mostly all that we had to do was just copy/paste them into the right places.

2. What role did you play in the team this week?

     This week I just set up the doc, added information, and edited the doc.

3. How did you encourage and support your team members this week?

     Warren and I kept in touch through text like we have been doing before, this way we could immediately let the other know if we had any concerns and get them worked out quickly.

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?

     At first Warren and I were unsure if we had the right information in the right places of the document, but after sorting some things out and reviewing it, we were assured that our document looks  good.

Task 3-4 Reflection

     This week we continued to work on Google Docs. As a group we were assigned to define authentic assessment.

Reflection:

1. What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?

     This week I helped write about what our group learned about authentic assessment that was useful in building our scenario.

2. What role did you play on your team this week?

     This week played the role of editor of the doc.

3. How did you encourage and support your team members this week?

     Warren and I worked together well and accomplished the task timely, as we usually do.

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?

     At first we were unsure if we should have included our research about authentic assessment, but we just ended up leaving it up to help support our Screenr video explaination.

Week 13 Group 6 Current Event

Current Event Topic: Top three most effective ways of communicating with your peers in an online course.

Group 6 Members: Warren Shaw & Maile Yap

     The semester is almost over, and Warren and I can both agree that Ed. 279 has been the most communication-driven online class we have ever taken! We've learned a lot about ourselves; what and how we can contribute to a group. We've hit a few speed bumps on the way when we lost some group members, but we never let that slow us down. We kept a positive attitude and have supported each other throughout. We have also learned the most effective ways to communicate with each other in an online course...

1. Email/Laulima Forums: Group members can express themselves more thoroughly and they can attach pictures and links to help support their thoughts. This method can work well; however, not everyone checks their email or Laulima everyday.

2. Google Drive: This method is an excellent way for group members to work together with project related material. The auto save and sharing element of it makes it easy for members to work on it at their own time. The live chat tool is also another great element of Google Drive allowing members to work on their project simultaneously.

3. Phone (Text/Call): This method of communicating has worked the best for our group. We didn't start using text until Task 3, but it seems to work better than the first nine weeks combined! Though text group members can stay on top of tasks easily and instantly.

Task 3-3 Reflection

     This week we continued to work on Google Docs. As a group we were assigned to create a scenario for our Problem Based Learning assignment.

Reflection:

1. What roles did the members of your team have this week?

     Since I acted as a replacement facilitator for the current event forum discussion last week, Warren took the job of facilitator this week and I was a contributor. I prepared the Task 3 Google Doc, but Warren really  contributed a lot this week by creating the scenario and writing up the welcome and orientation memo.

2. Given your role in the group this week, how did you contribute to the group?

     I contributed to the group this week by editing our Google Doc scenario, welcome memo, and orientation memo.

3. What worked well this week?

     Warren and I continued to communicate via text message and it seems to work very well. I usually set up the Google Doc early in the week and we both just go in and fill it out.

4. What will you do differently next time?

     Next week I plan to contribute more to the assignment, making the time to work on it.