Thursday, March 20, 2008
Reflections
March 20 -I have enjoyed using this format this week much more than class. I think we are much more open and honest about our thoughts, and confusions outside of the confines of "class". I have seen most of your names in my classes this last year, but I feel like for the first time I am really getting to know some of you beside just your names. I am not sure how well I have even gotten to know the people I have done projects with besides the nagging of getting it done.
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5 comments:
I know the feeling on projects in the online classes. It seems like so many of the interactions with collaborators are negative when you just use asynchronous discussion or e-mail. Having everyone meet on Skype seems like a great way to get folks together and chatting, and it doesn't have to be all that organized since everyone doesn't have to chat at once (thought it's cool if you can) since you can just set it to share with everyone.
I had a course last term where two of our group members disappeared, and wouldn't respond to emails or on the blog, and my partner and I ended up finishing the whole thing ourselves and had to turn it in three days late. I think something like Skype would have made our communication a lot more effective - and less time consuming.
I also know the problems with group members. My group in my 8807 class won't respond to emails and are not familiar with Skype. No one is posting either. This is really frustrating at this level of education. But, I guess leopards can't change their spots.
Several comments on your blog are of interest to me. First, regarding group projects--some things never change; there is usually one, or at most two who carry the load. My experience is that is just they way it is, although not the way it is supposed to work theoretically. I don't think Skype would help. If the goal is to avoid, it can be avoided even if Skype is loaded onto the computer.
It was good to get to know you a bit, Rachel, via your bio. That is the one advantage I have found in blogging. Perhaps as we move apart in distance learning, it will be necessary to come back together in other ways.
I know that it is always the pitfall of group projects is someone ends up doing the majority of the work. I think some of it boils down to communication. When I taught at the community college level, I had groups complete an anonymous evaluation of their peers contribution as part of the assignment. I didn't really grade it, but after using it a few times I found it reduced the one person doing the work. Perhaps the more people feel involved, and perceive that they will be held accountable, the less this occurs. A chatting tool could be useful in increasing each individuals perception of their involvement
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