- Go to the Group Work Home page and read the background to the resource,
- Next, read the brief overview Making Group-work work
Step 2. Meeting the students and their brief
The resource consists of 10 short film clips or episodes, each of which highlights a particular aspect of group work. Find out who the students are, what their brief is and how to get the most out of the episodes by clicking here.
Step 3. Episode 1: The First Meeting
1. Now that you have met the students and read their brief, it is time to take a look at the first episode. This is the first time the students have met each other. Read the Scenario and watch the video. There are 5 Observation Points - things for you to look out for. Write down your answers to each of the questions in the Observation Points.
2. Now watch the First Impressions video diaries of each of the students to see how each of them feels about how this first meeting has gone. How familiar are their comments?
3. Now watch the Analysis video clip and consider the Observation Points II (Observing Group Behaviour). Write down your responses to each of these.
4. Listen to Professor Hartley's commentary and relate this to your own experience.
Step 4. Analysing the other episodes
Now that you have watched the first episode and got to know the group and their task, it is time to watch the remaining episodes. This can be done either in one sitting or spread over time, which ever is most convenient. With each episode, read the scenario and write down your thoughts on the Observation Points. Also watch the Analysis video clip and write down your thoughts on the Observation or Discussion Points. Once you have done this, listen to Professor Hartley's commentary for each episode.
Step 5. Discussing the episodes
Once you have listened to each of the episodes and put down your thoughts on the Observation and Discussion points, I would like each of you to lead a discussion on one of the episodes.. In starting each discussion off, you should consider what the focus of the episode was, e.g. was it about planning, or decision making, etc.
Using the Observation or Discussion points as a guide, discuss what you think were the key points of the episode, and how they relate to your own experience at Namal.
Read each others postings and make your own comments saying whether or not you agree, and add examples from your own experience.
Professor Hartley’s Commentary:
ReplyDeleteWell, just as the professor Hartley said that when a group starts, there is un certainty about other group members, tasks and how to manage all this. So, when you are un-certain about other people and then one of other persons try to be bossy and try to lead the group at the very start, this might lead to conflicts with in a group leading to storming.
As far as my group experience went, it was quite fascinating. We all had a good introductory session and after that we started our discussion about the task. All the group members were a bit hesitant at the very start of discussion but later on we encouraged each other to get involved by supporting each other’s ideas and developing confidence with in ourselves. We got away from any sort of conflict in our first meeting as there was no such arguing other than the task. We were just forming stage of a group.
OBSERVATION POINT 2(Analysis Video Clip):-
ReplyDelete1) Your Experience:
i) Taking in account my experience in a group, I think the first meeting went quite well as we had a good introduction of each other and helped out each other with ideas an suggestions.
ii) I contributed to the group by sharing my ideas about the task and moreover gave an introductory lecture about what the task was all about and what were the things that we have to keep in mind in order to get the task done.
iii) Well, not exactly the similar way but I was a bit like Vicky encouraging the other group members to participate in the discussion.
2) Managing Discussion:
i) The group members encouraged discussion by supporting each other’s ideas. Mostly, Vicky helped a lot in making decisions effective by making all the members involved.
ii) Additional Strategies: I think, there should be note taking of one’s ideas about the task given individually and then description of those ideas on the board individually instead just Delia going to the board and writing what she is told. This will lead a better way to discuss the task and approach to accomplishment.
3) Ground Rules:
i) Flexibility
ii) Shouldn’t be bound for everyone to be present in order to take in decision.
I don’t see any problem with these rules, because I believe that there should be flexibility as no group can work effectively, if there is no flexibility in decision making and other matters. Secondly, the work shouldn’t stop if any of the group members is not present due to any such reason because otherwise the group might have to face consequences in order to complete the task.
Ground Rules are very beneficial, because as ground rules are implemented on each and every member of group with their decision, so there is no hesitance or reluctance at the end in making any decision on the basis of ground rules.
OBSERVATION POINT 2(Analysis Video Clip):-
ReplyDelete1) Your Experience:
i) Taking in account my experience in a group, I think the first meeting went quite well as we had a good introduction of each other and helped out each other with ideas an suggestions.
ii) I contributed to the group by sharing my ideas about the task and moreover gave an introductory lecture about what the task was all about and what were the things that we have to keep in mind in order to get the task done.
iii) Well, not exactly the similar way but I was a bit like Vicky encouraging the other group members to participate in the discussion.
2) Managing Discussion:
i) The group members encouraged discussion by supporting each other’s ideas. Mostly, Vicky helped a lot in making decisions effective by making all the members involved.
ii) Additional Strategies: I think, there should be note taking of one’s ideas about the task given individually and then description of those ideas on the board individually instead just Delia going to the board and writing what she is told. This will lead a better way to discuss the task and approach to accomplishment.
3) Ground Rules:
i) Flexibility
ii) Shouldn’t be bound for everyone to be present in order to take in decision.
I don’t see any problem with these rules, because I believe that there should be flexibility as no group can work effectively, if there is no flexibility in decision making and other matters. Secondly, the work shouldn’t stop if any of the group members is not present due to any such reason because otherwise the group might have to face consequences in order to complete the task.
Ground Rules are very beneficial, because as ground rules are implemented on each and every member of group with their decision, so there is no hesitance or reluctance at the end in making any decision on the basis of ground rules.
Episode # 02:
ReplyDelete1) Inclusion:
The reaction was negative because the other group members were not asked for suggestions about such approach and Shireen just forced them to do certain tasks without even asking either they agree or not.
2) Democratic Planning:
No, the process wasn’t democratic because Shireen just implemented her decisions that Vicky will take notes and Delia will do the power point work and etc. The process can be democratic if the tasks are first defined and then put them in front of all members. So, that the suggestions and ideas of all members are taken in account.
3) Failing To listen:
The impact on the discussion was the contradiction in other member’s opinion with Shireen’s point of view.
OBSERVATION POINT 2(The analysis video clip):
1) Democratic Allocation:
Vicky adopted a better approach by making use of white board and allocating the tasks to members with their opinions while Shireen just implemented her orders. This wasn’t fair.
2)
All members showed their contribution to discussion by participating in the discussion and taking hold of their duties.
3)
I don’t think so, that the criteria of Shireen was worthy and on the other hand, instead of clarifying “Muzz” , the other group members got busy in their own discussion.