Group Work
Reflections on group work. It is extremely difficult to be a distance learner like I am and be a part of the group. I think that group projects might be easier if people are in closer proximity and know a little bit about each other. It is difficult to operate as a group without real time communication or team members who have the time to visit asychronous communication boards frequently. One can feel a little isolated and collaborative work is difficult to achieve. It is important to have at least oen synchonous conversation when roles and jobs can be decided and delegated. I might be inclined to work pairs in future. I recognize how hard it can be to form an online group. If people work together or know each other then this might help. Group work was not really what I expected it to be, or what I would envisage my students to experience. I might be inclined to lay down more group rules and recomendations for studetns to promote more communication and collaboration to faciliate everyones learning and sharing. Admittedly, our group had more challenges than other groups- 3 members and other complications. We did get the job done!
Our group Wiki is found at OLTL650 and includes an anotated bibliography with Rubric. It was actually good to do although the Wiki was a nightmare to sit up and use. I'd select the exact site recomended by the teacher next time. I still gained knowledge and skills from doing this. for example I located and evaluated sites in a new way, and I learned a bit about developing a rubric--a term that is not used in Australia to my knowledge.
I would say that both group projects reinforced many of the principles of successful online groups to me personally. The most pertinant were: Elect a group leader/co-ordinator; organize what needs to be done in real time together; delegate or ask for volunteers for the various steps; request constant/regualr communication as too success of achieving the task at hand; and agree to step up and assist others when necessary for the group project to be successfully completed. I am not posting group projects and 1 and 2 as they will mean little to me over time. What I'll recall are these principles.
