Final Discussion Question!!!

3). Pick a favorite concept that we have covered through this course and post about it.  Explain the concept to refresh our memories.  Tell the class why you have chosen this concept, and what it is you like about it.

The concept that I like and I think that fits style of this class and our style of learning is CMC versus F2F. We all decided to take online classes and although some of us may prefer a Face to Face education. For some reason or another we chose these classes either because of time constraints or a very hectic life. I really liked this concept because I believe in it and I think it is just as good as F2F communication, if not better. I work a full time job, a part time job and I have two children. So not only has Computer Mediated Communication enabled me to have this hectic life but has also given me a chance to get my education. 

Final discussion part 2

2). What have you learned throughout this class?  What was your favorite thing about the class?  What was your least favorite thing about the class?  How can this class be improved? 

During this class I learned a lot about groups and interactions that take place within groups. I also am able to look more at how the groups I am in behave and how I can adapt and learn from them. My favorite thing about the class was the movie research because it allows you to look at movies differently then you normally would. I also liked the blogging aspect of the class because it allowed us all to have interaction with each other. My least favorite thing was the lack of group work that we had. I think that working with your peers is something that helps build camaraderie and allows us to build connections. I think by adding group work within the class it will build a sense of unity between the students. I also think that keeping the blog aspect is a great part of the class and it should remain. 

Final Discussion 1

1). Discuss your Group Observation Project.  Was it a useful exercise?  What did you learn?  What was good about the project?  What can be improved?

I thought this project was a very insightful and useful project. I was able to gain knowledge into different groups and learn about their organization as well as how they are structured. I thought this was a great exercise because it made us get out of our comfort zones and actually engage in the community. I really liked the fact that I was able to look into groups and organizations that I would not normally get a chance to learn about. I know that if I did not have a connection within the organization that I may not have found an organization to observe. I think that there could be a list of organizations on campus that we could refer to. I also think that working in groups of two would allow us to have interaction with each other outside of responding to blogs. I also think that the amount of time given to us was great because many times our visits were a week apart.

discussion 2

Briefly outline an example of collaborative conflict resolution that you have engaged in. Contrast that with competitive conflict. Which was more satisfying to you? To the other party?

The last time that I was involved in a collaborative conflict resolution was recently in another class. We were all proposed a question that was really general and could be taken any number of ways and we had to work together to resolve it. The problem was that each of us had our own opinions on the answer and so we had to all work together to find an answer that worked for us all. An example of competitive conflict would be with my friend and we wanted to see if we were going to invest in season tickets for the 49ers. He laid out his reasoning and his opinion. I then followed with mine and we decided to talk/argue the situation until someone gave in. Personally I like to argue and i like the competition and tension it can build. Agreeing is so easy but disagreeing is really fun and exciting to me. To other people they seem to like to agree rather than argue because its more civil.

Nov 12 - 19 discussion part 1

1). (Regarding chapter 11) Distinguish among a forum, panel, colloquium and symposium as a means for making a public presentation. Which one would you prefer? Why?

There are many types of places and styles associated with having to present a conclusion, finding, recommendation or summary to an audience. The forum is format where a presentation is addressed to a full audience and the audience gives feedback to the presenters. A panel is the format where a group discusses a problem in front of an audience. The speakers present a problem and a solution and then its followed by a Q and A session. The Colloquim is a format where a group discusses a problem in front of an audience and the speakers work through a problem. The moderator has the audience give on going comments and participation. If I had to choose a format for a presentation I would choose to do it in front of a panel. The style of the way it is set up is similar to how it gives the audience a chance to ask questions and reply to any questions that were proposed.

Discussion 2

Name five cultural barriers to creativity. What do you think these would keep a group from being creative? Have you experienced any of these personally? Explain.

The book describes the barriers of creativity as the lack of self confidence, fear of taking risks, the need to conform, environmental and they find themselves locked into our habitual ways of looking at the world. I think when it comes to groups there can be many of these can keep a group from being creative. The first is the need to conform and think and act like otehrs. In groups it is common for people to want to fully assimilate and develop groupthink but sometimes it is ok to be independent. Another barrier that affects groups is the environment that they are placed in. People can be so closed minded and many times they can deter people from being creative. Many times people will be creative and singled out for being different or looked at as if they are trouble for the group. I have been in many groups where several of these barriers have come up. The one that comes up most often is the environment because people will shoot down your ideas because it is different. I most recently was in a group where they all thought alike and I was the outsider for wanting to go against the grain.

November 5 - 111, discussion #1

Provide an example of creativity from your own experience. How does it fit with the chapter's discussion of creativity?

Creativity is defined as “when you do something new, different, and helpful, it shows creativity” (p.162). going against the grain and doing something that is original is the definition of being creative. People who are creative see the world differently and can create thoughts and make them come to life. “Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say, why not?” Robert F. Kennedy. This quote explains how people who are creative and those who are innovators think. I have never seen myself as a creative person because when people think of creative they usually look at creativity as in art and I do not own in artistic skills. When it comes to groups I can be very creative. “Teamwork is a creative process” and this is very true because not only do I excel in groups I also tend to become more creative. I think that the amount of ideas flowing and diversity of a group can definitely builds creativity.