Post #3 (December 3 - 9)

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.

My favorite concept from this course would have to be the section on nonverbal communication and cues. Nonverbal communication is basically communication without any actual spoken words. It is just based off of things like eye contact, body language, and facial expressions. I think it is really interesting that we can communication fully with another person without using any sounds or words, and still are able to get a complete message across. I am really perceptive so I pick up on nonverbal cues very easily. I also can practically have an entire conversation with my best friend with nonverbal communication. We have known each other so long, our nonverbal cues are practically like a second language for us. I think nonverbal communication is very important, because as important as words are, sometimes actions are much more important. You can say one thing, but act completely different, and that really speaks volumes. 

Post #2 (December 3 - 9)

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? 

So far throughout this class I have learned a lot about dealing and working with others, especially in a manner where we need to accomplish a goal or task effectively. I actually really enjoyed the movie analysis paper, I thought it was really interesting how much of the things we were learning applied to a popular film. Also, it gave me an excuse to watch one of my favorite movies over again for about the millionth time (I chose Mean Girls). My least favorite thing about the class was having to use D2L, it just sucks a lot (I know it's not your fault, it's what we have to use). Also, I didn't like the 12 hour minimum between all the posts, that just prolonged me getting my work done. I don't really have an improvements for the class, I think everything worked really well and was helpful. Also, the book was great, it was easy to read and understand. 

Post #1 (December 3 - 9)

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?

My group observation project was based around an eighteen and over men's basketball team. I play for the women's team, so it was pretty easy trying to schedule times to come and observe the boys practice. I chose this group because I love basketball, and I thought it would be interesting to see how the leadership aspect differs from the girls team to the boys team. The project itself was useful, I realized that guys tend to let things go quickly and don't really hold grudges as much as girls do. Also, since there was no official coach or leader, it was hard to pinpoint leadership qualities within an individual, but I found it interesting because I was able to see how all of the members participated together to create a cohesive team environment, giving everyone a chance to be the leader at one point or another. That was probably the best part about this project, being able to see them all work together to create an aspect of leadership for the team. I didn't really find any improvements, they seemed to mesh really well together (part of that comes with being friends and teammates for so long). 

Week 13 (November 12 - 18)

Post #3

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed during this discussion week, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.

The concept that I am going to discuss in this post is the substance and reasoning behind conflict. The three main components of this topic are scarce resources, diverse backgrounds and orientations, and task accomplishment with varying orientations. Scarce resources can be an issue because it limits your ability to produce a quality result and solution to your problem or conflict. An example of this would be having a lack of time, financial resources, etc. Having diverse backgrounds and orientations can be an issue because people are brought up to believe different things, and that can affect the way they approach problem-solving and communication. Examples of this are having different religious views, backgrounds, different opinions, knowledge, interests, abilities, and relationships to the outcome or goal you are trying to achieve. Task accomplishment with varying orientations can be an issue as well because not everyone necessarily wants the same outcome, or cares the same amount. Also, people's understanding of the subject and what you are trying to accomplish can hurt the group process and be a reason being conflict. 

Week 13 (November 12 - 18)

Post #2

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?

A collaborative conflict resolution is ideal because it is considered a win-win for everyone. It is an appropriate method for conflict resolution because it takes time, energy, and commitment, all of which guarantee the best possible end results for all of the group members. I had to partake in a panel-like discussion dealing with collaborative conflict resolution in another small group communications class that I took at community college. It worked really well because we were all able to participate and work together to find a solution. A competitive conflict generally creates a win-lose situation. It is led by self-interest, rather than mutual interest for the group. Competition can be healthy as long as it is not blown out of proportion and consuming the group atmosphere. I was doing a group presentation with a few classmates in high school, and my best friend was in another group. We had a debate, and we both, for some reason, wanted to beat the other. This may sound stupid but it got in the way of our friendship a little bit, until we realized we were being ridiculous. My group ended up losing the debate by a few points, and her group won. In the end it didn't matter, but at the time that bit of competition was not healthy. Collaborative conflict resolution is much more satisfying to me, and to most I think, because it really gives you the chance to work with other people to come up with the best possible solution for your problem. 

Week 13 (November 12 - 18)

Post #1

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

According to our book, a forum is format for speaking and listening to a larger audience. It is kind of like having a public discussion where the audience is allowed to fully participate. A panel is a public format in which a group of experts, typically between four and eight, discuss a problem or make a decision in front of a live audience. Generally, the experts on the panel use humor and somewhat of an informal dialogue to keep the audience's attention and interest. A colloquium is a form of public discussion where a group of experts, typically between three and six, discuss a problem while following a problem-solving format. These experts are usually chose for their different views, and are problem-solving in front of an audience but are with a moderator to facilitate their interaction. A symposium is a series of two to six short speeches made on different aspects of a difficult problem. The speakers are generally experts on different aspects of the topic. Personally, I would prefer a panel because I would like having the ability to interact with the audience, and use humor to solve the issue.

Week 12 (November 5 - 11)

Post #3

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed during this discussion week, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.

The concept that I am going to discuss this week is superiority versus equality. When working in a group there are many important factors for group effectiveness, but one of the most important factors is equality. Everyone in the group, regardless of your assigned role, gender, age, intelligence level, or race, has and should have an equal opportunity to help lead and provide feedback to the group. If there is a person or two within a group who display a sense of superiority, others will be intimidated and won't want to participate. This will hurt your group morale and creative process, as well as your grade and the other group member’s grades. Equality is an important factor of life, as well as in working with a group. I have worked in groups before where one person thought that everything they had to say and think was gold, not giving others a chance to give their opinion, and when it came down to the group project being turned in, our grades suffered. Professors assign group projects because they want to see the members work together, and see what work they come up with together, not individually. Superiority just creates hostility and an awkward group environment.