Feedback May 15, 2008
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Some of the feedback I received from peers I expected, and some I did not. Some people commented that I had just fooled around during one of our class periods, which I don’t believe was true. Other people said that I had done an excellent job being part of the group. I believe I did a lot during the semester that I wasn’t always recognized for, but that to me isn’t always the most important thing. Peer assessments are not always the best way to determine the productivity of someone, as people are fickle and prone to faults. All in all, I didn’t really take anything new from reading my own reviews. It was pretty much what I had expected, from knowing what I know about people in general.
Online Portion B – What in hell have I actually been doing?! May 5, 2008
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True/False:
1. Goal-setting is a responsibility that I share. If true, explain how.
As a member of the collective group, I have the ability to help make decisions by sharing my input and opinion.
2. I have been instrumental in marshalling resources for the group. If true, explain how.
By bringing my own personal experiences and input to the group, I have been instrumental.
I am using this class to satisfy my individual and group-irrelevant needs. If true, on what basis can you earn a passing grade?
3. Our class/group has all the roles necessary to achieve optimum group growth and productivity. If true, explain. If false, which role(s) are we missing?
I believe things might have been slightly less difficult if we had more followers to complete tasks or certain jobs.
4. Our class/group has not yet generated effective work on the problem of role-requiredness. If true, what role have you been playing? If false, what evidence – on the group level – supports your claim?
The fact that our work is demonstrating progress and showing a product means we have been filling role requiredness to a successful degree, but might not be perfect.
5. My role(s) in the class/group and different sub-group teams has changed depending on the stage of development. If false, why not, and what does having a static, unchanging role “do” to or for the group? If true, fill out the chart below.
6. I am unsure how to diagnose role requirements needed by my sub-group team. If true, what is your strategy for learning?
I do not think of our group in these terms. I use my social experiences from the past to determine what course of action I should take.
7. I have role flexibility. If true, explain with three or more specific examples from class. If false, what are the adverse consequences to your teams and the class/group-as-a-whole?
I have had role flexibility by switching tasks by volunteering to take on another role, stepping up and taking charge in certain instances, and keeping quiet when necessary.
8. Developing role flexibility is an important objective of group member training. The three roles I flex among the most are: a )initiator-contributor, b) elaborator, and c)procedural technician. My decision to flex is based upon: When other people don’t step up in certain roles, or when I see the need for a certain role to be filled, I might change mine. For example, when we needed someone to take photos for our group wiki, I volunteered.
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9. I never find myself resisting the retraining required to be a functional group member. If true, are you saying you never experience tension or anxiety in the class/group? Explain. If false, how does your resistance tend to show itself in role behavior?
I sometimes do resist retraining as a natural response, but this is not entirely a conscious decision. I do experience tension within the group, but choose to deal with it in the most productive way possible. Sometimes I may disagree with a decision and I share this with the group.
My Johari Window April 5, 2008
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Rate me…
Look me in the… mouth? March 31, 2008
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“I didn’t think the author was literally referring to his eyes. Instead, I thought he meant it figuratively. That is, he meant to say, examine me closely . . . as I read I found there was a double meaning.”
http://www.umasswiki.com/wiki/Class:COM352_-_Group_Dynamics_-_Spring_2008/course_outlines_and_in-class_activities/eighth_day_of_class/Test#look_me_in_the_eyeThere is a substantial difference regarding meaning when combined with the visual on the cover of the book. When I first read the title of the text in the syllabus, I was thinking in terms of the quote above. I figured that many literary works use clever titles to not only catch attention, but to convey ideas which are not necessarily directly stated. After seeing the book in person, I realized that the meaning might be slightly more direct than I had originally thought. The young boy with his eyes tightly closed gave me a sense that he was being instructed to look someone, possibly an authority figure, in the eyes and was strongly resisting.“His eyes are shut on the cover to convey that he doesn’t want to reveal or share anything when in fact he’s letting us into his life through his retelling of experiences.”My first ideas about the meaning of the title could easily drift more towards the gist of the above, as the incorporation of the cover visual greatly changed the meaning for me. When this additional information is added, there are more interpretations available. Could the boy being trying to hide from something or someone? Is there some untold truth that is being concealed behind the scrunched face and crinkled eyes? This is indeed clever and intriguing as a book title cover.“The image I had was a book about truth and integrity, with looking someone in the eye traditionally being a visual clue of honesty.”This led me to a final dimension of thought, the last quote written here. The meaning has transformed from a purely physical action to a symbolic form of honesty and integrity. Depending on how different cultures interpret eye contact, we could determine that this young boy is avoiding telling the truth, being non confrontational or any other number of meanings associated with the human eyes.
Course wiki – Blue Skies March 31, 2008
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I think I would like to create my section about a sport I enjoy, and how a student can get involved in it. I am a licensed skydiver, and I think many people would be interested in what I do and how they can get involved. I would include pictures, general information such as a Q and A, and other pertinent topics. If I could figure out how, I could put my videos and other stuff on there. Who knows where it could lead…
Damn hippies…! March 9, 2008
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The Pioneer valley is regarded as an educational and cultural Mecca in Western Massachusetts, characterized by a free flow of ideas and a generally accepting environment for alternative lifestyles. With the “liberal” atmosphere of the “Happy Valley” as it is called, I’m sure many of us have heard the term “hippie” in reference to certain people in society. These individuals are seen as dreadlocked, patchouli wearing, environmentally friendly, pot smoking people who rock patchwork pants and have jam circles in any public area. While we know that all of these aspects may not necessarily apply, there is still a very definitive notion of what a “hippie” is in New England. As stated by The Online Entymology Dictionary: hippiec.1965, Amer.Eng. (Haight-Ashbury slang), from earlier hippie, 1953, usually a disparaging variant of hipster (1941) “person who is keenly aware of the new and stylish,” from hip “up-to-date” (see hip (adj.)). The route offered by The Online Etymology Dictionary offers a take on the early history of the word. This somewhat innocuous reference to our modern “cool” has evolved into the “crunchy granola” version of our time. hip·pie ˈhɪp i – Show Spelled Pronunciation[hip-ee] Pronunciation Key–noun
| a person, esp. of the late 1960s, who rejected established institutions and values and sought spontaneity, direct personal relations expressing love, and expanded consciousness, often expressed externally in the wearing of casual, folksy clothing and of beads, headbands, used garments, etc. |
As has been a trend in American history, a term which began as an inoffensive word was applied to a minority in order to label and ostracize them. In the past, when certain groups have been deemed a threat politically, culturally, or otherwise, these terms have been applied to them in order to separate the minority from the majority. The cultural movement of the 60’s fostered entire populations of these social pariahs, who were consequently labeled hippies. The general ideas of peace, love, and unity of this earlier period were translated into more modern times with the development of hippie clothes, speech, and lifestyle. The word hippie is not necessarily derogatory, but has been instilled as a way to categorize and label those who are not the majority. Human being use these terms in order to predict behavior, have expectations and gain insight into others without having any direct contact or knowledge.
Concerning our group dynamics, I don’t recall having heard the term hippie being used in class at all, although I’m sure there has been use of similar labeling being used. I would guess that these terms might not be as noticeable to me because of their casual use. After this assignment, I will be more likely to take note of particular instances where certain words may be used as oppose to others. I believe that if any of these terms were used in class it would be for ease of use, not to be offensive in any way.
Superbowl Fallout February 4, 2008
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Before I identify whether I chose to attend the FARC rally in Boston or not, I will explain how I perceive the situation so far.From what I can tell, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC, the so called “Marxist guerilla group,” has been angering multiple parties, including the Columbian government, foreign sentimentalists, and the Columbian people themselves. The protest scheduled for Monday in Boston is a testament to the growing degree of attention the movement against FARC has gathered. While I certainly think the cause is a worthy one and deserves support, it happens to fall on an inconvenient day for those of us who mark a specific game as an unofficial national holiday; the Monday following the Super Bowl. Accountably, I will not be attending the FARC protest on Monday because loyalties would draw me, along with the added enthusiasm of my cohorts, to attend the Patriots victory parade instead. In all likelihood, I will attend neither, as either the celebration or desolation following the big game will bar anyone from driving or thinking about travel for many consecutive hours. Whether this is right or wrong I can only speculate, but as it is, a long American tradition of football overrides my current ability to attend a rally which would support a fight against foreign injustice. Unfortunately for those protesting FARC, I know there are many others who are also in my shoes. Due to this fateful (error?) in planning, I would predict only those who are immensely dedicated to the cause will be present at the rally. I wish them the best.
