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.
We have learned important material throughout this course. If I had to choose one topic that I greatly enjoyed learning about, I would choose diversity and how it can help a group reach success because diversity is present in many groups that I have joined. Diversity is the "secret weapon" of a group. People become involved in groups because they may share common hobbies. For example, I join basketball leagues because I like playing with people that also share the same interest. Even though we all play basketball, diversity within the group is still present. A variety of ideas are brought to the table because everyone comes from a different background. Allowing different input gives us options that we can try and learn from. Ideas can always strengthen a group even if it is doesn't work because the group can take that mistake and use it to improve. Diversity should be included in every group for success!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Comm 141P
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?
I have learned a variety of things throughout the course of this class, from conveying personality in one's writing to learning procedures that can help a group become successful. In the beginning of this class, I was afraid to write out my thoughts and have other people read it. I'm used to writing an essay and only having my professor read it. Being involved in the discussions became more enjoyable because my confidence in my writing increased. Reading comments and taking feedback from other students allowed me to improve and learn more about small group communication. On the other hand, my least favorite thing in the class may have to be the timing. I felt that everything happened quickly in the class. There was so much information to take in and a different topic every week. What can I say? It's college, right? (: Many people that enroll in this course have busy lives and usually do things in their own time, but taking this class can be really fun and one can learn a lot from taking this course. I just wish it didn't end so fast. Lastly, I feel this class can be improved by providing a study guide for the final because there is a lot of material to cover. Other than that, I really enjoyed this course and the way The Blogging Prof structured the material and discussions!
I have learned a variety of things throughout the course of this class, from conveying personality in one's writing to learning procedures that can help a group become successful. In the beginning of this class, I was afraid to write out my thoughts and have other people read it. I'm used to writing an essay and only having my professor read it. Being involved in the discussions became more enjoyable because my confidence in my writing increased. Reading comments and taking feedback from other students allowed me to improve and learn more about small group communication. On the other hand, my least favorite thing in the class may have to be the timing. I felt that everything happened quickly in the class. There was so much information to take in and a different topic every week. What can I say? It's college, right? (: Many people that enroll in this course have busy lives and usually do things in their own time, but taking this class can be really fun and one can learn a lot from taking this course. I just wish it didn't end so fast. Lastly, I feel this class can be improved by providing a study guide for the final because there is a lot of material to cover. Other than that, I really enjoyed this course and the way The Blogging Prof structured the material and discussions!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Observation Paper
Was it a useful exercise? What did you learn? What was good about the project? What can be improved?
The observation project was a great exercise that allowed us to go beyond the readings, notes, and discussions. As students, we were able to use our knowledge from the class and connect it to our daily lives. Doing the observation project made me realize how important an outside observer can be to a group.
In the beginning, I thought that small groups only needed input from the other members in the group. Yet, with the help of an outside observer, the group is able to look beyond their strengths and weaknesses. Not only that, an outside observer also saves the group more time to finish the project at hand. Throughout this class, I realized that gaining more input and having diverse opinions can greatly strengthen a group.
For my observation project, I decided to study a different football team in my league. The captain made a compromise with me. I was able to watch one of their practices and a few of their games in exchange for my notes that I took on their team. Based on my observations, the team was able improve on their communication with one another. Not only did I get my paper done, the players that I observed became a better team!
This was a great project to do, but with a few improvements, it can be much better. I feel that not only should the observers focus on strengths and weaknesses of the team, but they should also write about one person (not only the leader) in the team. If there was a section in the paper to write about one person from the group, I believe this project could be a bit more interesting. Other than that, I believe this was an enjoyable paper to write.
The observation project was a great exercise that allowed us to go beyond the readings, notes, and discussions. As students, we were able to use our knowledge from the class and connect it to our daily lives. Doing the observation project made me realize how important an outside observer can be to a group.
In the beginning, I thought that small groups only needed input from the other members in the group. Yet, with the help of an outside observer, the group is able to look beyond their strengths and weaknesses. Not only that, an outside observer also saves the group more time to finish the project at hand. Throughout this class, I realized that gaining more input and having diverse opinions can greatly strengthen a group.
For my observation project, I decided to study a different football team in my league. The captain made a compromise with me. I was able to watch one of their practices and a few of their games in exchange for my notes that I took on their team. Based on my observations, the team was able improve on their communication with one another. Not only did I get my paper done, the players that I observed became a better team!
This was a great project to do, but with a few improvements, it can be much better. I feel that not only should the observers focus on strengths and weaknesses of the team, but they should also write about one person (not only the leader) in the team. If there was a section in the paper to write about one person from the group, I believe this project could be a bit more interesting. Other than that, I believe this was an enjoyable paper to write.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Public Presentations
For small groups to reach success, goals and ideas must be shared. A number of small groups undergo through different public presentation formats. The first format is the forum. The forum involves a short presentation done by the group. Afterwards, the audience shares their feedback on the issue one after the other. Another form of public presentation is the panel. In a panel, 4-8 people explain a problem in front of an audience. To gain involvement from the audience, a colloquium involves the participation from the audience, but with 3-6 group members discussing a problem. Last, but not least, the symposium provides for a number of brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex problem. In my opinion, I prefer to speak to an audience by presenting a small speech and hearing input after like a forum format. I believe more different ideas can be heard and less ideas will be missed by allowing each member to speak at the end of the presentation. Audience feedback is just as important as presenting the issues at hand.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Give Your Creativity a Boost!
Creativity does come naturally, but it may be more difficult for some people. There are several ways that can help boost someone's creativity. Idea needlers and metaphors are some tips that can encourage creativity and give someone an extra push to use problem solving techniques.
Idea needlers are questions that people ask themselves to see a different perspective to view the problem. For example, the book gives an example of a Styrofoam cup. How many ways can you use a Styrofoam cup? Presently, Styrofoam is used for packaging items, drinks, cookie cutter, and storing items. Idea needlers are a great way to give your mind the boost of creativity that it needs.
Another technique that encourages creativity are metaphors. Metaphors include the use of descriptive words to allow the listener to visualize an image that can lead to another new idea. For example, when someone says, "an interesting window in the world", most people will tend to look beyond the literal meaning. Metaphors are another way that encourage creativity.
Idea needlers are questions that people ask themselves to see a different perspective to view the problem. For example, the book gives an example of a Styrofoam cup. How many ways can you use a Styrofoam cup? Presently, Styrofoam is used for packaging items, drinks, cookie cutter, and storing items. Idea needlers are a great way to give your mind the boost of creativity that it needs.
Another technique that encourages creativity are metaphors. Metaphors include the use of descriptive words to allow the listener to visualize an image that can lead to another new idea. For example, when someone says, "an interesting window in the world", most people will tend to look beyond the literal meaning. Metaphors are another way that encourage creativity.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Cultural Barriers to Creativity
Creativity allows one to use their imagination and think outside of the box for an effective solution. At times, thinking of ideas may seem difficult because of known barriers. According to Harris and Sherblom, there are a number of cultural barriers: requirement for conformity, and expectation of practicality and efficiency, particular arenas for competition or cooperation, an expectation of politeness and of following rules for social order, and a trust in the power of reason and logic (168).
The book discusses that numerous people are taught in school to follow the rules. If everyone follows the rules, each person concludes their idea with a similar outcome as everyone else; therefore, the groups loses out on diversified solutions. As we get older, we begin to notice that "bending" the rules, allows us to show our creativity in a different sense.
In the state of California, there are a number of democrats. In the 2008 election, Obama received the support of our state. Because of the way our cultural society has been brought up, most of the younger population in our state voted for him that year. This is an example of a cultural barrier because of the similar perspectives the youth had on Obama.
The book discusses that numerous people are taught in school to follow the rules. If everyone follows the rules, each person concludes their idea with a similar outcome as everyone else; therefore, the groups loses out on diversified solutions. As we get older, we begin to notice that "bending" the rules, allows us to show our creativity in a different sense.
In the state of California, there are a number of democrats. In the 2008 election, Obama received the support of our state. Because of the way our cultural society has been brought up, most of the younger population in our state voted for him that year. This is an example of a cultural barrier because of the similar perspectives the youth had on Obama.
Creativity
Creativity is taking something simple and creating something new with it. Creativity arises from everyday questions that have effective solutions. In high school, I never used to study and I still performed well on tests. When I got into college, I realized college was something much different. I needed to find a different approach to studying and prioritizing because the material was becoming more complex. So I asked myself, "What can I do to increase my productivity to studying?"
I tried different techniques: note cards, reading the entire chapter, writing down everything the professor said, and cramming a day before the test. Despite the fact that none of those strategies worked, equifinality - many different ways to reach a workable solution - is a great idea to stay concentrated on the issue. The more ideas you try, the increased chance you will get to finding the most effective solution(s). As a result, I learned how to scan the reading for important material, take notes of relevant information, and start studying several days before a test. Creativity allows you to think outside the box and not just focus on one solution.
Similar to my example of creativity, this chapter focuses on how groups can explore and take advantage of the alternative approaches to a problem or decision to develop creative new insights, decisions, and solutions (165).
I tried different techniques: note cards, reading the entire chapter, writing down everything the professor said, and cramming a day before the test. Despite the fact that none of those strategies worked, equifinality - many different ways to reach a workable solution - is a great idea to stay concentrated on the issue. The more ideas you try, the increased chance you will get to finding the most effective solution(s). As a result, I learned how to scan the reading for important material, take notes of relevant information, and start studying several days before a test. Creativity allows you to think outside the box and not just focus on one solution.
Similar to my example of creativity, this chapter focuses on how groups can explore and take advantage of the alternative approaches to a problem or decision to develop creative new insights, decisions, and solutions (165).
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