I liked the idea of having us do an integraded unit. It teached us how to collaborate with other subject areas. What worked well: Using Google docs or Wikispaces to work as a group. At first this was confusing and hard to manage with everyone in the group having different schedules. By the second lesson, we decided that we needed to meet as a group to work on the unit. It was much easier to get everyone on the same page as far as the direction of each lesson and what needed to be done when everyone was sitting at the same table discussing it. Google docs enabled everyone in the group to have access to the unit at anytime.
What did not work well: Assigning specific roles to each person in the group actually forced us to work separately rather than as a group. We divided up the topics and were left wondering what each of us were going to do with it. In the end, we met as a group again like we had previously to discuss what we were going to do. We were able to communicate with eachother when we met and we all contributed to the lesson. It went much faster when we met as a group. We were better able to divide up responsibilities when working together at the same time.
I agree that working as a group online is difficult. There is alot of uncertainty with whos doing what and when. I looked at our wiki like 3 times a day wondering what was up. However I liked that our group worked on their parts somewhat on their own. We all had a basic idea of what to do and the individuality of our parts ended up meshing well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of your thoughts, Alan! I found that with our group, we worked very well individually once we met and decided what we were doing and who would do what. It was particularly easy for me because I worked with all social studies majors that were very enthusiastic about our material. As an English major, it was very easy for me to incorporate the English aspect into our lessons once the social studies aspect was done! I was glad to read that your group was able to find a way that did work for you to get everything done!
ReplyDeleteI actually liked having separate roles in the lesson as it enabled us to have a individual project inside of the group project. We would review each others work and make the necessary changes, but creating a certain part of the lesson on my own worked well for me.
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