Week 9~ Question #2

Going off of my last post, I often have selective attention in class. Sometimes for some reason I will be actively listening to a professor and somewhat into the discussion and then next thing I know I’m in la la land thinking about whether and iced tea or iced coffee sounds better. I believe that this happens for a few reasons. First, I probably needed more sleep before I went to class and the lack of sleep could cause the space outs and even nodding off. With a full 8 hours I always feel better and more alert and able to focus my attention better. Second I tend to have a lot of things on my mind at once and will constantly go over in my head all that needs to be done and when it needs to be done and next thing I know I missed the entire class. I’ve began making lists of things I need to do for that day so I don’t have to constantly go over it in my head and then I wont be distracted in class. Also not procrastinating helps J

Week 9~ Question #1

I also have a hard time listening in the classroom when I am taking a class that isn't of interest to me... like my LING 123 class I have now. The hardest of the four phrases for me to accomplish is most always the Memory: Retaining and Responding to the message. The main reason why this is the most difficult for me is because usually just listening to a dull voice on a subject I care nothing about, is hard and if I can't pay attention long enough then its hard to remember the information much less retain and respond to it. For be the best way I go about fixing this is by finding small subjects within the entire course that are somewhat interesting so I can get into it and then I also go over the discussions again in my own time from the class webpage where the power point slides can be found.

Week 6 ~ Question 3

I found the verbal interaction analysis diagram was very interesting. It looks kind of confusing but once you figure out how to read it and use it, I believe it could be very useful and beneficial to many groups. It traces the number of times members address one another. The book gave this example… if a group has five member, put their names in a starlike diagram reflecting their seating pattern. The first time Tom speaks to Sheila, draw an arrow from Tom to Sheila. AS everyone begins participating, draw the arrows as they apply. When Tom speaks to Sheila again, mark the arrow with a dash. The markings will eventually show the interaction pattern of the group, such who is participating and how much along with who has emerged as the leader during the particular dissuasion. I think this a really cool diagram to use if members in a group are grading on participation or just in general to see who is the group leader according to discussions.

Week 6 ~ Question #2

When providing feedback to a group it is best to follow certain guidelines.

· First it’s best to stay clear of generalizations for job’s well done and use specific examples of why it was well done so it is apparent that you were observing details and it also reassures the group of your professionalism.

· Second focus on the behaviors within the group that can be changed and note them.

· Third, be sure not to argue with the group. If they do not wish to use every suggestion you have offered it is there choice. It is best to just give them your observations and let the group decide what to enact and what not too.

· Fourth, give a full evaluation/analysis of only two or three things rather then the entire project. Its not the observer’s job to go over every detail. A few areas developed well will be more useful.

· Fifth, only give negative feedback if you have a suggestion on how to fix it. Don’t say “I didn’t like…” without providing specific explanation. Your job as an observer is to improve the group not rip it apart.

· Sixth, Always start with the positives then lead into the negatives when presenting to the group.

· Seventh, end with specific suggestions for improvement

· Eighth, complement in public and criticize in private. This is the best way to keep the groups respect also.

· And finally, if you develop a positive relationship with the group while you are giving the feedback the group with benefit more in the end. Your job is to help the group or team improve and if they trust and like you they are more likely to take your advice.

Week 6 ~ Question #1

It is important to use and outside consultant or observer rather than a group member as an observer to evaluate the group for a few reasons. One would be the simple fact that it is hard for any individual to take themselves or rather their feelings for the group or for what the group is working towards, out of the equation when evaluating the group and could thus compromise the final evaluation. This may also make it difficult to concentrate on the team’s work while trying to effectively evaluate. Trying to balance group participation and an effective evaluation is very difficult. Although it is possible to do both, you may not be able to accomplish both well. A consultant would be viewed as an outside party also and their judgment of the groups skills and ability to accomplish work would not be compromised by personal feelings towards the group since they are not directly associated.