Week 16 Discussion #2

Review the Observation of an Outside Group project. What did you find useful/not useful? Did you like this project? Why/why not? Why did you choose the group you observed for this project? In short, briefly introduce your project to the members of the class, and discuss its usefulness, frustrations, etc.... (I expect for most, that the answer to this question will be quite long - go ahead and make it as long as you'd like).
In this assignment, I observed an organization called Aiesic. Once every other week, they discuss about world issued and opportunities to intern in foreign countries. The reason I chose to analyze this group was because a friend highly recommended it. It did not hurt that he has been a member of the group for three years. I thought it would be interesting to hear other people offer their opinions on the current world news. The thing I found useful was learning about the Aiesic organizations throughout the world. There are many chapters in the California area as well. A group like this consists of diverse individuals which make it unique. The people from certain parts of the country have great knowledge on news from their hometown. When I listened in on one of the discussion, a member from Taiwan had strong opinions of the conflict between his place and China. I realized that a diverse group of people offer interesting insight based from their culture. It results in an engaging and enlightening discussion on important news stories. The best thing about it was how people split into small groups to talk about a particular topic. In the end, everyone would come together and each leader summarizes the main points of their discussion. I felt that the organization of the meeting was effective in a large group environment. The leaders allowed everyone the chance to contribute in the conversations. As a result, there were no frustrations from observing the small group. All members got along well since they have been together for the last few years.
I enjoyed this project since I got to understand more on how the small group process works. It was a great change of pace from participating in a group to just witnessing a weekly meeting. I was also able to learn some good fundamentals in order to have an effective group. Maybe in future group projects, I will implement the useful skills necessary for success.

Week 16 Discussion 2

How does CMC differ from f2f communication? (Think outside the box).
CMC, which stands for “Computer Mediated Communication”, involves using media like video, audio, and text messages for communication purposes. One can communicate by using technology related objects. Face to face communication is where people talk in a real life setting. A person can understand the content, recognize the vocal tone, gestures, and can see one’s facial expressions. Many people are becoming used to using social networks like facebook, twitter, and My Space. It is a good way to keep up with good friends and classmates, but not conducive in meeting new friends. In a sense, the dialogue between two people is shielded from a computer. They can type anything they want, but the viewer cannot tell if it is what the sender truly meant. For example, the things they type on the computer might not characterize their true selves. As more people become used to text messaging, they might not feel the need to communicate face to face anymore.
Computer Mediated Communication does help when I do not have time to chat with people during the week. It is convenient to ask each other about one’s day via computer. Overall, I prefer face to face communication where I would truly know more about the other person. I like to see how people react or actually respond to things I say. By seeing other’s true emotions, I will get a sense of how they truly feel. From reading lol’s or emoticons, I don’t really enjoy it as much compared to hearing real laughter.

Week 16 Number 3 on concept that needs further discussion

The concept I that I thought needs further discussion was Social presence. It “is the perception among participants that the communication medium facilitates the development of social-emotional-relational communication and shared meaning among group members (Harris & Sherblom, 301).” People believe they could find how dedicated the person is towards group communication. It involves the various tasks and discussion that occurs within the medium. Individuals can tell the feelings from the particular person. From a normal meeting, we can find out fellow member’s emotional reactions to certain ideas. If their facial cues show differently than their response, it is obvious that they disapprove the decision. More ideas are exchanged between group members in a face to face meeting.
When communication involves text, it is difficult to find more about other members. It would be hard to tell what they truly think about the discussion topic. One can listen to their voice, but not see their nonverbal expressions. There are instances where you can’t tell if the other person is comfortable, attentive, and relaxed. From reading messages, an individual won’t be able to hear the pitch, volume, or projection of the other’s voice. Most people prefer posting on message boards or blogs because they fear others listening to their speech. There is the sentiment that they enjoy typing more than communicating in real life situations. By talking face to face, an individual will get to know more about other’s mannerisms and understand who they truly are.

Week 14 Question 2

Briefly outline an example of collaborative conflict resolution that you have engaged in. Contrast that with a competitive conflict. Which was more satisfying to you? To the other party?
In a collaborative conflict, it is considered a win-win situation. For this situation, nobody is supposed to be better than the other. Everyone has the opportunity to share their own opinions regarding significant issues. It also requires each member to listen carefully to different perspectives, and be able to come up with the best solution. In my experience working in small groups, I notice that most of the time we have collaborative conflict. We each had our own viewpoints which needed to be clearly explained. Each member need to take time to comprehend what everyone else is saying. Inevitably, we all disagreed all certain things but it comes with the territory. Everyone each explained with great detail why their own ideas were solid. Eventually, we combined the strengths of each perspectives into the final decision. As a result, I was satisfied with the end result since everyone contributed toward the process.
A competitive conflict is defined as a win-lose predicament. This is where an individual’s own opinions come into play, instead of coming to a mutual agreement. I have encountered instances where I was involved in competitive conflict. My friend and I have different tastes when it comes to television shows. He takes interests in a show like “Big Bang Theory”, while I prefer “Entourage”. There are times where we would try to persuade our friends to watch one show over the other. We would explain the greatness of our preferred show while stating the negatives of the shows we dislike. Although we were competitive, it was all in good fun.

Discussion week 14 number 1

Distinguish among a forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium as a mans for making a public presentation. Which one would you prefer? Why?
A forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium are all significant methods in discussion and presentations. A forum is where a group has the chance to speak and listen to the opinions from an audience. All audience members have the chance to participate in the discussion. After the group presentation, the audience can offer their own viewpoints on specific topics. Each member take turns in speaking their mind. A moderator might pick the speakers or they line up behind the microphone. The speakers mention their standing on an issue, give their arguments, and answer to questions and commend from the audience.
A panel is a public setting where a group of four to eight experts converse on an issue in front of audience members. The format uses problem solving methods in a lighter way of communication to gain the audience’s interest. The moderator first gives an explanation of the format, introduces the problems that will be discussed, and gives a brief background on the speakers. They also record the time, and review the speaker’s stand on the issues. There is no communication involved between the expert panelists and audience members.
In a colloquium is where three to six experts are picked for their contrasting viewpoints, talk about the problems by using the problem solving concept. Everything is in front of the audience with the moderator leading the conversation. Its objective is to “identify, develop, and work through possible solutions to a problem for the benefit and with participation of the audience” (220). The moderator introduced the colloquium, announces the problem, talks about the group, and gives the discussion format. They have to specifically persuade participation from the audience by allowing them to comment and provide queries. A symposium is “a series of two to six brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and difficult problem” (221). All the speakers are knowledgeable on certain areas within the problem. The objective is to provide “complex technical information to the audience about the problem” (221). Every speech is well organized, rehearsed, and professional which does not allow audience members to interrupt.
The format I prefer is the forum because it allows the audience to be involved. It gives people the chance to raise questions they were unsure about from hearing the presentation. From asking questions and offering opinions, it helps them understand more on the problems. The speakers will also learn more about the audience’s contrasting takes on particular issues. Most importantly, people will become more interested during the presentation in a forum setting.

Week 14, Number 3

Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

A concept I found to be interesting was on focus groups. If there is a question an individual wants to know, it is best to ask the people in the group. There is a possibility that they might not know the answer, but they might give great suggestion to one’s issue. A focus group gives specific and complete solutions to a particular problem. It assists people in finding each other’s “values, interests, and attitudes” (206). Usually in a focus group, the facilitator brings up a specific question to the group and they have a discussion. By asking questions, this helps the group to evaluate certain issues from detailed conversation. Everyone makes an effort in observing the important details.
I like how the focus groups record the whole meeting and analyze it afterwards. It is important to not forget the crucial statements during the group discussion. Advertising and marketing agencies use focus groups to review a customer’s like or dislike on a product. By looking over the weaknesses and strengths, they can become even more successful. I like how in focus groups, people are asked open ended questions and can give their own opinions. They don’t have to focus on arriving to one solution. It is essential to concentrate more on the problems at hand.

Week 13 Post 2

Name five cultural barriers to creativity. Why do you think these would keep a group from being creative? Have you experienced any of these personally? Explain.
The five cultural barriers involve conformity, expectation of practicality and efficiency, situations for competition or cooperation, expectation of politeness, and relying on expert knowledge. These barriers prevents a group from being creative because people are more used to following set rules which places them on equal footing with everyone else. Ever since starting school, students are taught to raise hands, stand in line, listen carefully to the teacher, and abide by other specific rules. Because of this, we often develop the habit of following too close to the book. We put too much reliance on book concepts which prevents us from developing our own ideas. As a result, people do not notice many things from a different perspective. There are times where individuals need to branch out and think of new examples, thoughts, and solutions.
I have experienced the requirement to be polite and following rules for social order. In Chinese culture, we are expected to treat adults with respect, especially our parents. There was a moment where I disagreed on my dad’s ideas on raising the prices in the menu. I thought the current prices were fine, and did not need to go any higher. I told him that it would not be a good idea, since customers might not be pleased with it. There is the possibility that this might turn them away from eating at our successful restaurant. After hearing what I had to say, my father was not too pleased. He mentioned that it was his decision only, and he believed the food was too cheap. My father was disappointed that I would go too far in arguing with his idea. From that time on, I realized that it was the wrong course of action. There were many customers that still came, even though there was a raise in prices. Since my dad has led the business for many years, I should have trusted his instincts. Even though I had my doubts, it was inconsiderate of me to argue with my father.