Working as a Group
One of the main advantages of computer conferencing in groupwork should be the availability of all the abilities and resources within the group. To achieve this a majority of the group members have to participate. This is something that, in my experience, has not happened during T171.
Tutor Group Activity 4
This called for two separate groups formed from the whole group, to participate in the formation of group web pages. The response to this was very spasmodic. Eventually the Tutor amalgamated the two groups into one. A copy of his conference message is shown below.
Supporting Evidence
May Archive 25 May 2001 08:57:10 From: A Tutor Subject: TGA4 To: T171 dw864 TG Hi all, Due to the fact that there seems to be very little activity taking place, I think it is probably a good move to scrap the two seperate groups and have a combined folder for all those in the group that want to take part in TGA4. To this end I will delete the blue and red folders and replace them with a new TGA4 folder. I fully understand people not being too enthused with a non-assesed asignment, but evidence from this excercise can and should be used in the final ECA. My only advice for those who wish to participate is to carry on as though everyone was aboard and produce the best you can. Has anyone got any thoughts they might want to discuss with the group regarding this activity? A Tutor
Just three individuals, myself included, participated in this new group to form a group web page. The image below, from the conference, illustrates some of the involvement that we put into this.
We worked together, offering advice and encouragement, and produced a finished article as a group web page.
Some Possible Reasons
I did put a message to conference exploring possible reasons for low involvement. I also stated my own belief that it had not been a success. There were three replies. Two are shown below.
Supporting Evidence
T171 dw864 TG 13 September 2001 18:50:19 From: A Student Subject: Re:Groupworking To: T171 dw864 TG Stuart I know I have not contributed very much to the Groupworking on the course. I have usually been behind with T171 and consequently not been ready to do the Groupworking activities when everyone else has. I know I have taken on too much this year with two other courses as well as T171 and have been really pressed for time. After saying this, if the Groupworking was a requirement for passing the course, then I would have had to have made time. Good luck with the ECA everyone. A Student
T171 dw864 TG 13 September 2001 18:30:03 From: Another Student Subject: Re: Groupworking To: T171 dw864 TG Group Working was a dismal failure imho. I know people had other commitments but then again have not we all. Everyone knew that this was part of the course in the outset so really there was no excuse. I hoped to see far more activity in this area and was somewhat taken aback from the response that people did not have to participate and still be able to get sufficient marks to pass the course. Indeed there are one or two names I have never seen in this debate how can this be right. Another Student
Conclusion
The main reasons for low involvement would appear to be: -
- It is not a compulsory part of the course.
- Other commitments e.g. other courses.
I believe we showed, with TGA4, that groupwork and conferencing can work. Unfortunately this has not been fully explored within my own group. It needed fuller participation. Encouraging that participation is another question.
