Com 315

Unit 1Welcome to class!!

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• .Hello everyone . . • My name is Donna Mills and I am your instructor for Com

315 this term. I want to welcome you all to our first seminar session. I want to review Unit 1 today. We have a lot to cover tonight. So.. I am going to ask that we hold off any questions not pertaining to the topic until the end of class. Is that OK?? Unless you really need to ask a question.

• We will have more time to interact a little later on. • How many have already taken classes here at Kaplan?• First, let’s start out by stating something positive that

happened to you this week? • Are there any questions before we start class??

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• I had some finishing touches to the syllabus ssssooo…I just downloaded it today.

• The syllabus is mainly a "reference" for everything that will happen in this class -- it tells you what projects are due, what our objectives are, the points per project, and all my contact information

• • I would strongly suggest that everyone print out the syllabus since it is a • one-stop for many questions you may have about the class. .. You can go

up to the top navigation (nav) bar, click on "doc sharing" or in course home page and you will see it there to download a copy

• • On the first page of the syllabus, you will see my email address and AIM

name.. . Please do be sure to add my AIM name to your "buddy" list that way you can stop by and ask questions if we both happen to be online at the same time you can IM or ping me anytime. . But I also have set office hours when you will know I am online and you can find me.

• • Can anyone recall when my office hours are each week? •

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• We will talk about several different types of concepts each week. . . the basic weekly structure will flow like this: you will go through the unit reading, look over the vocabulary terms, read the chapters, answer the discussion board questions and comment on your peers posts, attend our weekly seminar and work on the projects for that week.

• Remember that each week’s projects build upon each other until you get to the final project. It is very important that you don’t miss a project.

• This is your classroom; this is where you on your peers learn and interact.

• On the syllabus is the rubric discussion board and all the projects

and final project. In order to get full credit for these it is important to understand the rubric.

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• When you are posting your comments to your peers, you need to have detailed information NOT “I agree with you.” Explain why you are making the statement, or maybe how your classmate can improve on something. You can even ask your classmate a question…

• • Here are some quotes that I like to start the class with;• • … When you start out with someone, you’re essentially

driving a strange car for the first time and none of the controls are labeled.

• ~Jerry Seinfeld

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• Are there any questions so far?• Ok, then if there aren’t any questions let’s get started with unit 1.• • As you noticed on the powerpoint I have what is to be hopefully covered this

week in class, and the seminar questions that will need to answer in class.• • How many groups do you belong too?• • Chance are you either are a member or would like to join a number of committees

or task forces, one or more clubs, a team or two, and of course a group of friends and a family group.

• According to researchers, groups surround us; in fact there are more groups in society than there are people.

• • How do the groups you belong to influence you as an individual?• • • Most likely, a significant percentage of the speaking you will do will occur in a

group setting. Some businesses spend more than 700 hours a year interacting in groups.

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• Unfortunate there is no formal training in these businesses on how to interact in group settings.

• • Today’s companies lose an equivalent of thirty days or 240 hours a year

for every person who participates in work groups.• • • How do you think companies can rectify this situation? • • What are your reasons for joining a group or team?• Do you or other members bring hidden agendas to the group?• • Are there any groups that you aspire to belong too?• • There are self-directed teams which are autonomous groups in which

employees are empowered to make decisions and even supervise themselves.

• Xerox is a great company that uses this technique.

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• What do you think of this statement?• • Definition of a “small group” can be defined as a limited number of

people (often as few as three) who communicate over a period of time and usually make decisions and accomplish particular goals. Groups compose of five to seven people appear to function best because this size enable members to communicate with each other as they interact to reach a goal.

• All individual in the group have the potential to influence each other and are expected to function as both speaker and listener.

• • What can members of a group do to facilitate the group’s success?•

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• Group members share a common objective; random assemblages of individuals do not constitute a group, like people waiting for an elevator, or people crossing a street. Members of a group occupy certain roles with respect to one another and to work with each other to cooperate to achieve a desired end.

• • Group members develop certain attitudes toward each

other and ordinarily derive a sense of satisfaction from belonging to and participating in the group. We also expect the member’s of a group to adhere to the groups norms – the “do’s and don’ts” that the groups establish to regulate the behavior of their members and make possible for them to attain their goals.

•

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• • Each group needs to define its own objective, establish its own

norms and by so doing, sets its own operating climate.• • What do you think will happen if these objectives are not set up

first?• • It is the way members interact – what they say and how they say it

– that determines both the health and long-term viability of the group.

• A heath group exhibits five characteristics:• 1. Supportiveness• 2. Participative decision making • 3. Trust among group members• 4. Openness and candor• 5. High performance goals.

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• After reading the five characteristics what would you think if only three were accomplished in a group?

• • Groups lacking these characterizes suffer and may

ultimately cease to exist because they fail to provide members with needed reward.

• • There are two key problem solving groups they are:• The fact finding group, whose members attempt to

share thoughts and information in an effort to enhance understanding and learning.

• 2. Decision making group – whose members seek consensus regarding what the group should and should not do.

•

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• Whatever the specific nature of your group’s task, knowing how to operate and interact effectively in the group setting is vital for personal and professional success.

• • Remember that there maybe cultural variants in your

groups. Students from different ethnic backgrounds.• • How can a group use the different styles, values, and

customs of its members to its advantage? • • If given the choice would you rather work in a group

composed of members with homogenous or with diverse background? Why?

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• Are there any questions so far?• • • There are several advantages and disadvantages in working in a group

setting,• • • In some ways using a group to solve a complex problem is more logical

than relying on one individual. Group problem solving offers a number of important advantages.

• • What you do think some advantages might be?• • Yes, the advantages are varied resources are pooled, motivation and

commitment are increased, errors are easier to identify, decisions are better received, reward of working with others are provided.

•

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• Now can you list some disadvantages in working in a group?• • When we are working with a number of other people it sometimes becomes very

tempting to let someone else handle the duties and responsibilities.• • Laziness is encouraged personal goal’s may conflict with group goals, a few high

status members may dominate, stubbornness leads to deadlock, riskier decisions are made, reaching a decision takes longer.

• • Here is a Quote…you know everybody is ignorant, only of certain subjects by Will

Rogers• • Should problem solving be a team or an individual activity? Why? • • As a new employee, what problems might you experience when interacting with

others in a problem solving group?• • Are there any questions in what we have covered?• Don’t forget that there is a project due next week… .

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• Choose a current issue in society (on the national or international level). In the paper, discuss the role of teamwork in resolving a conflict or achieving a goal. Specifically, explain the characteristics of an effective team and the ways the group worked together to achieve a goal or resolve a conflict. Discuss the relevant theory that was applied to the group decision-making processes. Use the outside resources, course materials and specific, personal examples to substantiate your claims. All references need to be documented in APA style.

• • Well that is the end of this first unit1. • Remember you can contact me via e-mail, AIM, or use the course

question thread if you have any questions.• • • Thanks Have a great night and see you next week.•