On keeping the peace. (aka "baaaaa")
I'm comfortable fulfilling many different roles within a group, it really just depends on the group dynamic. If there seems to be no emerging leader, I can step up. If there are others who seek out leadership, I can be a backseat driver take a supporting role. Type A member in the group? Take the reins! It really doesn't matter too much to me, if we are able to meet the objectives of the project. I will put my two cents in when I feel we're going in an adverse direction, but I am more than happy to step back if things are running smoothly and that is what will keep the peace.
Tonight in Methods, I had to make a presentation with two of my classmates on Chapter 3 from our textbook. I was a last minute addition -- a group member couldn't make it to class because of Back-To-School Night and I switched with him last Wednesday. Long story short on this experience: sometimes I wonder if people realize group projects require cooperation. I have only one thing to say about my group members and I will say it presently, but I want to say this about myself first. I feel I went above and beyond allowing the other two members to tweek my portion of the presentation as they deemed necessary. I did this because a.) I am flexible, b.) I am genuinely appreciative of good feedback and c.) I know that group projects mean compromise.
However. This does not mean I am okay with you trying to overstep me when I'm trying to present my portion. This does not mean that I don't find it terribly disrespectful that you are trying to talk over me in front of the class, especially when I showed you the [unspoken, I thought] courtesy of remaining silent as you presented your own portion. And it certainly does not mean that I am okay with you trying to actually take over my section when I'm trying to drive the point home. This is unacceptable.
This is grad school. We should know how to work in groups by now.
This was the only time in the whole experience that I put my foot down and this is my un-group-like behavior/reaction: I feel tickled pink that it was my section that people enjoyed, talked about and understood the most; it was my section that Dr. Travers spoke about and emphasized afterward to the entire class. Tehe.
Due to constraints on time, communication and the amount of subject material (to give the benefit of the doubt to my partners), there was very little left for me to carve out for my own in this, but I managed to do so. I did it without complaint and I did it creatively. I do not mean to toot my own horn here, but... slash, okay, I do -- but I'm only doing it because I'm annoyed. I tried to take a backseat, but I'm just not your damned doormat.
Tonight in Methods, I had to make a presentation with two of my classmates on Chapter 3 from our textbook. I was a last minute addition -- a group member couldn't make it to class because of Back-To-School Night and I switched with him last Wednesday. Long story short on this experience: sometimes I wonder if people realize group projects require cooperation. I have only one thing to say about my group members and I will say it presently, but I want to say this about myself first. I feel I went above and beyond allowing the other two members to tweek my portion of the presentation as they deemed necessary. I did this because a.) I am flexible, b.) I am genuinely appreciative of good feedback and c.) I know that group projects mean compromise.
However. This does not mean I am okay with you trying to overstep me when I'm trying to present my portion. This does not mean that I don't find it terribly disrespectful that you are trying to talk over me in front of the class, especially when I showed you the [unspoken, I thought] courtesy of remaining silent as you presented your own portion. And it certainly does not mean that I am okay with you trying to actually take over my section when I'm trying to drive the point home. This is unacceptable.
This is grad school. We should know how to work in groups by now.
This was the only time in the whole experience that I put my foot down and this is my un-group-like behavior/reaction: I feel tickled pink that it was my section that people enjoyed, talked about and understood the most; it was my section that Dr. Travers spoke about and emphasized afterward to the entire class. Tehe.
Due to constraints on time, communication and the amount of subject material (to give the benefit of the doubt to my partners), there was very little left for me to carve out for my own in this, but I managed to do so. I did it without complaint and I did it creatively. I do not mean to toot my own horn here, but... slash, okay, I do -- but I'm only doing it because I'm annoyed. I tried to take a backseat, but I'm just not your damned doormat.