Problems with the Wiki
Monday, as agreed, Mette and I started putting all the written work on the group wiki page while Leda and Khristina were looking for additional videos and pictures we could add. Since the beginning of the project, Mette has been the one taking care of our wiki page so we agreed that I would help her. We experimented quite a lot of problems when editing our wiki pages and therefore it took us longer then we though to put the work up. Even if we are working on wiki and not building up our own Html page, formating the text and posting links was not as easy as it seemed to be. For example, some parts of the text appeared underlined or in another color when copy/pasted from the word document and then were really difficult to change on the wiki. We are putting a lot of effort in the presentation of our project but we worry a bit about the grading. Other groups seem to be using Html for their pages and therefore their group project can seem to be esthetically more appealing and sophisticated then ours.
Unfortunately, Mette and I had to leave earlier to talk to the second year students about our work placement reports. Before leaving, we agreed with Leda and Khristina that they were going to upload some pictures/videos on the Wiki and start assembling the key points of our introduction/conclusion for the remaining half an hour of the class.
Reflection….
Since the beginning of our group work, the main issue that caused tension within the group was the referencing - and it has been quickly solved.
This week, personally, I felt really disappointed by the miscommunication and misunderstandings regarding the work that had to be done for the following lesson. It was the first time that I felt so much nervousness within the group.
Last week, we all sat down and went through our entire written work to see what was missing/what could be added and everyone was appointed particular tasks. I had to do some changes in the Virtual Communities document and send it off to the members who then had to do some changes themselves. I know that everyone has its own issues, preoccupations, jobs, other assignments to do, etc. - so I understand if one week a member is not able to do something but it is important to inform the group if you do so. There is a solution to everything...
To be honest, this term has been very hectic for me in terms of work and time management. I am really stressed and exhausted – like the rest of the class I think! – As we had quite a lot of written work to do for other classes throughout the term. I have also started doing my research for my dissertation and I have to finish before the end of the term my applications for postgraduate studies. I am really pressured by time by the Universities because you have to apply early in order to be even considered!
Favorite part of the project… J
My favorite part of the project - or the part I most enjoyed contributing to - was when I interviewed with Mette the students outside of the university. I have always liked journalism and I have been practicing my interviewing skills through other practical courses during this degree (Radio, TV Production, Cultural Criticism, etc.). I am really happy that we had the opportunity to add the students' opinions as they bring an interesting contrast in our project to the theoretical perspectives coined by theorists such as Rheingold, Castells, Anderson or Calhoun. I think the practical courses of this degree helped me to map out my career goals and find out more which areas of media and cultural studies I enjoyed the most. I know I am supposed to reflect on this Multimedia Project Module, but I though it might be interesting to see how it participated (with the other courses) to my personal development.
Throughout the project, my role was mainly to do online research and chose some study cases we could focus on. I really liked doing research on the Internet reminded me of my last year’s work placement when I was working as a Trends researcher for about 5 months and had to search the web (blogs, online magazines, etc.) for emerging consumer trends. The only part of the project that I found a bit boring was the editing. As I said in my previous posts, we had problems with referencing and with the “harmonization” of the written work. I spend a lot of time rereading and rewriting some parts of the project. We also had numerous quotes in some sections of our project, so it was important to rewrite in our own words some of the theories found in books.
Remember – TIME MANAGEMENT and communication…!
I have learned this term and from this course is the importance of time management. I am happy that we divided work between each other every week and then edited it before planning further research. I found the emailing within the group very productive and less complicated then working directly on the Wiki. Despite last week’s tensions, I hope this group work is going to end on a positive tone. Group work is important in terms of developing communication skills and show your capacity to interact and adapt to each other within the group. You have to be careful with the words you use when commenting on other people’s work to that it does not appear patronising, intimidating, too critical, rude etc.
When looking at the overall outcome of the project, I think we managed our differences quite well. It was the first time I was working with Leda and Khristina (I have already been doing projects with Mette) and despite some miscommunication, the problems were quickly solved!
Next Monday: 3rd of December!
Next Monday’s class (last session already!) is going to give us the opportunity to finalize our project. Everyone in the group has agreed to map out main points for the general introduction/conclusion (we already started a list of what we wanted to include) that we are going to write all together Monday morning. We are planning to work on the project the whole day as a group.
Well girls, if you read my blog, this is the last week before the end of the term… so “courage” as we say in French – we are going to be fine! J
No comments:
Post a Comment