Progression of the group process

Our group is still in the early stages of the planning. We are beginning to learn each other's negotiating and participation styles. So far, we have been very effective about communicating expectations, each taking different roles at different times. We all have shown active contribution, notified one another of our schedules, and negotiation of topics and writing tool. We have also shown great trust in each other to edit and work with the ideas. It has went pretty smooth so far.

We are also just beginning to learn about our socio-cultural constructs that we bring when forming a community. I think that it will come out more and more as time goes on. Right now, I think that we have very similar socio-cultural constructs in terms of gender, leadership, time, assertiveness, and recognition (Khalasa 2007). This may be why it has been going well. I think that this will be enhanced with the next steps of our group work.

Once we set up guidelines, this will be come more appearant as we see what one another thinks are important. We were also bouncing around the idea of using other tech tools to experience them ourselves, as this is part of our research topic. It will be interesting to see how we negotiate which tools and time to work together, especially since sychronous conversation can be the most difficult part. As we continue to work together the formation of social capital will gain its momentum, as these venues will help us to "develop the capacity to work together to better understand and to take action on issues that are important" to us (Imel & Stein 2003).


Imel, S. and Stein, D. (2003). Creating Self-Awareness of Learning that Occurs in Community. Retrieved on 1/12/2009 from http://www.alumni-osu.org/midwest/midwest%20papers/Imel%20&%20Stein--Done.pdf


Khalasa, D. (2007). Multicultural E-learning teamwork: Social and cultural characteristics and influence. As found in A. Edmundson (editor), Globalized e-learning cultural challenges. (p 307 - 325).