Blog Post #1- Samantha Suarez

 Blog Post #1: Group 3

Samantha Suarez

            Throughout these past couple of weeks in SPC 1017, I have learned more on how to be a part of a group and how to work together while being in a virtual class. Being in a virtual zoom class is not the same as being in person, due to the fact that there is less communication in a virtual class. However, our professor changed that and gave our class a path to communication by dividing our class into three groups of six to seven people in each. Each group was assigned a chapter, or module, to create a presentation about and present it to the class. Each and every person in every group had to participate. To be able to have better communication between the people in the groups, we created a WhatsApp chat. Starting off with group 1 being assigned to Chapter 3: Intercultural Communication. Group 2 was assigned to Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups. Lastly group 3 was assigned to Chapter 10: Group Leadership and Problem Solving. I was assigned to group 3, as well as my other Since each group was assigned a different chapter, we each got to learn from each other when the presentations started.

Group 1- Chapter 3: Intercultural Communication

            Group 1 had an interesting chapter about intercultural communication. Their presentation touched a variety of interesting topics. When Group 1 presented, they explained and described the relationship between communication and culture, as well as described to the class the role that communication has on culture. I learned from this presentation that intercultural communication is interactions between people that belong to completely different cultures and that communication between them is difficult. I learned about the relationship between dominant and co-culture. Group 1 also went over ethnicity, sex, gender, native language, race, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, and so much more. Group 1 did an overall amazing job in interpreting and explaining their chapter. 

Group 2- Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups

            Group 2's presentation was about group communication. Group 2 showed the different types of groups that there are. They even showed and explained in great detail how groups are developed. In their presentation, they explained and went over the different stages of group development, including; forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning, and transforming. They also went over the different types of groups that there are. I remember some and those are social groups, support groups, work groups, virtual groups, service groups, heterogeneous group, homogeneous group, etc. I learned that healthy groups have ethical goals. I learned that being part of a group is like being part of a team where everyone works together to achieve one goal. Group 2 even went over accountability and how group members are accountable of their responsibility and their part in the group for working together towards the groups goal. In this chapter, there are three types of conflicts that were mentioned. The three types of conflict are Pseudo-conflict, issue-related group conflict, and personality-related group conflict. Group 2 presented their chapter clearly and in great detail which helped me overall to understand the chapter as a whole. 

Group 3- Chapter 10: Group Leadership and Problem Solving

            I was personally part of this group and I learned so much when I was doing my part in this project. My group's chapter was about group leadership and problem solving. We as a group, talked about how leadership works in groups or teams. My part in this project was explaining and interpreting what leadership is, the five common formal leadership styles, informal emergent and formal leaders, shared leadership functions, what a role is, task leadership roles, and maintenance leadership roles. I learned that there are multiple maintenance leadership roles which are, the supporters which encourage and give others positive and encouraging words, interpreters which use what they already know and help other group members, harmonizers which help solve problems, mediators which help find a win-win solution, and tension relievers which help others deal with stress through humor. Another interesting point that I learned is that taking on leadership is a really important role and you have to be responsible for your actions. My group and I worked together to conquer this project and we did a marvelous job at it. We communicated through our WhatsApp chat to figure out who is getting each part and we all kept our contact with each other. We all updated each other and helped each other out with what it is that we have to do and succeeded in our presentation. 

                In conclusion, I really enjoyed working in groups for this project. I believe that when you break apart a chapter between multiple people and then put the presentation together as one, you end up learning way better than just reviewing the chapter by yourself. I cannot wait to continue being part of a group and working together to achieve our goal in completing the projects together as a team. I believe all of the three groups did an amazing job in working together, creating a presentation, and presenting their projects to the class.

Blog Post #1 by David Vergara

    I joined the class SPC1017 late, and by the time I realized people were already in groups and presenting, and I ended up joining group 3 the class when group 2 was presenting. Thankfully, I had a week before presenting so I could do my work and prepare. As I learned through the presentations on intercultural communications, group leadership and problem solving, and communicating in groups, I realized that a lot that goes beyond just theories. The practical advice on effective meetings, leadership roles, and problem-solving strategies are valuable takeaways that I can apply in various aspects of my life.

    The exploration of family communication patterns and their influence on group communication struck a chord with me. It made me reflect on how my family dynamics may have shaped my communication style in groups. The categorization of families into protective, consensual, pluralistic, and laissez-faire provided a framework to understand the diversity of communication styles present in different families. This helped me see the different ways families communicate, not just mine but others too.

    The talk also broke down different types of groups, such as social, support, and workgroups, expanded my awareness of the unique challenges each type faces. It was interesting to think about how each type of group has its own way of communicating. For example, social groups need to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak, support groups need to provide help, and workgroups need to collaborate effectively. This made me realize how groups need different things depending on what type they are.

    They even talked about virtual groups and the challenges they face. As someone who uses technology a lot, I could relate to the ups and downs of virtual communication. The tips on using video calls for better communication, setting ground rules, and checking how well the technology is working were useful. It made me think about how important it is to adapt to new ways of working together, especially in the digital age.    

    The presentation on communicating in groups tied together the overarching theme of communication, leadership, and problem-solving. The emphasis on collaborative efforts in group presentations highlighted the significance of coordination and commitment within a group. The systematic problem-solving process presented a structured approach that can be applied both individually and collectively. The breakdown of decision-making methods provided a spectrum of approaches, catering to different group dynamics and contexts.

    The exploration of various formats for conveying group output, such as written and oral briefs, detailed reports, panel discussions, and symposiums, added a layer of practical applicability. As someone frequently engaged in group presentations, the insights into crafting effective oral briefs and delivering impactful panel discussions resonated with the challenges inherent in collaborative presentations.

    Moving on to the last presentation on group 3, which I participated in, leadership and problem-solving, the distinction between formal and informal leaders shed light on the varying dynamics within a group. The breakdown of leadership roles, from givers and seekers to harmonizers and mediators, provided a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of leadership. Reflecting on personal experiences, I could identify instances where different leadership roles were crucial for the group's success.

    The exploration of procedural leadership roles, including logistics coordinators, gatekeepers, and recorders, emphasized the importance of organizational support for effective group functioning. The practical tips for managing meetings, such as preparing an agenda and monitoring member interaction, are actionable strategies that contribute to productive group discussions. These insights are not only applicable in formal settings but also in informal group interactions where effective communication is key.

    In essence, these presentations collectively provided a nuanced exploration of group dynamics, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. The theoretical frameworks seamlessly integrated with practical tips, real-world applications, and actionable strategies, making the content accessible and relevant.

    The journey through communication patterns, leadership styles, and problem-solving processes created a comprehensive narrative that resonated with my experiences in academia, the workplace, and social settings. The real-world applications and practical tips embedded in each presentation added a layer of depth to the theoretical discussions.

    The insights into virtual group communication and the evolving nature of workgroups in the digital age left me contemplating the future of collaborative endeavors. The breakdown of leadership styles and roles offered me a lens through which to analyze and understand the dynamics within groups I have been a part of, prompting self-reflection on my role within these structures.

    While the content was engaging and informative, the success of the presentations was also attributed to the presenters' effective communication skills. The clarity in articulating complex concepts, the seamless transitions between topics, and the engagement strategies employed held my attention throughout. The presenters' enthusiasm for their respective topics was palpable, contributing to an overall positive and enriching experience.

    To sum it up, the three presentations on intercultural communications, group leadership and problem solving, and communicating in groups provided a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the web that binds individuals within groups. As I reflect on the knowledge shared, I am grateful for the opportunity to deepen my understanding of these fundamental aspects of interaction in group settings.

    The presentations served not only as educational sessions but also as catalysts for introspection on my role within groups and the dynamics that shape our collective endeavors. The integration of theoretical frameworks, practical tips, and real-world applications enriched my perspective on group dynamics and communication. The practical advice on effective meetings, leadership roles, and problem-solving strategies are valuable takeaways that I can apply in various aspects of my life.

    In essence, these presentations have equipped me with a toolkit for navigating group interactions, whether in academic, professional, or social settings. The awareness of family communication patterns, the recognition of diverse group types, the understanding of leadership roles, and the systematic approach to problem-solving are valuable assets in fostering effective communication and collaboration.

    As I look ahead, I am confident that the insights gained from these presentations will not only enhance my individual contributions to groups but also contribute to creating positive and productive group dynamics. The journey through these sessions has been enlightening, and I am excited to apply these learnings in my future group endeavors.

Sebastian Roman

 The SP1017 class has been in group mode for the last three weeks, and each group got assigned a chapter to explore. Group 1 got their hands on Chapter 3, which delves into the topic of "Intercultural Communication." I found Group 1's PowerPoint presentation quite interesting. They started by discussing basic ideas about culture and how civilizations differ. According to their presentation, culture is about shared values, attitudes, beliefs, and customs that define proper behavior for a specific group of people. Values are the generally agreed-upon criteria for what's considered just or unjust, fair or unfair, good or evil. It can be unsettling when our usual ways of doing things are disrupted because we're so used to them. Going into a foreign culture, whether through travel, business, or studying abroad, often leads to experiencing full-blown culture shock. I also checked out Group 3's PowerPoint presentation, and their slides were visually appealing with neat templates, clear summaries, and interesting images. I stayed engaged, watching and listening to their presentation in class.

Group 2 got Chapter 9, all about "Communicating in Groups." This chapter is super important in our class because we have to work together and talk to each other. The students in Group 2 talked about how groups work and the best ways to talk and get along in them. They started by explaining what groups are like and the common problems we might face when talking to people in groups. Then, they talked about how groups start, grow, and what makes a group healthy. A group is just a bunch of people, around three to twenty, working together for a common goal and feeling like they belong. How good or bad a group feels depends on how well everyone talks to each other using both words and body language. People are different, and they come from various places, which, in my opinion, adds an extra layer to working together. So, it's important to be mindful of how you come across when working with others, especially those with strong personalities. The chapter ends with some good ideas on how to handle problems if they come up in a group.

Finally, we looked at Chapter 10, which is about "Group Leadership and Problem Solving." In this chapter, we learned how to lead a group and solve problems together. Although it might seem a bit tricky, doing the research for the presentation and collecting the facts wasn't as hard as it seemed. This chapter is like a guide on how to be a good leader in a group and how to work together to solve problems. We began by discussing what it takes to be a successful group leader and what each person in the group needs to do to make it work. Then, we explained how good communication and shared leadership happen before, during, and after group sessions. After that, we focused on problem-solving and walked you through a step-by-step approach to dealing with problems. It was definitely a learning experience, not just in understanding the information from the text but also in creating the PowerPoint. I learned a bunch of useful things that I can use in the future when I have to work with others on group projects. To finish, we shared some tips on how to talk about our results and evaluate how well our team did.

Blog Post #1 - Jessie Diaz

    

During the first 3 weeks of my new class SPC 10926, there was a project/presentation due with 3 different groups. I was in Group 3 which was the last to present the project but even so, we had all worked so well with each other and had the project done in a timely manner. Everyone in the class was very respectful and did very well in this project.  I wanted to write down my experiences with each presentation with the different chapters that relate to working as a team and communicating with each other when in a team setting.

Each group had a certain about of people and each person had to split up the chapter amongst each other and see if everyone was set to begin the project. Everyone in group 3 did a wonderful job helping me and others figure out which chapters were available to work on. I was able to begin right away once I figured out which part of the chapter to work on.

Presentation 1, Group 1: Chapter 3

As Group 1 presented Chapter 3, it was clear it would talk about different cultures, languages and more. In the presentation they each explained perfectly how each person had their different cultures and how we could understand each other through these cultures. In the different slides I would come to realize the importance of how different but similar each person can be with their cultures. I believe that each person in Group 1 truly did a great job with their presentation as it continues to talk about the importance of understanding and communication with the differences of each person with not only their culture, language and gender but their different disabilities, religion and ethnicity. This presentation how I personally saw it was to showcase the differences and how important it is to communicate with each other to understand the different point of views on a topic when working on a team project and I believe that the presentation showed that well. Not much to say than they did a wonderful job of explaining and expressing that in a slideshow form.

Presentation 2, Group 2: Chapter 9

Personally, I wasn't around to see the Chapter 9 presentation as I believe I wasn't there enrolled in the class yet or I wasn't there on that day to watch but as my team members have told me and while reading, I came to understand that it’s about the different dynamics in the group and about each other’s social life. Since I must go from the book with this explanation, I understand that there are different groups which could be teams and families which are different times of social groups. In the chapter it also explains about working in a team effort to get things done. from my team members, I heard that their presentations were done very well too and that they all explained and expressed everything well and my team was able to understand everything about the presentation so far. I'm still disheartened that I was not there but I still like to believe that they did well and I'm not going to miss another one again so I could gain the information and knowledge about the topics from the chapter.

Presentation 3, Group 3: Chapter 10

We have reached my group! My group was presenting the importance of communication on a group project just like this project. My teammates worked on explaining the different roles each member had and the importance of each role. Also explained was how to problem solve when there is a problem during the meetings, which I had the pleasure of making the slides for that section of the chapter. Working on the project was very fun and helped me be creative on how I wanted to present and explain about the importance of communicating when there is a problem and how we could avoid it all together. My team members and I, I believe, did a great job on our presentation and all had our time to explain without rush or making any mistakes like the rest of the groups. My team worked well together before and even after the presentation and I can't wait to work with all of them again!

This project truly helped me understand so much about working as a team no matter where you come from, what you believe and who you are in general if we all work together on making something great with respect as well. All the presentations came together so well and showed me how everyone in the class can put the work and truly does work hard. The professor also did a wonderful job being kind and showing us all that we needed to know to make the presentations and presenting go so well. This class was wonderful to work with and all did so well during their presentations, and I cannot wait to see how the future projects and homework goes for the rest of the time we have left with the class.

Blog Post #1- Melany Valdez

        The class has been divided into three groups for the last three weeks of SP1017, and each group has been given a chapter. Chapter 3, "Intercultural Communication," was given to Group 1. I was really interested in group 1's PowerPoint presentation. First, they go over some fundamental ideas about culture and the ways in which civilizations differ from one another. According to their explanation of the presentation, culture is the set of common values, attitudes, beliefs, and customs that determine what constitutes proper behavior for a certain identifiable group of people. Values are the generally acknowledged criteria of what is deemed to be just and unjust, fair and unfair, good and evil, and so on. We frequently experience anxiety when our conventions, norms, and values are disturbed since we are all so accustomed to them.This is, a large number of individuals inside the mainstream American culture may also feel a connection to one or more co-cultures. Shared values and beliefs about, among other things, race, ethnicity, sex and gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic position, age or generation, and disability, give rise to some of the co-cultures that exist in the United States today.They are, in order, context, chronology, power distance, masculinity/femininity, long-term/short-term orientation, individualism/collection, and, finally, indulgence.People clearly differ in how much they identify with these gendered co-cultures, and those who do not identify strongly with them could not act in a way that conforms to expectations at all.When we are forced into a foreign culture by travel, business, or studying abroad, we are likely to experience culture shock to the fullest extent. I saw group 3's PowerPoint presentation, and all of the participants' slides had engaging templates, comprehension summaries, and images. I managed to continue observing and listening to the group's presentation in class. 

Chapter 9, "Communicating in Groups," was assigned to Group 2. Because this class requires students to collaborate with one another and communicate with their companions, this chapter is crucial. The students covered group dynamics and the best ways to interact within them in this chapter. They start out by describing the nature and characteristics of several groups as well as some of the common communication problems we run into while engaging with people in each of them. then went on to discuss the stages of group formation and growth as well as important traits of healthy groups. A group is an assembly of three to twenty individuals who strive to accomplish a shared goal and have a sense of belonging. A girl in the presentation made the generalization that a family is a collection of individuals who, via their interactions, create a feeling of past, future, and somewhere to call home. Families are typically quite important in most people's life. Children receive their socialization there, and we often go there first when we need emotional and social assistance.Additionally, when they deal with other groups, they carry this communication style with them.The majority of us are members of many social groups. You could have had a close-knit group of friends in high school, a close-knit group of mates during your time in the military, or a regular group of friends with whom you play softball or golf. When coworkers start getting together for social events beyond work, they may eventually develop into a social group.A group's experience can be either pleasant or bad depending on how well or poorly members communicate with one another via both verbal and nonverbal cues. Indeed, there are differences and they come from various civilizations, in my opinion. Therefore, you need to be aware of how you come across while working with others, especially those who have strong personalities. They provide suggestions for effectively handling group disputes as they wrap up this chapter.

Lastly, chapter 10. I was assigned to work on that chapter with my group. It is titled "Group Leadership and Problem Solving" in this chapter.  There was a moment in the PowerPoint creation process for chapter 10 where I had to choose my contribution and complete the three matching slides. I developed my ability to complete tasks on time, allowing everyone to submit their work to the professor by the deadline. Contrary to appearances, the facts gathered and the research for the presentations weren't tough. This chapter teaches you how to solve problems in groups and exercise good leadership. We start out by talking about what it means to be a successful group leader and what each group member has to do to get there. Next, we demonstrate how good communication and shared leadership manifest themselves before to, during, and following group sessions. After that, we focus only on problem-solving and guide you through a methodical approach to the process. The literature goes into specifics and provides group explanations throughout the chapter. It also outlines methods and techniques to assist the group in appropriately handling any conflicts. The audience is free to take what the group presented to heart when they were giving their interpretation of chapter 3. Everybody attends meetings on a regular basis, sometimes leading and other times participating. However, not many are adept at doing so successfully. At some time in our life, the majority of us will be in charge of calling a meeting of the group. A work group team may follow a more structured spiral approach, in which members refine, accept, reject, change, and combine ideas before returning to the initial conversation, or they may follow an organized set of actions when faced with a challenge.The disappointments we remember from attending meetings that were poorly led may be one of our main sources of anxiety. Undoubtedly, doing this task was a learning experience. both in the data taken from the text and in the PowerPoint's development. Fortunately, I can state that my group and team worked really hard on the slides and Friday's presentation to the class.  I learned a lot of things that I can put to use in the future while collaborating with others on group projects. In conclusion, we suggest techniques for sharing outcomes and assessing team performance.

Blog Post #1 - Sandra Cenatus

Throughout the past 3 weeks of SP1017, the class was split into 3 groups and each group was assigned a chapter. Group 1 was assigned Chapter 3, “Intercultural Communication”. When group 1 were presenting their PowerPoint, I was quite intrigued. Chapter 3 was full of understanding and being informed about having different people with different cultures. Also how to be able to communicate with each other. It was also explained in chapter 3 about dominant culture and how that culture whose values, attitudes and other things reflect the majority lifestyle. Also spoke about how there are also Co-cultures which deal with groups of people living in dominant culture and completely different from the lifestyle of the dominant culture. There was also spoken the 7 dimensions in which culture differs. They are individualism/collection, context, chronemics, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, masculinity/femininity, long-term/short-term orientation, and lastly indulgence. The final point of the chapter is the text giving you practice methods to help better intercultural communication between each other. As I watched group 3 present their PowerPoint, all participants slides were filled with pictures and understanding summaries and intriguing templates. I was able to stay watching and listen to what group were presenting in class. 

       Group 2 was given chapter 9, “Communicating in Groups”. This chapter is very important because this class involves the students working with each other and communicating with their partners. So having given this chapter to the class was a smart idea. An informative one too. In the chapter, it starts with identifying the different types of groups. There are social groups, support groups, interest groups, service groups, work and team groups, virtual groups, and mediated communication in virtual groups. Throughout the chapter, the text goes into detail and explanations of the groups. It also expresses strategies to help the group deal with any conflict correctly and ways to deal with it. While the group were presenting their chapter 3 interpretation, the listener can take what the group were presenting to the heart. When working with groups and other people it can and makes it frustrating, but you’ll have to deal with it. You must stay active with communicating, respond and be vocal, and furthermore be cooperative. Speaking from experience as well. In this SPC1017 class, when I was placed in group 3, from the very beginning communication was hard. No one was really being upfront and taking so long to speak and respond to text messages. No one wanted to take the initiative to create the PowerPoint, but that is what happens sometimes when it comes to working with others and depending on others. Thankfully we were able to get the ball moving and cooperate to complete the chapter PowerPoint. When it comes to working with others, you have to be able to keep your emotions and resentment in check. We must be able to think before you talk because you never want to lash out on your teammates. So, in chapter 3 where they speak on “Culture and Conflict” this is where the text on this chapter becomes very useful. Culture and Conflict means “People who belong to different cultural and co-cultural groups tend to abide by unique communication norms.”. I believe that yes there are different and are of different cultures. So, when working with others, you must be mindful of how you can come across, especially those with big personalities too. 

    Finally chapter 10. That is the chapter my group and I were to do. In this chapter it is called, “Group Leadership and Problem Solving. When the creating of chapter 10’s PowerPoint, there was a point in moment where I had to take leadership. Had to take leadership by default because no one wanted to take such initiative. That alone came with regret. Having to re and re send PowerPoint links to add people, take information from other emails and add it to PowerPoint when really wasn’t as hard but at least the assignment reached the finish line. With this chapter, you learn about leadership within teams, how to properly and effectively have and run an effective meeting, 6 steps to of systematic problem solving (Identify and Define the Problem, Analyze the Problem, Determine Criteria for Judging Solutions, Generate a Host of Solutions, Evaluate Solutions and Decide, and Implement the Agreed-Upon Solution and Assess It.), conversate solutions within the group in various formats, and lastly look into the effectiveness within the group using key criteria. When my group got together and chose what we were going to do I chose 10-2, 10-2a, and 10-2b. With these 3 slides they explain and give information on how to effectively conduct and have a meeting with leaders and meeting with participants. When having a meeting with leaders, the text gives steps for “Before the Meeting”, “During the Meeting”, and “After the Meeting”. The next text also gives steps for meeting with participants. It also gives steps for “Before the Meeting”, During the Meeting” and lastly “After the Meeting”. Since I oversaw creating the PowerPoint, I was able to look at everyone's slides and design. Everyone actually created really nice and eye-catching templates. There were interesting pictures and layouts for the lesson they chose with readable and shortened text. When it was time to share my screen with the class everyone was respectful and concentrated. As I was pressing the next button, the next person who had to read was intentive and audible. This assignment was definitely a learning experience. Both in the information from the text and the creation of the PowerPoint. Thankfully I can say my team and group put in a lot of effort in both the slides and presentation on Friday to the class. We all received a grade of an “A” thankfully. Our professor was entertained and fascinated with everyone in the classes' PowerPoint presentation. I gathered a lot of information that I can use and apply to my life when working with classmates or people in group assignments in the future to come.