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.