S2.07

Journal

We had designated this week as reading week; however, I agreed to be in the Cobden cluster for anyone that needed help or wanted to catch up. It was a well I did as this turned into a mediation session. I guess there is always the danger that some groups will have problems; however, it was a bit daunting as this is the first time I've tried to embrace group work for assessment. This module is certainly providing me with lots of learning opportunities.

Basically, I think the problem stems from different understandings of how a wiki works. One person wanted to use it in its intended collaborative way, whereas another was keen to keep an element of individual control by allocating a page to each person. I think both were motivated by trying to get the highest marks for the group work, although they failed to see this. We talked through what my expectations were and I explained that if the group wiki wasn't successful they shouldn't worry, as their reflections on why this might be etc would help to boost their marks in the other aspects of the assessment.

Whilst I don't think they were the best of friends, they said they would continue working as a group with this new understanding and see how it goes. I'll have to keep an eye on things.

I'm more concerned about some of the other groups who don't appear to be engaging at all in the group project. I shall have to chase them and give them the hard word.