OVERVIEW:

As you begin this class I want you to stamp your brain with the question, "What's in this for me?"  Do not let any opportunity slip by for answering this question, especially when posting your assignments. At times you may wish to modify, slightly, the wording of the question so as to ask, "What impact do this readings have upon me?" When you begin the group project this same question remains the single most important focus of your inquiry. I will know what you're learning in this course when I see you making connections between what you read in the required texts and how those readings apply to your daily interactions.

CLASS BIOS

Before posting any of the formal course assignments please introduce yourself to the rest of the class. A separate conference page has been created for this purpose and comes under the heading of "Class Bios." As your first order of business for the class please post a 150-200 word biographical statement on the "Class Bios" page. Include demographics, education background, part-time and/or full-time work experience, and any other aspects about you that would help us to know you better. 

CHAT ROOM

The "Chat Room" is provided to facilitate group interaction. It will allow real time discussion between and among class members. This capability will become particularly useful when working on the "Group Project" assignment. Any, or all, group members may engage in interaction by merely going to the "Chat Room" site.   

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ASSIGNMENT 1

Read Chap. 1, "Connections"
Read Part I, "Teams"
Post 250-300 word Critical Response #1.
 
 

Critical Response - A Critical Response should be a thoughtful reaction to what you have read. If two, or
more, reading assignments are made react to each but also look for comparison and contrast
opportunities between or among the readings. Although you may summarize to a degree, always try to personalize your response. How does the material affect you? Can you relate the material to your personal experience?
What  have you learned that seems interesting to you and may have direct implications for you? Remember
to focus on enhancing personal relationships.

Journal Application Report (Grad Students Only).

Journal Application Report - Identify web sites for at least 5 electronic journal articles that you feel have
value for your interpersonal development on the internet.  It will consist of a review of the articles, including a 100-120 word summary and critical response for each (total: 500-600 words). Explain the article's implications for your interpersonal development on the internet. Some journal sites are suggested but you are not limited to those listed.

ASSIGNMENT #2

Read Chap. 2, "Connections"
Read Part II, "Teams"
Post 250-300 word Critical Response #2  including "Predictions".
 

Critical Response - Same instructions as Assignment #1. In addition to your critical response generate at
least 3 predictions (Conservative or far out) about "doing new things" through Computer Mediated
Communication.

Post 150-200 word Dialogue Response #1

Dialogue Response - A Dialogue response is a thoughtful reaction by you to a classmate's posted critical
response. Read as many posted critical responses as you can. Select one, in particular, and post your
dialogue response. Your response may be based on the other person's insights, conclusions, or even
questions raised. Again, try to personalize your response to reflect how the critical response affects you
directly.

ASSIGNMENT #3

Read Chap. 3, "Connections"
Read Part III, "Teams"
Post 250-300 word Critical Response #3, including a "self beast" analysis.

Critical Response - Same instructions as Assignment #1. In addition conduct a brief "self beast" analysis.  What kinds of tactics do you find intolerable? How open should communication be? What implications do you see for yourself to these questions? Be as open and as creative as you can.

Select and post your projected topic for your Individual Exploration Reports. Reports are not to be completed but simply announced at this point. To help you understand the nature of the final Exploration Report, a description of that project follows.

Exploration Reports - Based on your readings thus far select an area you would like to explore further. At this point you are to only identify the area you wish to explore. You do not have to complete your report until the assigned due date. This might be a topic introduced directly through the reading material or an idea that emerged from the reading material to date. Explore the topic by engaging in one of the following ways: 1) Post a 300-400 word report  of 3 web sites which deal with your topic in an intelligent and contributing manner. Be sure to incorporate links to the sites you have selected. Summarize and critique each site and explain how the new material might affect your own interpersonal relationships on the internet; or, 2) Identify and make personal contact with an author cited in the reading material to date. Interview the author focusing on strategies for improving interpersonal relationships on the internet.  An Assignment due date will appear at the appropriate point in the course.

ASSIGNMENT #4

Read Chap. 4, "Connections"
Read Part IV, "Teams"
Post 250-300 word Critical Response #4.

POST 150-200 WORD DIALOGUE RESPONSE #2 TO CRITICAL RESPONSE #4.

Critical Response - Same instructions as Assignment #1.

ASSIGNMENT #5

Read Chap. 5-8, "Connections"
Read Part V, Epilogue and Appendixes A & B, "Teams"
 

Post 300-400 word Exploration Reports.

Read Chap. 6,  "Connections"

ASSIGNMENT #7

Read Chaps. 7 and 8, "Connections"
Group Project -

After reading "Connections" (7&8) you will have completed both required texts for the course, read several journal articles or other readings related to a self selected area of interest, submitted several critical analyses of selected required readings, and interacted with selected students in  the class by responding to and evaluating their posted critical analyses. Remember there are two levels of  learning operating continuously throughout this class. The first is technology and its impact upon the efficiency of communication within any organization. The second is the social change that results from using new technology with particular attention to impact upon interpersonal relationships. The texts chosen for the class have important significance for each of these levels. The "Connections" book speaks to technology (first level) and social effects (second level). The "Teams" book speaks directly to group cooperation in managing tasks, picking up rather conveniently upon the "social" dynamics (second level) of group interaction. Your task for the remainder of the course is to blend both of these areas (technology and teamwork) into a group project.

For the remainder of the course you will be assigned to a group. Each group will complete assignments as specified following this introductory statement. Initially your group will need to decide on a topic to pursue. The results of your efforts will be the posting of a final report that includes a statement of your purpose, the nature of your topic, and appropriate links, with analysis, to sites you choose to include in your report. The goal of your report will be to provide assistance to new users of  computer mediated communication. What personal advice might your group provide for new users? What sites would you identify for new or veteran users in order to assist their interpersonal comfort related to computer mediated communication? You may choose your audience, and in so doing, you will obviously narrow your efforts and confine them to that audience. For example, you might choose to target teachers as your audience. This might be a popular choice especially if you are a teacher yourself. On the other hand you might select a topic that would be more universal in nature; a topic that would benefit any user of computer mediated communication, e.g..,  Handling conflict over the internet.

As you work your way through the group project remember the "two levels." Pay particular attention to the impact of technology upon your own participation. How is the technology either enhancing or constraining your participation in the group effort? Be sensitive to other members of your group and ask the same question regarding their participation. The final reports will be added to a worldwide web page called "NetiKit". In other words your efforts will lead toward a very real and significant contribution to new and veteran users of computer mediated communication -- a legacy of your efforts. Do a job that will make you proud.

Group I (TBA)
 
 
 
 
 

Group II (TBA)
 
 
 
 
 

Post 750-800 word Group "Work" Statement on conference page # (TBA)
Post 750-800 word Group "Team" Statement on conference page # (TBA)
 

Work Statement -

This statement focuses on starting the process. It challenges you to apply material from chapter 3 of  the "Teams" textbook to the beginning of your group project. Minimally, your statement should include consideration of the group's groundwork for success, goals, contexts, and standards/procedures for work. This statement will be submitted by the group but each group member should contribute to the final group statement.

Team Statement -

This statement focuses on the interpersonal relationships within the group that contribute to the formation of a working team. It challenges you to apply material from chapter 4 of the "Teams" text. Minimally, your statement should include consideration of developing the context of an organizational culture, individual members, team attributes, phases of development, and feedback approaches. This statement will be submitted by the group but each group member should contribute to the final group statement.

ASSIGNMENT #8

Within your group each member will complete, separately,  Form 10.1 on page 252 of your "Teams" text. Upon completion post your assessment on your appropriate conference page.  Then, read each others' assessment. After reading the other member's assessments each group member post an individual response for the other group  members to read. Focus on the benefits, if any, from engaging in the exercise. Refer to chapter 10 for guidance of your analysis. Each posting should be approximately 125-150 words with the response to the assessment..

ASSIGNMENT #9

Post a 125-150 word response  to team pressures and conflicts that have arisen in your group. It challenges  you to apply material from chapter 12 of the "Teams" text. Minimally, include consideration of at least two of the following: deviance/conformity pressures; groupthink; hidden agendas; competitive communication, and; conflict. Focus on how you have been affected personally. This statement will be submitted individually.
 
 

ASSIGNMENT # 10

Grad students post your Journal Application Reports.
Post an individual critical overview of the group project on discussion page # (TBA). No page length is prescribed here. Using the appendix B portion of the "Teams" text describe what you've learned from the experience by focusing on:  the final outcomes of the team; the processes of the team; the members of the team, and; your final thoughts. This statement will be submitted individually.

Post your group's final report on the assigned Conference Page. Please note that there is no page limit on this entry. Use whatever space that your group determines to be appropriate.  Include links to appropriate sites, evaluation of the sites, and appropriate commentary for readers in order to facilitate the goals established originally by your group. The final report should also evidence an appropriate blend of individual and group effort. Remember your report will be available to anyone who chooses to access it. Take pride in its conception and completion.