Group work

My first class (Health Promotion) was a face to face-and it had a group project. A presentation with 7 people, all of whom had to talk. Groups were formed by e-mailing our preference to the prof, so we would be gathered by interests. Fine, except few people emailed. I did, and got into preschool/school age group, then 5 people who all knew each other picked my group so they could be together. One final person was added when other groups were full (she had shown up late to class that day, so had little real choice). We were given class time throughout the semester to work on the project, however, most of the time the people who knew each other chatted about their other classes, and agreed with each other. Someone came up with an outline of what they thought should be covered, and then sectioned it off. I was assigned to talk about depression, ADD and bed wetting. Lovely. After a time, I returned to the group and let them know I wanted to add a section- HOW these important ideas about Health Promotion in preschool/school age children could be taught- what opportunities are there, how do you reach the children/parents, some developmentally appropriate teaching methods, what resources are out there, etc. This was received well, and I shortened my assigned part to a couple paragraphs, and then put together some great stuff, which I am still quite proud of. We had some separate group meetings- these are a challenge for everyone I know so don’t think I am complaining, but it was hard for me to set up a time and to get to campus. The trip takes at least an hour there and an hour home, and that is without considering actual meeting time. Our final practice- we had one of these meetings. We had tried to meet directly after class, but 3 people said they were not prepared then, so we scheduled for a couple days later. Fine. Then those same 3 people did not show up to the meeting (Grrr). They had not submitted their ppt slides to our collector, but assured us they would be ready to go. Those of us present had a good session. Me in particular. Since I did not know these folks well, it was particularly gratifying when they sat up and took notice when I began to talk. I was to speak last, and also shared with them a 6 min video clip exemplified the groups’ message. Fantastic. Presentation day. One final member (the one who was late to class) still had not submitted her ppt slides or even any explanations. She was not even present as we began. We altered the presentation order on the fly- she was now to be last. She came in part way through. She had her own (huge) handouts to add to the packet we had put together. I talked about my stuff- and it went great. For her portion, it was like a different world. She had shown no one her slides or materials, had no concept of what the group format was, and we had not seen her practice. She went on and on just talking about issues she personally saw in her job as a public school nurse. We had to stop her talking when time ran out, and did not show my video that the group had agreed upon. I believe we all got As. Group work. Think about it.

here we go again

The past time I was evacuating from a hurricane..... Wow what a weird way to start a sentence... Anyway, the last time, I was taking Nursing Theory. It was a hybrid class, with a few meetings, and the rest online. Well, even though it was a trauma, and a class in the effected city, the instructors did not extend the deadline for one of our big papers, the concept analysis. At the time I thought it was annoying, because it would have been reassuring to know that the powers that be acknowledged there were much more important things going on. Even though we did make it out of town and back, honestly there was significant trauma for myself, my family and my city. And what of my comupter and files had been affected?! They cancelled one class meeting, but that was almost as annoying, as we were supposed to be able to ask questions about the assignment then.
Still, looking back I wish the instructors had stepped up. Things are different for me now. My family did not spend 13 hours in highway hell, and just as important, I have a lap top, and wireless connection so I can do lots more on the go (at least while the power is available to run the router in the house I am staying in). Also this blogging is now a voluntary activity for me. But seeing the situation from here I see I could have asked for an extension, but it was more than that. I did not want that. I wanted an acknowledgment of the imperfect power balance between student and teacher, and not to have to ask for something that should have been given.
Of course the work has to be done, and the knowledge gained to get the degree, and I am sure completing it on time gave me time to work on something else without delay, but left me feeling a bit less empowered or respected.