Group work project
Q. 1)
Group discussions are essential in any school setup since it aids students to grasp the content better. My participation in group work made me understand so many things about post-meningitic hearing loss management. Although I had read and done a lot of research in this field, I still did not have the full facts about this condition. One aspect, which I fully grasped during the group work, was the nature and causes of this condition. Although I had some idea on the possible causes and symptoms of the condition, I understood these aspects better because the group members shared the scenarios and experiences they have had while handling individuals with this condition. The scope of my understanding about the symptoms of this condition further widened because I have to learn other symptoms which some of the group members had researched on. When I reflect my academic level and the amount of research that I had done, I must say I would not have done better if I would rely on these.
Group work necessitated every member of the group and more me, to be creative. Every time I was given a question to tackle, I could think of all possible solutions, which came into my mind, and the members would either agree or disagree and make corrections on it. While incorporating the ideas of others in the group, more ideas came up, leading to better solutions and thus better results. I felt satisfied during group work unlike I would have done while alone. While working together as a group, I was able to achieve a common goal and develop intellectually. I gained enthusiasm and more energy while in the group work. This energy produced more success in the group and enabled me to be more motivated towards the understanding of post-meningitic hearing loss management.
Group work further enabled me to ask the questions, which often occupied my mind concerning post-meningitic hearing loss. I was able to express my concerns and fears and get views from my fellow group members. Through the sharing of ideas, I was able to obtain proper answers for my questions. One concern, which I raised, was about the treatment of this condition. According to my research, I had established that this condition was treatable to some extent i.e. the point where an individual is still in his or her early stages. My peers disapproved me, when they told me that some types of post-meningitic hearing loss could also be treated at late stages. It however depends on how the individuals with this condition are physically, emotionally and socially. I also learned from the group members that if the condition has been monitored for a long time, chances are that it can be treated in the end.
Q. 2)
Yes, the project was done in the best way. One important thing that we did actually was to recognize the differences in outlook, skills, and talents that each individual group member has. We saw this as an advantage towards achieving success in the group and therefore we would give each person a chance to express whatever they had. Understand each other’s differences also made it possible for all of us to be free to each other and share all that has been bringing doubts. We chose the group members from individuals whom we shared a common goal and objective. We were actually in the same level of understanding, a phenomenon that would allow us to move in the same speed while in the discussion. Even though we all could not move in the same speed while answering the questions, we allocated every one of us time to give a view about an issue under discussion.
Since we could not coordinate the group in our own way, we chose a leader to guide the group in the direction to take. The basis of choosing our leader was based on nature of the differences that we posses as individuals. These differences are expressed in our feelings, positions, and needs. The main role of our leader was to coordinate the group, notify us of then and where to meet and remind us the main parts that we needed to tackle as a group. The project was also done in a right manner because we developed a reflective session where we could revisit what we discussed, how much we contributed to the group, how much progress we had made, how effective the communication within the group was and how well the questions posted while in the discussion were answered.
Q. 3)
Group work in any part of the field need full contribution by members to reduce the workload on an individual and share ideas on how to get the best results. For the project to succeed if more, I could have ensured full participation and develop strong interest in the project from the results would depend largely on how we undertake the entire process. When operating within a group, everyone is motivated to communicate their ideas and ask questions on the ideas and proposal of others. On this part I could have enhance every team member present their ideas in an organized manner and before we put them on record we could brain storm on the facts and details collected.
Everyone has a reason as to why they suggested that or this way. During the brainstorming, I would ensure I present the most relevant and challenging question so that we can get the best of the ideas to put it down. This will also enhance my communication skills since by presenting question I will be gaining confidence that is usually necessary for any group work project. Brainstorming section also helps the group lively and everyone will concentrate and thus a constructive method of problem-based learning and research.
Having the passion to belong to art of then team is also an aspect that I would employ to remain focused throughout the project initiation to the end. Being enthusiasm will stimulate my intellectualism and resulting to applying more of the analytical skills to a wide range of problems in different situations. Group projects should entail a positive change in everyone attitude and I would work hard in trying to change this believe for everyone since whatever we are working on would benefit all of us. Furthermore, project needs to be supported with some tangible facts, which are usually from the printed media. I would work on this by ensuring that I read extensively and contact other groups on how they handle their projects and the facts obtained incorporate them into our project. Project improvement needs variety of resources, thus I would also propose to the group to seek other related information. This will be presented during our subsequent meetings of which I would ensure in arrange convenient time and places for the meeting.
Q. 4)
Future group development needs members to be active, committed, and dedication. Every group member has different skills and I will make sure I get to interact with everyone at individual level and share what they have with me. This is because some members cannot open up to their ideas when they are in a team. Individuals are becoming dynamic in nature hence the need to ensure full collaboration of the members while at the same time employing more research and analytical approaches. For efficiency, I would suggest that we work in small groups so that everything is address exhaustively. Small groups are also more satisfying since there is lees confusion of ideas.
Explaining something to a small group is much easier and effective. Being the leader of a group will also do me good since most of the time I will be in control and most of the things happening to the group will be discussed under my instructions. I will also be committed and adventurous so that all the areas given will be discussed in dept and width. In addition, I would help my group members to learn more about themselves (SWOT analysis) and explore their full potentials on project development. I would also work towards improving team productivity through proper use of communication skills and exercising effective integration with not only the group members but also the entire class.
To get extensive sources of information, I would work closely with the administration so that they can also assist us in resources necessary for collection of data. This will be enhanced by making myself the team leader and encourage everyone to participate willingly within the assigned group. I will also be cautious in whatever we are going to do since this are the practical part of live and it would be long before we go out there to deal with actual people having different problems. The way we handle something now will be passed on to the future. Furthermore, I would encourage my team that before we undertake on any activity, we should first develop a plan of action and at the same time initiating a mechanism of operation so that when we go tom the field , we are set for everything and know how to deal with non participating members. Lastly, before we deliver our project, I would evaluate the entire project to ensure it is precise, satisfactory, exhaustive, and free from any other errors.
References
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Gyo, K., Hato, N., Hakuba, N., Takahashi, M. & Takahashi, N. (2006) Late hearing recovery of postmeningitic deafness in a child after cochlear implantation.International. Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Extra, 1, 160-163.
Hayes, D. & Northern, J. L. (1996). Infants and Hearing. San Diego: Singular Publishing Group Inc.
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