Day 57 - Desperation

[Jonathan C]

If you are reading this right now, I thank you, because no one seems to understand the concept of communication. We have all these problems regarding completion, because people are wondering what they are supposed to be doing. Well, if you don't check the discussion on the wiki pages, or if you don't check your group, well, then it is awfully hard to know much of anything, now isn't it?

Because people are not taking the time to look into what they are supposed to be doing, or they are not taking time to contact their project managers, there is a little bit of a problem, in terms of horizon project completion. Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers can only do so much. Sub groups need to be taking the initiative, and they need to start working together to solve problems. No matter how much cyber urging the PM does, if you do not check your discussion on the wiki, or if you do not check your main page, than the group is doomed to failure.

Another problem that I am seeing across the board, is a problem with activity and motivation. A few students are working because their grade depends on this assignment. Others are contributing because they feel it is their duty, not to let others down. Others aren't contributing because they don't know what to do. Others aren't contributing because they don't have the tech, or do not have the grasp of English. Other's simply aren't . There is not much that someone can do to urge someone who has no interest in the project. You can't yell at them in person, you can't plead with them, you can't do anything. They simply disappear. They see that email notification of a post on their Ning, but they won't check it. They will see that their was a comment on a discussion board, but they won't check it. Follow up is key to the survival of this project, and the fact that people are in la la land, is not helping.

So now that I have talked about the problems that i have observed, specifically with the metatrend, computing in three dimensions, what do other people see? APMs at GBA are reporting similar problems, but how can we remedy them? Is there any one out there who will answer this question?

[Dr J Turner]

Thank you Joanthon for a most excellent insight.
I also appreciate the teacher responses - I have brought the issues to my class's attention.
I agree re the importance of teacher as manager and will try to uphold what we are trying to achieve.
AS with all projects I find the good students are the one's who try, listen and communicate. Our motto for classroom and teachers is Discuss and Do. I am also finding that there are weak students who get much and do much (although at a more appropriate level) in these type of projects. The project also highlights those who may be found wanting or try to hide. Our job is to support their 'education' in taking responsibility. I find that students cannot hide as well in the digital world. Regarding the wiki, issues we are touching on are coming to the fore (See research article "Is wiki an effective platform for group course work?" which is located at http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet24/elgort.html). Your contribution is most appreciated.
Dr Turner

[Vicki Davis]

@Chris - I applaud you for your honest reflections. You are sharing what many of us see, including me. We see that we need to do better in global collaboration and higher order thinking skills. I always like to say "If you already know it and all make a 100% why would I teach it?"

This is definitely something we all have to work on and I applaud everyone who is willing to push themselves to the level required to participate in this project. It is a tough project but the rewards are great, at least they have been for me and my students.

[Chris Flesuras, III]

Well articulated, Jon. As others have mentioned here, us teachers are experiencing the same frustrations. I have been personally walking around and talking with the inactive students from Kyoto Gakuen to see what the issue is. Some of it is that they are intimidated by the language, for others it is the fact that they've never been challenged like this before. For me, it's been a reinforcement of what I believe the weak points are in an Asian system of education or business. Some kids here are superstars who have the ability to come up with their own opinions, ideas, etc. But, a vast majority of them are conditioned to do what they are told, and cannot operate beyond the boundaries that a teacher or supervisor gives them. It is a frustrating lesson to learn as I am a product of student-centered learning and believe strongly that kids should learn to think for themselves. I can't promise you that everyone will do a great job, but this project has allowed my students here in Japan to get a sense of what is expected of them as international students. Their problems do not stem from laziness, but rather a lack of understanding and motivation. I hope that, in the end, all of my kids will have done their best and learned something new about responsibility and education. It's a rough road, but your criticisms are well put, and I hope that this motivates others to complete their task and do a better job of communicating from here on out. Your maturity is what's needed most here, and I think that your peers will respond in kind.

[Jonathan C]

There is a request, but i am from GBA, so my name is at the very bottom of the page. Additionally, i put up the request only 5 days ago, so that may have been part of the problem. No one has signed up however.

[Vicki Davis]

Did you put a request on the outsourced video page? Has anyone signed up? I'm planning to ask people to complete these requests from around the world! Thanks!

[Jonathan C]

Well, it's not so much a problem with Lindsey that is stalling activity. It is the fact that some students have disappeared off the face of the earth. There are fellow peers in C3D who have yet to prove that they are alive and well. I sent out a mass ning message, so we can see what that does, but i'm not sure.

I am waiting on my outsourced video. I was waiting for 30 second clips from group leaders, but i have come to the realization that the subgroups are not that organized. I had not requested anything from Lindsey regarding the video. I need her help in getting the rest of the group together though. Thank you!

[Vicki Davis]

I have already e-mailed your PM Lindsey who is in my class, you can expect response from her tomorrow. Additionally, we have taken your report as submitted and are dealing with that as well behind the scenes.

No, you cannot edit all of the other wikis. Are you waiting on your outsourced video? Is this what you need? I can get that from lindsey tomorrow.

Just remember, that if you've edited and contributed, that I believe your teacher will take that into account. If you've done your part, then let the teachers handle the rest. My students have been working on their videos this past week but I'll make sure they return to the wiki -- we did much of our editing about two weeks a go. I still see that some students can do much more!

[Jonathan C]

Thanks to all the teacher's that posted, but even as an APM, I don't have the time/energy/resources to fully edit other people's pages. While I could go in an edit other people's pages, it would be a trade off between my science grade and the completion of my project. I'm getting C's/low B's in Science and Math, so I really need to commit myself elsewhere. What options do I have other than to sit and wait? I'm not getting much response from people in my group, and i realize that a few schools will be leaving for summer break. Any suggestions?

[Vicki Davis]

I echo Mr. Morgan's sentiments. This project is a real wake up call into the real world. And in the real world, successful people with a 'winning attitude" overcome adversity and succeed.

[Chris Morgan]

Jon, I wish you didn't have to learn this life lesson at this time, but I am glad that you've found the courage to articulate your frustrations. In many ways, you are describing the frustrations that every teacher experiences. Ms. Davis, Ms. Lindsay, Mr. Bretag and the rest of us know too well the difference between an intrinsically motivated and an extrinsically motivated student. We cannot truly understand why some students choose to remain voiceless. I suppose that there are some valid reasons among the invalid ones. The question is not so much about them--it is about us? How will we cope with this frustration? How will we respond when others disappoint us?

I have no doubt that one day you will find yourself working with a group of people who are as passionate, conscientious, and dedicated as you are. I have no doubt that you will do amazing things in that situation. I have no doubt that the Horizon Project is teaching you more than you even realize.