Internet-based group work

This week I did learn a great deal about mapping mashups, which was the goal! I feel as though the group experience actually did help me learn more about this topic. Before I talked about the topic with my group, I felt somewhat confused about what a mashup really was and what mapping mashups might be able to do. Other group members fortunately had some questions at first too, so we were able to work together to answer our mutual uncertainties and develop understandings of the topic we were investigating.

I definitely do see the value of Internet-based group work. I feel as though using tools like Skype and a wiki make it nearly as easy as live group work can be. I have done online group work before using WebCT, without any instantaneous communication; that experience was frustrating and definitely hindered my learning in that setting. This experience was completely different for me! Our group was able to talk using a conference call on Skype and could work on editing our presentation at the same time. We were able to ask questions and find answers and all contribute to our final product. I felt fortunate to be in a group with other students who have similar work habits as myself, which minimized frustration with the group process. Taking part in Internet-based group work can be an effective process and this project helped me see many of the benefits.

To make the group experience more productive, perhaps we could have even more clearly defined our roles within the group. We did each have specific goals to accomplish between meetings, which helped us all know how to contribute. But perhaps we could have been even more productive if we had found a different way to split up the work. Still, I feel as though we were very productive and successful as a group.