THD204 - Strategy for TMA06 - Structure and timetable
The discussion for TMA06 will commence on Wednesday 4th August we have devised the following strategy: -
1) Conference co-ordinator: - We will nominate one member to be co-ordinator with responsibilities for collating information, resolving problem, allocation of tasks in cases of clashes.
2) Timetable: - this group intends to follow, as much as is practicable, the suggested timetable as laid out in page 7 of Assignment Book 2 for TMA 06.
Organisation and comment of collected data: - We will start threads relevant to the subject material i.e. a thread for each topic along the lines of the course themes and design issues in which we assess and comment on the article(s). At present we have decided on the following threads:
- a) Course Themes / Design Issues, each member reads article and comments on it.
- b) Summary: - this thread to facilitate and collate information.
- c) Report Body: - this thread to facilitate and collate information.
- d) Other threads may be opened as necessary to distinguish between Course Themes / Design Issues.
- e) Document References: - remains open and updated throughout conference period.
- f) All contribute: - an area for general discussion and issue raising.
- g) Individual "Report Body" to be submitted for group revision and final draft of "Summary"
3) Absent members: - Should members require help or are going to be absent for a while they will post a message to that effect into the conference. An exchange of phone numbers and addresses in case of IT problems.
4) Information from non-course material: - All information to be shared and that sourced from areas other than course materials e.g. Internet, will be 'shared' as an attachment to the relevant posting to the thread.
5) Logon frequency: - We agreed to logon to the conference a minimum of twice a week.
6) If the plan goes wrong: - the co-ordinator will negotiation among group members to agree a strategy to resolve the problem, either by conference, face to face meeting or online chat - transcription of any meeting to be posted in conference.
7) Face to face meetings: - Any communications other than by conference i.e. face to face meeting or online chat - transcription to be posted in the conference.
8) Responsibilities, allocation/ delegation of tasks - we leave this until we have started TMA06 and have more of an idea of the task involved. It will be the co-ordinators brief to try to resolve disputes
9) Online chats: - Online chats will only be used as a last resort to clear pressing problems or arrange meetings.
Assessment
I believe this is a good strategy since we have not tied ourselves to any rigid schedule, which also allows the strategy to develop as the TMA progresses. During TMA04 we discussed collaborative learning theories and processes also adding our own personal experiences to the discussion. I don't believe we were at all competitive but worked as a team, encouraging, supporting and stimulating fellow group members. I believe we have devised a loosely structured strategy for TMA06 that is flexible and is adaptive to the individual and group needs. The aim is that the sharing of information and experience will be to the benefit of all members working towards a common goal.
I believe we have incorporated the processes of CL (forming, storming, norming, and performing) into our plan. I also believe our role assignments will be assigned according to our abilities, preferences, experiences, availability and requirements of the shared goal of the group project.
We used our experiences of the learning process in TMA04 to develop our strategy for TMA06. I also think we have followed McGraths's problem solving, conflict resolution and execution theories by the appointment of a co-ordinator. I believe our strategy has laid the way for a successful project in TMA06. We have also made provision for the plan going wrong which we will rectify by discussion and negotiation with the help of our nominated conference co-ordinator.