Module 4

Group or collaborative activities can promote my learning by improving my critical thinking skills, engaging me in the learning process and personalizing large lectures. I gathered that conflict during collaborative learning isn't always a negative thing as it can push members out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to be more innovative and creative. It can also result in a battle of wits which the other members of the group can learn from. I intend to use this information and support tools to promote successful collaborative learning by examining conflict within the group to determine if it will be beneficial or harmful to the group and then either allowing it to resolve itself or being the mediator and de-escalating the problem. I also intend to figure out each group member's roles and use it to the group's advantage. I would like to work on the fact that I often back down from arguing my solution and just blindly agree with the group and also learn to be more accommodating with my group members (learn to accept their roles and play to their strengths). Based on past interactions in a team, three roles that I wish to improve are gatekeeper, opinion seeker and opinion giver. Being as I am usually quiet in a group setting (unless someone asks for my opinion), I don't invite or encourage others like me to share their opinions. I also tend to base things on logic and not opinions. Which I recognize is bad as group work is centered around opinions and collaborative work thus I would like to improve my ability to accept member's opinions as a necessity and actively seek it out.