Fillings for your PI

 

I didn’t expect to be making a third post so soon, but I can see that a sense of urgency is – somewhat belatedly – consuming some of you with regards to what you need to stuff your PI with.

We are moving on to work on your GPPs next week, so I thought I’ll make available another platform through which you may clarify lingering doubts about the project task and how you intend to write your PI, and hopefully allow you to sleep better.

Do not post sections of your PI and then ask me: ‘Like this can or not?’ I am not giving out seals of approval! You need to pinpoint what is bothering you with your question, but if you get too topic-specific, you will get some evasive answers or pointed questions thrown back at you. For instance, if you ask me “Is Mr Bean a good choice for ‘Groundbreakers’?”, I’ll probably ask you in return “What should we look at when choosing a topic vis-à-vis the ‘Groundbreakers’ or ‘Entertainment’ project tasks?”

In the spirit of fostering a willingness to speak up and share ideas, I will encourage any one of you to answer your peer’s question if you feel like it – don’t be constrained by a fear that what you have to say isn’t original or ‘clever’ enough. You know what they say about the wisdom of crowds – large groups of people are ‘clever-rer’ than even the most brilliant individual.

So… if you get stuck between now and Week 5 when your PIs are to be served, tell everyone about it here and we’ll see what happens.

Hello PWorld!

I’m experimenting with using this blog as a platform for discussions, feedback and ventings for all my Project Work classes. New stuff will appear as new categories on the sidebar on the right of the page, such as Collaboration, Group Project Proposal, and so on and so forth. Click on the ‘Comments’ to post your response or answer. On occasions when I need you to come in and post compulsory stuff, you’ll hear about it in class.

Use a recognizable profile name so I know that you have posted the necessary response and I won’t have to go after you with a stick. Other than that, you are, of course, ’strongly encouraged’ to visit this blog regularly (so I can increase the no. of hits).

Case Study

This is your first compulsory assignment.

Below is a scenario that could very well become reality when you guys meet your group members for the first time and start working on your group project proposals.

Beyond demanding for a change of groups, which I am obliged to tell you, is highly, exceedingly, profoundly unlikely, what are some ideas you can come up with to resolve some of the difficult issues presented? Limit your answers to 50 words or less (those of you toying with the idea of being ‘smart’ and submitting very short answers… well, that’s not very smart).

Have fun.

Scenario

Jane has always been a go-getter. She loves her school work and always likes to stay on top of things. Jane and four of her classmates – Jeremy, Jill, Timothy and Ken – have been grouped together for Project Work.

During their first meeting, Jane confidently outlines the plan she has for the group and is naturally appointed the leader. Jill and Jeremy are uneasy about her dynamic, forceful style but do not voice their opinions.

When the group meets to discuss their PIs, Jane insists that the group should adopt her idea as the project task since she had done extensive research on the topic unlike the others. The team is divided on this but decide to go ahead with Jane’s proposal.

However, at subsequent group meetings, Jane notices the lack of commitment on the part of the other members. Jill and Jeremy, who are usually very lively in class and always contribute ideas, are particularly quiet during meetings. They merely carried out tasks assigned and did not talk about how to refine and improve the group’s work. Timothy and Ken were not handing in quality work and Jane often had to clean up their ‘mess’.

Jane feels that she is doing all the work and yet the group is not working well together and the members do not appreciate her efforts. She becomes increasingly frustrated.

So…. HOW?