Since the readings in this week are my interest, I would
like to reflect on those readings. According to Kim, Hong, Bonk, and Lim
(2011)'s experimental study, instructor-supported reflection led to better
performance, and team effectiveness. Their result was consistent with previous
studies. Based on my experiences, I think that makes lots of sense. A group
members could not build a mutual trust during a short time period, and thus
need instructors' feedback. Instructors should monitor and take part in
their learning process, make suggestions, references, or resources related to
their project to learners, replies to student emails, and grade work with
comments. Teachers' feedback let students feel that they are not alone. Even
though team members do not collaborate very well with each other, they can hang
there with teachers' guidance or even interventions.
Regarding group reflection, the study showed that actually
team effectiveness was improved towards the ending of the experiment. This also
made sense. At the beginning of the teamwork, members may not be familiar with each
other. Thus they do not know how to interact with each other, and what words
should be used. You know, individuals have different preferences. For example,
my preference is that I am almost offline at weekends, and choosing reading
articles and papers. However, in one team project I was working on, my team
members still worked at weekends because of the deadline. So I did not respond
to them immediately via email. As I think back, I feel sorry for them. But I
indeed actively participate in the group project. But I can feel they feel not
so safe when failing in receiving my email immediately. So when working in a
team, knowing individual preferences in the schedule, learning characteristic
is very important. As time goes by, team
members can gradually know better about each other. At this point, they can collaborate
with each other more smoothly. As Kim et al. (2011) found, team members felt a
burden when critically evaluating others’ performance. But I think if every
member in a team try their best to make contributions to the team work, they
won’t feel awkward at all. I remember I made good friends with my team members
in a team project. We actually kept weekly meeting even after the class
project. When giving peer feedback, I did not feel nervous at all because they
were all great team members.
As self-reflection is concerned, I think it is hard to do,
but more deeply. Even though the study did not reveal the importance of
self-reflection, I do think it is very helpful to improve our critical thinking
and knowledge base. Personally speaking, knowledge can only be taken after the
application and reflection. For example, after I read the article, I could not
connect the knowledge and studies with my previous knowledge base and cognition
until I made reflections on it in this blog. Also, I like reading others’ deep
reflection blog, which make me learn about unfamiliar topics and experiences. I
think individuals have their own wisdom and ways of thinking. We can always
learn from others’ deep reflection on their experiences or perceptions.
The above are my thoughts. Look forward to your
feedback. Lol.
Kim, P., Hong, J., Bonk, C., & Lim, G (2011): Effects of
group reflection variations in project-based learning integrated in a Web 2.0
learning space, Interactive Learning
Environments, 19(4), 333-349. doi:10.1080/10494820903210782
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