Reflection on Readings

Working in groups always makes me a bit hesitant with excitement, after all, a group of 3-6 people will have a slew of ideas and the storming phase of collaboration is not what I look forward to when assigned a task for small group collaberation. Formulating the writing so each section blends smoothly when each section is authored by special skilled team members with their own unique way of writing is challenging. One of my small group projects involved exactly this issue and instead of havinng checkpoints through the meetings of our work, one member re-wrote the document to a consistent format.
Perhaps because I am an older student, I do take my ques from my corporate positions. Agenda's and minutes were kept for each and every meeting along with work performed and absences from the meeting. When reading Selfe, I agreed that collaborative groups do mirror the normal working of groups in government, business and industry, thus, teaching students to follow a proven and tested path of collaboration. This is not to say that all of small groups follow outside influences, I feel that their teacher is to be their guideline depending on the level of the group's expertise and level of learning.
Of all of the conflicts that can occur in collaboration Affective Conflict is the one I have come to dread the most. This type of conflict disrupts the group, the agenda and the time-line for the completion of the project. Working with a group member who has entered into the small group collaboration with pre-conceived ideas have usually pre-planned what the assignment should be and is difficult to collaborate with.
Given a choice I would choose on-line collaboration You can communicate your work, thoughts, etc. at a time which worked with your schedule and meet face-to-face only if you choose to do so. I don't think I would change my name or sex in on-line communication but it is certainly an option. When collaborating on-line no one knows if you are active listening/reading without interruption of the sender. I think people are more relaxed in their own setting as opposed to a classroom setting letting the individual write their suggestion without being fearful of comments being said or looks of disappointment.