What I Taught Myself....February 18, 2011

We're over halfway through February and I have yet to post anything.  Well, I would like to apologize to those of you who have been waiting. The last thing I would want to do is let down my friends who read this blog.

So what have I been teaching myself?  As many of you know, I've been taking an online class this term (conflict management) which includes a group project.  First off, why should we do a group project?  Group projects are probably my least favorite thing in the world.  Especially when in a face-to-face class where I'm always the youngest person in class and all the "hotties" have gone through menopause (Hey! I wouldn't have to deal with the bitchiness every 28 days).  Another thing I dislike about group projects is that when doing them, I don't really know what is going on and show it by just agreeing with people.  Sometimes I end up in a group that includes numerous people who don't pay attention in class.

In this online class we have to read a book (which I have yet to open) and apply the "rules to negotiation" to a case study that involves a divorce, which I have never gone through (maybe if my brother would get his head out of his butt he could hurry up and help me with that). But lucky me, I volunteered to make the presentation with information gathered by the other people in my group.  So really, I'm the smart one in this group.

With this particular group project we had to volunteer for tasks during the project (leader, reviewer, scribe, presenter).  The first person to ask for a position was an older woman who said that she works as a library director, in charge of making as she should, bookkeeping, conducting board meetings, and public relation.  She also said she was married, mother of six, and grandmother of two.  So she sounded like a good choice.  The problem is that we hadn't heard from her for two weeks and the project is due next Sunday.  Luckily we had a woman start setting up chats and getting the ball rolling.  She said if Lauretta (the original leader) is no longer in class then she would take the position.  We had a chat on Wednesday and Lauretta joined us.  She had no clue what was going on and tried to somewhat take charge, like George W. Bush (HAHA).

I just don't care for when people volunteer to be in an important position when the won't fulfill the duty.  Its like letting a baby drive a car because he asked to (thanks Dad) but we all know how it will end (we didn't need that tree anyway.....or car).  Online group projects don't work.  When a group gathers in person, the members fall into the position.  Someone will feel as though they need to take charge.  Someone else will take notes (which I do...with cartoons!).  And a few will just sit there looking dumbfounded.  Just because online classes work, doesn't mean that group work will also.

That's it for me!
Bobby P.

Shout out to Bill K.! (I kind of missed doing that.)


*Have a topic you want my opinion on?  Just email Bobby P. at bobpeshak@gmail.com*