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Wednesday, October 29, 2008


Mediated Groups

As technology becomes more accessible, groups will hold more of their meetings either on-line or via video or telephone connections. Read more about these groups and then join a mediated group in the activity section to experience first hand the differences between mediated groups and face-to-face groups.

Types

Mediated groups take several forms:

  • Teleconferences in which the group members talk via the telephone.
  • Videoconferences in which a video and audio connection allows the group members to communicate with each other.
  • Computer-mediated discussions such as Listservs, chat, or Usenet, in which the group members communicate via email.

Advantages

There are several advantages to mediated groups. First, they are usually inexpensive to operate. Instead of traveling long distances to meet, groups can meet over the telephone or via email. In addition, when using email or telephones, the group does not have to meet as a whole. It can carry on its business over time and without everyone being present.

Disadvantages

There are also some disadvantages to mediated groups. When communicating via the telephone or by email, it is difficult to judge other group members' nonverbal expressions. Also, the technology can be a difficult adjustment. Finally, the social aspects of the group are downplayed when the group does not meet face to face.


references: http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/groups/type.html

posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 10:02 AM

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Types of Small Groups

Social Groups

While all groups will have both social and task dimensions, some groups are predominantly social in their orientation. Examples of these groups would be families and social clubs. These groups provide for our safety and solidarity needs and they help us develop self-esteem.

Work Groups

Work groups function to complete a particular task. In a work group, the task dimension is emphasized. The group members pool their expertise to accomplish the task. Examples of this would be workplaces, campus organizations, or juries. There are several types of work groups, based on the work of Ivan Steiner.



references: http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/groups/type.html
  • Additive Work Group: All group members perform the same activity and pool their results at the end. An example of this would be gathering signatures for a petition drive.
  • Conjunctive Work Group: Group members perform different, but related, tasks that allow for the completion of a goal. Every group member must complete their task in order for the group task to be completed. An example of this would be an assembly line, in which each worker performs tasks that together build a completed car.
  • Disjunctive Task: Members meet to determine the best alternative for a problem or issue. There are two types of disjunctive tasks:
    • Judgment Task: Group members must choose one correct answer from all alternatives.
    • Decision-Making Task: Group members must choose the best alternative from a set of options. There is no one correct answer for a decision-making group.

Contrived or Emergent Groups

Some groups form spontaneously, such as a group of friends. Other groups are contrived, that is, they are formed for a specific purpose. Organized clubs, social groups, or committees are contrived groups.


posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 10:01 AM

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Helping Children understand Divorce (3)


How divorced parents can modify their own behaviors and help their children of different ages to adjust to the divorce?

Infants

What parents can do for infants

Toddlers

What parents can do for toddlers

Preschool and early elementary children

What parents can do for preschool and early elementary children

Preteens and adolescents

What parents can do for preteens and adolescents


references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm


posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:45 AM

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Helping Children understand Divorce (2)

How to solve sibling’s conflicts in divorced families?

Some siblings also engage in more conflict because they are competing for their parents’ attention. So, parents should :

· talking with them

· listening to them

· spending some time alone with each child

to reduce their children’s rivalry. Besides that, parents also need to realize that younger siblings may have an easier time expressing their confusion than their older siblings.

Therefore, parents should be sure to talk to the older siblings even if they do not seem upset. It is also important for parents to encourage children to continue rituals that were established before the divorce so they will have some feelings of continuity and stability.

references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm


posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:44 AM

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Helping Children understand Divorce (1)

Talking with children about divorce

Children’s reactions to parental divorce are related to how parents inform them of their decision. Because of this, it is important for parents to think carefully about how they will tell their children and what they will tell them. When possible, the entire family should meet together so that both parents can answer children’s questions. This strategy may also help parents to avoid blaming each other for the divorce. The following tips might make this a smoother process:

What to tell children

1. First, you should limit your discussion to the most important and most immediate issues; children can become confused if they are given too much information at once.

2. Children need to hear that their basic needs will be met, that someone will still fix breakfast in the morning, help them with their homework, and tuck them into bed at night.

3. Children also need to know that their relationship with BOTH parents will continue, if possible. In the face of so many changes, children also need to hear what will remain the same. Parents can reassure their children through words and actions that their love will continue despite the changes in routine family life.

4. Children should be told that the divorce is final and avoid giving them false hopes that the parents will reunite.

5. Parents can also use this time to tell children that the divorce is not their fault. Many children believe that the divorce is a result of something that they did. Even younger children who seem to have no understanding of what is going on may need extra reassurance during this time.

6. Remember to ask children about their fears and concerns. Give children time to think about the divorce and the changes ahead. Meet again as a family to talk about new questions and to reassure children of your ongoing involvement in their lives.

7. Children need to know that parents recognize the impact of divorce on children’s lives.


references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm


posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:42 AM

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the PANDAs.

Nurhayati Adila Mohd Ariff ;
Kok Mei Kay (Maggie) ;
Dalvinder Singh Sidhu ;
Seet Joyi ;

our awesomeblossom Human Communication assignment (:






links.

HMCStudentCouncil
Ashikin - HumanCommunication
Brandon - RandomPotatoes
Eugene - LuckyNumberSe7en
Joshua - HumanPowWow
Louis - HCMB.L.O^2.W.S
Vick - HumanusDefero
DilaAriff
JoshuaYap

speak.


the pasts.

August 2008
September 2008
October 2008