Thursday, April 12, 2012
Role in Final Project
For the Final Project, I am apart of the game making team that consists of Myself, Chewie, Alec, Cabana, and Sean B. Chewie and I are the programmers of the team. We will be making the code that powers the game in flash. Other than that, on the first day of team meetings, I took the lead because I was the only one here, so I assigned roles and wrote out the goals and mission statement that we all would use for the theme of our game.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Blog about class last week
1. Why did class devolve into chaos???
I think class wnet into to chaos last week because of a couple of reasons. One was because everybody thought at first the only thing we could do was just the cards, but once you threw in the possibility of a video getting done, that kind of made everybody think that we had a choice on what we could do. The second reason why things broke down was because everybody became split on what we should do even though the only thing we were suppose to do originally was just the cards.
2. What could you have done to keep that from happening?
If I would have spoke up more, I probably could have told the class during the discussion that really the only thing we can do right now are just the cards, if people want to work on a video for a commercial or something, do that for the final, bur right now, just focus on the task at hand.
3. Regurgitating ideas you have read is all well and good, but if you cannot apply them, then what is the point?
What I think you're asking is that why did people do this? I'm thinking that people weren't really thinking about it when they were doing it. It's all fine and dandy if you can recite things, but if you can't actually use them in situations where you need to, then what's the point.
4. What can you do to be more mindful of your team buidling decisions and how to actually implement the techniques we have been learning all semester?
I can listen to everybody's ideas, then break all of them down to see what we can do and when the team is done listening to what everybody has to offer, we can take one last look at them and then start the decision process on to which ones that we will all use.
5. Is always sticking with people you already know the best solution to forming a good team? Working with people you already know may be human nature and the easiest way to make sure you get a good grade on a project, but remember that you are being assessed in this course not only on the product you create but how you work with your team and apply the techniques we have been covering in class... Unlike other classes, the product in this class is secondary to the process of creating the product.
Sticking with people you already know is a double-edged sword, it can be handy in a pinch when you need somebody to have in a group, but you don't know how they'll act with different people. In my team, I've only worked with one other person before and that was when we worked on kite project. That was a great working experience because both of us worked hard and made sure that we gave equal work to each other to help the other out and we were successful. With the team now everybody has contributed equally and we are always trying to help each other out to make sure everybody is on the same page.
6. What did you learn about yourself and team building as a result of what happened in class today?
I learned that I speak up sometimes, but I have habits of falling into the back of discussions after a while. I learned that I need to stay vocal and stop falling into complacency when things stand still for a while.
7. How should the potential conflict that could erupt based on discussion today be handled in a way that allows for the best teams and personal satisfaction for all people?
If anything like this happens again, we need to let everybody know from the start that the goal needs to be that we get what we were assigned done first and foremost. If everybody likes another idea and still wants to work on it, then everybody can do it when the main assignment is done.
8. Instead of just backing down and saying, "Whatever..." what might be a better way to incorporate and include all ideas and styles?
We can listen to everybody's ideas and see how they fit with the main theme. If they work and fit the main theme, then we can try to incorporate them into the project. If they don't work, we won't just throw them out because you never know if they might work for a future project.
I think class wnet into to chaos last week because of a couple of reasons. One was because everybody thought at first the only thing we could do was just the cards, but once you threw in the possibility of a video getting done, that kind of made everybody think that we had a choice on what we could do. The second reason why things broke down was because everybody became split on what we should do even though the only thing we were suppose to do originally was just the cards.
2. What could you have done to keep that from happening?
If I would have spoke up more, I probably could have told the class during the discussion that really the only thing we can do right now are just the cards, if people want to work on a video for a commercial or something, do that for the final, bur right now, just focus on the task at hand.
3. Regurgitating ideas you have read is all well and good, but if you cannot apply them, then what is the point?
What I think you're asking is that why did people do this? I'm thinking that people weren't really thinking about it when they were doing it. It's all fine and dandy if you can recite things, but if you can't actually use them in situations where you need to, then what's the point.
4. What can you do to be more mindful of your team buidling decisions and how to actually implement the techniques we have been learning all semester?
I can listen to everybody's ideas, then break all of them down to see what we can do and when the team is done listening to what everybody has to offer, we can take one last look at them and then start the decision process on to which ones that we will all use.
5. Is always sticking with people you already know the best solution to forming a good team? Working with people you already know may be human nature and the easiest way to make sure you get a good grade on a project, but remember that you are being assessed in this course not only on the product you create but how you work with your team and apply the techniques we have been covering in class... Unlike other classes, the product in this class is secondary to the process of creating the product.
Sticking with people you already know is a double-edged sword, it can be handy in a pinch when you need somebody to have in a group, but you don't know how they'll act with different people. In my team, I've only worked with one other person before and that was when we worked on kite project. That was a great working experience because both of us worked hard and made sure that we gave equal work to each other to help the other out and we were successful. With the team now everybody has contributed equally and we are always trying to help each other out to make sure everybody is on the same page.
6. What did you learn about yourself and team building as a result of what happened in class today?
I learned that I speak up sometimes, but I have habits of falling into the back of discussions after a while. I learned that I need to stay vocal and stop falling into complacency when things stand still for a while.
7. How should the potential conflict that could erupt based on discussion today be handled in a way that allows for the best teams and personal satisfaction for all people?
If anything like this happens again, we need to let everybody know from the start that the goal needs to be that we get what we were assigned done first and foremost. If everybody likes another idea and still wants to work on it, then everybody can do it when the main assignment is done.
8. Instead of just backing down and saying, "Whatever..." what might be a better way to incorporate and include all ideas and styles?
We can listen to everybody's ideas and see how they fit with the main theme. If they work and fit the main theme, then we can try to incorporate them into the project. If they don't work, we won't just throw them out because you never know if they might work for a future project.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Group Management
Today in class we as a team had to do the simple job of making scrambled eggs and serving them to the class as a team. Sounds easy enough, but Beth decides to throw a little wrench into it, we're broken into teams and the person who is doing anything with the eggs will be blindfolded. I was assigned on the team whose job was to go and gather plates and then we had to set the table doing our job was easy enough. We found containers to put the food in, but when we got back, we were thrown into different teams to do different jobs some more. I had to help direct the person cooking which was hard because I'm so used to being hands on when I help, but now, I can only talk them threw it which was tough. It was successful, but not because of me, it was due more to the team I was put into did a great job. After a while, I was then selected to plate all the food up. It was kinda hard to do because I couldn't really hear my team, but once the noise died down a bit, I was able to follow my team's instructions clearly. The project today was fun, it was difficult at first, but after a while, everybody got into the swing of things. We all tried to make things as easy as could be for the person who was blindfolded and we succeeded. The only bad part was trying the food that we made. Gross stuff. How this relates to working in the real world is that you're gonna be thrown into groups with people you really don't know, so you'll learn on the fly how to get along with your coworkers on any job. In the real world, you'll have to learn to adapt to changes that are going to take place as you work. Personalities will clash, people will have no idea what they are doing, so you are going to have to switch roles constantly to maintain balance and to ensure that everything will be done on time.
Clarification:
My group's first job was to find something to put the eggs on when they were ready to eat. When we were together we talked for a bit to figure out where we could find things we can use for plates. One of the group members remembered that the Law building has plates we can use, so we went over there and grabbed a couple.
The Mouse:
When I was assigned to the directing the cooking team, I became the mouse a bit because I couldn't really figure out how to direct the person who was suppose to be cooking. After a while I kind of figured it out and was able to help out somewhat.
The Loud - Mouth:
I couldn't really recall someone being the loud - mouth whenever I was in a group, but there were probably a time when everybody was talking and it seemed like everybody was being the loud - mouth.
The Written Record:
There was no written record because we were all in the kitchen trying to figure out how to get everything done within the time that we had.
Feedback (Negative):
When the blindfolded person did something wrong, we told them what happened and then we would work as a team to try and fix it, sometimes it worked and sometimes we had to keep trying over and over. The real negative feedback that was consistent was when a half stick of butter was used for the eggs.
Feedback (Positive):
Every time the blindfolded was able to do something right, everybody made sure to give them props for getting the job done, like when I was putting everything on a plate, people said I was doing a good job and telling me to keep going.
Clarification:
My group's first job was to find something to put the eggs on when they were ready to eat. When we were together we talked for a bit to figure out where we could find things we can use for plates. One of the group members remembered that the Law building has plates we can use, so we went over there and grabbed a couple.
The Mouse:
When I was assigned to the directing the cooking team, I became the mouse a bit because I couldn't really figure out how to direct the person who was suppose to be cooking. After a while I kind of figured it out and was able to help out somewhat.
The Loud - Mouth:
I couldn't really recall someone being the loud - mouth whenever I was in a group, but there were probably a time when everybody was talking and it seemed like everybody was being the loud - mouth.
The Written Record:
There was no written record because we were all in the kitchen trying to figure out how to get everything done within the time that we had.
Feedback (Negative):
When the blindfolded person did something wrong, we told them what happened and then we would work as a team to try and fix it, sometimes it worked and sometimes we had to keep trying over and over. The real negative feedback that was consistent was when a half stick of butter was used for the eggs.
Feedback (Positive):
Every time the blindfolded was able to do something right, everybody made sure to give them props for getting the job done, like when I was putting everything on a plate, people said I was doing a good job and telling me to keep going.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Team Building Eggs
Today in class we as a team had to do the simple job of making scrambled eggs and serving them to the class as a team. Sounds easy enough, but Beth decides to throw a little wrench into it, we're broken into teams and the person who is doing anything with the eggs will be blindfolded. I was assigned on the team whose job was to go and gather plates and then we had to set the table doing our job was easy enough. We found containers to put the food in, but when we got back, we were thrown into different teams to do different jobs some more. I had to help direct the person cooking which was hard because I'm so used to being hands on when I help, but now, I can only talk them threw it which was tough. It was successful, but not because of me, it was due more to the team I was put into did a great job. After a while, I was then selected to plate all the food up. It was kinda hard to do because I couldn't really hear my team, but once the noise died down a bit, I was able to follow my team's instructions clearly. The project today was fun, it was difficult at first, but after a while, everybody got into the swing of things. We all tried to make things as easy as could be for the person who was blindfolded and we succeeded. The only bad part was trying the food that we made. Gross stuff. How this relates to working in the real world is that you're gonna be thrown into groups with people you really don't know, so you'll learn on the fly how to get along with your coworkers on any job. In the real world, you'll have to learn to adapt to changes that are going to take place as you work. Personalities will clash, people will have no idea what they are doing, so you are going to have to switch roles constantly to maintain balance and to ensure that everything will be done on time.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Let's Go Fly a Kite!!!
I was partnered up with Sharayah Dawn for the assignment. Today was the day that we actually flied out kites. It was fun seeing everybody run around trying to get their kite to actually fly. Our kite kinda sorta flew around, but couldn't really go that high into the air. This was an actual fun assignment that really worked out for working in a team. Other than getting hit in the head with a kite, today was pretty fun.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thoughts on Competition
Competition by the book means is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment.
To me, Competition is putting your skills up against another person to see how you would fair in something. Competition isn't about winning and losing, but more about how much you've grown and improved on something. I usually view competitions as learning experiences when I am involved in them. Whenever I am in a competition whether it comes to sports or playing video games, I usually try to improve on how I did previously, because I hate to stay stagnant in an area.
When we talked in class about competition and how some people didn't like it because it makes the people that don't win feel bad and like they failed, but others view competition as being necessary because how can you tell who's better if you do not put your skills to the test. I can see both sides, but in my opinion, you shouldn't view competition as the "end all, be all", but as a way to just have fun. Competition is like a double edge sword, it can be the worst thing if you take it to heart, you will not enjoy yourself because you are so focused on winning, rather than having fun. It's about having fun and bettering yourself and meeting new people.
In the Coop vs. Competition article, where John Tauer and his Grad professor were trying to figure out which was better; Cooperation, Competition, or maybe both. They used shooting free throws as the test and used shooting them by themselves, all cooperatively,, in a straight competition, or in a team base competitions. After everything was done, they had the kids fill out a survey and the results were surprising because the kids had the most fun having a competition, but as a team rather than solo. When it comes to competition, I am the same way, but if I'm in a competition by myself, I will still have fun doing it. I, like them, feel you need to have a mix of both because while you're in a group, you have a chance of interacting with other people and making bonds with people rather than being by yourself.
When it comes to building teams, I find that competition usually brings people together, because you and the people that you are with all share a common goal and want to work together to achieve that goal. To me, actually getting to know your team is way more important than getting the job done because knowing how each member acts and reacts to certain situations will make setting roles easier and shows how each persons' strengths and weaknesses will mix together. You want people that will be responsible and respect each others' feelings and opinions, but know when to get the job done.
To me, Competition is putting your skills up against another person to see how you would fair in something. Competition isn't about winning and losing, but more about how much you've grown and improved on something. I usually view competitions as learning experiences when I am involved in them. Whenever I am in a competition whether it comes to sports or playing video games, I usually try to improve on how I did previously, because I hate to stay stagnant in an area.
When we talked in class about competition and how some people didn't like it because it makes the people that don't win feel bad and like they failed, but others view competition as being necessary because how can you tell who's better if you do not put your skills to the test. I can see both sides, but in my opinion, you shouldn't view competition as the "end all, be all", but as a way to just have fun. Competition is like a double edge sword, it can be the worst thing if you take it to heart, you will not enjoy yourself because you are so focused on winning, rather than having fun. It's about having fun and bettering yourself and meeting new people.
In the Coop vs. Competition article, where John Tauer and his Grad professor were trying to figure out which was better; Cooperation, Competition, or maybe both. They used shooting free throws as the test and used shooting them by themselves, all cooperatively,, in a straight competition, or in a team base competitions. After everything was done, they had the kids fill out a survey and the results were surprising because the kids had the most fun having a competition, but as a team rather than solo. When it comes to competition, I am the same way, but if I'm in a competition by myself, I will still have fun doing it. I, like them, feel you need to have a mix of both because while you're in a group, you have a chance of interacting with other people and making bonds with people rather than being by yourself.
When it comes to building teams, I find that competition usually brings people together, because you and the people that you are with all share a common goal and want to work together to achieve that goal. To me, actually getting to know your team is way more important than getting the job done because knowing how each member acts and reacts to certain situations will make setting roles easier and shows how each persons' strengths and weaknesses will mix together. You want people that will be responsible and respect each others' feelings and opinions, but know when to get the job done.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Prisoner's Dilemma
When I first heard the phrase, "Prisoner's Dilemma", the only thing I could really think of was that, if there are prisoners in trouble, whoever tells first, gets the lesser punishment.
When I read what it actually meant, "Two men are arrested, but the police do not possess enough information for a conviction. Following the separation of the two men, the police offer both a similar deal—if one testifies against his partner (defects/betrays), and the other remains silent (cooperates/assists), the betrayer goes free and the cooperator receives the full one-year sentence. If both remain silent, both are sentenced to only one month in jail for a minor charge. If each 'rats out' the other, each receives a three-month sentence. Each prisoner must choose either to betray or remain silent; the decision of each is kept quiet. What should they do?" My thought was kind of close, but not a lot of detail.
You gave us the task of only one person gets an "A" for the semester, how would the class as a team decide who will get the "A". What we did in class was that each person suggested an idea and then everybody voted on which idea would be best for settling how we would decide who gets the "A". After the votes were tallied, the winning option was running an obstacle course. Sean ended up winning, so he received the hypothetical "A".
How it relates to the Prisoner's Dilemma, to be honest, I can't really see how they fit together, but maybe it works like they both have the team come up with who's gonna get whatever the prize or punishment. They differ because one is an agreement between the whole team, while the Prisoner's dilemma, is more about how much do you trust your partner to not tell on you, while you have to choose to either be good to your partner or to yourself.
To me the Prisoner's Dilemma seems more like a Competition, because you're having an internal conflict with yourself trying to figure out who you are gonna be true to, your partner or yourself. While your partner has to figure out the same thing.
When I read what it actually meant, "Two men are arrested, but the police do not possess enough information for a conviction. Following the separation of the two men, the police offer both a similar deal—if one testifies against his partner (defects/betrays), and the other remains silent (cooperates/assists), the betrayer goes free and the cooperator receives the full one-year sentence. If both remain silent, both are sentenced to only one month in jail for a minor charge. If each 'rats out' the other, each receives a three-month sentence. Each prisoner must choose either to betray or remain silent; the decision of each is kept quiet. What should they do?" My thought was kind of close, but not a lot of detail.
You gave us the task of only one person gets an "A" for the semester, how would the class as a team decide who will get the "A". What we did in class was that each person suggested an idea and then everybody voted on which idea would be best for settling how we would decide who gets the "A". After the votes were tallied, the winning option was running an obstacle course. Sean ended up winning, so he received the hypothetical "A".
How it relates to the Prisoner's Dilemma, to be honest, I can't really see how they fit together, but maybe it works like they both have the team come up with who's gonna get whatever the prize or punishment. They differ because one is an agreement between the whole team, while the Prisoner's dilemma, is more about how much do you trust your partner to not tell on you, while you have to choose to either be good to your partner or to yourself.
To me the Prisoner's Dilemma seems more like a Competition, because you're having an internal conflict with yourself trying to figure out who you are gonna be true to, your partner or yourself. While your partner has to figure out the same thing.
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