Week 5: Reflections on Virtual Group Work

The processes and tools
Our group used the following tools and processes to collaborate on the virtual group project.
1. Google Wave to discuss matters synchronously
2. Emails for asynchronous exchanges of ideas and notices
3. Twiddla and WiseMapping for initial brainstorming (just an attempt)
4. MS powerpoint for initial draft of the presentation
5. Google Docs as repository of group presentation
6. VoiceThread to make suggestions/comment and place our commentaries on the slide.


Comparison with face-to-face group work
The lack of facial (face-to-face) communication almost caused a misunderstanding on what we meant during Google Wave chatting. Next time, I would try something like Skype to talk and see their faces at the same time to exchange facial communications too. However, the convenience of not having to meet physically was a big plus. For example, one of the group members was sick. She wouldn't have not met our last virtual meeting if it had have been a face-to-face meeting.


Personal experience
As a novice in the area of virtual group work, at first I felt it was awkward having a chatting session to exchange ideas. The main reason was that I had no way to detect how others perceive my ideas or suggestions due to the lack of bodily and facial gestures. I realized I relied upon such non-verbal cues to get feedback from others in face-to-face setting in the past. So, I quickly learned that I had to write it or say it to let others know how I really thought about their ideas more or less straight forward. This could lead to a misunderstanding. In this regard, I did a fine job for a first timer. But I think I need to improve communication skills in this virtual environment.


Could've been better if...
I wish we had have just one face-to-face meeting for a social before the virtual group work, just to know other group members a bit better. In our case, if I had known the group ahead of time, I would've spent some time with them during the face-to-face orientation meeting. The choice of Google Wave as an initial chatting tool was not optimal. In retrospect, Skype would've been better because at least we could see each other while discussing the matters. But, once we hammered out the important issues, the rest of the sessions were fine in the following virtual collaborations.