week 14- sam,sarah,daniel

There are various types of activities where Computer-supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) can be used at. One of the activities that uses the aid of CSCW is during lectures in class. How can it be applied during lectures could be when the lecturer gives out assessment questions via email to students based on what is taught during that class. After retrieving the email, students then can ask back questions concerning the assessment if there should be lack of understanding. This shows how students and the lecturer communicate through CSCW to accomplish a task given. After that, the lecturer publishes their assessment on a web site in order for file sharing. Students can compare and refer back their works as well as discuss with other groups concerning the work.

The other CSCW activity that can be applied is holding Conferences. This is where a messenger program that enables communication between many to many is used. Similar to having a conference in person except this is done though an online instant messenger program. This enables students in the learning institute to have group discussions concerning their work without having to be in the same same area face-to-face. Files are also transferable on this network which would assist in further group work benefits using that particular instant messenger program. This is in a “Same time – different place” scenario. The program most widely used is MSN Messenger. The only concerns are that the identity of the user may not be credible or reliable. This may affect privacy issues in their work or conversations. Also because it is done from different places, education can be taught virtually and therefore students share a global classroom through the internet. Being geographically distant from each other may have its concerns as well considering that each country has its internet laws to abide by and thus may be restrictive.

Meetings and decision supports are simple guidelines to a successful communicating environment. It helps the participants in the group to gain rapport and build their synergy so that they have a good chemistry when working together. Meetings help by defining standards because no professional groups survive without meetings. Well usually when we use the word meeting its commonly mistaken as something formal we attend. Well meeting can be informal too actually, because the purpose of a meeting is to define goals, sort out trials and tribulations, evaluate situations and plan their next strategy whether to advance and to prioritize roles and goals.

Decision supports are basically the same thing in the sense that when a member of the group offers an idea or a decision that is constructive, as a team or group we have to know how to play a supportive cast to that decision/idea so that what was proposed will follow through. Otherwise it will just be another case of talking the talk but not walking it. Decision supports also helps build a fellowship indirectly because support is a form of unity. And as a group we have to be able to display support.

Without meetings or decision supports, its easy for plans and structures to go haywire and potential visions and ideas to kick the bucket. Communication is the underlying message here and meetings and decision supports are two of many ways to encourage communication.