Part One - Conference contribution

This discussion took place less than a month into the course and there was a rather tentative approach from some group members to posting messages. TMA01 was the subject.

Alan’s post concerned the word count - it was obvious that fitting everything into 300 words was going to be difficult. Lindsey’s reply echoed Alan’s ‘off the track’ anxiety and it would have been helpful to offer some reassurance. Unfortunately, my reply failed to do this. I was more concerned about the idea of ‘correcting’ another student's approach to the assignment, feeling that this would not be a helpful way of working. I made it clear that this was my personal point of view.

Lindsey thought she might have offended me so I apologised and attempted to clarify my position. Vicky in turn acknowledged my concern but suggested that, in the case of an obvious mistake, it might be more helpful to point it out. Lindsey, now understanding my point, agreed with Vicky’s suggestion and thanked me for my patience.

I summed up the conclusion I felt we had reached, using humorous comments to lighten the discussion, but suggested it would be better for group members to ask for help if in difficulty. Roger reminded us about the principle of acknowledging before differing. Lindsey and I both agreed with him.

Good acknowledgement and support was clear in this exchange (PCP 1), with participants speaking from a personal perspective using ‘I’ (PCP 3) and discussing the points raised in a friendly, courteous manner. We did not fully enact PCP 2 - acknowledge before differing - which might have avoided the misunderstanding between Lindsey and myself.

Hello All
I think that the actual task set by TMA01 isn't particularly difficult, I think that its condensing our summaries into 300 words will be the hard part.
I have read and reread the passage and my notes have come to more than 300 words !!
Am I thinking along the same lines ? Or completely off track ? Speak soon
Alan

Hi Alan
I really think the answer is to keep it very simple, either I am way off track or I've sussed it but I've managed to fit mine into 282 words. I have answered the second brief in part one as an overall answer, i feel it would be almost impossible to do it individually in so few words. Correct me if I'm wrong but I couldn't see any other way of doing it.
Lindsey

Hi Lindsey,
I think it would be unfair to correct anyone and say that the way they've tackled TMA01 is wrong.
Each of us will view the task from an individual perspective. We each have to work our way through the points and set out the assignment in a way we feel is appropriate. Our pieces of work may differ in their structure but ultimately, if our answers fulfil the requirements, then we will get good marks.
The most difficult bit seems to be, as you say, keeping it simple and also conforming to that pesky 300 word limit!
This is my personal viewpoint on TMA01 anyway.....
Lois

This is one of those classic cases where talking face to face would have been beneficial. I didn't mean it to sound as if I was correcting anyone I was meerly saying how I had tackled it. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone I really didn't mean too.
I was on the open chat last night and there were lots of people discussing TMA01 and I found it really useful, I just thought I would pass it on.
Please accept my apologies if you are offended.
Lindsey

Sorry Lindsey, I didn't mean to sound so severe
In your message, you said "Correct me if I'm wrong" and I was trying to explain that it would be unfair to correct you because each one of us might tackle the assignment in various different ways - all of which might be perfectly valid.
For any of us to say that you were wrong for tackling the assignment in the way you chose would be been unfair and judgemental.
Hope this clarifies my previous post!
Lois

Lois A. Morris writes: In your message, you said "Correct me if I'm wrong" and I was trying to explain that it would be unfair to correct you because each one of us might tackle the assignment in various different ways - all of which might be perfectly valid.
I see your point Lois, but I think if someone is making a mistake...or appear to be on the wrong track it is really helpful to point it out. It would then be up to the individual to choose if they took notice of the advice or not...but I know what you mean I am sure we will all tackle the assignments very differently.
I would just like to ask Lindsey...when you said you are doing the two sections in one..(sorry can't recall your exact wording) You didn't mean 'part2' as well did you? (The three factors most significant to group work) I am planning to do that as a totally separate section
Thanks
Vicky.

Hi Vicky,
Yes, I see what concerned you about my message. I don't think I made myself as clear as I'd hoped.
Of course, if Lindsey had made it obvious that she was confused over the assignment and was maybe making it too complicated or difficult for herself, then it would have been helpful to offer some advice.
But, it seems to me, she has grasped the object of the exercise with admirable determination and come to a conclusion that no-one would wish to disagree with.
I did a virtual hatchet-job on my 340 words and cut it down to 285 but, to be perfectly honest, I felt that the longer version was a much more rounded and informative answer.
Maybe 350 words would have been a kinder limit for the OU to set for this assignment?
Good luck everyone!
Lois

Sorry Lois
Now I see what you mean, but I think Vicky had a really good point in that, if you see someone making an obvious mistake (my forte, I believe) it is kinder to tell them than letting them carry on in that vein. I for one would very much appreciate it and I'm sure most would, if not, then I think that would really be their problem not yours.
Maybe others would like to give their opinion on this matter as I think it may come up once or twice in the future.
Thanks for being so patient with me though, Lois
Lindsey

Hi All,
This is all good work toward our Tutor Group Activity - even though we do seem to be tying ourselves in knots occasionally... we always seem to untangle ourselves satisfactorily!
It's a good point - help to be offered if someone is way off course on a task (although judging that accurately could be tricky - none of us would like to be seen to be interfering unnecessarily).
Better that someone says they have a problem and asks for advice from the others - I think this is a point that has already been raised earlier in this thread.
That means that we have to be open in our discussions about how to tackle things but also be very careful to avoid too much collaboration that might lead to more of a 'group' effort than is officially acceptable!
This brainstorming is hard work!
Lois

Hi
I think that some very important points have been made over the last few days. Maybe (if I remember right) the way one can reply is to add something like is that what you meant or have I understood you correctly. Don't now if Lindsey and Lois would agree with this.
The group is working well together there is a lot of support and there dosn't seam to have bean anyone that isn't wiling to except help or advice. It can't be ease some times when we aren't all working at the same time.
I'm still getting the hang of this so sorry if I haven't worded this well or replied properly. As for the paper I'm just about to get started so can't comment on how many words it mite take.
bye all Roger

I think it's a very valid point, Roger, and I do agree.
There are bound to be misunderstandings along the way in a discussion like this but, as long as we can work them out in a way acceptable to everyone, then I think we are making good progress.
That's the whole object of this Tutor Group exercise, isn't it?
We have to discuss the principles that we feel are important in our future groupwork.
Anyway, it seems to be coming along well, as far as I can see.
Lois

Roger
Yes, I do agree with you and I think that one of the reasons the group seem to be working effectively with each other is that we are all contributing, reinforcing and encouraging each other. While having a bit of fun and banter along the way.
If you are on line one evening call one of us in for a chat, thats where we solve the worlds problems.
Bye for now
Lindsey