[nabs-l] group projects issues

[Ashley Bramlett]

Arielle,
Thanks. BTW, no I did not have friends in the class. I typically do not know 
anyone when I go to classes.
I learn names through talking to people and hearing their  names and voices 
in class discussions.
People form groups so quickly, probably because of eye contact.
I am friendly with some students; one of them works at the student café and 
recognized me from there.
But friendly chatter about your day or life doesn't always translate to 
getting a group.

I'm hopeful my professor will get me into a group.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Arielle Silverman
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:26 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] group projects issues

I know groupwork can be tough. It's tough for everyone, but for us
blind folks it can be hard to find partners without using eye contact
and other visual methods. I  have experienced similar difficulties and
I hope it's comforting to know that you aren't alone. If you do have a
friend in your class and you know in advance that  there will be
groupwork, you could arrange with your friend to sit together. But if
you don't know anybody in the class, then just ask the people around
you and you should be fine. I wouldn't suggest getting your professor
involved unless you've already tried asking people and everyone you
ask is already grouped up. But in my experience college students are
almost always willing to include us if  we just ask. As far as
figuring out how to participate, find something you enjoy or are good
at and just volunteer to take care of that thing. I've found it's
easier to be accepted and feel like a useful part of the group if I
take the lead in making arrangements, like offering to host group
meetings at my house. Also, organizing a study group in a class can be
a good way to make friends and also improve your own studying. Most
classes have a way to send email to everyone in the class, or if not,
you could send your professor something to send  to the rest of the
class about setting up a study group.
Arielle

On 1/30/13, Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I always am the first to get up and grab people when she says get a group. 
> I
> ask the persons to either side of me if they want to be a group and if I 
> get
> going with in the first few seconds I 90% of the time get a group.
> Black board is accessible. You should also take a group communication 
> class,
> it will help you understand why people do the things they do when they are
> in groups and how to counter them.
> Thanks,
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ashley Bramlett
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 4:54 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] group projects issues
>
> Hello all,
> I consider myself to be outgoing and approachable; I participate in class
> discussions fairly well since its organized and the professor calls on
> students to talk. Sometimes, I even get compliments on my contributions.
>
> But a big challenge I’ve encountered is group projects. I mean those
> projects where class chats amongst themselves and forms groups.
> I have a group project for family sociology where we have to create a tv
> show skit to illustrate sociological concepts. I’m also concerened about
> accessing comments students use on blackboard since we are linked as group
> members. I am not sure that is accessible. At one point it was not.
> I also am not always keen on group projects due to communication issues 
> and
> other classmates waiting to the last minute to do the work or failing to 
> do
> their part.
> But those issues aren’t blindness specific but it sure magnifies the
> problem.
> I’m going to get into a group Thursday. I asked the professor if she could
> help me find a group and she will Thursday during class. She said absent
> students did not have a group yet either.
> So, any tips on interacting with group members or finding groups would be
> good. I also struggle with this sometimes during general class group
> discussions. Often I speak up to people around me and join their group. 
> But
> sometimes, they have enough people already and I have to find another 
> group.
> Anyway thought I’d share this issue. I recall feeling left out in high
> school and its sad to me this reappears in college.
> Ashley
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