At 05:35 PM 4/24/01 -0500, Simon, Steve, PhD wrote:
steve has pointed out, undoubtedly, useful references for us to examine ...
my main point is this: while there are many many activities that are and
can be done in groups ... and we need to train to participate in such ...
there are many many (if not more) activities that demand that i ... the
individual ... take hold of my own knowledge ... expand it ... and act ...
i teach statistics ... and, in many instances down the road ... students
will be part of some small team ... expected to contribute to some group
goal ... whether developed by the team itself ... or, forced on them by
"the boss" ...
but, i think the far greater activity will be when the individual reads a
paper and has to get something out of it ... or sits down to work on some
small analysis ... or has to explain (if he or she happens to be a prof, by
darn!) to a student ... what the concept of a sampling distribution means
... where you are on your own devices ... to act and accomplish
more acts in human behavior are done at the individual level
BOTH of these are important activities however and both deserve adequate
training for
even in groups, competition is not void ... since, in many instances,
DELIBERATELY ... groups are pitted against one another ... or, we find a
group member who (though silent on this) wants to be the best contributor
... or the one to find the solution FIRST ...
sure, for individuals ... who "compete" for limited job openings ...
college slot openings ... limited ticket availabilities for the "hot" act
coming to town ...
for good or for bad ... competition is here to stay ... and impacts on
group and individual actions ...
the problem we face is how to keep it in balance ... how to use it
productively (and not cause ulcers) ...
getting rid of competition is impossible ...
now, what this has to do with how we "grade" group activities ... i am not
sure ...
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