Still about a week behind on the course at the moment, but TMA02 is now completed and I was able to contribute a bit during the early part of this section and have spent this week catching up with these first 2 weeks.
The very limited amount of time I could put in at the start of these 2 weeks meant that I could give only limited input.
The main thing I was able to contribute for this section was to push for a tighter context, as I was very concerned that the very much more open ended context that was being suggested was going to make the scope of the task too wide for us to manage. While some of the group clearly shared my concerns from the responses I received, others took some convincing. I think the challenge I found here was to get my argument across to the whole group without seeming too forceful.
In catching up I've felt a little out of the loop for this part of the task, and certainly been feeling a little lost as to how to add my contributions to things like the forces.
The Google Apps used by the OU a seeming very clumsy at the moment, especially the requirement to use OU accounts rather than existing accounts as it can be quite difficult keep track of which you are using when you are logged into google with several. Have found today that using the OU APPs doesn't work at all on my tablet. If I click open my OU inbox and then try to access the google site for the project, it just gives a logging screen.
Also, I'm unsure if there are any issues with the permissions on the files on our site as some of them won't let me edit them at all or give errors.
With the technical issues and feeling a little detached from the rest of the group, I must admit I'm not currently feeling highly motivated with the task at the moment (added to the fact I'm still sorting things out in the house post-move and will need to travel to Scotland for work at the end of the week). Will persevere though. Hopefully for the next hangout the group, I can be more in tune with the project and what we're supposed to be doing for it.
Comments
disconnected
I don't think any of us are feeling totally connected Owen so don't worry! I think the sticking to your guns on the context will help us in the long run ... we are at a bit of a hiatius these last few days so let's see what the week brings as at least half the group are on hols (I imagine well deserved)New comment
Hi Owen
Google can be difficult if you have more than one account (i.e. OU and general one). I have similar problems to your own. One way that seems to minimise access problems to OU Google is to access it while logged into the OU system. This normally works for me and seems to be general advice from OU Helpdesk.
Cheers
Alan
New comment
Your comments re the context were very useful - it helped pull everything together and having looked at the other groups websites made a lot more sense. The main thing is that the skills we learn and everything we put together will impact on our own work (hopefully).
I think the disconnected feeling is possibly true with all of us as we are all working, trying to fit in our lives, as well as do the studying - and it is easy to panic! I have felt disconneted having missed the last 2 hangouts - but the notes in the forums and being able to comment on these and the joint working are helping keep me on track!