[Uw-ruby] UW Ext Rails Course: Opinion on group projects

[Jim Clark]

I'll second some of Richard's thoughts. It's hard enough for me to get 
to class some nights as I live in Lake Stevens and usually leave around 
4 p.m. to make sure I'm down there on time. Having group meetings on 
other nights or other group project management discussions isn't 
something I'm excited about. I want my focus to be Ruby, not group dynamics.

Another point I'll raise has to do with the project that I want to work 
on. Since my only laptop is owned by my employer, there are certain 
guidelines as to what uses are acceptable under company policy. Hence, 
sticking to a work related rails site really fits the bill and I can get 
paid for the time I spend coding which is a nice plus. Opening my 
project to a group implementation would never get corporate approval if 
I need to distribute the supporting data.

Regardless of format, I am taking the class and I am paying out of my 
own pocket because I know I will learn a lot and that is what is most 
important. Being excited about applying what I learn on a custom project 
that continues to grow and build momentum makes my efforts more 
meaningful than trying to do the minimum necessary to be able to submit 
some one time code and dump homework project (or a group project that I 
am not fully invested in). My time is already heavily divided between a 
full time job, my family (3 & 5 year old kids), etc. and I want to make 
the most out of the time and money I invest in this certificate program.

Cheers,
Jim Clark

Richard Leickly wrote:
>
> Philip was nice enough to send out his syllabus for the Rails class 
> this winter.  It is unlikely that I would enroll in it based on what I 
> can tell about the format.  The reason is that I am very pessimistic 
> about group projects.  I think a lot can be gained from working 
> together, so I'm not opposed to sharing ideas. But if the groups that 
> Philip has in mind will need to meet outside of class, then I'm not 
> going to be able to do it.  And if there is going to be a division of 
> labor within the groups, then we are faced with the obvious problem of 
> attrition.  What will the group do if someone drops the class?  I've 
> been taking UW Extension courses for 3 years, and there is always 
> attrition.  My other qualms are based on my personal experiences in 
> college. The only good group academic experience I ever had was when I 
> was teamed up with a guy who was extremely motivated (as was I).  All 
> other experiences involved colleagues not showing up, not doing 
> anything, preferring to talk about other things, ...well... you know 
> how it goes. I don't know how generalizable my experiences are.
>
> I may be jumping the gun a bit here because of the lack of details 
> about what Philip has in mind. (I have not rec'd replies to my emails 
> to him yet.)  But if many of you feel the same way as me then it would 
> be good now to get these ideas out in the open. And if you don't feel 
> that way , then I could use some encouraging words about why I should 
> worry. Philip may very well have considered these issues and come up 
> with a workable structure. 
>
> Regards,
> Richard Leickly
>
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