Question 1, Groups are living systems...

A system is made up of small parts to create one whole thing.  When talking about a system in small group communication, those small parts have to work together for the system to run smoothly.  What happens to the small group if the system doesn't function well is that the group doesn't maximize its full potential.  It states in the book, "the group gains the benefit of the shared ideas and interactions." (Bell 30) Small groups need cohesiveness and everyone's input.  It said in the book how one idea bounces off one person, and then that idea would bounce off another and maybe merging ideas, thus creating a snow ball effect of ideas.  In the end, you came up with a mixture of everyone's ideas into one solid thought.

One example that I thought of that would go with this would be in one of my work meetings. I am a site director for an  after school program and we have to come up with a monthly calendar of games and crafts we can do with the kids.  It is my job to facilitate the meeting and incorporate everyone's ideas to create a successful program.  Everyone brings in ideas of cool games and never before done crafts to excite the kids. Sometimes people wouldn't pull their own weight. Not enough ideas would go around and one worker even suggested we use the same calendar we used in the past.  Because there was a lack of ideas for us to bounce off of, we ended up having a rather boring month of program.  This is one example of not having good interdependence relationships.

Another example would be me playing basketball on a basketball team.  Our coach preaches team man-to-man defense.  This means, if your man with the ball beats you to the basket, you have to yell for help.  The defense switches to the next available man, working as one unit, but being responsible for their individual duties.  If one doesn't call the picks, doesn't yell help when they get beat, or doesn't step up when they ask for help, the eventually will give up a point.  One person maybe really good on defense, but it takes a unit of individuals to create a great system of basketball defense.

Hey everybody!

Hey fellow classmates.  My name is Chris Dasalla.  I hope this will be final year here at SJSU.  I am a Comm Major.  This year is definitely a year of new things.  For instance, this online class is new to me.  I have never taken an online class or have yet to succeed in one.  One of my other classes, actually all my f2f classes, are performance classes that require acting or being dramatical.  that is definitely outside my comfort zone.  With that being said,  as scared and nervous as I am about taking these classes, I am looking forward to the challenge.  I usually play it safe and is very conservative in almost everything I do, but I'm trying to be more well rounded.

I am 25 years old and I am from Mountain View.  I currently work at an after school program, mentoring kids.  In my free time, I also teach Karate and boxing to the youth.  With the little time that I ever have, I love to play basketball.  My goal for the future is to finish SJSU this academic year, find a great steady job, and build my dream Karate school.  In the mean time, I'll be spending focusing on just getting this degree.  Hope to hear from everyone here!

Christopher Dasalla