Tims Facilitation

Tim had a discussion about synchronous or asynchronous being, which is the better medium to have .

Activity 11.1 - Survival! Decision-making in Synchronous and Asynchronous Media

How easily can you make yourself understood?
In a virtual, synchronous environment, where you have the ability to use postures, expressions and gestures, how easy is it to get your message across without misinterpretation?
In an asynchronous environment can you express yourself fully, as if your own life depended on the success of your communication?
This week you will participate in two scenarios:
an asynchronous simulation in this forum
a synchronous simulation in http://www.moove.com/
In order to survive the horrifying ordeals that await, you will need to critically evaluate a problem, argue your case, negotiate, and finally reach a consensus decision.
The very survival of you and your classmates depends upon it!
As you progress through the simulations, think about the effectiveness of both synchronous and asynchronous media in terms of facilitating group decision-making.
Towards the end of the week, you will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both media in terms of group decision-making.
To find instructions for the asynchronous simulation, go to the Pacific thread in this forum.
To find instructions for the synchronous simulation, go to the Canada thread in this forum.
...will you make it to week 12.......?
- Tim
Here are the final conclusions (Gordon posted)

1. Water - basic survival need
2. Army Rations - food, will be compact and nutritious
3. Chocolate bars - as above, just not quite as good
4. Plastic Sheeting - for shelter and to collect any rainwater for drinking
5. Shaving mirror - for signalling
6. Rope - for anyone or anything that is in the water (tether), also could be used for lashing during heavy weather
7. Fishing kit - food supply
8. Radio - not useful in isolated area, but may be the first indicator that we were drifting in towards land/civilisation if it was scanned intermittently
9. Cushion - good for man overboard
   Rum - antiseptic, bottle acts as a container for water collected (but should not be consumed - dehydrates)
10. Shark Repellent - if anyone is in the water, maybe not so important now we are all fitting in the boat
11. Mosquito netting - possible fish trap, could keep any fish caught alive (fresh) until needed for food
12. Oil/Petrol - possible signal when alight but a dangerous practice on or around a rubber raft
13. Sextant - useless. No sailors aboard, no on will know how to use it. Don't you need charts also? Marginally more useful than the map as it contains lenses (firestarters, signallers)
    Maps - useless, without bearings and propulsion
    Gordon

My response was:

I reckon that we swap 11 for 12 as mosquito netting has more use to us. Can be used as bandages, slings, fresh water fish safe, nets, heat/shade cloth. and 13 for 12 as oil/petrol has more use than shark repellent. We are all in the raft so shark repellent goes last.

13. Shark Repellent - if anyone is in the water, maybe not so important now we are all fitting in the boat
11. Mosquito netting - possible fish trap, could keep any fish caught alive (fresh) until needed for food
12. Oil/Petrol - possible signal when alight but a dangerous practice on or around a rubber raft
Maryanne

This was a very good way of comparing and contrasting synchronous vs asynchronous transmission.

There was a meeting arranged on moove.com. I am unable to download that big a file at home and the security at work prohibts moove. However, I have been into socialise a very similar program where you have avators and chat online with other people.

Here is my response:

Hello All
Although I could not take part in the synchronous moove exercise last night, I have been to other sites where we talk and move around the room.
My summary is:
When in asynchronous mode the subject is task orientate and driven by the user. The user tends to look at it from a single perspective. (Results show that we did the same on the life raft). Although there was a lot of good natured banter Gordon posted the final list. I really don't remember voting although everyone's ideas who contributed to the exercise was carefully considered. It may have worked better if we were put into teams or groups and therefore been obliged to take our findings to you for final vote. Or perhaps we could have used the V classroom and chat on line as this does draw us in to the conversation and it is really dynamic.
When in synchronous mode, our gross motor skills are challenged to keep up with the text. There is a sequence time delay from the text and movement (both cannot come down the same time as we are not full duplex) This is a bit like the old toll calls with a second delay. It takes up too much time to really have a good natter and move at the same time. Perhaps one better would have been web cam or a video conference as we can see our members and enjoy the ambiance as well.
Cheers
-Maryanne