The Review: Daniela Benitez

Group One

As the first group that had to present, we were quite nervous, yet everything turned out great. This was the first couple of weeks of class and neither of us really knew each other. We match the work as a team and each takes care of all the parts of this project and presentation. Our team even went through some steps of problem-solving when it came to covering for a group member that did not take part. Our chapter was on intercultural communication. Our group spoke about distinct cultures and assorted co-cultures that people may identify themselves as in how there is a dominant culture, yet we can all stray away from that or be part of it.

Our group also talked about cultural identity and how it differs from person to person. Our group broke down everything from ethnicities, sex and gender, religion, and things that divide us when we communicate. Although our day-to-day life is drastically different because of our social, and economic status or what we choose to believe in, or if we are in a higher position than somebody else or someone with a disability, we all communicate with each other. Our group unknowingly used all the chapter’s recommendations in speaking to people with different beliefs. It can become difficult to speak to someone who may have power over you, like a professor, a dean, or an employer. But at the end of the day, we are all people and that is what group one dives into.

We accompanied each of our slides with vivid imagery not just depicting what her slides were about but also breaking down each topic. As a group, we not only explained the words that were on the slides but wanted to detail the images that accompanied the slide and what everything meant to ensure that everyone in the class could understand. We included pie charts, graphs, and videos to ensure that any listener who had not read the chapter could understand our topic. Some team members also applied real-life and modern examples in order to ensure clarity. When talking about lol uncertainty and avoidance, culture group members mentioned reality TV shows like 90-day Fiancé

or Love is Blind as an example. I also use the personal example when speaking on code-switching that this is not only a cultural thing that people may use, but most people use code-switching when it comes to speaking with friends, or an employer, or a police officer. Even though this was the group that had the shortest amount of time to prepare the first-hour project in the class, as a group we pulled through and I got the point across. 

 

Group Two

In the following class, group 2 was ready to present. Group 2 did well, practicing what they preached. In the chapter that they were assigned to, it was all about working as a team. Although there were not many words on every slide, they prepared their titles with pictures that can easily describe the topics. Each team member went into depth about each one of those slides and had many points. Teamwork may seem easy, but they break down every single problem and how to

solve it. As a team, there could be many problems where some may feel more entitled, and others do not put in enough effort. They also spoke about different team-building exercises that people can do in order to ensure trust between team members. Another key point was that there may be conflict. As a team, there can be a conflict of someone having an off day or someone being the way they are. And the way to get over that hurdle is to keep your eyes on the prize and reach the goal.

Another beautiful point that the group put across was celebrating reaching your goals. As human beings, we all could use recognition for our accomplishments, and sometimes self-recognition is exactly what we need. Unknowingly his group will not even practice the steps in order to present and then afterward we rejoiced and finished and presented our presentation successfully. Just as the group did. Even though there were technical difficulties in several parts, the day worked as a group in order to ensure that everyone could talk about their points. 

Group Three

The class after group 2 presented was when group 3 was ready to present. They had a colorful background for all their images relating to their chapter. They spoke about group leadership and problem-solving. Images of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Elon Musk. Each of them was a leader in their respective roles.

Although group 3 had little to no information written down on every slide, they included a colorful array of images that went along with their chapter. Members of group 3 spoke on how as a team everyone should meet their own individual deadlines so that they can work as a team and reach their end goal. And that as a leader, it is important to share responsibilities and make group goals. It is also important for leaders to make meetings that are effective and will prepare everyone for their deadlines. They also spoke about how to solve a problem that coworkers or team members may stumble upon. It is important to first identify the problem and then determine the correct questions on how this problem could be solved. 

After brainstorming some ideas as a leader, you may choose to solve the problem privately and quickly in order for it to be effective. As a group leader myself, I found their slideshow very helpful because I could take into account ways that I can be a more helpful person to my group. Or in any other aspect of life when one must present themselves as a leader, it is important to listen to others and solve problems as a team, or in private when necessary. They also included a video on creative collaboration ideas for any group dynamic. Each slide contains bright and descriptive images, which each group member went on to explain thoroughly. Overall, they had a highly informative presentation and slideshow.