Communities I Belong To
One of the first questions we must ask as we begin to plan and design a project is: “Who is the audience?” As educators, we have several defined groups that we interact with such as our students and colleagues. We can define some of the people we connect with as members of a community that includes certain characteristics that define the group norms and essentially “make the a group.” It also means that we choose to be a part of the group, or have been admitted into the group. What “communities” do you have membership in? Think about the people in your world – personal and professional. A few examples include school, church, sports etc. (Families are not included because we didn’t “choose” them).
1. Make a list of the communities you are a part of.
2. What are the characteristics that define a community? Examples: shared understandings, syntax, gender, belief system etc.
3. Do these characteristics pertain to all of the communities you listed?
4. List a few online sources where members of these communities can go to interact with other community members. If you aren’t sure, use the search tool.
5. Look at one or two sites and describe how the group norms are communicated.
6. Do you think people outside of the group would understand what the group values?
Emerging Trends 
Communities I am a part of:
1. Church (children’s ministry leader and small group leader-bible study), AYSO soccer, APU graduate program, children’s play group, PTA, HTA, educational leadership team, learning communities (professional development workshops),
2. I believe that the characteristics that pertain to all of the above communities I have listed are: connection (they all aim to connect the unconnected to something). I also believe that values, ethics, personal beliefs, shared ideas, etc. contribute.
3. I do believe that these characteristics pertain to all of the above communities, especially the connection part because they all aim to connect and develop relationships with each other and outside sources, whether it be members of the church community, educational community, or activity community.
4. Some online sources members can go to interact are: AYSO website, district email, website church website, blogs set up by these particular communities or persons individually. For example, people could also use Skype, blogs, etc. to contribute and communicate interactively.
5. Yes, I think that the main mission or purpose for each group, community is clearly stated and understood. For example, if it is AYSO, soccer, church, school, etc., it seems to be clear that it is about people, connection, relationships, children, education, and that the main mission or aim is identified.
My Communities: Withrow Elementary Teacher, Master student, Camping group, “The Girls”,
Characteristics: similar goals and frustrations, similar energy level, similar background and/or stage of life
These characteristics DO NOT pertain to all communities.
Websites for teachers: http://www.first-school.ws/….http://www.kidzone.ws
Websites for Masters class: http://www.cartoonsmart.com/…….http://www.ehow.com/…….http://www.learnthat.com/
Websites for Social groups. http://www.momtomomchat.com/…… http://www.wakeworld.com/cgi-bin/Discus4/discus.cgi ….
Norms are communicated by a home page with a descriptive paragraph. Discussion boards and chat rooms may have a facilitator.
I think people outside the group would understand the group valves if they spend some time questioning the website or the group themselves. At first glance, misunderstandings may occur but usually the group valves are clear.
1. Communities I am part of: Hamilton Elementary Teachers & APU Graduate Program.
2. I believe that the characteristics that define a community are common goals, values, similar backgrounds and interests.
3. Yes I think that all of these characteristics pertain to these communities.
4. Some online sources where members of these communities can communicate are http://www.teachers.net, http://www.realkids.com, & http://www.theteacherscorner.net. In the graduate program I use Skype, tappedin, and blog sites.
5. The group norms are implied with the type of postings that are listed and the way that the websites information is provided therefore I think people outside of the group would understand the norms.
1. Communities I am part of: Sky View Elementary Teachers & APU Graduate Program.
2. To be part of an effective community each member must have the same goals and values as well as common interests.
3. I think that these two communities fit the characteristics.
4. People involved in these two communities can email each other as well as visit their websites. In the APU graduate program I have used tappedin as well asmessage boards and blogs to communicate.
5. On the school website the mission is communicated by the personal statement of the principal as well as the mission statement. At APU, the common goals are stated on the website.
6. I think people who are not involved with these groups would be able to ascertain the values and missions of both groups.
1. Communities I am a part of: Twinhill Elementary , APU graduate program, church
2. Different communities share different aspects. Some share goals and interests; others share beliefs or values or all of the above. All communities share the desire to work together with others.
3. Do these characteristics pertain to all of the communities you listed? Not all. At school, not all teachers have the same beliefs or values, for instance, but we all share the same goal of teaching children. Not everyone at my church has the same interests, but we do have the same spiritual beliefs and values, generally speaking. At APU, people have same interests in technology, but not necessarily the same values.
4. Afew online sources where members of these communities can go to interact with other community members:
Church website: http://www.wateroflifecc.org , district e-mail http://www.alvord.k12.ca.us/twinhill/index.html, APU’s website: apu.edu
As someone said already, for APU, we also utilize for communication e-mail, blogs, websites, and instant messenger programs such as Windows Instant Messenger, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger.
5. On our school’s web page, norms are communicated through rules and guidelines posted, such as the dress code. Within our church’s website, our values are listed. On APU’s website, the values are listed under “What We Believe”
6. I think the websites either implicitly or explicity make the values, although there will always be misunderstandings.
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
Communities I Belong To:
APU, St. Francis de Sales School, St. Christopher’s Parish, MV Recreation Center, SCIF Family, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, WSU Alumni Assoc, AAW/BOLD Leadership Conference.
Characteristics:
Belief system, ethnic affiliation, social responsibility, children’s guidance and development.
Sites:
http://www.aka1908.com, http://www.stfrancisriverside.org, http://www.wsu.edu, http://www.scif.com
Group Norms Communicated:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, are by identifying members and specifically calling those members for support in social change. As members we were initiated and made a life long pledge to support the efforts of serving our community. It is a historically black sorority with college educated members across the world. The community acknowledges a sisterhood with many sub communities that are connected by physical locations. Members are asked to pledge service and money help the continued efforts of equality and humanity for all people.
Group Values Understood:
Since we are an organization that seeks membership from a select group of individuals I think that many people may not see the need for our Sorority to exist. There are specific goals and missions that we women of the organization have that my even husband has a hard time understanding. We are bonded by a pledge for serving our community form a time in 1908 when Black women were thought of as less than in terms of education, rights and the responsibility of solving worldly issues. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc is a group of women unlike no other.
1. Make a list of the communities you are a part of.
2. What are the characteristics that define a community? Examples: shared understandings, syntax, gender, belief system etc.
3. Do these characteristics pertain to all of the communities you listed?
4. List a few online sources where members of these communities can go to interact with other community members. If you aren’t sure, use the search tool.
5. Look at one or two sites and describe how the group norms are communicated.
6. Do you think people outside of the group would understand what the group values?
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
From: Jeff; Hi all
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
From: Jeff; Hi all
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
From Jeff
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
from Jeff
1. Make a list of the communities you are a part of.
2. What are the characteristics that define a community? Examples: shared understandings, syntax, gender, belief system etc.
3. Do these characteristics pertain to all of the communities you listed?
4. List a few online sources where members of these communities can go to interact with other community members. If you aren’t sure, use the search tool.
5. Look at one or two sites and describe how the group norms are communicated.
6. Do you think people outside of the group would understand what the group values?
1. First of all, I am married and have one child, a daughter. I include them briefly at first because I did choose to be a husband and father. In no ranking order, I am a member of the; City of Temecula, Citizen of the United States, American Anthropological Association, The Southwestern Anthropological Association, the Anthropological Departments of UCLA and California State University of Fullerton, various college/university alumni groups, various scholarships and honors societies, APU Graduate School of Education, the class room as a student and teacher, Calvary Chapel, California Contractor’s License Board, the SKA, the Tiger’s Den of Temecula. There are many more but an end must be drawn.
2. Community; a group that has connections based on location, biotic, behavior, belief, characteristics, or experiences.
3. Yes.
4. http://www.temecula.com/
http://www.aaanet.org
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/anthropology/swaa
http://www.anthro.ucla.edu
anthro.fullerton.edu
http://www.online.apu.edu
www3.calvarychapel.com/temeculavalley
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
http://www.ska.org
http://www.tigersden.biz
5. City of Temecula, norms through Classification by civics, recreation, entertainment; includes vending links.
American Anthropological Association, lots of links great site norms by about us and events list article and info links.
The Southwestern Anthropological Association, small cite used brief pages and pdf. norms by about us and events list
Anthropological Departments of UCLA departments, norms by people, and events.
6. Yes, I believe that at all of these sites people outside of the group would understand what the group values.
1. Stone Creek Bible Church
a. Youth Group leader
b. Mens Ministry
Track and field fan
Fantasy Football
Teacher
c. 5th grade team
APU Masters
d. Technology
2. Groups share a common belief and passion for whatever reason the group is formed. They have a common direction and focus. Vocabulary and terminology is also important because it can be specific to your group’s focus. An outsider would come in and find the dialogue and conversation confusing because of the shared vocabulary.
3. To a certain extent, these characteristics apply to all groups. The difference is how intense the groups focuses on the characteristics. Some have a more relaxed view, while others hold to these characteristics firmly.
4. For track and field, http://www.trackshark.com has a forum to discuss track and field. Youth Specialties online is a great place for youth group resources and discussion with youth leaders.
5. On http://www.Trackskark.com, the home page describes the focus of the website to celebrate track and field and cross country. Discussion revolves solely around track and field news, events, athletes and results from meets.
6. Yes! It is clear what the focus is and what is valued.
1. Postal community, student community, and church community
2. The post office is my community, where I work is a mail distribution center. Our job is to break down the mail by city and state. The mail is then sent to smaller post offices, where the carriers deliver it to the customers. The community itself has different entities (mail handlers, automation workers, and manual clerks). The characteristics shared by the postal community are daily work practices, shared understandings, stories and legends.
3. No.
4. http://liteblue.usps.gov/news
http://www.postalforum.com
http://www.postalworkersonline.com
http://www.postalmag.com
5. On the postal forum website, people can discuss their opinions, question their actions or the actions of other workers to whomever will listen or respond. Postalmag.com allows you to buy postal items and check on postal info, such as your check stub, tsp, 991 and labor links.
6. Yes. The people outside the group (customers) see the work performed by the window clerks and mail carriers on a daily basis. Getting their mail on time is a valuable service to them. Mail carriers values are demonstrated by their excellent service, integrity, honesty and friendliness.
The community share environmental conditions, such as noise intensity of the machinery in the facility and dust. The physical demands placed on a postal employee is that of: reaching, bending, and lifting of trays of mail.
As well as motor coordination (hand, eye coordination) and memory.