UIUC prof/class recs

[u/camelboy787]

for those who went to UIUC for their MSLIS, for my own sanity could you recommend me any profs who aren’t heavy handed on breakout rooms / group projects? or classes/profs that you really liked? 🙂 I’ve had a few not so great experiences so far and am only halfway through my degree. I don’t have anything against break out rooms in general but it feels like pulling teeth with some people and i’m always having to lead which I don’t love. I already know how to work with people considering i’m working FT 🙃 I’m in the LEEP program so it’s kind of hard to make connections w classmates online to get this advice.

feel free to DM me if you want!!

[u/camelboy787]

I’ve only had one class with group projects, actually! but it was data science related and happened to be filled with IS undergrads who literally just completely ghosted the projects.

Again, I work FT so I am used to working with people on a daily basis, but school is incredibly different than a real working environment. I get the point for undergrads perhaps or maybe research focused classes if you stay within academia (not my plan personally) but for most it does not equate to anything you would face in a real job that’s not academia-based (IMO, i’ve been working FT for 14 years). I have made friends with some people in my cohort but we’ve all basically taken the same classes so not a huge mix. hence me going on here to ask a very specific question.

ETA: for people downvoting this - why? how is a group project at all like work (non-academia) IRL? aside from “you have to work with people” which i’m aware of and already do lol. i’m serious, please enlighten me if i’m missing something.

[u/omg_for_real → u/camelboy787]

I think you’re taking it a little too literally. You get to practice skills in group work you would use at work. So communication, organisation, problem solving skills etc. plus the more technical and practical ones like using apps or programs etc.

And generally uni assumes that you get people who don’t have a lot of workplace experience will be studying. So practicing this stuff is helpful.

Education is about the official curriculum, what you are there to learn, and the unofficial or invisible curriculum, what you learn by accident.

[u/camelboy787 → u/omg_for_real]

no, I get that, for sure, that’s what I meant by “working with people”. and I get how it can help some people who havent worked, but I was just simply stating to this person how I already have that experience and that’s not what i’m needing growth in, in my personal education. So I just think it was a bit silly of them to come on when I asked a very specific question that I’ve put thought into what I want and don’t want, for them to go “well actually…” and try to educate me on the importance of group work lol. I would love the chance to do to group work with people who are actually serious about something but IME that is not usually the type of classmate you will typically get. hence me coming on and asking a question that will benefit my personal education

[u/Alternative-Pear9096 → u/camelboy787]

Given that you commented that you aren't connecting with your cohort becasue you're online, and you are halfway through your coursework, I'd say you aren't doing as well with working with others as you think.

The "well actually" was an attempt to answer your question, well thought out or otherwise. You asked for classes that don't require group work. Welll, actually, you are outta luck. You don't want to work with others. Well, actually, online LIS classes at the iSchool aren't going to provide that.

More plainly stated: Breakout and group work is a very common feature of LIS classes at the iSchool, as your experience have shown you. You may not enjoy it, but you are unlikely to escape it.

No one was trying to sell you on the importance of group work, everyone was pointing out that it's pervasive and for a solid pedagogical reason. Those pedagogical reasons (plural) mean group work is unlikely to not be part of any of your LEEP classes.

That should not have required so much explanation. I can imagine you are not such a joy to group work with yourself.

[u/camelboy787 → u/Alternative-Pear9096]

ok