Works Cited

Ancient Aliens. Dir. Kevin Burns. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Youtube. Web. 4 
     Nov. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrYiiqGBWe0>.


Carrier, Richard. "Flash! Fox News Reports that Aliens May Have Built the
     Pyramids of Egypt!" CSICOP. N.p., Sept. 1999. Web. 4 Nov. 2010.
     <http://www.csicop.org/si/show/
     flash_fox_news_reports_that_aliens_may_have_built_the_pyramids_of_egypt/>.


"Who Really Built the Pyramids?" Minnesota State University. Minnesota State
     University, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/
     prehistory/egypt/archaeology/weirdtheories/alienpyramids.html>.


Thomas, Hugh. (1979). Gods. (1979). World history. New York, NY: HarperCollins


“Ancient Alien Theory.” 2010. The History Channel website. Nov 4 2010, 1:38 http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/ancient-alien-theory.

Story we are all Told About the Pyramids

This is the single story that most people are taught about Egypt and the pyramids.

"...everyone from kings to paupers took great trouble with their tombs: the kings built their pyramids long before they were old men and, as dynasty succeeded dynasty, pyramids became grander, brick giving way to stone" (Tomas, 1979).

There is no mention of the complex knowledge it would have taken to design the pyramids. Nor the great amount of effort it would have taken.


http://www.belovedegypt.com/28_-_Sphinx_and_Pyramid.jpg

History Story that is Never Told

Many reputable alien theorists have evidence that aliens helped ancient peoples, such as the egyptians, build their massive, extremely complex structures. Erich Von Daniken has brought two very credible pieces of evidence to light: Ancient writings, telling of sky beings, that came to earth in strange vessels, that today would be seen as spacecrafts. 
Another piece of evidence is the hieroglyphics and other symbols of the ancient world. These pictures include strange beings surrounding the pyramids and spacecrafts. There is also a strange hieroglyphic that depicts a lightbulb like object connected to an ancient battery. If it was so easy to create a lightbulb and batteries, why did it take us 
thousands of years to reproduce these pieces of technology with all of the advances we had since then? Things don't add up, unless these ancient peoples had help from some being of higher intelligence.


http://www.ancientx.com/nm/anmviewer.asp?a=72&z=1

James White - The Teamworker

The teamworker is apparently the one that keeps the whole operation running smoothly. I will find out what task needs to be done next and take care of it. I can come up with some solutions to conflicts but at the same time keep a low profile. I am efficient with the work and will fulfill the role as Teamworker.

Sierra Cordova - The implementer

As the implenter, I am here to keep this group positive, and keep their suggestions, ideas, and activities focused and disciplined. I myself am comfortable with this position because Ive always been a self-disciplined person. I work very efficiently and work to get the job done with a positive attitude. I tend to be slightly close minded when it comes to other's ideas, especially when I have my own. However, this group is very creative and has had numerous ideas and suggestions, and has kept me openminded to new and interesting topics. Working with them has been a great experience.

David Kitchen - The Shaper

My proposed role in a group is to be the Shaper. The Shaper is supposed to be the kind of person that pushes the group forward and in order to succeed. They are usually outspoken and aggressive, but I channel my thoughts in to a more constructive type of criticism. I never knew exactly how I fit in to groups until I found Belbin's theory, but now that I can identify with a role, I'm confident that I can use my voice and drive to help my team achieve my goals.

Phong Nguyen - The Coordinator

My proposed and accepted role in our group is the coordinator.  The two choices I picked were most likely to be was the specialist or the coordinator.  Our team needed a management type more than a researching type because of the composition of our team. The purpose of the coordinator is to assign jobs, clarifies decisions, and helps his members focus on their task assigned.  Although within Belbin’s theory of coordinator he states that a coordinator is generally manipulative, and will delegate all the work, and only doing the delegating.  Although he states that not all theories are correct that is why it is only a theory not a fact.  With my teammates I think I will be a good coordinator because I will do my fair share of the work along with helping them stay on top of their task.  I feel confident I can do complete this role’s attributes easily because it is within my character to assist leading a project.  I feel confident I will lead my team to success through keeping them on track.

Group Goals

Our long term goal as a group is to get an A for this assignment.

Short Term Goals:

                   -Good communication

                   -Being able to meet

                   -Not just 1 person doing all the work

                   -Finding credible research

                   -Being efficient

                   -Utilize technology to make an interesting blog

                  

If we can meet the criteria for our short term goals, then we can fulfill our long term goal.

Fears in a Hat

Originally, our first time through fears in a hat we viewed the objective incorrectly.  During that first time we wrote down our fears for ourselves, rather then our fears for the group.  Although, after redoing this team activity we figured that our fears as a group are:

- the inevitable failure as a group

- not being able to communicate well

- not being able to meet together to work on this blog

- disagreeing on certain topics

Once we identified these fears we tried to come up with solutions.  To prevent failure as a group we laid out short term goals to complete in order to prevent failure.  To ensure we communicate well we gave each other contact information which included cell phone number, Facebook information, email and team building activities so we can easily talk to one another.  For the next fear, that we could not meet together to work on this blog we ensured that we had each other's schedule so Phong could compile them into an excel sheet which highlighted the free time in each person's days.  For the final fear, that we would disagree on all topics, we established a democracy system where we would vote for our topic.

Our Three Team Building Activities by Sierra

The first activity we finished was the human knot! It was so much fun and very entertaining. The purpose of this activity is to learn how to work together, even when your group is in a “bind” We had our difficulties at first, but we stepped back and figured out the puzzle of hands and arms, and eventually became untangled.

The second team building exercise we did was the blind shooter! We met in Monroe park and each of us brought a few rubber bands and Phong brought a blindfold. James was the first one to go! We made sure he couldn’t see, handed him a few rubber bands, and instructed him to hit trees, since they were our targets. James was actually pretty good at it, and mostly everyone in our group hit most of the targets!

The third and I believe the most successful one, “The Stop Doing List.”

We each got out a piece of paper and pen, and wrote down a few things we believed our group should stop doing while we were working together. The one thing on everyone’s list….”Stop getting on face book”

I believe this activity helped us focus on the stuff that was distracting us, and made us realize that without these distractions we could become more affective workers.

David’s Team Building Ideas

David here, and I have been doing research on a couple fun group activities to build on our ability to work with each other and have a good time while working to create an amazing group blog. The first activity I found is mostly considered an ice breaker activity, yet I figured as a newer group we would benefit from a fun, more laid back exercise. The first activity I found was “Autograph Bingo Game” each member fills out a bingo card with random and unique facts about themselves. You then walk around and compare bingo cards and see if either member has anything in common.

The second activity I have is a trust building activity, I figured once we have gotten to know each other we need to learn how to trust each other. This game is very common, yet productive. One member stands behind the other member, with a couple feet of distance in between them. The member in front then puts his arms out to the side and falls back, without taking a step. The other member MUST catch the one falling, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of trust.

My third activity is the good old’ egg toss. Each member is handed an egg and stands about 10 feet apart to begin with. Each person tosses their egg, with the hopes of their partner catching it. If your egg is dropped, then you are out. With a game like this it is easy to get frustrated with your partner especially when they are the one to drop the egg. If the attitudes are kept positive then this game has the capability of being an affective and productive exercise.

James’s Team Building Ideas

Hey guys, its James, and I have been doing some intense research on team building activities. I found some great activities, however most are unreasonable given our time and resources for this project, yet I believed them to be interesting enough to share with my fellow blog members. One, “The movie game.”

Less of a game and more of a group activity. Each group is instructed to create a short motion picture, weather it is a drama, a comedy, whatever it may be. Incentives are usually provided, causing the movie making to be intense, competitive, and mostly a race to see who finishes first, with the best quality.

The second team building activity is “The Community Service Game.” Each group goes out into the community and finds a non profit organization to work with for the day. This brings the group together, helping others with the qualities of a strong team with the ability to work together, even in different environments.

The third activity is “The Gourmet Game” This activity is fun. Each group is provided a kitchen a few basic ingredients, and instructed to make a pizza. It is a timed activity, and in the end whoever makes the most tasteful pizza wins whatever incentive is provided. Even if neither group member is a chef, it forces the group to work together.

Phong's Team Building Ideas

During my research, I found great  activities, one that builds trust, the other to keep us focused while working together, and the last activity I found was created to enhance the efficiency of our teamwork.

The trust building activity is named "The Blind Shooter." During this game one group member is once again blindfolded. The other members set up numerous targets. Once they are set, the one blindfolded is handed rubber bands. He is then instructed and guided by his fellow members to shoot all the tagerts. This activity builds trust and the ability to work together.

My "focused" activity is called the "Stop doing list." Each member has a pen and paper and is instructed to write several things that the group should stop doing. This brings focus to the activities that may be keeping us off ask. We then all compare. My prediction for our number one "Stop Doing...stop getting on facebook while reasearching!"

My third and final suggestion...called "Team expectations"

This activity invloves making a simple chart with each persons same in a row. You then make a a collum desiganted as, "The things we expect from..." Pass around the chart and each person fill in what you expect from one another during your project or whatever involves you working together.

Sierra's Team Building Ideas

During my team building research I found some very intersting, scary, and daring team building activites.

My favorite one: driving blindfolded. No, we did not get the chance to drive blind folded, seeing as we are in downtown richmond. I found it shocking that certain companies, mostly in Europe care to even try this, and they post pictures! The idea is to have one group member, blindfolded and behind the wheel. The other members, stood around the car and yelled to direct the driver, thru traffic.

The second activity I found just looked fun, and I decided to encourage our group to participate, since it is alot safer than my first suggestion. The instructions are to stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Hold eachothers' hands and twist and turn without letting go. Once we are alll knoted up, we must detangle our bodies without letting go of eachothers' hands. This activity builds patience with each member, and builds the team's ability to work togehter.

My third suggestion is truth or dare. Yes, it is corny, and juvenile, but you can learn alot about eachother just asking a few truths. We would have to keep it PG ofcourse, but if we mostly used truths it would make it easy to find out random information about eachother, and in the long run it would help us know how to work with eachother in certain situations when it came to creating our blog.