The exercise is this:

Observe a group -- either online or real life -- and define the rules of its group dynamics by observing communication patterns, verbal and nonverbal. Write these rules, and the evidence supporting your interpretation, in a few (2-4) pages.

Several of you have proposed interesting variations on the gathering information exercise, which are options:

(1) Option: write with someone else, IF, that someone else might see different elements of group dynamics and culture (e.g., men and women, US citizens and citizens from somewhere else, people with technical and humanities background). In this option, observe and write fieldnotes SEPARATELY, then compare notes and see if you come up with the same thing.

(2) Option: develop a research design to gether information for your project, e.g., a strategy for interviews to clarify objectives, problems.