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A guide to basic online collaboration skill
With the research indicating that collaborative learning helps achievement (cite?) and the increase in the number of distance education classes, more students are participating in online collaborative groups. (cite) Because of this, today’s students need the skills to help them be successful online collaborators.

What are the features of successful collaboration?
An effective, collaborative team can be described as a group of people who interact and work toward the same goal. (Cite)

Team

members depend on each other and each person must understand his roles and duties.

To have a successful group experience, be sure to consider the following four factors:

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 * ** Communication

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 * ** Tasks

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 * ** Roles

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 * ** Schedule

Communication

By email, phone or online chat agree how your group will meet and communicate online. Some options are VoIP tools, instant messaging, class forums, or web conferencing tools. Also choose a web-based tool for sharing files and editing documents. If necessary, agree on a project presentation tool. Exchange contact information and schedules. Make note of any member’s time zone differences. Tasks Identify the main goal of the group. Be sure it is clear and concise. Break the main goal into specific, somewhat equal tasks. Prioritize these tasks by time order or importance of completion. Roles Assign tasks and roles based on skill set. Discuss each task and suggest possible resources so that everyone understands what each job entails. Be sure each member understands his role. Consider including a facilitator who keeps the project on target, and a recorder who keeps track of meeting notes. Schedule As a group, determine timeline and due dates for the final project and each intermediate task. Agree on dates and times when each member will be available for an online meeting. Try to work ahead of due dates to account for unforeseen conflicts, and make allowances for members in different time zones. Successful Team Tips What can you do to help your team be successful? Ø Learn to listen, asking for clarity when needed. Ø Offer positive feedback and constructive criticism. Ø Ask for input from each member of the online meeting. Ø Keep an open mind to new ideas and suggestions. Ø Use meeting times to act: brainstorm, edit, or finalize decisions. Ø Arrive on time and prepared for meetings with required research or suggestions.

Remember, team work means consensus, not majority rule.

References Sample: McLellan, H. (2004). Virtual realities. In D. Jonassen, (Ed.), Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (2nd ed., pp. 461-497). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

Horizon report 2010: collaborative environments http://wp.nmc.org/horizon-k12-2010/chapters/collaborative-environments/ Retrieved August 3, 2010

Collaborative learning http://www.cisco.com/web/about/citizenship/socio-economic/docs/Metiri_Classroom_Collaboration_Research.pdf Susan M. Williams, the Metiri Group. Commissioned by Cisco Systems, The Impact of Collaborative, Scaffolded Learning in K-12 Schools: A Meta-Analysis The Metiri Group

Conditions for Successful Online Document Collaboration Michael Vallance, Phillip A. Towndrow and Charles Wiz Published online: 19 December 2009 http://www.springerlink.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/content/m57r907043237g52/fulltext.pdf TechTrends January/February Vol 54 number 1 p20-24.

Successful Online Group Work http://www.adaptivepath.com/ideas/essays/archives/000105.php Fifteen Tips for Remote Collaboration by Indi Young May 6, 2003 5 Tips for Collaboration By Christopher Hopper http://www.catalystspace.com/content/read/5_tips_for_collaboration/

With research supporting the idea that collaboration improves achievement http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=evidence&answerID=2 Eductional technology organizations (ISTE http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm and C 21st C Learning http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119 Morgan, B. B., Salas, E., & Glickman, A. S. (1993). An analysis of team evolution and maturation. The Journal of General Psychology, 120, 277-291. Retrieved July 28, 2010 from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=8&sid=dcd8dc99-e851-4165-b1a3-8ae8dc350ae8%40sessionmgr14