Collaborative Activitiesin eLearning

Collaboration~The Benefit & The Challenge

• Interaction is a critical part of learning

• Collaboration presents many problems

• The Electronic Sign Up Sheet

• Why Student Profiles matter

• Allow students to select not only their team, but their role from the outset

Effective Group Formation

Prepare Students for Teamwork

Supporting Teams

• Provide details on team structure, dynamics, and goals

• Create a “Team Agreement Template”

Teamwork Tutorial

• http://www.terrymorris.net/teamwork/index.htm

Team Assessment

The Team• The project as a

whole• The team as a

whole

The Individual• The portion of the

project that was an individual’s responsibility

• The individual input towards team dynamic

• The overzealous leader• Trash talking and dirty laundry hung

out on forums and discussion boards• The disappearing team member• Giving credit to jerks & assessing

blame

Typical Collaboration Horror Stories

Often, our most challenging learning experiences are some of the most memorable and valuable

Resources

• Designing Courses and Teaching on the Web (2003)Mercedes Fisher

• Online Learning and Teaching with Technology: Case Studies, Experience and Practice (2001)David Murphy, Rob Walker & Graham Webb, Eds.

• The Online Learning Idea Book (2007)Patti Shank, Ed.

Thank You!