2012-06-11 Enhancing Online Collaboration in Distance Courses
- Mathieu Plourde
- Patty Gertz
- Ann Jensen
- Reba-Anna Lee
Title | Enhancing Online Collaboration in Distance Courses |
|---|---|
Presenters | Ann Jensen (Texas State University) Liz Strand (Texas State University) |
Date and time (EDT) | June 11, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM |
Room | Conference Center Room 1 |
Facilitator | Reba-Anna Lee |
Description
Based on end-of-course surveys, we find that students often express frustration with online teamwork assignments. On the other hand, many students report that they enjoy team work and benefit from it.
Given the value of effective collaboration and based on best practices, we designed a number of supports to improve the quality of the team experience. Teamwork supports, which will be shared with session participants, include a pre-program, online module on collaboration benefits, a teamwork tips website describing collaborative technologies, socialization in the form of an online discussion forum of past teamwork experiences, a team charter assignment, and peer evaluation rubrics.
We implemented the supports in online social work courses and administered an Attitude toward Teamwork pre-/post-survey to determine if the supports made a difference. We will share the preliminary results with session participants.