Both credit-granting and noncredit courses often include group projects. Challenging even in a physical environment, these learning activities can become daunting when there is no face-to-face interaction.
Online group projects typically use a ‘group’ template within off-the-shelf or proprietary instructional software. The template includes an asynchronous discussion board, file for uploading documents and synchronous chat option. The related tasks usually comprise collective discussion of a topic, problem or process, followed by individual contributions such as written critiques or assessments that result from the preliminary communications.
As is true with their physical counterparts, online groups have obstacles that include varying levels of motivation and commitment, differing levels of knowledge, and prior experiences with cooperative efforts. However, the virtual environment adds three more headaches: lack of human cues like gestures and facial expressions, no in-person oversight, and the possibility that members may be in different time zones, making real time communication impractical. The best way to offset these challenges is to have a team leader, either elected or voluntary; allocate tasks as early in the process as possible, so that workload-sharing is equitable; use an internal flowchart with deadlines to keep members on track without physical supervision; and assign one qualified member to serve as overall proofreader/editor.
Mon, Jul 27, 2009
Adult Education, Online Education, Tips