Online collaboration and team-working: can we enhance the learning? Jane Barrett, Helen Kaye and Wendy Knightley Open University HEA STEM Conference 30 th April – 1 st May 2014

Compulsion and choice Accredited qualification Online equivalent? Residential school? Or …

Differences between residential and online o mode of delivery and participation o intensity of study o location of study o timing of study

Which differences are important? o In choosing a module

Which differences are important? o In enjoying that module

What’s important when choosing residential school? I was keen to meet up with other students I was keen to experience the additional learning opportunities I prefer working in a face-to-face rather than an electronic environment I felt that completing the project electronically would have been more expensive I lacked the facilities at home I would have needed to complete an electronic course The location of the residential school venue appealed to me I was keen to complete the work over a one week intensive course It was better for me to study in July or August I was able to take a complete break away from home and work commitments I believed that I would receive more support at residential school Social aspects of learning Accessibility Timing and speed of completion

What’s important when choosing online equivalent? Opportunity cost I could not meet the expense of travelling to residential school I felt that attending residential school would have been more expensive overall than completing the project electronically I did not wish to stay in the residential school venue I have childcare commitments which made a residential course impractical I could not stay away from home for a week to attend residential school Home responsibilities I was keen to spread the work over a 10 week period rather than doing a 1 week more intense course It was better for me to study from October to January rather than studying in July or August I prefer to learn in an electronic learning environment Timing and accessibility Work and caring commitments I care for adult dependents which made a residential course impractical I would have had to take leave from work to complete a residential course

Student choice: residential or online? Residential schoolOnline equivalent (1) Social aspects of learning (2) Accessibility (3) Timing and speed of completion (1) Opportunity cost (2) Home responsibilities (3) Timing and accessibility (4) Work and caring commitments

Best Thing

Worst thing

Worst thing – group dynamics “[it was …] Very hard working with a group using asynchronous forums - extremely hard to have debates and disagreements” “Working with lazy people” “Being part of a group - where it was difficult to ensure that everyone contributed equally and consistently”

Online collaboration: opportunity? Best things o fitting in with lifestyle o working in a group o doing research

Online collaboration: or oxymoron? Worst thing o group dynamics

Why don’t people participate? Adapted from (Preece et al., 2004), Table 2,p.209 “Didn’t need to post” “Just reading/browsing is enough” (53.9%) “No requirement to post” (21.5%) “Had no intention of posting” (13.2%) “Needed to find out about the group” “Still learning about the group” (29.7%) “Thought I was being helpful” “Nothing to offer “ (22.8%) “Others have said it “(18.7%) “Didn’t like the group (poor dynamics/fit)” “Shy about posting” (28.3%) “Want to remain anonymous” (15.1%) “Of no value to me” (11.0%) “Messages or group low quality” (7.8%) “Wrong group” (7.3%) “Long delay getting response” (6.8%) “Concern about aggressive responses” (5.9%) “Fear of commitment” (4.1%) “New members treated poorly” (1.4%) “Couldn’t make the software work” “Not enough time” (9.1%) “Do not know how to post” (7.8%) “Too many messages” (4.6%)

Community members: Non-participant to expert Elders Desire to be creative social “Lurkers” ?? Novices Desire to be social Regulars Desire to be creative social Leaders Desire for order (Bishop, 2007)

Some reflections 1. Modules o Learning design o Assessment strategy

Some reflections 2. Resourcing and scholarship o Time o Technology o Teamworking training

Some reflections 3. Effective online teamwork? o Convenient lifestyle choice or effective way to learn? o Working in teams and groups – part of digital literacy agenda? o Teams and groups – norming, storming, forming?

Next steps

Questions