A reflective account of collaborative successes and failures ……. a true story! Team A from Course 3 of the 2003/04 CeLTT programme

Team A …. Course 3 Team memberBackgroundTeaching context Sharon Monie Information Learning technologies, Web & educational software development Learning technologist at Bedford College, delivers ILT Staff Development, FPP and ILT support Aga Yamin Geology & oil industry, 11 years experience in teaching & research Course team leader at Croydon College, special responsibilities for introducing ILT into teaching & learning Simon Wild Trained as motor mechanic, involved in work-based & apprentice training Teaches to NVQ Level 3 at Bromley College, now responsible for eLearning initiatives at college Mike Smith Accountant with wide industrial experience, now in info systems & teaching & training Part-time tutor in computerised accounting, accounting courses & related subjects at MACLS

CeLTT …. The whole programme Course 1 An Introduction to eLearning, Teaching & Training Course 4 eLearning Project Course 3 Principles of eLearning, Teaching & Training Course 2 Designing eLearning, Teaching & Training

CeLTT …. The whole programme Course 1 Collaborative tasks & written proposal Course 4 Personal learning contract and agreed project Course 3 Group multimedia report & an individual reflective report Course 2 Coursework portfolio document & evidence of tasks

The Course 3 model  Enquiry-based collaborative learning – tutors provide roadmap in form of key questions  Controversy-based questions – e.g. identify & discuss pros & cons, etc  Access to rich & relevant information provided  Tutors help to focus interaction on rational arguments  High concurrency inherent in CeLTT structures  No individual assessments of team members

Collaborative learning The possibilities we exploited  Instant, live online interaction (RTCs)  Discussion of topics asynchronously  Build a network of trusted colleagues  Work & learn together in a digital workspace  Share files, resources, links, ideas  Use collaborative content tools  Emphasis on building knowledge, not content

Team A’s advantages  Met at initial induction day – good social interaction online  Optimum group size – 4 persons  Diversity of experience & training  Common interest – to be eTutors we acknowledge need to be eLearners!  Varied skill sets within the group  Disciplined & methodical approach  Shared responsibilities

StageStart DateEnd DateDays PlannedStatus Stage 119-Jan13-Feb25Completed! Stage 214-Feb14-Apr60TidyUp in progress Stage 315-Apr03-May18 Stage 404-May10-May6 TidyUp11-May17-May6 Total Duration - All Stages11533 days left To be agreed between Team Members by >>14-Apr-04 RolesStage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4 LeaderMikeAgaSimonMike CommunicationsSharonSimonMikeAga ResearchAgaMikeSharonSimon ProductionSimonSharonAgaSharon To be agreed between Team Members by >>14-Apr-04 Schedule Roles

Knowledge Construction  Explored theoretical understanding and interpretation  Professional context influence  meaning and application  Agreement of definitions  Individual acquisition (passive)

Barriers to Collaboration  Priorities and Commitments  Individual Assumptions  Adoption of Roles  Disagreements  Personal Circumstances

Group’s Final Report  Web-based multimedia report   Dreamweaver, Flash, Microsoft Office  One production role, many content provision & checking roles

Group’s Final Report  Effective but hard to manage  Common skill base  Managing Rights and Responsibilities of production  VLE would increase production roles and file version management

Shared production of report - i.e. each team member doing a part Learning Environment Design Tools Report Research, Notes, Content All Team A Members Proofing, Comments Web Pages, Images, Multimedia, Document Formatting Collation, Screen Design, Editing Software All Team A Members Not chosen

Option selected Production of report by one team member Learning Environment Design Tools Web Report Research, Notes, Content All Team A Members Proofing, Comments One Team A Member Web Pages, Images, Multimedia, Document Formatting Collation, Screen Design, Editing

Application of online collaboration in our own professional contexts  Mike …..client case conferencing online in “back-to- work” programmes for persons with disabilities, and learner groups in computerised accounting courses  Aga ….. EBL in management training and professional development programmes, and online collaborative discussion of case studies  Simon …..problem-solving for groups of learners in vocational training schemes, modern apprenticeships and  Sharon …. transforming Learning with ILT (JEB Level 4), staff development programmes and support materials in blended environments

In Conclusion  Collaboration improves over time  Social interaction is important  Technology is not a barrier but lack of skills could be  Frustrations can be overcome  Tutors are a key motivator / mediator.