Online Collaboration Bob Schoenberg Overview What is Collaboration? Collaboration Tools Specific Examples (Students’ Work) Questions and Answers

What is Collaboration Working together to reach a common goal. Collaborate –To work together, esp. in a joint intellectual effort. American Heritage Dictionary

Some Guidelines Everyone has an equal voice Voice your opinion, thoughts, etc Listen and consider ideas, opinions Decide who will do what and when* Arrive at a consensus / agreement Negotiate Ask Instructor for help if necessary

Guidelines for Instructors Be available to help your students Comment on their work Be a coach, have a live session*

Collaborative Process Building Trust Improving Communication Negotiation – who is doing what* Considering different perspectives Taking Responsibility (Frames of Reference – a CT Skill)* Several other CT Skills

Benefits of Collaboration Creates a sense of an online community* Promotes communication and critical thinking Promotes cooperation among students Reduces and/or eliminates isolation *

Eastern Michigan University 1. Collaboration ensures a more effective use of individual talents 2.Transfer of knowledge or skills 3.Collaboration may be a source of stimulation and creativity. 4.Provides intellectual companionship. benefits.html

Rochester Institute of Technology Promotes critical thinking skills. Promotes creative thinking through social stimulation and sharing of ideas. Requires active student involvement in the learning process. Students increase preparation and practice working with one another.*

(Continued) Provides a social support system for students.* Builds diversity understanding among students Develops team skills used on the job and beyond. strategies/collaborative_learning/bene fits.cfm

Why Use Collaboration? "In the working world, many employers do expect their employees to solve problems in teams. It only makes sense that multiple minds are better than one. Therefore, I believe instructors who have their students work in teams better prepare them for the working world." ~Brian Goff, RIT Student Rochester Institute of Technology

Key Benefits (Schoenberg) Creates a sense of an online community Promotes communication and critical thinking Promotes cooperation among students Reduces and/or eliminates isolation

Collaboration Tools Google Gmail (demo), Sent Folder, huge storage Google Phone Calls Google Docs (demo), including Stars Demo of actual student work

SKYPE Live voice communication – PC to PC Text Chat Ability to send and receive files White Board Video Conferencing Ability to archive session Demo – video

Facebook Profiles* Chatroom* Provides Online Community (groups) Note: Many students use Facebook Demo – create groups, show chat

Blackboard Collaborative Tools Chat Room Who’s Online (Instant Messaging) Collaborative Folders Wimba (Live Voice Communication) and more*

Create Your Own Wiki or Blog + Free + Control Access -Learning Curve -Limited Tech Support Google “ free wiki ” to find some Exception – Wiki via UMB

WIKI DEMO Create Pages Limit Access Create Collaborative Pages Discussion Page Include Links to Documents, other Websites, Audio and Video Clips

Wiki Demo Home Page Lessons and Links Discussion Page New Page Manage Restrictions and Privileges Collaborative Pages

Demos of Student Work Collaborative Pages of Student Teams: H, G, E, D (actual chat) Archived Work Examples “A Demo”

Questions and Answers How to tell who did what? What if a student doesn’t respond to his/her partner? Student can’t find a partner? How to apply collaboration to various courses/disciplines How much structure to provide

How to Make Your Course Collaborative Blog or Discussion Have students create a quiz Assign an on-going Class Project Study Session – using Google Docs or a Wiki or Video using Skype Use of Video and Peer Review Make a regular assignment collaborative

Asynchonous Collaborative Tools Google Docs Wiki Collaborative Pages Collaborative Folders - Blackboard

Synchronous Collaboration Tools Skype (Includes video) Wimba Google Phone Google Instant Messaging Who’s Online (Blackboard)* Chat – Blackboard or other rooms

Questions? Ask me now – or me.

Bob Schoenberg Resources Visit my website: - info about collaboration and online education and more. Thank you for attending this Conference.