Collaboration in an Online Environment Dale Voorhees Linda Futch Course Development & Web Services

Collaboration Collaboration has been defined as "... any activity in which two or more people work together to create meaning, explore a topic, or improve skills" (Harasim, L, Hiltz, S., Teles, L., & Turoff, M., Learning Networks, Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, p. 30, 1995.)

Three types of Collaboration Student-to-Student Collaboration Student-to-Faculty Collaboration Student-to-Subject Matter Collaboration

Student to Student Faculty to Student Create Community Build Community Content Discussion Monitor Performance Problem Solving Provide Feedback Assignments Anticipate Actions Share Resources Engage Student Group Projects Decrease Isolation Study Groups Self Assessment

Tools WebCT: Course Mail Discussion Board Discussion Board Chat Whiteboard eCommunity: Up-to-date list Biographical sketches Pictures File sharing/portfolio

Fostering Collaboration Good set of tools – WebCT/eCommunity Good set of rules – Protocols Sense of Community Ongoing Discussions Debate Group Projects Group Papers

Other Resources –Yahoo: Chat, group chat, video conferencing (audio and video), and file sharing ( ) –MSN: Chat, group chat, and ( ) ( ) -- AOL Instant Messenger: Chat, group chat, audio conferencing, file sharing ( )

References Eight Ways to Get Students More Engaged in On-line Conferences ys/8waystoengage.htm ys/8waystoengage.htm ys/8waystoengage.htm Collaboration Tools in Online Learning Environments c.org/publications/magazine/v4n1/clark.asp c.org/publications/magazine/v4n1/clark.asphttp:// c.org/publications/magazine/v4n1/clark.asp Harasim, L., Hiltz, S., Teles, L., & Turoff, M., Learning Networks, Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, p. 30, 1995.)

Questionsand Using the Tools Thank You