1. Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and other Giants
Supporting collaboration through technology; implications of student use and perceptions
University of York

2. Outline
The problem
Business planning - collaboration and use of technology
The solution
Encourage planned use of Google or other viable tools
The responses
Mid / end surveys (n=75, n=22)
Conclusions / implications

3. Collaboration in Business Planning
Large, core 2nd year Management module
Challenges for collaborative group work:
Prior experience of group work
Opportunist vs strategic use of technology
Suitability of some preferred platforms
IPR / privacy
Access (Overseas)
Inclusivity
Privacy
Professionalism

4. Intervention: Supporting planned use of technology
Use of technology remains student led
Availability of Google apps highlighted;
Information within opening lecture
Follow up familiarisation tasks
Create groups, share and edit documents
Support / consultation offered
Formative assignment; draft business plan
Include Group Communication plan
Feedback provided on viability

5. Evaluation: Importance of planning
98% (n=77) agreed collaborative strategy for use of technology
84% found this useful / very useful
“Meant we could understand what and where to share on which type of technology. i.e. share a doc over google docs or Facebook. Before collaboration we didn't know where everything was posted.”
“Ensuring we used technology meant we were perhaps more encouraged to communicate with each other, and made it a lot easier to do so.”
“We did not agree on a strategy beforehand, although one developed throughout the project. Not advisable albeit successful in our group.”

6. Evaluation: Challenges

7. Evaluation: Challenges
Group participation (12)
“No one replying/ignoring messages on Facebook!”
Google familiarity (11)
Originally just understanding how to use new tools, but after no issues encountered
Google functional / technical issues (8)
Google docs not as comprehensive as Word
Equal access to technology (7)
“Some of the group members did not use such tools as Whatsapp or Facebook, hence we had to choose different channels of communication”
Lack of understanding / planning (2)
General technical problems (2)
Right tool for the job (1)

8. Evaluation: use of tools, mid (n=77)

9. Evaluation: other tools used so far
WhatsApp (7)
Phone (3)
MS Office (2)
Skype
Dropbox
“We chat”

10. Evaluation: use of tools, end (n=22)

11. Evaluation: important functionality to support collaboration

12. Evaluation: Impact on future collaboration
“Will your use of technology in this module affect your approach to collaborative work in the future?”
Mid point (n=65): 89%
End point (n=22): 86%

13. Evaluation: Impact on future collaboration

14. “I had not used Google drive before, so for future group work I shall use Google drive to share & collaboratively work on documents”
“I am now aware of useful tools previously unaware of that may be useful for future group work”
“Google groups and docs is AMAZING!”
“Find common platform from the start”
“Make sure everyone agrees on the types of communication to maximise clarity.”
“Unless future group members suggest the use of additional collaborative tools, I don't think I will have the initiative to use them.”
“I think the technology I used helped me work as a part of a group, in terms of communicating, problem solving and organising our work.”

15. Broad conclusions
Planned use of collaborative technologies supports collaborative group work
Without intervention students will stick to what they know
“Light touch” intervention can be effective without disempowering students
Students are (generally) conservative in their use of technology
Successful use of collaborative tools can support the development of transferable employability skills