My thoughts on Online Collaboration

After reading the Harvard study, I believe educators should select learning environments based on the content of the course material. Some courses are best suited for a combination of face-to-face interaction and online learning experiences, such as team-oriented courses like ours. Some courses do not necessitate a face-to-face meeting. For example, a software training course would not require students to meet face-to-face. I took Introduction to Macromedia Flash online last semester and completed the course feeling that I had not gained very much from the group experience. Although I learned how to use the software, I was left wondering how others were doing in the class during the semester. I wanted to see the other students’ Flash animations so I could gauge how I was progressing. I also wanted to have communication with the other students during the class. A discussion group would have assisted the learning experience with discussions on topics such as how the software is currently being used and features expected for the next version. I didn’t have this opportunity until the end of the class when we had class presentations online. Still, I was left dissatisfied. The projects were presented asynchronously. This would have been a perfect opportunity to use a MUVE to present the projects and get instant feedback from the instructor and our peers. Better yet, because it was a small class, would have been the opportunity to collaborate with the other students to complete a small assignment as a team. The students would have been able to have online interaction and build relationships. Doing so, would have set the stage for communicating online during the class presentations at the end of the class.

Team-oriented online courses that require students to work in teams would function better if face-to-face meeting time were incorporated because the students are able to build relationships. There is nothing like meeting someone in person. Forming bonds with your team can foster creativity and increase productivity.

I think taking a class structured like the one detailed in the Harvard study would be very beneficial for a student studying in the area of distance learning. I would appreciate being able to learn how to use so many different technologies in a team environment. To assist students who are lacking skills in the operation of certain equipment or software, a technical support group center could be set up similar to the one mentioned in the article. In addition, a technical support discussion group made up of the team members would be beneficial.