RSA #4: Fostering Online Collaboration and Teaming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xetoek6hxjc

RSA #4: Fostering Online Collaboration and Teaming

            The reading from module seven centers on the idea that promoting collaboration within an online learning community, with the use of technology, will allow students to achieve at high levels and gain a more mutual learning experience.  As I was reading, one statement really stuck out to me as the basis of the module.  Palloff & Pratt (2007) say that, “Collaborative effort helps learners achieve a deeper level of knowledge generation while moving from independence to interdependence, thus strengthening the foundation of the online learning community” (p.157). Within an online learning community it essential for learners to collaborate by sharing ideas, believing in common goals, and giving constructive feedback to classmates.   These values within an online community are imperative for the online learning community to be successful.  There are many different ways that collaboration can be incorporated within an online learning community to engage high levels of participation and collaborative work.   

            As I was thinking about online learning communities and how collaboration between learners plays such a huge role in successful learning, I started to really think about the importance the instructor plays within planning for an online learning community.  I came across a video from an instructor from Indiana University that provides tips of how to set up a online learning community with good effective collaboration.  According to the video Fostering Online Collaboration and Teaming posted by TravelinEdMan on Jul 31, 2010, “Collaboration becomes the key to not only what happens within your class, but how you expose your class to others around the world. When that happens, you’ve extended your classroom setting to all sorts of interesting activities and events you’ve never dreamed of.”  Professor Curt Bonk also discusses different ways instructors can use technology for collaboration such as Google Docs, SlideShare, PBworks, Wikispaces, Blogger, Skype, Google Talk, Dim Dim, Ning, etc.  These tips seem very helpful for anyone who is trying to foster an effective online learning community. 

According to Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom, an instructor should begin “an online course with a discussion of learning objectives and working toward a common goal creates not only the foundation of that learning community, but also is the first step toward collaboration” (Palloff, Pratt, 2007, p.159).  Professor Curt Bonk in the YouTube video also stresses the importance of technology to further collaboration and learning within a community, while also promoting ways in which that can be accomplished. Instructors need to set the tone for the beginning of the course by making students feel as though everyone is working together to succeed towards a common goal.  When an online learning community is set up and planned appropriately from the beginning, achievement will ensue.

References

Bonk, C. (Creator)  TravelinEdMan (Poster) (2010, July 31). Fostering Online Collaboration            

and Teaming. Retrieved February 22, 2012 from  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xetoek6hxjc.

Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2007). Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for      

           the Virtual Classroom, (2nd ed.). San Franciso: Jossey-Bass.