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Collaboration and Group Meeting Tools

About Collaborations and Group Meetings

Collaboration technologies enable individuals to work together toward a shared goal, as well as interact in a virtual space where they can create content or solve a problem. For example, participants can interact with materials by editing, commenting, and revising documents. Personalized exchanges can include chat, voice, and video conversations. Digital collaborations can accommodate various learning needs by supporting synchronous, as well as asynchronous meetings.

Effective Practices for Collaborative Learning

  • Structure activity so that task-based interdependence is emphasized (assign well-defined roles and tasks to members)
  • Avoid "leading" the group when group leaders have been put in place
  • Use real life scenarios to facilitate discussion and collaborative learning
  • Limit group size (4-5) to encourage meaningful exchanges among learners
  • Monitor participation and provide constructive feedback when you see that members are stuck

To discuss more effective practices for using learning management systems and platforms in general, schedule a meeting with one of our TLC consultants.

Effective Practices for Group (Synchronous) Meetings

  • Provide technical requirements for the meeting in advance (so learners are prepared to share cameras and mics)
  • Reduce visual distractions by preparing virtual spaces in advance and removing clutter from camera view
  • Choose a "moderator" to assist with monitoring group chat
  • Engage participants by leveraging built-in tools such as screen-sharing and annotations
  • Create breakout rooms and engage learners with collaborative activities as you transition between technologies (slide to video, desktop to slide, etc.)

To discuss more effective practices for using learning management systems and platforms in general, schedule a meeting with one of our TLC consultants.

 What's in our Ecosystem?

collaboration icon

 

Who's Using It?

Dr. Murray's profile photo

Dr. Emma Murray

Assistant Professor

Tool: Zoom

"The course that I am using the Zoom technology is NSG 876-Leadership and Health Policy, an online didactic graduate core course. I use Zoom to hold synchronous debates on multiple healthcare issues that affect the nursing profession and patient safety."

Read more on how Dr. Murray uses Zoom to meet course goals.

References:

Bridges, D., Davidson, R., Soule Odegard, P., Maki, I., & Tomkowiak, J. (2011). Interprofessional Collaboration: Three Best Practice Models of Interprofessional Education. Medical Education Online, 16(1), 6035. doi: 10.3402/meo.v16i0.6035

Read, M. (2010). Collaboration in Higher Education and Its Benefits for ICT. Educause Review. Retrieved 18 March 2019, from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2010/3/collaboration-in-higher-education-and-its-benefits-for-ict

Scager, K., Boonstra, J., Peeters, T., Vulperhorst, J., & Wiegant, F. (2016). Collaborative Learning in Higher Education: Evoking Positive Interdependence. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 15(4), ar69. doi: 10.1187/cbe.16-07-0219

May 26, 2022