Sprint at a glance: Effective online group work

The role of group projects in online learning

Online group work builds skills that students will need in their professional lives, and the need to collaborate virtually is vital in today’s world of remote work. The flexibility and convenience of online learning are part of its appeal, but those same qualities can make it challenging for students to interact and collaborate with one another.

Online group projects can even reduce feelings of isolation by fostering connections among students, helping to build a community of inquiry. However, students and instructors often approach group projects with trepidation. Why might students and instructors look at group projects this way? They might have experienced some of the challenges that accompany group work in any setting and can be exacerbated online. We encourage you to meet the challenges and provide your students with an invaluable learning experience.

Common challenges with online group work

• Getting students on board with group work: Many students prefer working alone and might hesitate when it comes to group activities.

• Selecting and structuring groups: Forming groups that work well together can be tricky, especially in an online learning environment.

• Helping students develop teamwork skills: Students might need guidance in developing and practicing the skills needed to work effectively in a team.

• Dealing with "free riders": Ensuring that all group members contribute equally is a perennial concern with collaborative work.

• Assessing students on group work: How can both group and individual contributions be evaluated fairly?

Strategies to make online group work effective

When planning group work, intentional design choices can not only mitigate these issues from arising but also offer students a positive and rewarding learning experience. What are some strategies we can use to make collaborative work a satisfying learning experience? 

• Communicate the benefits of group learning: Explain to your students why group work is essential. Highlight how it mirrors real-world professional environments where collaboration is key. Emphasize the development of deeper learning, communication and teamwork skills. 

• Make the assessment criteria clear: From the beginning, clearly outline how students will receive assessment on their group work, including through rubrics. This transparency helps students understand the value of their contributions and alleviates concerns about fairness.

• Select groups strategically: Consider using random selection to form groups, which can reduce bias and ensure a mix of perspectives. Alternatively, you can deliberately create heterogeneous groups to enrich the learning experience through diverse viewpoints.

• Communicate the teamwork skills early: Dedicate the initial weeks of your course to teaching group skills. This foundational training will prepare students to collaborate effectively, making the rest of the group work smoother and more productive.

• Implement collaboration plans as well as self and peer assessments: Encourage students to create a group collaboration plan or group contract at the start of their project. This plan helps set clear expectations and responsibilities. Use self and peer assessments to ensure individual accountability and give students the chance to reflect on their contributions.

To help you implement these strategies, the course includes a Group Collaboration Plan template.

Real stories and practical examples

Many of your colleagues in the University of Missouri System have successfully developed and implemented group work in their online classes. Throughout this sprint, you will learn about how they have adopted and used these strategies in their own courses. These colleagues will give you concrete examples you could use in your courses!

Join our effective online group work sprint

Are you ready to transform the way your students experience online group work? Our faculty development sprint is designed to help you tackle the common challenges of online group projects and turn them into opportunities for meaningful and engaging learning experiences. This sprint will equip you with the tools and insights you need to create effective, engaging and fair group projects. By joining, you will gain access to the following:

• Practical strategies: Learn how to design and implement successful group projects.

• Real-life examples: Hear from colleagues who have successfully integrated group work into their courses.

• Collaborative community: Connect with colleagues across the University of Missouri System and share best practices.

Join us and discover practical strategies that will benefit both you and your students. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and improve your students’ learning experiences. Enroll in our faculty development sprint today and unleash the power of effective online group work!

Created on September 23, 2024