Liz Strand & Ann Jensen Texas State University-San Marcos June 10-15, 2012 Growing Community; Growing Possibilities
Why doesn t the system work when I need it to! It s a hassle trying to schedule online meetings. I feel like I m doing most of the work! My teammates have different experiences and good ideas. I like sharing the workload. I plan to network with my teammates after graduation. Goal: Improve attitudes towards online teamwork 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 2
Clarify challenges of collaborative assignments Explain interventions designed to address challenges Describe the context in which the interventions were applied Summarize the evaluation Share future directions 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 3
Masters of Social Work 100% online program (19 courses) Administrative leadership (rather than direct practice) High demand for program = skilled students Students are in a cohort 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 4
Relevant and valued by students Open-ended Require interdependence Include rubric and assessment plan 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 5
Asynchronous discussion forum (Sakai CLE) Adobe Connect 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 6
Preprogram module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate /self evaluation Research-based Implemented during 2010-2011 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 7
Face-to-face and online courses Collaborative and interpersonal skills 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 8
Preprogram module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate/self evaluation Assigned upon acceptance Technologies and strategies 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 9
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Preprogram module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate/ self evaluation Referenced within courses Technology suggestions 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 13
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Preprogram module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate/ self evaluation Process past team experiences Get to know teammates 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 16
Forming Who are we? What are we doing? Storming How do we feel? What do we want? Norming Agree on leadership, procedures and goals. Performing Get to work and produce an outcome/product Tuckman, Bruce W. (1965) 'Developmental sequence in small groups', Psychological Bulletin, 63, 384-399. 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 17
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Pre-program module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate/ self evaluation Team goals Rules of engagement Conflict management plan 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 19
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Group Norms: Be present and prepared for online communications in a timely manner. Treat each other with respect and provide their undivided attention. Maintain communication via email/forums. Post to the forum in a timely manner (within 48 hours). Make the group a safe place for reflection and honest feedback. Uphold confidentiality. Stay on task and meet deadlines established by the group and the course. Distribute the workload evenly with all group members. Group Goals: Be more technologically savvy. Build rapport with group members. Respect each other in all communications. Give and receive positive/constructive feedback to all group members. Create a safe environment for the free expression of ideas, beliefs, and feelings. Actively participate in all group activities. Conflict Resolution: If there is a conflict between individual group members, these individuals will speak to one another directly with the upmost respect in order to attempt to reconcile the conflict. If a conflict between these individuals cannot be resolved by the involved parties, the group may attempt to resolve the conflict together. If the individuals and the group are unable to resolve the conflict, a mediator (the instructor) will be contacted for assistance in resolving the conflict. 22
Preprogram module Teamwork tips Socialization discussion Team charter Teammate/ self evaluation Strategically timed May include group process evaluation 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 23
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Challenges for student teams Develop successful teamwork assignments Strategies to manage and support teams Technology suggestions 25
All students: Pre-program module Teamwork tips 6 courses: Assigned project plans, presentations All 6 used socialization discussion and team charter Only 3 courses used teammate/self evaluations 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 26
Attitudes toward teamwork Pre/Post Survey: 16 questions address Teamwork orientation (Do I think teamwork is a valuable skill?) Volition (Do I think I have the skills and abilities to work effectively on a team?) Effectiveness of interventions Student Perceptions Survey: 6 questions Anecdotal: Student and faculty observations 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 27
Paired t-test showed no statistical difference Population too small 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 28
Effectiveness Questions Disagree=1 to Agree=4 SOWK 5329 Sum 10 SOWK 5329 Sum 11 SOWK 5339g Fall 11 SOWK 5339f Spring 10 SOWK 5316 Spring 11 SOWK 5322 Fall 10 My team and I were able to work effectively together to complete the team assignments. The conflict resolution plan helped reduce problems amongst team members. The team norms or charter helped us function successfully as a team. 3.53 3.5 3.33 3.53 3.95 3.60 3.63 3.42 3.60 3.91 3.8 3.42 3.91 3.85 Because my instructor was aware of progress on team assignments and issues amongst team members, my team worked more effectively. 3.33 3.38 3.42 3.33 3.80 3.11 Rate how team assignments contributed to your understanding of the course content (1 = low to 4 = high). 2.73 3.42 2.73 3.91 3.45 29
I have to say, I loved my group members. Team norms and conflict resolutions were beneficial so that there was never any misunderstanding of how things were to run. My group members did not stick to the group norms on several occasions, and my efforts to build group cohesion were never fully realized. I believe it is because my group members are from a different cohort than myself, so I felt like an outsider and the "momma hen" most of the time. Vocalizing our expectations upfront made things easier. Yes, the team did honor the norms and showed respect and consideration to each other. We also asked each other for clarification if needed and worked together to deal with issues we had with formatting, etc. 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 30
I think it made a difference for them. I will require this in the future, because I think it makes a difference. I did require them to turn in to me their contracts [charters] with each other and I think that helped a lot. The groups ran more smoothly when they created a team charter. 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 31
Pre-/post program survey (versus course) Consistent implementation across courses What technologies did students use? Continued faculty training Continued technology exploration 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 32
Faculty Form heterogeneous student teams (within same area code) Provide average of peer ratings with comments Option to include peer-assigned points in final grade Students Form ad hoc groups (OAE) Synchronous authoring and drawing (Google Docs?) Synchronous meetings (Big Blue Button) Shared document repository (OAE) * Already in OAE 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 33
Other collaborative tech tools? Experiences on your campus? Suggestions for research/future directions? 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 34
Ann Jensen Aj14@txstate.edu Liz Strand es22@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos 2012 Jasig Sakai Conference 35