Developing CollaborationAn online educator’s guide

Getting Started• Effective collaboration may be

one of the most challenging tasks to develop

• Must include:– Planning– Coordination– Feedback– Reflection

Setting the Stage• Effective collaboration must begin at the onset

of the course• Begin the course with a simple introductory

activity to engage the learners

• Ensure students are familiar with the setup and functionality of the course

Setting the Stage• Have the students review the

course material and ask and answer one question on a discussion thread

• Ensure your expectations and course material are clear prior to students beginning coursework

Creating the Environment

• Determine and identify the participation level and expectations for all synchronous or asynchronous activities at the onset of the course

• If possible, have the class help develop “Rules for Engagement”

Modeling the Process• The instructor must demonstrate good

collaboration• Recommendation: Have the instructor

complete the asynchronous activity and post to the discussion board first…allow students to comment

• Learners should post and respond to posts

Guide the Process• “better to give some brief indication of what’s on

your mind than to have students obsessed with whether your silence means disappointment or satisfaction with their efforts”

– (as cited in Palloff & Pratt, 2005, p. 23)

• The instructor must respond effectively to posts and provide useful feedback

• Model this and encourage students to follow suit

Evaluating the Process• Was the learning objective met?• What was the learner’s attitude

about the activity after having completed it?

• What was the level of active participation?

• How can this be improved next time?

Tips for Success

• Model the engagement you want the learners to demonstrate

• Understand that technical difficulties are bound to occur

• Learner feedback is vital to future success

• Success begins the first day of class

Ideas for Engaging Activities• Discuss relevant experiences in personal

introductions• Completing a sentence• Provide a Hook

– Weirdest Gift– Best Vacation Spot– Etc.

(Bender, 2003, p. 48-53)

Ideas for Engaging Activities• Play a game• Ask: What do you hope to learn from the

course?• Short descriptive stories about themselves• Students interview and introduce each

other(Bender, 2003, p. 48-53)

References• Bender, T. (2003). Discussion-based

online teaching to enhance student learning. Sterling, VI: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

• Palloff, R.M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.